A Better Witness

martyr: from the Greek, martys,

One who brings a testimony

We've all seen courtroom dramas on TV. The witness is placed on the stand, sworn to tell the truth, and then testifies to what he has seen, or heard, or done. The Greek word for that is martys, 'one who bring testimony.' In church history, being a witness often meant exposing oneself to danger or persecution. So martys gradually took on the additional meaning of one who suffers violence or even death for the sake of his testimony, or faith. 

The western church must have a better witness: a bigger testimony than our evangelism campaigns; more compelling than our tithes and offerings; louder than our conferences; more sincere than our worship services; more erudite than our scholarship and books; and better delivered than our sermons. The American church has yet to witness effectively with her life. She has yet to bleed with the world-wide, suffering church. She has yet to witness as Jesus did. Her resistance to the world has been of a more comfortable sort, tempered by her secret enjoyment of it. We like being saved, while retaining our place at the world's table (such tasty and satisfying morsels).

Jesus suffered the loss of everything: reputation, comfort, status, glory, life. He has said that those who are His disciples can expect the same. Honestly, I'd prefer the glory without the crucible first, but passing through the dark night is the only path into the glorious day we've been promised. I'm pretty sure there isn't an air-conditioned, American coach that detours around it. There is one Church, not one for us and another for those poor unfortunates in other parts of the world, who are obviously less blessed of God. I've known the joy of God's presence; the joy of abundance, of peace and quiet; the joy of fellowship. But I have to say that I do not know the joy of unbelievers seeing Christ so evident in my life that they must either fall at His feet in worship or declare themselves the open enemy of God.

We've testified with our mouths that Jesus is better and the world mostly yawns. But when Christian lives completely align with that testimony, the world takes a second look. Going to church is unremarkable. Going to prison is noticed. The testimony of the persecuted church is the most powerful witness of all. God is glorified and His kingdom advanced. Souls are saved. In a world languishing in the dark, people clinging to Jesus as everything is shaken are radiant lights. People have big questions. Men and women who've experienced Jesus as their only hope and treasure, have the answer.

For decades we've prayed for revival. We've begged for a return of the book of Acts. We've asked for the Great Harvest, as well we should. What if true revival only comes in the midst of persecution? What if a massive outpouring of the Spirit is accompanied by disdain and loss and sorrow? What if the Great Harvest is given as everything else is taken away? What if liberty in the Spirit is accompanied by loss of civil liberties? What if the 'more of God' we've begged for comes with less of everything else we hold dear? What if I were asked to give, not out of my abundance but out of poverty? Something to think about. Something to pray about. We long for a season of sharing all things in common and breaking bread in one another's homes...the book of Acts come again. The book of Acts also had foreign occupation, limited civil rights, persecution and risk of arrest and death.

Loving Jesus from the safety of our comfortable American lives will never speak as loudly or as compellingly as loving Jesus from the place of danger, persecution and lack. The world has rejected a sanitized, powerless Jesus, but is dying to hear about a Jesus worth dying for...the real Jesus. I believe we are headed into a season in which we will have our chance. Whether we will embrace or reject it remains to be seen. I am asking that He move among us once more, revealing the amazing, glorious, powerful, all-sufficient Jesus. Worth living for. Worth dying for. Worth giving everything in order to have. I am asking and asking and asking again, until the words of the song are not just words, but reality. Give me Jesus, Give me Jesus, You can have all this world, But give me Jesus. I openly confess that I am not there, but I am begging God to make me ready, to make me willing--even to make me willing to be willing to go with Him wherever He takes me. Where else could I go?

"After this a lot of his disciples left. They no longer wanted

to be associated with him. Then Jesus gave the Twelve

their chance: “Do you also want to leave?”

Peter replied, “Master, to whom would we go? You have

the words of real life, eternal life. We’ve already committed

ourselves, confident that you are the Holy One of God.”

