A True Messiah

The death early last month of Nelson Mandela, the first democratically elected President of South Africa, and one of the icons of the twentieth century, was perhaps the most widely reported event of the whole of 2013.  Even in the UK, thousands of miles away, hour after hour of television and radio time were given over to coverage of his death, state memorial service and burial.  Many people here, though they might have had no connection with South Africa, and had never seen Mandela, let alone known him, seemed to share in what seemed like a worldwide sense of loss.  It was interesting to compare the reaction to his death with that of Margaret Thatcher earlier in the year.

         Watching the coverage as a Christian believer greatly interested me, particularly in the way that he was pictured almost as some sort of Messianic figure who had led the country out of the dark ages of apartheid into the light of a fully-fledged democracy.  Though one would have to recognise that the impact of Mandela’s life was truly remarkable, it would have been good for somebody to point out some of the other facts: that Mandela never renounced violence, or as far as we know, repented of the deaths of many, Christian missionaries included, for which as head of the ANC he was responsible.  The gap between the rich and poor in South Africa is greater now than ever.  We remember present day missionaries visiting us who spoke of the dangers of life there.  Perhaps it will be many years before his impact can be truly measured.

         What was, perhaps, even more interesting was the way in which he was set up as a great example of forgiveness.  Much was made of the way in which he had shown great kindness towards those who had been his captors on Robben Island, insisting they have the best seats at his inauguration as President, never forgetting their children’s birthdays etc.  We saw again, as we have when victims of IRA terrorism have been interviewed, how human beings are fascinated by forgiveness and envious of those who find it within themselves to act in such a way.

         Which brings us surely to Jesus!  He is the true Messiah, and the greatest example of forgiveness.  His ‘long walk’ was to a cross, rather than to freedom. Even as he hung there, numbered with terrorists but innocent of every charge laid against him, he prayed for his executioners and their forgiveness.  The kingdom that He brought in is an everlasting one, marked by universal peace and freedom.  The life of Jesus Christ not only means that you and I can have a better life here and now, but an eternity in heaven.

         Though many were happy to state that Mandela was now in heaven, making such statements is wrong, though I hope that he is.  The way to heaven for Mandela was the same as it is for you and me.  We must trust in the Lord Jesus Christ with all our heart.  Only by his perfect sacrifice being applied to our sin laden hearts can any of us be saved.  Is that true of you?

The Bible's Value

 How valuable is your Bible to you?  If you were stranded on a desert island, would it be something you would choose to have with you?  That question cropped up again this summer as rumours about the BBC Radio programme Desert Island Discs hit the press.  Whereas in the past the fact that you would have the Bible and the complete works of Shakespeare was a given, the Corporation is under pressure to drop the first of these to keep in line with our increasingly secular society.  Though the BBC denied that this change was under consideration, I guess only time will tell. 

    One of the questions that the Desert Island Discs debate fuelled was; What makes the Bible so important?  Lots of so called experts contributed their ideas to the discussion.  Even arch secularist Richard Dawkins is on record as saying that due to the impact the King James Bible has had on our language, culture and history, to not know the Bible make us little more than barbarians.  Many of the points that were made were ones with which we would agree.  The Bible is a great book.  It contains marvelous stories of all sorts, wonderful poetry, history that is proving more and more reliable as archeological finds increasingly prove its accuracy, and a moral code that still forms the basis of most of civilization.  But is that all there is to say?  If so, then one day the Bible will be outdated.  Other stories will be written, and more fine poetry will be composed.  As ideas change, a new set of laws, more suitable to the tastes of modern mankind will emerge, and so the Bible will no longer merit our consideration anywhere, let alone on a desert island.

    But the Bible is more than a great book.  It claims for itself much more.  Indeed it claims to be the Word of God.  The Apostle Paul wrote;

“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” (2 Timothy 3:16) 

If it is the Word of God, then it immediately transcends anything written by even the greatest of men.  That will also mean that we need to bring every area under the wisdom of its pages.  Only then can we hope to live life as God intended for us.

    But the Bible is also important because it is ultimately about Jesus Christ, God’s Son, and not just a handbook to life on earth.  He told the religious leaders of His day; “You search the Scriptures for in them you think you have eternal life, and these are they which testify of Me.” (John 5:39).  If we want eternal life the answer as to how to attain it is found in God’s Word. It is found in no other book.  But that is because the Bible from beginning to end points us to the Lord Jesus. He came into the world to deal with the problem of our sin that the Bible is equally honest about.  Outside of Jesus we must face an eternity separated from God – forever lost.  But when we commit ourselves to Him, confess our sin, and trust in the sacrifice He made on Calvary, then all our sins can be forgiven and we can enjoy heaven – more of a paradise than any desert island can be!

