Water and Fire

In the beginning there was water before there was light...
The ruach/spirit/breath of G-d hovered over the waters.
Have you ever pondered the significance of water?
Seriously, though, it doesn't really take a rocket scientist or Ross medical student to understand that you must have H20 to live. Water is essential to life. The majority of the world is covered in water. Living in Dominica, the land of 365 rivers, is truly a blessing knowing that this particular land has been blessed with life. Many of us read statistics and articles online regarding people living in other parts of the world who have no access to clean drinking water. While this might seem unfathomable to a Westerner, people who spend absurd amounts of cash on bottled water, the truth of the matter is that water is the most precious gift of life on the planet.
Thus, it comes as no surprise to me that so much of the biblical narrative revolves around water.
The rivers in the garden of Eden... Noah's Ark... Jacob's well... the dividing of the Red Sea... the crossing of the Jordan River... and Jesus, speaking to the Samaritan woman at the well while revealing that He is the source of Living Water...
In Leviticus, we read about the ritual purification by the priests when approaching the Lord's tabernacle. Later on, the ritual of cleansing oneself became a defining feature throughout the Jewish world. Washing cups, utensils and hands were done with deliberate and seemingly meticulous measures for appearing before a holy G-d.
Mikveh, a Hebrew word which describes a collection of a body of water(s), also known as the "womb of the world," was an important ritual during the 1st century. Mikveh's were special Jewish baths requiring living water which were all around the temple and local synagogues in Ancient Israel.
The mikveh was used for women after their menstruation cyle, men after nocturnal emissions, men and women after sex, those with any bodily discharges, people with skin infections, one whose body touched a corpse, somone who ate meat from an animal that died naturally, the priest who placed his hands upon the scapegoat during Yom Kippur, the chosen one who led out the goat, and for converts from the pagan world to Judaism. It is important to note that mikveh washings/immersions were not about following a health code, althouth that is obviously implied with many of these factors listed above. The main reason for mikveh was for spiritual and ritual purification, as if one was re-approaching the holy Lord, YHWH! However, the most important feature in mikveh was one of the most crucial and fantastic Jewish practices to exist throughout all of history.
T'SHUVAH...
This Hebrew word means "to turn" and it's the word we use for repent! In Greek, the word means to change one's mind.
I like the Hebrew word better as it speaks of a mind, body, heart and soul TURN back to the Lord. Turning from one's sins, becoming aware and owning up to wrongdoings, evil and injustice in the world, moving back to the Father was necessary for mikveh!
In Luke 3, we read that John the Baptist came preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgivness of sins. John, as seen through the context of the 1st century was probably an Essene (separatist group of pious individuals who fled pagan society for reform and holiness). Essenes were mikveh junkies, so to speak. What we, as modern day Christians, have failed to see through studying John's baptism as it applies to modern day baptisms in Christian churches, is that John was not doing anything new. John was practicing mikveh!
People were coming out of the cities to hear this message of one preaching in the wilderness, and many were cut to the core b/c they had fallen away from the teaching of G-d. Luke quotes Isaiah 40, describing the scene of the coming out of exile, the hope of Israel and the dawn of a new age which flows for many chapters culminating in a whole new world under the promised Messiah.
John was simply preparing the way, making the rough places smooth, as was normal when a king came to town.
So, what does water have to do with preparing the way?
EVERYTHING!
Water is central to life.
Water was there in the beginning, during the fall, the exodus, the temple cleansings and so on...
Water is about new beginnings.
But we must see this picture of water with John and the coming Messiah in terms of its proper context, and this specific context has always been about T'SHUVAH, turning back to G-d.
I dig John's passion, his boldness, and his ability to speak the truth, not necessarily "in love" either. He's all about the truth, and nothing but the truth, shouting, "You brood of vipers!" I can't imagine telling a bunch of people that they are going to get wacked by an ax, thrown into the fire, and that the wrath of G-d is upon them!
WOW! I don't know if I really want that job b/c it seems to me that I would probably be fired after my first message. Yet, John was more concerned about his role in preparing the way for his beloved nation, Israel.
No more bragging rights about being a child of Abraham... G-d means business!
And, of course, the people knew that the Lord was serious b/c they knew their story book very well. If the people continued to live in certain ways, specific things would begin to happen. It's written all throughout the prophets in the Hebrew Scriptures.
"What must we do?" asked the people!