John 6:67-69 The Message

Counting the Omer

When my kids were little they loved to count down the days to Christmas. At the start of Advent I would make a paper chain and let them break off one link per day, so they had a tangible reminder of the approaching holiday. Each day, the chain grew shorter; each day their excitement grew. That sense of anticipation is at the heart of the current season of "Counting the Omer.” Counting the omer begins the evening of the second day of Passover and continues for seven weeks, ending with the feast of Shavuot (7 weeks) also known as Pentecost (Greek for fiftieth). Most of us know Pentecost as a Christian holy day, and it is, but it was a Jewish holy day for thousands of years before it was a special day for Christians. If you think about it, that means the Jewish people were actually the first Pentecostals!

Sefirat HaOmer (the counting of sheaves) is the bridge between the two, spring, First-Fruits celebrations: the early barley harvest and the latter wheat harvest. These harvest celebrations made sense in an agricultural setting, but can they be relevant to a modern industrialized society? Well, when God is the party planner, of course! Shavuot is for expressing gratitude to God for His provision, but also beautifully demonstrates His desire to be in relationship with us.

At the feast of Passover, we remember God’s great deliverance of His people from bondage in Egypt; seven weeks later God made covenant with them. The feast of Shavuot celebrates the initiation of that relationship and the giving of Torah—God’s instruction on how to live in covenant relationship with Him. Now spool forward about fifteen hundred years; God delivered us through the death and resurrection of the Passover lamb, Jesus. Seven weeks later God sent the Holy Spirit, a living Torah written on the hearts of His followers. So the period between Passover and Pentecost is for reflecting on our freedom from bondage and anticipating deeper intimacy with the Lord.

Israel was in the midst of counting the omer when Jesus instructed His disciples to wait in Jerusalem until they received power. Because He was an observant Jew, Jesus knew that in a few weeks, Jerusalem would fill with Jewish pilgrims from many countries to celebrate the feast of Pentecost. Because He also knew God's plan, He had the disciples wait in the one place they would have a ready-made audience for their very first evangelistic meeting. On a day celebrating the first fruits of the spring wheat harvest, God harvested souls in the city of Jerusalem. God's plan is perfect!

Two loaves of wheat bread were the traditional offering presented at the Temple in Jesus’ day. Some Messianic rabbis teach that these two loaves now represent the people of God—Jew and Gentile brought together in Messiah—the one new man of Ephesians 2:15. The book of Ruth, which takes place during a spring harvest, is often read at Shavuot. The story of the Gentile widow, who left her own people and religion to serve her mother-in-law Naomi in Israel, is a great example for us. Ruth's devotion to her adopted people and their God placed her smack dab in the middle of the lineage of Jesus. We too have been grafted in, nourished by the Jewish root which God planted and has continued to preserve. We too have an important role in the salvation story. The Jews began as God's missionary people, displaying the greatness of their God. Now the nations are returning the favor, growing into fullness in order to draw Israel to her Messiah. 
 

This year as we count down to Pentecost, there are millions of believers all over the world fasting and praying for Israel. I am excited to see the fruit of what God is doing in this season, for Israel and for the nations too! This is day 40 of the Counting of the Omer. Shavuot begins at sundown on May 24th. Maranatha!

Photo by Evi Radauscher on Unsplash

Not a Scoffer

Since the days of Jesus, every generation has included believers who became convinced that He was returning any minute.  Books were written, timelines constructed, movements birthed. At various times in seasons past,  people left their jobs, postponed marriage, sold their goods and moved to remote locations to wait for the promised imminent return, which obviously never came. Over the past 2,000 years the lesson seemed to be that any rational person should hesitate to sound the alarm of the soon return of Jesus. Far safer to stay well away from such talk. No one wants to embarrass the Kingdom, or look like a kook, right? 

