"Baby Gifts (3): Redeemed, not Rebels"
Isaiah 63:1-19 Dec.22/02 Communion
Redeeming the Terms: "Christmas Tree" or "Holiday Tree"?
Our fallen human tendency is to rebel against God's ways and follow what seems best to us. Before long, however, we discover that "there is a way which seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death" (Prov.14:12). We rejoice that at Christmas Jesus came to redeem us from our folly by paying the price to buy us back from the eternal consequences of our rebellious sin.
Secular humanistic culture finds anything to do with God repulsive. So it's not surprising that for a short while this year the 16-metre brightly festooned fir in front of Toronto's city hall was officially called a "holiday" tree. But a deluge of protests convinced the councillors to reverse their decision and on November 27 without debate they unanimously voted to officially refer to it as a "Christmas tree". In fact, no one had complained about it being called that in the first place. What the spin doctors claimed would make it a more "inclusive" celebration actually excluded about 80% of the population. Bernie Farber of the Canadian Jewish Congress of Ontario observed that taking away or changing the names of symbols for any religious group is denying Canadians their right to a truly multicultural society. Farber said, "The tree in front of City Hall is a Christmas tree. The menorah in front of Queen's Park is a menorah, not a candelabra...We should really be celebrating traditions, not looking for a way to deny them."
Thanks to the outpouring of protests, the skirmish was won, though it is more of a token victory than real spiritual progress. The battle continues: the Canadian Mint decided to change the name of the song in their holiday advertising to "The 12 Days of Giving". Actually the "Christmas" tree is really a pagan prop, only recently adopted to Advent traditions. While some believers may dispute whether it really belongs in Christian homes, it's not a bad symbol of our task as believers of "redeeming" customs and ways to point to Jesus Christ, rather than to other idols. Paul's attitude was, "We take every thought captive to obey Christ" (2Cor.10:5). In all our actions, we need with God's help to be learning to think and behave Christianly, as those who have been ransomed for Kingdom purposes.
Today in our final look at Isaiah chapters 61-63, we see a crying out by the prophet in the midst of distressing circumstances, a lament that as a people they have lost the battle against their oppressors and God's enemies. Yet the prophet foresees a Redeemer (whom we identify as the Messiah Jesus) that will bring relief and deliverance to a troubled people. Chapter 63 is a bit like Dickens' A Christmas Carol with its ghosts of Christmas past, present, and future, though in different order. Let's begin at the end with the present situation, recall with Isaiah positive memories of God's saving deeds in the past, then "back into" the future.
Asking in a Hard Present: 63:15-19
The situation the prophecy addresses is given in verse 18. "For a little while your people possessed your holy place, but now our enemies have trampled down your sanctuary." The prophet in a vision beholds the temple burned and Jerusalem taken captive by the Babylonians in 586 BC. Psalm 74(3-7) describes the conquerors as having "behaved like men wielding axes to cut through a thicket of trees.They smashed all the carved paneling with their axes and hatchets." V.19 of Isaiah 63 questions why God's own people Israel should be treated like this by pagans; "You have not ruled over them, they have not been called by Your name!" In v.15 the prophet asks God to stop and take a good look at all the destruction. "Look down from heaven and see from your lofty throne, holy and glorious.Where are your zeal and your might? Your tenderness and compassion are withheld from us." It's one of those moments in life where a person might ask in the midst of hardship, "God, are you really up there? Don't You see what's happening to me, all this trouble I'm having? How could you let this happen?"
Recently I was speaking with a woman whose mother in her 50s lay in a hospital bed nearby, heavily drugged with morphine, on the verge of death from pancreatic cancer. This woman admitted she found it hard to believe in miracles; her own young son had suffered greatly from a rare form of leukemia, while she stood by, helpless to intervene. Such circumstances put us right in the shoes of Isaiah, asking questions about God's apparent failure to come through in the crunch.
Our tendency at such times is to really question or even reject God. We may "turn off" from Him inside. V.17, "Why, O LORD, do you make us wander from your ways and harden our hearts so we do not revere you?" To harden our hearts is to grow defensive, resistant, perhaps bitter and resentful that sometimes bad things happen. In bitterness we hold a grudge against God, as if shaking our fist heavenward and shouting, "I have a right to be angry!" The hardship hardens us.
The Lord warns us, though, not to let bitterness get the upper hand, for it poisons not only us but others too. Heb.12:15: "See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many." Confess it, lance it, get it out of your system before it shrivels you up and infects others -- which is precisely what the Destroyer desires.
