All Sorts of Emptiness

What springs to mind when you hear the word empty?  It’s not one of our favourite words is it?  The definition in the dictionary we have in the house goes like this; “void, containing nothing; devoid of, vacant, unoccupied; unloaded, destitute, desolate; meaningless, unsubstantial, shadowy; senseless, inane; without intelligence, ignorant; hungry, unsatisfied.”

If that were not bad enough it goes on to give some ways in which the word is used, in expressions such as empty-handed, which reminds us of someone with nothing to call their own, or, what is worse, empty-headed.  I guess we’ve all had to deal with people we could apply that to!  Even worse would be to describe somebody as empty-hearted.

As we look at the world around us we see spiritual emptiness.  It is clear that many people have a void at the centre of their life which they vainly try to satisfy with the material things that they can buy in the shops they visit.  Indeed the whole process of materialism seems to depend on such an ‘emptiness’.  Many people who are part of that approach to life often look at Christians and think that we must be empty-headed to believe in an unseen God and live for a crucified Saviour.

But as Christians we have to own up to the fact that our faith is based on something empty!  Right at the heart of the Christian faith there is something wonderfully empty.  It is the grave of the Lord Jesus Christ!  If it were still occupied, Christianity would be truly empty.  It would be futile.  As we celebrate another Easter Day, we rejoice that the fact that the grave is empty means that Christians, of all people, have a ‘fullness’ that the world will never give us.

The emptiness of the tomb of the Lord Jesus is one of the indisputable facts of history.  Unlike Mohammed, or any other great religious figure, there is no corpse and no occupied tomb to visit.  Though men for twenty centuries have advanced other explanations for the emptiness of the tomb, the only one that really stands up to investigation is that the resurrection of Jesus Christ really happened.  Scared, cowardly disciples, absent at the cross and dejected for the next two days, are transformed into fearless preachers of the resurrection, willing to be martyred rather than deny that it happened.  The Apostle Paul staked his life upon the fact and was willing to refer people who doubted it to over 500 people who had met the risen Jesus, in his writings (1 Corinthians 15:6).  Have you examined the evidence for this great event?

 But if Jesus did rise from the dead, everything is changed.  Death has been defeated.  There is a hope that goes beyond the grave.  And if He did rise, He must be who He claimed to be – the Son of God and the Lord of life itself.  We need to worship Him as such, and repent of the empty lives we live.  We need to come in worship to the Lord of the empty tomb and receive the fullness of life that He came to bring.

A Life for a Life

 Did you see the interview that Prince Harry gave from Afghanistan, broadcast at the end of his deployment as a soldier there?  It was interesting to catch a glimpse of this ‘playboy’ prince in his camouflage uniform, poised at a moment’s notice to put himself in mortal danger.  It is good to know that he is back home again, and we pray that all serving there will return home just as safely.

          The war in Afghanistan has caused Christians great concern.  Many believers would take a pacifist stance toward any war, especially one which seems to be so far away and so unconnected with British life.  They would argue from Scripture that all war is wrong and that Christians should campaign against it.  Pacificism has a long and honourable Christian tradition.

          Other Christians would take a different view, arguing, from Scripture, that in some circumstances it is right for countries, and even Christians, to take up arms against evil.  Through history, there has been an equally strong Christian doctrine of the ‘just war’.  For those of us who hold such a view, however, the war in Afghanistan has caused us almost as many problems as it does the pacifist, particularly when we consider what might end up as the government of the country in the future.  Perhaps it will be many years before we can truly tell whether such fears were groundless.

          We struggle with war because all war involves killing people, and Prince Harry openly acknowledged that.  When asked directly if he had been involved in such killing he was frank;

"Yeah, so lots of people have. The squadron's been out here. Everyone's fired a certain amount… We fire when we have to, take a life to save a life…” 

          It was the last part of that quote that struck me particularly.  When the pressure is on, and a soldier’s finger is on the trigger, that is what goes through his mind.  It must have been the same for those who fought in previous wars.  They thought of their own life and those of the fellow soldiers with whom they served – take a life to save a life.  Or perhaps they thought of families and friends back at home who might face danger if they didn’t succeed – take a life to save a life. 

          But as a Christian, when I heard those words I thought of the Lord Jesus Christ.  His life could be summed up slightly differently – Give a life to save many lives.  It was one of his enemies who counselled that “one man should die for the people, and not that the whole nation should perish” (John 11:50).  Caiaphas spoke more truly than he realised.  Jesus gave his life that others might be saved.  Because He willingly went to the cross, you and I can be rescued from our sin and the wrath of a holy God.  As one of the hymns we sing says, he “gave His life that we might live.  This is our God, the servant King”

The One the Bible calls the Prince of Life, calls us now to follow Him!  