Yet a generation is coming which will be the last one--the Bible says so. At some point there will be a people on the Earth for whom the warnings were given, those who will need to heed  the call to urgency in order to stand, even to survive. That generation will see all the prophecies come to pass. That generation will be a people refined through the events of tribulation, a generation whose eyes are locked on their beautiful, glorious King. They will learn that the One who saved them is also more than able to keep them, empower them, and bring them safely into His returning Kingdom. That generation will see with their physical eyes the coming of the Lord. Wow!

So we seem to be faced with an impossible choice, either look like a total nut, or relegate the biblically-orthodox doctrine of the Second Coming to a time far, far away and therefore irrelevant to me and mine. The world goes on as it always has, oblivious to the return of Jesus, but it should not be so for us.  We live in tension...bills must be paid, homes must be kept, children must be raised, yet Jesus told us to keep our eyes on the horizon, lest we miss the day of our visitation.  We are warned to stay close to Him, be alert, to heed the biblical warnings and keep them fresh, so as not to fall in with scoffers. II Peter 3 says that there will be those who say, "people have been saying for thousands of years that He's coming... where is He then?"  So the real choice is between thinking His return is so distant as to be irrelevant, or eagerly longing and living for His coming. 

I believe we are in an extraordinary season, one that should not be wasted, yet the pull is strong to live my life as usual...like nothing out of the ordinary is on the horizon. So I'm asking myself, does my life reflect my belief that He is returning soon, or have I unknowingly slid into the camp of the scoffers? Is it possible that scoffers do not know they are scoffers? I think perhaps so. Giving mental assent to the message while living as if "I needn't worry too much because those events will likely happen far, far in the future" is deceiving myself about where I am actually camping.  And so I repent, asking for a heart more awake, more tender, more given to God. I ask for more willingness to give myself for His purposes, and live more fully for Him. 

I cannot think of a better message to resound in every generation through the ages than "Jesus is coming soon."  Any message that causes the people of God to think seriously about eternity, focus more intently on Jesus, give themselves more deeply in love and commitment to God is a good message. Wasting my life on Jesus and His kingdom is not a waste. If I feel the urgency of the hour and give my heart more completely to Jesus, live my life more in love with Him, give myself more completely to His message, then I have missed nothing of eternal value. And if He delays coming until another generation, and I look foolish for giving a 'false alarm," then I guess I am a fool for Christ, but how better could I spend my life than on Jesus, who gave me everything?

He is coming back and He is coming soon to gather in His family and make the whole world His kingdom. This is true, even if I sound like a kook for saying so.  

"Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming." 

Matthew 25:42

To the Jew First

"we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews."

Jesus (John 4:22)

"...the gospel is the power of God for salvation
to every one who believes,
to the Jew first and also to the Greek."
Paul (Romans 1:16)

_________________________________________

Think on this for a minute or two. We worship the God of Israel, study (and follow) a Jewish Bible written by Jewish men and kept intact by Jewish people. We were saved by and serve a Jewish savior, and are citizens of a kingdom which, when it is fully implemented, will be ruled by a Jewish man, whose throne will be in Jerusalem (Rev 22:2). We owe a debt of gratitude to the Jewish people. Our faith is rooted in the ancient olive tree God designed before time began. He graciously called and adopted us into the family He made. We are now in a season in which God is giving us an opportunity to partner with Him in calling the rest of the family home again.

If you peek at Isaiah62fast.com, an international solemn assembly and fast has been called, beginning May 7 and concluding on Pentecost Sunday, May 28. More than 5,000,000 people have already committed to fasting in some form (water, juice, 'no meats no sweets', one meal per day, and some who cannot fast food are fasting media). Thousands of prayer locations in over 115 nations are set to meet daily.* All over the world, believers are committing to pray for at least one hour per day for twenty-one days that Israel would recognize and receive her Messiah, and come into her calling in God's kingdom. This is directly tied to the Great Commission and the greater riches for the whole world, as promised in Romans 11:11-12. Information about the fast may be found at Isaiah62fast.com. 