In v.10 of this passage Isaiah hints at the real source of the nation's troubles: not God's whim but Israel's willfulness. It says, "...they rebelled and grieved his Holy Spirit. So he turned and became their enemy and he himself fought against them." God had warned the people back when they first entered Canaan that if they didn't keep His laws, they would be removed from the land. But they rebelled repeatedly, adopting many of the religious customs of the surrounding nations and committing injustice. They grieved God's Holy Spirit, causing sorrow and disappointment to God. If we're not careful, we can rebel and grieve God's Spirit too. Paul warns in Ephesians 4(30), "do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption." What does that mean? How do we grieve the Holy Spirit today? Look at some of the surrounding verses: "Get rid of all bitterness [there it is again!], rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." In short, have an attitude that is not bitter or vengeful and self-protective but loving and gracious, conscious of Christ's supreme gift for us. And just before that we find counsel for the way we speak: "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs..." (Ephesians 4:29-32)
When we turn away from God to other powers, the effects are toxic. A Quebec Health Department poll showed that among students 12-17 years old, 42% had taken drugs in the previous 12 months, and 51% said they drank occasionally. The Montreal Gazette newspaper states that the increase is "cause for some alarm". Linda Hoare and her husband run a Youth for Christ drop-in centre. They feel the increase in substance abuse is directly related to the decline in faith and family values; as she puts it, "Two factors affect everything else in a kid's life -- God and family." She also notes an increase in teen pregnancies and the high school drop-out rate. She says, "Kids are very sad today. They lack stability. They don't feel good about themselves." That leads even "good" kids to experiment with drugs and other risky behaviours. Hoare feels that government initiatives to address this won't be effective as long as adults keep sending mixed messages. She observes, "The schools teach only drug reduction. The government is talking about legalizing marijuana...We need to aim for 'clean'. Then our young people will start to feel good about themselves." She thinks kids haven't changed, but adults are no longer assuming their responsibility toward the next generation. She puts it this way: "We have chopped off their legs, and we wonder why they can't walk."
Rebellion against God hurts the rebel in the long run. Our universe has fixed moral laws that you can fight about as effectively as the law of gravity when jumping off a cliff. The Lord warns us for our own good that rebellion brings disaster. Isaiah has 66 chapters; the Bible has 66 books. Isaiah begins and ends with a warning not to rebel against God (1:2; 66:24); Genesis 3(17-24) and Revelation 22(15) both describe punishment for those who disobey. The message is consistent, cover to cover: when we rebel, we end up hurting ourselves in the long run.
Assurance from Rescues in the Past (63:7-14)
Despite the mess all around, the prophet draws assurance from remembering specific instances of the Lord rescuing Israel in the past. V.7: "I will tell of the kindnesses of the LORD, the deeds for which he is to be praised, according to all the LORD has done for us— yes, the many good things he has done for the house of Israel, according to his compassion and many kindnesses." God became their Saviour (v.8) in the days of Moses: vv.11-14 recall God's deliverance of the nation from slavery in Egypt, dividing the waters, guiding them through the wilderness, giving them rest from their enemies. God took ownership of them as HIS people and shared the hardships with them. Hear how He identifies with their problems in v.9: "In all their distress he too was distressed, and the angel of his presence saved them. In his love and mercy he redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old." Over and over again, from Egypt through to the time of the judges and on through the reign of kings like David and Hezekiah, God faithfully delivered the Jews. Isaiah derives great assurance from recalling God's loving mercy to His wayward people in the past.
Anticipating a Future Redeemer (63:1-6)
In harsh conditions of the present, the prophet asks God to look and see. Memories of God's saving acts in centuries past provide confirmation that God's character is kind and compassionate. Then in the first 6 verses we see Isaiah anticipating a Redeemer to make His appearance in the future - the Messiah we know as Jesus Christ. The theme of redemption runs all through this chapter: v.4, "the year of my redemption has come"; v.9, "in His love and mercy He redeemed them"; v.16, "our Redeemer from of old is Your name". What is a "redeemer", anyway?
The idea is basically "to buy back", and was very vivid in periods when there was slavery. People who were captured or overwhelmed by debt were forced or sold into slavery. A slave could pay a "ransom" or redemption price and buy their freedom. Today we redeem coupons or send in a slip for a rebate and receive money back. Basically, someone else covers the price and you benefit from new value. A pawn shop would be an example where you could "buy back" or redeem an object you had put "in hock". So be reminded of your Redeemer the next time you sing "It Came a-pawn the Midnight Clear"!
In ancient Jewish culture, the so-called "redeemer-kinsman" -- for example, Boaz in the story of Ruth and Naomi (Ruth 2:20) -- had specific responsibilities. The NIV Study Bible (Is.41:14) notes, "The Hebrew for this word refers to an obligated family protector and thus portrays the Lord as the Family Protector of Israel...As Redeemer (or Family Protector), he redeems their property (for he regathers them to their land), guarantees their freedom, avenges them against their tormentors, and secures their posterity for the future." Not a bad sort to have around!
