Jerusalem

Lost In Translation

Matt Otto D-Groups , , , ,

The Bible – God’s Word – is truly remarkable! On the one hand, it is a complex literary masterpiece, incorporating a multitude of literary genres and expressing a broad spectrum of emotions. On the other hand, it is incredibly simple in its central message, prompting some cynics to label it as “silly” or “illogical”. It is widely recognized as being comprised of 66 books and being written over the course of nearly 2000 years, by 40 authors, on three continents, and in three languages, yet it “is the story of one problem – sin – with one solution, Jesus Christ” (Geisler & Nix, 194). We must conclude that the Bible is both incredibly intricate while remaining singularly unified in its message and doctrine.

There is another reason the Bible is remarkable and like nothing ever written – it has the power to transform and bring joy. As Nehemiah puts the finishing touches on the re-construction of Jerusalem’s walls and gates, his attention shifts to the re-consecration of God’s people who are to populate God’s holy city. Since Jerusalem and the Jewish people play an integral part in God’s plan for the redemption of the nations, Nehemiah begins the dedicatory process by re-introducing the people to the Law of Moses and, by doing so, reminding them of their commitment to the Lord and His faithful promises (Deut 6:1-9). With the help of Ezra the priest and a trained group of Levites, the people hear and respond to the Scriptures:

And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, for he was above all the people, and as he opened it all the people stood. And Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God, and all the people answered, “Amen, Amen,” lifting up their hands. And they bowed their heads and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground. Also … the Levites, helped the people to understand the Law, while the people remained in their places. They read from the book, from the Law of God, clearly, and they gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading. (Nehemiah 8:5-8)

Based on the text, God’s people needed to have God’s Word explained to them. For some reason the Scriptures had become so foreign to them that its truths and commands were lost in translation and needed clarification. God’s Word needed to be introduced into their presence (Neh 8:2), opened to them (v. 5), and finally explained (vv. 7-8). Their response was both physical and spiritual. “Truth, truth,” they answered as they lifted “up their hands. And they bowed their heads and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground” (v. 6). Interestingly, Nehemiah, Ezra, and the Levites admonished the people not to mourn or weep, but rejoice. Why? Certainly the Bible is to bring conviction and lead to repentance, right?

Yes. The Bible is a deposit and treasure worth guarding (2 Tim 1:14). It is breathed out by God and is profitable in knowing what is right, what is not right, how to get right, and how to stay right (see 2 Timothy 3:16). In other words, it is the primary tool God uses for our sanctification. It is a seed that produces life (1 Pet 1:23). And, as it does, it brings joy because God’s grace is applied. Mourning leads to comfort and dancing (Matt 5:4; Ps 30:11).

So keep the Bible near you at all times. Open it often. Memorize it. Study it. Listen to it! It is milk that nourishes (1 Pet 2:2), sweet as honey from the comb (Ps 119:103), and a lamp that gives light (Ps 119:105).

Psalm 119:33-37 (ESV) –
“Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes;
    and I will keep it to the end.
Give me understanding, that I may keep your law
    and observe it with my whole heart.
Lead me in the path of your commandments,
    for I delight in it.
Incline my heart to your testimonies,
    and not to selfish gain!
Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things;
    and give me life in your ways.”

Source
Geisler, Norman & Nix, William. 1986. A General Introduction to the Bible. Chicago: Moody.

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Building Together

Matt Otto D-Groups , , , , ,

In my teen years I used to build model cars and airplanes. They were intricate, consisting of many tiny parts that needed to be carefully filed, painted, and eventually, glued together to form the final design. It took some planning, following directions, and devoting attention to detail to make the replica worth setting out for others to see and admire. Looking at the planes hanging from my bedroom ceiling or the cars displayed on my bookshelves gave me a sense of pride.

Israel and the city of Jerusalem were God’s pride and joy. God states of His chosen people, “You are My Servant, Israel, in whom I will show My glory” (Isa 49:3, NASV). Regarding the city of Jerusalem God promises, “For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not be quiet, until her righteousness goes forth as brightness, and her salvation as a burning torch. The nations shall see your righteousness, and all the kings your glory … You shall be a crown of beauty in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God” (Isa 62:1-3, ESV). Yet, in Nehemiah’s day, both had become a “disgrace”. Israel had neglected God and Jerusalem was left lying in ruins (Neh 2:17). So, for the sake of God’s testimony to the nations, Nehemiah mobilized the people to consecrate themselves and rebuild the city. Israel and Jerusalem were again to become God’s glory on display.

The New Testament “showpiece” that stands for God’s glory and is to make Him known to the nations is the Church. She is described as the Bride, loved by Jesus. She is also described as the Body, guided by Jesus. Her beauty and vitality are to display God’s love and unity (John 17:22-23) to a broken and dying world.

That means every part of the church must grow in Christlikeness and participate in building one another up. Similar to the cooperative effort that rebuilt the gates and the walls of Jerusalem, members of the church are called to work as one and for one another. Paul puts it this way as he writes to the believers in Corinth and Rome respectively:

Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. (1 Cor 12:27)

For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them … (Romans 12:4-6)

Clearly, every believer is to participate in the life and ministry of the “showpiece” of God. It is not reserved for the professionals, for the seemingly-perfect, or for the ultra-gifted. On the contrary, every part of the work is essential and sacred according to 1 Corinthians 10:31. All you need to be is faithful, available, and teachable. Dedicate and consecrate yourself today to make the Bride beautiful and the Body healthy. As a matter of fact, let me recommend taking someone along. Build together!

Ephesians 4:11-16 (ESV) – “And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.”

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