If your first thought is, "Israel is not my thing," or "didn't Jesus make the Jewish people obsolete?" then you are not alone. There is a lot of clutter in the western church regarding this topic. Thinking runs the spectrum from benign disinterest to active hostility. But loving Jesus shouldn't make us hate the people He came from, or the faith He practiced. At the very least Jesus told us to make disciples of all nations, which would definitely include the Jewish people.

The goal of any fast is to seek the Lord, a set apart time to turn our hearts more fully toward Him. This is a season to do just that, to ask Him to reveal what's on His heart. If you love Jesus and long for His return, ask Him to show you more regarding His role for Israel. I promise you, there is a role and its fulfillment will be more glorious and joyful for the entire planet than we could ever imagine. Yes and amen! Maranatha Lord Jesus!

 Romans 11:11-12

Does this mean that God has rejected his Jewish people forever?
 Of course not! His purpose was to make salvation available
to the Gentiles (that's us!) and then the Jews would be jealous
and begin to want God's salvation for themselves.
Now if the whole world became rich
as a result of God's offer of salvation,
when the Jews stumbled over it and turned it down,
think how much greater a blessing the world will share in

later on when the Jews, too, come to Christ."

Living Bible version

 __________________________________

*Countries where prayer meetings are scheduled: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Argentina, Angola, Australia, Austria, Bali, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Chile, China, Columbia, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Côte d'Ivoire, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Dubai (UAE), England, Ecuador, Egypt, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gambia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Holland, Honduras, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Isle of Wight, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Kosovo, Kuala Lumpur, Kuwait, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libya, Liberia, Malawi, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, Nicaragua, New Zealand, Nigeria, Northern Ireland, Norway, Pakistan, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Republic of Niger, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Samoa, Scotland, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, South Sudan, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Tanzania, Taiwan, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad & Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, Venezuela, Wales, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe. At last count, there are more than 1,000 prayer spots registered in the United States alone. Come on, y'all!

Beautiful Fasting

At the end of January, I came across an opportunity to join a fast for revival that began on February 22. I heard about it in such a way that I knew in my knower that God was inviting me, even coaxing me to participate and so, after some hemming and hawing, I did. That fast comes to an end on Palm Sunday, April 2. Hundreds of thousands of people have been fasting, in various ways, pleading the blood of Jesus over our sins, the sins of our nation and asking God to let His judgment pass over America and bring revival, and more than revival....another great awakening or Jesus movement. There is a stirring in the land, a growing anticipation that God is moving and ready to move in greater measure if we ask. So we've been asking and hope you are too.

As I've participated, the topic of fasting has inevitably come up among my acquaintances, and I heard a lot of different ideas about what fasting is. Some brush away the idea as too hard, or an archaic Old Testament discipline, or 'too Catholic.' Many believe that fasting is for people with more willpower than they have, or for those more spiritual than they are. Others believe it is undertaken to twist God's arm to get the thing prayed for, or to demonstrate one's devotion and gain spiritual brownie points. None of that is even remotely true. 

I can best debunk those misconceptions by sharing what fasting is to me. It is not easier for me than for anyone else. I am certainly not more spiritual than others (pause while I attempt to stop laughing hysterically), and I have terrible willpower. I hate to miss even one meal, so the idea of not eating for days on end seemed impossible as well as undesirable. I have started and failed more fasts than anyone can imagine. I have bargained my way out of fasting, fasted in ridiculous ways ("I'm giving up liver and bubble gum"), begun fasting only to stop a few days later.  You name it, I've experienced it while fasting. But here's the bottom line...I don't like fasting, but I love what it produces in me.