John's response... basically... act justly... don't cheat someone... share... be generous... don't do someone wrong... basic justice issues! If G-d's people were living lives of injustice, odds are, they were not connected to the source of life, the vine, G-d! His repentance message was clearly about bearing fruit. If you aren't filled with love, joy, peace, patience, etc., then you are not really repentant!
John reminded the people that he came to baptize with water, preparing people, getting hearts turned back. Yet, the big part of the story came next. John mentioned the Messiah, who will baptize with fire and with the Holy Spirit.
So, we have talked about water. But what about fire?
What about fire and the Holy Spirit?
Fire, a source of light, is also necessary for life. We must have light to see! This picture of fire and the Holy Spirit has really intrigued me lately. G-d is seen in scripture through the picture of fire.
the burning bush... the fire above Sinai... pillar of fire at night...
But fire is also seen as a picture of judgment, D-day! Fire is a picture of Gehenna/hell, the city dump, where children were once sacrificed to pagan gods. We often have a difficult time with speaking about the judgment of G-d. I think it is best to see the judgment of G-d s his love for the world b/c G-d only wants what's best for his creation. Judgment is really all about love and purification.
And, fire is also seen as something which refines and purifies elements.
John described the Messiah as the one will will separate the wheat from the chaff, the person responsible for judgment.
Jesus, the Rabbi from Nazareth is then seen coming into the scene being baptized through mikveh in the Jordan River. Heaven was ripped open and the Holy Spirit descended on him like a dove. A voice from the heavens said, "You are my son whom I love am am well pleased."
The ministry of Jesus is more than water. It's more than ritual cleansing. But before we can begin talking about the power through the Holy Spirit and the implications upon our current communities, we must get down to the business of water, indeed.
Mikveh/water ritual cleansing is all about repentance. If we want any action on the movement of the Holy Spirit, we need to get serious about what it means to "prepare the way." To "prepare the way" of the Lord's movement within our families, communities and nations, we need leaders of all kinds willing to not only talk about repentance, but ones willing to set the example and begin doing so in order for real fruit to bear on our current defiled soil.
If John the Baptist came to our homes and our church, what would he see?
Would he see a bunch of Christians saying, "We are cool. We have made a profession, said a prayer and are all good!" How similar are we, N. American Christians, to the Jews living in the 1st century who thought that all they needed was a Hebrew National Card when dealing with G-d?
If we belong to G-d, we must represent G-d. And, if we represent G-d, this means we need to look at every area of our life, and see what hasn't been turned over to Him.
Bottom line: What are your golden calves?
Have you turned the following over to G-d? Finances, future, sexuality, family, local community, global responsiblities, adversaries, disciplines, leisure time, work, studies, friendships, speech, material possessions, etc.? This isn't about guilty manipulation. This is about being clean!
Water is beautiful. Water is imperative to life. When we think through or possibly begin to practice mikveh, leading up to the preparation of G-d's movement through Jesus in our midst, let's be reminded of the pure, cleansing flood that has washed over us, making us whole again.
Jesus said that HE was the LIVING WATER!
Through him, we have been buried with him through baptism/mikveh, and raised to walk in a new kind of life through a brand new womb, becoming new children headed for greatness in the kingdom of heaven.
And after water, comes FIRE! But this kind of fire sets the world a blaze with a gospel message of liberation, grace, healing, loving kindness, justice, mercy, forgiveness and compassion for all creation. We, those connected to Jesus, the Messiah, are empowered to carry the torch, becoming the light of the world. And, this new light gives light to all humakind b/c light will always outshine the darkness.
Know this... fire can be frightening. Remember, kids, don't play with fire!!! But when handled with care, fire can be tremendously useful and powerful for goodness.
Fire and Water... part of life, integrated into life and always at work!
Remember your baptism daily. Remember your dying to self, the need to repent and turn on a daily basis, and fully coming back to G-d in every area of your life. Remember the fire that burns deep within your soul, the light of life, so that all may see and live in the shalom of YHWH. The desire of G-d's heart is that nobody should perish, but that everyone would have life to the fullest.
Let's be a part of that glorious vision of water and fire in a dark, hurting yet hope filled world in need of Jesus the Living Water and Light of the world!

I'll ponder with ya

If an angel of the Lord appeared to me, would I be afraid? Would I doubt like Zachariah, or would I trust and believe like Mary? It is so interesting to me that every time an angel appears, his/her first line is always "Do not be afraid!" So what does it mean to fear the Lord but not be afraid? To trust and obey out of love and not out of fear?
