Video of Christmas Eve Candlelight Service

Click on this link for the video of the Candlelight Service.

Christmas Eve Candlelight Service - 7 PM Central Time.

Christmas Readings and Hymns

https://video.ibm.com/channel/bethany-lutheran-worship

 

Bethany Lutheran Church

Christmas Eve Service, 7 PM Central Time, 2020

Springdale, Arkansas

Pastor Gregory L. Jackson

Hymn #81        O Jesus Christ, Thy Manger Is

 

The First Gospel

Genesis 3:15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

 

KJV Isaiah 40:1 Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God. 2 Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the LORD'S hand double for all her sins. 3 The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. 4 Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain: 5 And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it. 6 The voice said, Cry. And he said, What shall I cry? All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field: 7 The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: because the spirit of the LORD bloweth upon it: surely the people is grass. 8 The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever. 9 O Zion, that bringest good tidings, get thee up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God! 

 

The Place of Jesus’ Birth 

KJV Micah 5:2 But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.

 

Hymn # 102                   O Come All Ye Faithful

 

KJV Isaiah 9:2 The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.

 

Virgin Birth

KJV Isaiah 7:10 Moreover the LORD spake again unto Ahaz, saying, 11 Ask thee a sign of the LORD thy God; ask it either in the depth, or in the height above. 12 But Ahaz said, I will not ask, neither will I tempt the LORD. 13 And he said, Hear ye now, O house of David; Is it a small thing for you to weary men, but will ye weary my God also? 14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. 15 Butter and honey shall he eat, that he may know to refuse the evil, and choose the good. 16 For before the child shall know to refuse the evil, and choose the good, the land that thou abhorrest shall be forsaken of both her kings.

 

Incarnation

KJV Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

 

Hymn #109              While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks

 

KJV Matthew 1:18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. 19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily. 20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. 21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. 22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, 23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. 24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: 25 And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.

Luke 2 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. 2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) 3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) 5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. 6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. 8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. 10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

Sermon - The Divinity of the Baby Jesus

Luke 2 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. 2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) 3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

I was one of many looking to the sky in the West, looking for the planetary conjunction. I last one I viewed was about 45 years ago. As people realize during those rare events, lining up in the sky together is quite rare. That is why those objects are called planets (from the Greek) because they wander in respect to the fixed positions of the stars. Nothing is really still, so that is from our position with our limited eyesight.

Taxation is not so rare. Every tax is temporary and yet never goes away. Skeptics say, "We cannot find that particular taxation in history." But arguing from silence is worthless, especially since, as C. W. Lewis has observed, more than 99% of history has disappeared. Whenever an archeological find is discovered, it supports the Bible, and that has been published in many forms.

Taxation and the census go together, and America is no different from the Roman Empire in that respect. So the needs of the Empire brought the Family to Bethlehem. In God's wisdom, the greatest event had the least effect on the great and wise. No one noticed on their own, only some foreign astronomers.  

But the place the Family had to visit was the one stipulated in the Scriptures. Bethlehem was so tiny and yet became so famous from the birth of Someone no one seemed to notice at the time - not officially. 

What struck me about this was reading the Old Testament about this little shepherd boy who went against Goliath with "only a toy." This David was from Bethlehem and destined to be the King. What an ancient and distinctive connection! All the Old Testament prophesies are like that, often just a phrase or two, yet hundreds of them connect and are revealed in the New Testament.

Hymn # 646                                     Silent Night 

 

Heavenly Host

Luke 2:13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. 15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. 16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) 5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

The government did not care if this was a burden. Galilee was in the lowlands while Jerusalem was perched on a mountain. The couple needed to walk slowly up an incline the entire way. Mary on a donkey makes a beautiful Christmas card, but there is no mention of something to ease her burden uphill. Nor were they miraculously fed, though they were certainly watched over by their angels, as all of us are. 

It is ironic that they made the same arduous journey when they left Jerusalem, thinking the boy Jesus was with relatives. Once they found out he was missing, they had to trudge back uphill to find him. They knew before birth what a great event was taking place, and knew the same later, and that was a burden, to know so much and realize no one else did. 