I have learned over the years that fasting is the most vital tool I have. That might have something to do with the fact that it's God ordained. (Matthew 9:14, Mark 2:20 and a bunch of Old Testament verses). Fasting snaps a plumbline that refocuses my walk. It silences the siren call of cultural voices that beckon me to follow. It is a way to quiet the 'old man' and make him submit to the Spirit. Fasting creates more time to spend with Jesus. It reveals my tremendous need for God, by uncovering the depth of my weakness. It highlights my addiction to my appetites; for food, for entertainment, for my own opinion, for buying and collecting. I can then ask God for help in crushing those idols. Fasting hollows out a space in my soul, creating an emptiness that only God can fill. Extended fasting helps me become internally still and silent, my ears intent on hearing God's whisper, my attention focused, my longing directed at the One I was designed to adore. I become more tender and receptive to Him. I experience the satisfaction the world cannot supply, for it was never intended to. During fasting, I remember why I was created and Whose I am. 

So absolutely, fasting is tough and sometimes unpleasant. But as a discipline it draws me like a magnet, not because I love asceticism but I love being close to Jesus, and fasting with prayer takes me there.

Here are some things to know about fasting: it is not for the elite, but for everyone; it does not change or coerce God, it changes me; it is God's prescribed way to clear away cultural clutter, and subdue the flesh; it gives us more bandwidth in the Spirit, so we hear God more clearly; it is something Jesus said his disciples would do, so if we are His disciples we must do it. It also settles a lot of physical disorders. I usually enjoy less arthritic pain and my stomach issues take a break as well. Fasting is now recognized by science as a health benefit, which God knew all along.

The good news is that you can learn to fast. There are many fine books on the subject, filled with the theology of fasting, practical tips on how to fast, as well as exhortation to fire you up for fasting. Start small and let God grow you in this discipline. Over time (after many partial and failed fasts) I began to see fasting as Jesus' invitation to come away with Him for a season, to be alone with Him. I learned to ask for grace to persist (because you always want to quit), and didn't let missteps make me stop. Fasting did not become easier, but became do-able. 

There are many, many different ways to fast, as well as fasts of different lengths. The manner of fasting is less important than our focus during the fast.  Whether we undertake water alone, or one meal a day, or 'no meats or sweets' is less important than setting yourself to draw near to God, let Him refresh you, and listen for His voice. To avoid fasting is to refuse a grace that God says we need. So when considering a fast, say in faith, "I want to know you more, show me how I can fast!" If I can do it, so can you!

If you have not experienced the pleasure of drawing near to Jesus through fasting, you are in luck.  A global solemn assembly and fast has been called for May 7 through the 28th. The focus is God's purposes for Israel.* So far nearly 1,000,000 people from intercessory prayer ministries all over the world are committed to participating. Go to www.Isaiah62fast.com for more information. Then ask the Lord, "How might I fast?"

 *For a teaching on why we should pray for Israel, go to 

www.youtube.com/watch?v=LbL8-004u-U (message starts @ 39 minutes)

Nicodemus

"The man's face clouded over. This was the last thing

he expected to hear, and he walked off with

a heavy heart. He was holding on tight to

a lot of things, and not about to let go."

Mark 10:22, The Message

I have recently discovered that I am Nicodemus...or the rich young ruler, not sure which one yet. Not literally of course, but I do have the same problem with Jesus that they did. Nicodemus was a devout Jew who wanted to follow Jesus, but found that he also wanted to keep his reputation, his lifestyle and his stuff. 

The film series The Chosen illustrates this perfectly. Nicodemus was a Pharisee* who'd spent a lifetime studying Scripture and teaching his people. Teacher of Israel was more than just his job, it was his role in a tight-knit community and ultimately, his identity. When he meets Jesus he's intrigued. Soon he's convinced that this is indeed the Messiah, the hope of Israel, the one he and his fellow Pharisees had read about, prayed and longed for. Yet he is troubled. He correctly sees that following Jesus will likely disrupt his life. Like the rich young ruler (or the average American), he lived in a comfortable home, had enough to eat, nice clothes to wear. He had a respected profession that made a living for his family and gave him status. He had plans and expectations for his life.   