These are my ponderings :)

Pondering ______ in one's heart

DIVINE... MAJESTIC... rang within the meaning of his glorious name! Everyone around the world knew that, "Caesar is Lord!" His rule had vastly extended from Rome to the Holy Land of Israel. The most honored ruler and "king" over the entire world in the 1st century was called "divi filius" (son of the deified Julius Caesar)... son of god. The Imperator of Rome, Caesar Octavian Augustus was the benefactor of Rome, using his gifts and charisma for the peace and healing of the known world ... "Pax Romana," the peace of Rome was the heartbeat of his reign. Augustus' rule (31 BC – AD 14) brought changes to every aspect of Roman life and lasting peace and prosperity to the Greco-Roman world according to scholars. He secured and maintained outlying imperial provinces, built magnificent roads and public works, encouraged the participation of the arts and rebuilt many temples to glorify numerous Greek gods. Rome's Octavian Augustus' power was based on his control of the army, his financial resources, and his enormous popularity. He was "called the author of the best possible government," and boasted that he had "found Rome built of brick and left it in marble." Unfortunately, for every great kingdom, there are always subjects who suffer as a result of its "greatness."
The Jewish people living in Judea, Samaria, Perea, Galilee and Idumea, working under heavy taxation, were subject to Rome under the governance of Herod the Great, known for his brutality, paranoia, killings, vast and extraordinary temple and palace rebuilding and his improper behavior toward the Law/Torah of YHWH.
The ancient words of the prophet Micah regarding a "shepherd" who will secure the land a new in His greatness and become the peace/shalom of Israel along with Isaiah's prophesy about the "Prince of Peace" who will have the "government upon his shoulders" seemed far off, lofty and irrelevant to so many poor Jews living in fear under this harsh system of oppression and brute force.
Still, the cry of desperation and misery must have been heard from the small town of Bethlehem, the city of David, the "House of Bread" (Hebrew wording), the city that overlooked the Herodian palace which reeked of injustice and greed.
And G-d was, is and always will be the Lord of the Hebrew slaves who intimately hears the cries of His beloved children!!!
"In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world... (Luke 2:1)"
Census = more heavy taxes = more angry Jews = When will this reign end and when will the new kingdom begin?
I wonder if Mary, one who was known in Scripture for pondering things in her heart, pondered how on earth (literally) her baby boy could stand a chance against Caesar and Herod in light of what she knew about the ruling titans of Rome and Judea?
The birth narrative of Jesus, son of Mary and Joseph, residents of Nazareth, must be read in this context! Otherwise, all we have is some nice, fluffy pageant play filled with floating angels, strange shepherds and cows mooing near a gentle baby boy with a halo of some sort upon his little white brow. We might as well be watching a Disney movie!!!
The good news of Christmas day is absolutely bizarre and startling, somewhat laughable and out right crazy when read in its proper context... unless... there's something else going on in the story.
Mary ponders for a reason!
The unique night in Bethlehem is mysteriously purposeful in revealing the dawn of a new age that would be hopeful for all nations, but also, one hope very much foreign to the rule of Rome.
The Son of David, the firstborn over all creation, the real King of the Jews, the son of the Most High G-d, the Messiah/Liberator/Anointed One over Israel and the true Passover Lamb was not born in a royal palace. He was not ushered in with Roman messengers or what might be compared with CNN late breaking news reporters. Jesus, born upon the earth's soil through the help of Jewish peasants, was born in a smelly room with barn animals and placed in a feeding trough for a bed. No crown was placed upon his head. The Jewish Messiah entered this dark and hurting world in poverty and rags.
One would think the first visitors might be the Rabbi's, possibly the high priest, and other esteemed religious elite within Israel.
But shepherds???
Kids? (1st century shepherds were known to be small children)
Little 9 year old girls watching their flocks at night?
These young shepherds were absolutely terrified when an angel came down in their midst, but were put at ease with the following words, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news..." Wait a second... Good news? Haven't we heart that before? Wasn't the Roman world filled with all kinds of "good news?" The angel continued, "... good news of great joy for all people."
Again, the Roman gospel was known to be "for all people" as well. This is the same exact language messengers of Rome would have used back in the day. How is this gospel any different?
"Today, in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord."
Might this be the ONE the prophets spoke of from days of old? Is this the true Liberator who will bring REAL peace to the land? Has the time actually arrived? The angel finished with the words, "This will be a sign to you: You will find the baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
MANGER?
Is this some joke?
A King in a trough???