A Christmas Message

          If you have a 3D television, there was something new for you to enjoy last month, as for the first time, the Queen’s Christmas Day broadcast was available in this new medium.  I don’t know what difference it made – did it seem that the corgis were going to jump out at you? – but the television news reports of the broadcast made much of the fact beforehand.

          Afterwards the reports concentrated on how Her Majesty had looked back on the two major events of 2012 – the Diamond Jubilee and the Summer Olympics.  As always, perhaps the most important part of the speech, which is the only one we are told that the Queen writes herself every year, was passed over by the news broadcasts.  As in every year recently, the Queen had spoken of her faith, and of what the Christmas season means to her.  Though the politically correct media organisations seem embarrassed by the fact, it is clear that a personal faith is a most important part of her life and what she said this Christmas is worth thinking about as we enter a new year.

            Speaking of the wise men of Matthew chapter 2 she said,

“visitors from afar … came with their gifts to worship the Christ child. From that day on he has inspired people to commit themselves to the best interests of others.  This is the time of year when we remember that God sent his only son 'to serve, not to be served'.  He restored love and service to the centre of our lives in the person of Jesus Christ.  It is my prayer this Christmas Day that his example and teaching will continue to bring people together to give the best of themselves in the service of others.

          It was interesting to hear such words about prayer, worship, God sending his only Son, and the person and work of Christ, coming from our Monarch.  It should give us renewed encouragement to pray ‘God save the Queen’.  But it was especially good to hear her at least partially quote the words of Jesus found in Mark 10:45;

“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

          As the Queen reminded us, this verse points us to the example of Christ in serving others.  It was originally spoken to the disciples as they were aguing amongst themselves as to who was the greatest.  The Lord wants His people to rejoice in serving one another.  That must be our attitude in the twelve months that lie before us.  As the church of Jesus Christ we are all different and we all have our faults and failings.  But we are commanded to love and serve one another.  How will you do that in New Inn Congregational Church in 2013?

          But the part that the Queen didn’t quote is of great significance too.  The Lord Jesus came not just to serve but to give His life as a ransom for many.  Our only hope of eternal life is in the sacrifice of the Saviour on our behalf.  It is that message that we need to believe, preach and go on emphasising in another New Year.             

Life's Olympics

What a memorable afternoon it was in the centre of Pontypool last month!  Thousands celebrated the visit of the Olympic torch in the warm sunshine!  Quite a few church members were there, and though I didn’t see it, I’m reliably informed that one of our very senior members was seen hanging on to a gate to get a better view!  No names, but you know who you are!

It was a ‘once in a lifetime’ event, not just for those of us who packed the pavements.  It was especially so for those who had the honour of taking part in the relay.  Male and female, young and old, famous and ‘ordinary’, they had been chosen to play a part in this great procession that leads ultimately to the Olympic Stadium in London next month.  300 meters or so had been allotted to each of them, and it was their job, as thousands looked on, to get the torch to the next runner.  I saw some of them interviewed on the television, and they spoke about the advice they had been given by family and friends, most of which it seems had revolved around not falling over and keeping looking forward.

There is, of course, a sense in which we, as Christians, are part of a great relay race.  As the old hymn reminds us;

          “We bear the torch that flaming, fell from the hands of those,
           Who gave their lives proclaiming that Jesus died and rose”

And it was a similar thought that came to mind the following Sunday, as we were reminded at the Communion table of those words of the Apostle;

“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.” (Hebrews 12:1-2)

The Apostle Paul, who was familiar with Greek athletic competitions like the ancient Olympics, often used the picture of a race to remind us of our Christian lives.  Just as the runners in the torch relay, and in the Games themselves next month, wear nothing that holds them back, so you and I need to be ruthless with the sin that traps us and drags us down.  Just as each torchbearer had an allotted section that was their responsibility to run, so God has given each of us a time and a place where we must serve Him with endurance.  Just as each of them had to look for the next person, the one who would take the flame from them, so we, as God’s chosen ones, have to keep our eye on a Person, the greatest person – the Lord Jesus Christ!
What was the reward for each of those participants we saw running in the Eastern Valley sunshine that day?  The fame, the glory, and the chance to buy for £200 or so the torch that they had carried.  Those who run in the Games themselves will get a medal – at least if they finish in the first three, that is!  For those of us who run this race with perseverance, there is “laid up for me, the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge will give me on that day” (2 Timothy 4:8).  What a reward!  So keep running! 

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