Chapter 63 begins with a somewhat puzzling reference to someone "coming from Edom, from Bozrah, with his garments stained crimson." Edom was the nation just south of Judah descended from Esau son of Isaac, Jacob's brother. Even though they were distantly related, there was ongoing hatred between the two nations. Edom had started it by refusing to let Israel pass through on the highway when coming from Egypt. When the Babylonians besieged Jerusalem, not only did Edom not show up to help the Jews, they in fact actively aided the Babylonians in attacking Jerusalem! Then when Jerusalem fell, the Edomites were right there, celebrating. They looted the city and plundered the wealth. Out in the country, Jewish refugees who tried to get away were stopped and killed by the Edomites. How infuriating! How cold-hearted and merciless! Bozrah was an important leading city of Edom, and a sheep-herding centre. So Edom and Bozrah represent all the enemies of God and His people.
Why are the garments stained crimson? V.2, "Why are your garments red, like those of one treading the winepress?" It's not grape juice but something more vital. Vv.3-4, "I trampled [the nations] in my anger and trod them down in my wrath; their blood spattered my garments, and I stained all my clothing.For the day of vengeance was in my heart, and the year of my redemption has come." Through this Redeemer accounts are being settled, old scores taken care of. Vv.5-6, "My own wrath sustained me.I trampled the nations in my anger; in my wrath I made them drunk and poured their blood on the ground." Yeesh! Sounds like blood all over the place. And those were probably the colours seared into the memories of those who survived the capture of Jerusalem. One needs only recall the atrocities in our own time of places like Rwanda and Bosnia to understand some of the slaughter and horror the Jews experienced when defeated by Assyria then Babylon. The image is one of God's servant "paying back" Israel's oppressors for their attacks upon God's chosen people. The Redeemer is setting things straight, rescuing His people at great personal cost. "Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord, He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored, He has loosed the fateful lightning of His terrible swift sword..." At the end of time, Jesus will bring justice against those who've persecuted or mistreated His brother or sister Jews.
But who are the real enemies of God's people who are born into His family through putting their faith in Jesus? Paul acknowledged, "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." (Ephesians 6:12) Messiah could conquer such spiritual forces only by a spiritual battle. That's what happened at the cross. "In him [Jesus] we have redemption through his blood" (Ephesians 1:7); Jesus came to serve, "to give His life as a ransom [redemption-price] for many" (Mk.10:45). That redemption-price was His blood: to save you and me from slavery to sin cost Jesus His whole life. He endured death and Hades so those who commit their lives to Him might be saved from sin's debilitating effects in this life and go to heaven in the next. We were sitting there on the shelf in the devil's pawn shop, destined for the eternal garbage heap, and Jesus bought us back (redeemed us) by paying the price symbolized in the bread and cup of communion. "This is my blood, poured out for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins": He knew what was going on before He went through it.
The Pictorial Bible Dictionary says the concept of redemption may be extended to 3 general areas: "1) It is closely associated with forgiveness, since man receives forgiveness through the redemptive price of Christ's death...2) It involves justification, since the deliverance achieved through redemption establishes man in a restored position of favour before God...3) It promises final deliverance from the power of sin at the coming of the Lord." What value! What a bargain Jesus offers us! Complete forgiveness, justification, promise of final rescue...How precious the blood which purchased that for you and me.
The Bible says Jesus "gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good." (Titus 2:14) He took our stains of sin, our iniquity, so we could be made fresh and clean spiritually, morally, in God's eyes. Such grace motivates us to live godly lives. "You are not your own - you were bought at a price.Therefore honour God with your body!" (1Cor.6:20)
Redeeming Culture and Convicts (us too!)
Jesus has cleaned us up, made us righteous in God's sight, shown us how much God desires eternal relationship with us. Sanctification (cleaning up our act) is an ongoing process that won't be completed until Christ returns and we are transformed. In the meantime the Lord has commissioned us to be redemptive agents in society, salt and leaven, claiming increasing territory for His Kingdom. How can we be redeeming (buying back) areas that are in danger of slipping into Satan's control?
Take the world of the arts. We can throw up our hands in disgust at Hollywood and the publishing world - or we can attack with the best creativity with God's help we can muster. An anonymous donor made it possible for Imago, a charitable organization that promotes Christians in the arts, to sponsor an art competition in which first, second, and third prizes ranged from $3,000 to $10,000. Over 300 Canadian artists submitted slides of the work for the competition, which was won by Trinity Western University art professor Erica Grimm-Vance. She says, "The existence of the award is an incredible encouragement to all artists...This award affirms that an artist's often solitary work is valuable to society and culture." The mandate of Imago, the organization behind the competition, is to celebrate the work of Christians in visual arts. Its executive director notes, "The contest's theme captures how the Church is reclaiming the arts." Reclaiming - buying back - not forfeiting the arts to the money-oriented, often morally questionable secular world.