And if these words were not enough in that moment to convince the intrigued children, the next bold proclamation would surely stick and pierce its way into the core of their soul as a heavenly host of celestial beings began singing the finest tune in the history of all the earth, "GLORY TO G-D IN THE HIGHEST HEAVEN, AND ON EARTH PEACE TO THOSE ON WHOM HIS FAVOR RESTS."
I'd like to stop and do what Mary does best... PONDER!
...
G-d's glory! Yes, I get it! It's all there and then some with some sugar and spice on top...
The highest heaven? INDEED! WORD!
What about this following line?
"And on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests."
I've been doing a lot of pondering upon this particular phrase this week.
First, this message, according to the historical context in which it was written, pertaining to the Messiah figure is clearly not about an after life/pie in the sky or some lofty feel good inner peace that many Christians have somehow made it over the years.
I believe the correct words are visibly seen as "ON EARTH," and it was upon this earth that angels came down and delivered this message to little children on a peculiar night unlike any other these kids have ever witnessed on earth...
According to the message, SHALOM is here, the hope of Israel seen all throughout the Hebrew scriptures, an extraordinary popular word filled with real abundant life, inner peace, outward balance, wholeness and welfare.
Where Caesar offers his Pax Romana, G-d ushers in the shalom through Jesus.
But there's more?
This peace comes to those "on whom his favor rests," which makes me ponder again upon the correlation between favor and this surreal event in history in the lives of young common children watching sheep at night.
And, I suppose this is probably what Mary pondered that night as well when preteen girls came knocking on her "door" in the middle of the night.
No, it wasn't a Torah teacher!
Poor, small, insignificant children were the 1st to the get the birth announcement of the Savior of the world!
Favor was bestowed upon these frightened shepherds whose fear was turned to joy!
Their dark night was filled with the brightest light in the history of the Roman world in which they've known.
This odd, favorable invite to poverty stricken and inexperienced peasants truly makes me wonder (as I'm sure Mary wondered too), what kind of kingdom this King truly ushered in...?
With Pax Romana in plain sight, how does one interpret this SHALOM from YHWH?
Well, it's a good thing we have the rest of the story. Otherwise, we'd be sitting in a dumbfound state of "uhhhhhhh" for years! You see, unlike the actual shepherds during that glorious night in Bethlehem, I'm a bit slow to "hurry" and run to the King. I guess, like the rest of the N. American suburban "church" I often get angry and cynical with at times, along with the religious elite of Jesus' day, the message of the kingdom, the good news for ALL creation falls on deaf ears.
Wait... did I hear myself say that?
ALL CREATION?
Yes, the good news of great joy IS for ALL CREATION! Unlike Rome, who only looked at its own self interests, bottom line, and worked from the top down with force and might, the kingdom of G-d ushered in through Jesus worked and still works from the bottom up!
Why?
After pondering, I've come to a place where I really do think that whether we are talking about shepherds in 1st century Bethlehem, modern day slaves across the globe, single moms, poor migrant workers, alcoholics, orphans, homeless men, starving children, depressed dudes and beaten wives, these folk living at the bottom of the totem pole will nearly always run to a Liberator!
Their healthy fear of the Lord will be real, and their healing will be fully accepted with naked vulnerability and open arms.
Jesus was all about freedom! G-d, his Father is in the business of freedom!
Jesus was a real man who entered our world as a real baby boy born to real poor parents who were able to live a really rich life!
Again, after pondering... What our world needs today more than anything else, is for the children of G-d, to be reawakened to the angels singing and ushering in their anthem to the nations. We need to open our ears again so we can hear and hear well! Christians need to understand that in our identity, the name in which we call ourselves, we are now carriers of the same SHALOM in the context of a world which might offer another message and means of peace/pax! We must be a light to everyone, and not just the people who have bigger toys, more credibility, financial resources and prestige. Christ must be the Messiah for the healing of the broken, diseased, poor, hungry, lame, shunned and for all the misfits of society who have been forgotten. Christians must learn to not rely on trickling down economics, but yearn to embrace and practice with much creativity and passion, bottom-up kingdom ethics.
Give to someone who can't pay you back!
Love with absolutely no strings attached!
Fight for injustice using creative, nonviolent measures of hope, even for the oppressors.
Plant hope in the lives of young children and watch them grow!
And, last but not least... treasure these things in your heart as you watch the kingdom slowly and beautifully sprout before your very eyes!
Now, this my friends IS the snapshot of "DIVINE" on earth. This is the picture of "MAJESTIC!"
shalom
Ryan