Looking Skywards

How would you feel if you got up on Christmas morning to find that your loved ones had bought you a parachute jump as a present this year?  Apparently, for not much more than £100, you can learn to jump from a plane and land safely at a local airfield!  Suddenly socks and jumpers don’t seem that bad a gift after all!

          However scary such a jump might be, it would pale in comparison with that accomplished by Felix Baumgartner just a few weeks back.  Did you see it on the news?  He broke the world record for the highest ever jump, having leapt out of his capsule some 24 miles up.  The whole event was screened live over the internet and people around the world held their breath as they watched him tumbling over 128,000 feet to the earth. Though there were many dangers to be considered, and indeed at times during the jump there were real fears at ‘mission control’ that he might have died, we were able to see him land safely to the adulation of the world’s media.  Since then he has appeared on chat shows all around the globe.

          One of the things that became obvious as I watched the film of that jump was what a long way down it was.  There is a long way between the heavens and the earth.  King David, the Psalmist, had no idea just how far it was, but it did not stop him writing “As the heavens are high above the earth, so great is His [God’s] mercy toward those who fear Him” (Psalm 103:11)

          That is particularly worth remembering as we come to the Christmas season. This month we celebrate again the coming of another man who left heaven for earth.  But he didn’t jump out of a capsule to return to the earth he had left moments earlier.  He left the heaven of heavens, the dwelling place of the triune God, where He had enjoyed perfect companionship with His Father for all eternity.  His arrival on the planet wasn’t watched by the world like Baumgartners was.  It was hidden from view, in the rural backwater of Bethlehem, an insignificant town in a despised part of the Roman Empire.  And He didn’t just take a risk when He came to earth, but came knowing, indeed planning, to die a cruel death on a cross.  Nor did He enjoy the adulation of the world for his coming.  He was “despised and rejected by men, a Man of sorrows, acquainted with grief.” (Isaiah 53:3).  Whereas the name of Felix Baumgartner is praised today, the name of Jesus Christ is still used as a swear word across the globe, 2000 years later.

          But the coming of Jesus Christ into the world all those years ago is still celebrated all these years later, and will continue to be long after Baumgartner’s achievement is forgotten.  All across the world are men and women who have found salvation and eternal life through this Jesus.  His death on the cross means their sins are forgiven and, though sinners, they can be accepted by God.  That can be true for you too, this Christmas, if you will believe in Him!

We will meet in Heaven

An article advertising a forthcoming programme on BBC Radio 4 about letters sent to their loved ones by soldiers from the front line, contained the following moving example from a soldier who obviously knew his Lord.  It was written by Private George Henry Davies, born in Montgomery in 1889 who was a missionary in Australia before joining up in January 1916.  He was killed eighteen months later;

"This will be the last time I shall write in this diary before the 'Great Push'. It may be the last time I shall ever write.

I am just taking these last few minutes at my disposal to pen this letter to you, and even as I write I am expecting to be called away.
The time is now ripe for the moment when we 'go over the top' and advance on the enemy trenches; I am to go with the boys and am not sorry to be able to do so.
I am quite ready dear laddie, I have made my peace with God, and am trusting in Christ my Saviour to bring me to Eternal Light.
I am looking forward to this 'push' to bring me a happy release from further military life which I hate, and I hope to be wounded and sent home, or else be killed, either are preferable to this hell on earth.
Now Willie dear, you will see in this diary how I love you; you are my adopted brother, your sweet, beautiful 'boy' influence lingers with me as I write these last few lines, and I want to say that I shall think of you right to the end, and I shall pray to God to keep you in His Care.
You will remember our last words together on Melbourne station, 'We will meet in Heaven'. If I die I shall be looking for you Willie, I know I shall see you again with your mother and mine in the Fadeless Morning on the Eternal Shore. If I live Willie, I shall seek to do all I can to crush any military tendencies in my nation, I will make my name heard against money grabbing, and other evil things, and will uphold the highest and best socialism and I will try to make life more like Christ's life. If I die I would like you to do this for me. Set your heart against all greed, selfishness, lust, and dirt my laddie, and remember Jesus Christ IS a stronghold in Whom we can hide.

Good-bye,
Your ever loving brother,
George Davies.

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“Some day you will read in the papers that D.L. Moody of East Northfield, is dead.  Don’t you believe a word of it!  At that moment I shall be more alive than I am now!”

                                                                                                      D.L Moody