The most poignant moment in one episode was when Jesus personally invites Nicodemus to follow Him. Over the course of several scenes, he weighs doing just that. In the film at least, it becomes clear that he does believe and wants to follow, and we grieve with him when it becomes evident that he can't quite let go of his lifestyle. Near the end of that episode we see Nicodemus behind the corner of a nearby house, weeping bitterly as the disciples prepare to set out with Jesus, without him. Belief was not enough to cause him to follow. It was a powerful moment, all the more so because I could see myself in it. 

The struggle is real: I have long told Jesus, You have my heart. I did not realize I was subconsciously adding, but don't mess with my status, my rights, my bank account, or my things. I did not know the extent to which I was holding onto MY riches. I am Nicodemus, rich and comfortable, fat with the goods of this world. I am the rich young ruler with a lot to lose if I unreservedly give myself to God. That man desired to more fully live for God; Jesus knew what was holding him back. Jesus told him, "Go, sell all that you have and give the money to the poor. Then all of your treasure will be in heaven. After you've done this, come back and walk with me." (Mark 10:21 TPT)  Please understand, Jesus wasn't being mean. He loved that young man. He wasn't condemning wealth or setting up a model for welfare. He was giving him an opportunity to see himself clearly so change could occur. God grant that we all experience that moment of clarity, because we cannot see where we're bound unless He shows us. When we ask for more of God, we can be sure He will show us where we don't have room for Him. And sometimes we too go away sorrowfully, because we aren't willing to give up our riches (whatever they may be). 

Many of us have been praying hard for revival for years, leaning into prophetic words given, reminding God of His promise to bring revival. But I'm realizing that my concept of revival is inadequate for the current reality. I have realized that my desire for revival has been wanting Him to revive me without messing with the parts of my life I've reserved for myself. Ouch! But seeing is part of the remedy, it is when we truly know and confess our need that He comes and fills it. Our need makes us candidates for God's help, and do we ever need God's help. 

We need revival that breaks the yoke, expels demons, draws the lost and the prodigal. We need revival that empties jails, closes bars and transforms society as well as people. We need revival that prepares the church for the second coming of Jesus. Exciting meetings and a bit of refreshing are simply not enough, transformation is what is needed. Transformation begins when the church sees herself and mourns. It begins with repentance.

This is a Nicodemus moment. The body of Christ is being invited to see that we are not rich, we are wretched, miserable, poor, blind and naked. Jesus already knows this. He isn't angry. He isn't demanding we get our act together. He is tenderly calling His beloved Bride to mourn over her lack, confess her emptiness, and ask for a baptism of fire. Empty of ourselves and leaning on Him, that is how we follow. That is the only way we can follow. He asks us to empty our hands, take in His presence until we are overflowing, then rise and go forth to do exploits. 

We dare not wait to see what happens in November, as if politicians are bringing the Kingdom. God is shaking the kingdoms of the earth now, tumbling support systems, exposing fault lines...not because He's mad, but because He loves us so. It is His kindness that strips away those things we've relied upon, exposing our idols--not to shame us, but to prepare us. For revival is coming...the sort that will shake the earth, display the power and glory of God, disturb those in authority and terrify demons. Revival that propels workers into the harvest field with the gospel of the Kingdom, signs and wonders following. Do we really think that comes to a church settled on her lees? Comfortable in her normal? Content with old wineskins? Beloved, we are destined for so much more, but we will not get there by pulling up our bootstraps and trying harder. We will only overcome by leaning fully on Jesus.

So I confess my weak and partial 'yes' and rejoice. My weakness qualifies me, for He chooses the weak things, the foolish things, the lowly things to more fully show forth His glory. I choose Him and want to keep choosing Him. I want to see His beauty, feel His presence, witness the glory of His coming kingdom. I want blind eyes to see, prayer meetings that provoke earthquakes, the lost saved, prodigals returned, to hear demons shriek as they leave. I want to see a Bride, heart fervent, abandoning all for the joy of knowing Him and making Him known. To be filled like that, I must first be emptied of my way. I see the example of Nicodemus and the rich young ruler and confess I am just like them. Rather than turn away, I want to be among those who are His no matter the cost, so I say yes, even knowing it is incomplete. 