Another example is the Lord of the Rings movie series, the second of which was released this past week. These are based on the books by JRR Tolkien, colleague of CS Lewis and an editor of The Jerusalem Bible. Chuck Colson comments that viewers can get a glimpse of Christian truth as well as an epic adventure. Tolkien wrote to a friend that the Lord of the Rings is a "fundamentally religious and Catholic work; unconsciously so at first, but consciously in the revision." In other words, it doesn't hit you in the face, but more in retrospect as you reflect about the story's events and characters. In both the book and the film, Gandalf calls himself a "servant of the Secret Fire"; Tolkien told a friend that that fire is the Holy Spirit. The film's director and co-writer have said while they didn't set out to make a religious film, they understood the role Tolkien's Christian beliefs played in his life and work, so decided to honour the things "that were important to Tolkien". Characters wrestle with the evil within them; even when they seek to do good they must guard against doing the right thing for the wrong reasons or in the wrong way. A columnist observes that the film offers audiences "another chance to understand the timeless roots of sin". And the director admits, "I don't think humans are capable of actually pulling themselves out of these basic ruts." Thus seeing the film with a friend or comparing notes with your relatives can serve as a springboard for venturing into moral and spiritual discussions, possibly even a quick summary of the gospel. Seize every opportunity, redeem the time, be praying about how life's events and topics can be steered towards acknowledgment of people's need for the Saviour who offered His life on a cross.
How ready are we as Christ's church to put our money into buying back this passing world for His Kingdom? A photo in this week's Citizen newspaper noted Wescast's gift of $16,000 to 8 local elementary schools for literacy advancement. That's great, and we say, "but that's a lot of money only possible from a big company." Oh - is it? How many thousands of dollars would you estimate that this congregation alone spent on Christmas presents this year? Now - what proportion of that money was spent on specifically Christian-oriented material? When we were scratching our head on what to get for that hard-to-buy-for person, did we even consider a well written book by a Christian author? How many Canadian Christian authors can you name? Janette Oke you may have heard of - she's won many awards. But Sigmund Brouwer and Linda Hall were both nominated for Christy awards this year; Connie Brummel Cook has won numerous awards. The quality is there. Jesus' church ought to be funneling our disposable resources into promoting, as Paul put it, "whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable" or "is excellent or praiseworthy"; don't just "think about such things", buy it! (Php.4:8) When we're going to be spending money anyway, redeem it as much as possible by supporting quality Christ-centred enterprise. ('Course, you've all got your Christmas shopping done by now - I should've mentioned this a month ago!)
Yet redeeming is most of all about people -- products are just a tool, a bridge to open a conversation. Jesus Christ came to save sinners. A Shantymen newsletter notes how the Alpha program is being used in many prisons and bringing people to know Christ. By the way, did you know Santa Claus got his start in prison? That's right - St.Nicholas was bishop of Myra in Turkey around 325 AD, and spent time in jail during the reigns of Diocletianus and Licinius. Actually Christians are still very quiet in Turkey today, because it's dangerous for Turks to publicly admit to Christian faith.
Thankfully, in our country, there is freedom to present Christian programming in correctional facilities. Alpha is currently offered in 23 of Canada's 160 prisons and many men and women are being successfully integrated into a local church -- redeemed from a life of crime which can become the "rut" of offenders. Celeste Zugec, an Ontario Shantymen worker, tells of the baptism of one ex-offender who was an Alpha grad. Several other prison Alpha grads who had been released came to the church service to show support for him. Another offender, Mark, attended the baptism service; he had just been released. After the service, Celeste says, "I gave this big bear of a man his first hug from me. None of us are allowed any physical contact in the prison, and rightly so, but now each of these men are brothers-in-the-Lord and a spontaneous holy hug is permitted. 'Big Mark' wiped tears from his eyes, overwhelmed by the show of support from his ex-inmate friends, and now his new church family. After church, the 'gang' took him out to Wal-Mart to purchase a few items of clothing. He has a job interview early this week, and part of the church's ministry to these men and women is to help them get back on their feet." What a wonderful, tangible expression of Christ's redeeming love, reclaiming people from evil's domain and starting them afresh on a heavenly path!
Celeste concludes that some people "see every man and woman (all of us) as ex-offenders and that is how I believe we should all view each other -- ex-offenders, still full of human failings, sometimes falling, but nonetheless, sinners, saved by His grace alone!" Jesus has redeemed us, no longer to be rebels. Let's pray.