The best thing we could learn in this crazy season is that we cannot go forward without complete dependence on God. My strength, my resources, my will, my social standing are nothing weighed against Jesus. Hah! Less than nothing! My hope and expectation are in Him. I am His, therefore He will not only rescue, He will keep and sustain me. My confidence is not in my commitment, it is anchored deep in my faithful King. He will lead me if I will follow. If I keep my gaze on Him, He will baptize me with His fire again and again, until my heart is no longer divided...until I am fully His. Maranatha!

I don't want to be offended when it's all coming down.

Baptize my heart with your fire, desire

Once again you're going to shake everything that can be shaken

Jesus, Desire of the Nations,

The only safe place is in the center of the flame

The only safe place is in You

Baptize my heart with your fire, desire.

I want to be for you, not against you. 

I want to be with you where you are.

I pledge my allegiance to Jesus

I pledge my allegiance to the Lamb

Misty Edwards, "Baptize my Heart"

*The Pharisees were the devout religious of their day. They believed and studied the Word of God, they attempted holy living, they ran worship services for the faithful. Of all the first century Jewish sects, their theology was closest to what Jesus taught. Jesus rebuked their hypocrisy, not their devotion to the Word of God.

Back

Back. Back to the beginning, to the fundamentals, to the way things used to be. Back to the basics. Back to the good ole days which usually prove not to be so good, once we take a closer look. Back to normal, which wasn't that normal. Back to first love, which would be much better. For years believers have yearned for a return to the days of the book of Acts. What they are longing for of course, is not going back to pit toilets and mud-daub houses, but the excitement of daily salvations, the sick healed, the dead raised, prison doors--both spiritual and literal--opened and chains loosed.

Back. Jesus is coming back. We don't know the hour or the day, but it's hard not to think that we are at least in the beginning of that season. In Matthew 23 Jesus said He won't return until Jerusalem welcomes Him back. Revelation 19 says He is coming back for a Bride made ready, spotless, united, and mature; a congregation of lovesick worshippers who will cover the world with the message of the Kingdom before the end.

The high priestly prayer of Jesus in John 17 is His call to unity. This is not a Council of Churches unity in which all denominational and cultural differences are compressed into a bland, homogeneous, politically-correct sameness. The God who created us with such distinctiveness could not possibly have wanted us all the same. His intent in making us so different was surely to weave a vibrant tapestry; the gifts and callings of each group contributing to the beauty of the Bride. The unity Jesus calls us to is not sameness, but oneness in Him. Devotion to God that burns and purifies and draws us irresistibly to Him, aligning us to one another in the process. Red and yellow, black and white adoring together the One who made us different to be a blessing, not a curse. A unity that takes us back to what we were in the beginning, beings designed for communion with the Holy.

Acts 2 details early believers living in unity, sharing all things, meeting from house to house as they figured out how Yeshua's resurrection deepened and expanded their Jewish faith. So going back to the book of Acts means a return to the origins of our faith, before the Gentilizing, before the persecutions, inquisitions, and crusades. Back to when Israel knew Messiah had come. When they saw the Torah with new eyes and began to understand God's heart for the nations. When they knew their sins were forgiven, God's promises would be fulfilled, Yeshua would return, and His justice would reign. Back to following 'the Way' for the joy set before them, no matter the cost.

For believers, back to the beginning would be the remnant of Israel worshipping with the remnant of the nations; together again as they were in the infant church--One New Man, interdependent, united, standing beneath the banner of Yeshua, the promised Messiah of Israel's God. Take us back, O Lord. Back to the original design, the plan You made that cannot be improved upon. Incline our hearts to Yours O God. Revive and restore hearts of fervent love and submission that we might go back, back to the origin, the foundation of Jesus upon which our house must be built. Then united, we will turn to the abundant harvest fields in preparation for Your glorious return. Come back soon lovely Jesus!