Did this happen the first time because of taxation or because of God's will? We have to consider that all human events, whether obvious or not, are within God's will. Blessings and burdens go together. 

Last year everything seemed difficult, burdensome, and painful for us. I did not feel like Christmas at all. However, now I see how many blessings are included with difficulties, like Christmas ornaments on a prickly pine tree. Like old family heirloom boxes of ornaments, those blessings are that much more valuable for their connection with past and present. For example, my mother's students still contact me about having her as a teacher, and my father's customers and employees contact me too. The later want me to make Melo Cream Donuts again. Living in one little house, my parents connected with decades of people in Moline. But we did not think of that - we woke up early for presents.

6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

Here is the strangest part of the Nativity, but so memorable. They came back to their hometown area. They had to have family and friends there, but no mention is made. Mary gave birth to her Son, and wrapped Him up, putting him in a manger. That is what gives away the lowliness of the birth. In Arizona, the manger was where they put the feed for the animals - doubtless rather soft and dry, but not a maternity ward. No one was there to give them lodging, and the innkeeper ignored Mary's condition. They may have seemed alone but they were not.

The divinity of Jesus is shown in His birth in Bethlehem, and all the signs of His miraculous birth. The Star of Bethlehem alerted the entire region, especially because the brightness of Jupiter (Zeus pater, or Zeus Father) merging with Uranus a symbol of Judea, suggesting a new king, as Herod feared. There are various solutions for the Star of Bethlehem but no one denying it anymore. Thank you, planetariums.

Jesus was born in a miraculous way - conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary. Everyone who has held a baby knows what a miracle each one is. They are terribly fragile and yet amazingly durable and tough. I visited a hospital with a mother and a tiny boy baby, born premature. I was afraid for them, but later he was a tough little kid with no signs of being on the edge of life.

So Jesus had all the attributes of God - the fullness of the Godhead dwelt in Him, but He was a tiny infant. No one can comprehend this - it is a mystery revealed by the Holy Spirit in the Scriptures. But we can marvel at the irony of it - as Luther did in his Christmas program - there was the greatest treasure, the greatest miracle in the humblest surroundings. He dwells in our hearts now through faith in Him. That faith provides a meeting place between us and Jesus. The Spirit in the Word conveys Him to us. That should never be forgotten. We can be as alone and neglected as the Holy Family was on that night, but God is with us - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

I remind Old Testament students that we have one Professor - the Holy Spirit - who is above all other authors, though He has written only one Book - the Holy Scriptures. Every single great author can publish all their opinions, but the Scriptures judge every single book.

That should keep us in a state of wonder about this Baby, born in poverty as the King of Kings. Nothing is too difficult to get through - compared to what He went through to be our Savior. And in those trials, Jesus in His human nature, is completely with us in having the same difficulties, combined with pain, insults, abandonment, betrayal, and yet eternal life - the first of all who would follow Him later in eternal life.

Luther has a great statement in his sermons on Christmas. Everyone says, "Oh, I would have taken care of Jesus. I would have changed His diapers." But Luther says, "Then do that for your neighbor, because whatever you do for the least of brothers is done to Me." The same is equally true of neglecting the least of the brothers. That is just the same as neglecting Jesus.

Babies should always make us especially aware of Christmas, because no one is afraid of a baby. I have asked many young children this important question. "Are you afraid of babies?" They answer very energetically and trying not to laugh, "No one is afraid of a baby." So I continue, "That is why God revealed His love and mercy to us in the form of a baby" - lying in a manger, dressed in simplicity, apparently alone but knowing an angel host was assuring shepherds nearby. 

We can see the great connection - David the shepherd boy, the shepherds in the field, learning about the Good Shepherd, as Jesus would call Himself.

Every phrase, every thought in the Scriptures contributes to our trust in Him, and our love for Him, because He first loved us.

The Prayers and Benediction

Hymn #648                  I Am Jesus' Little Lamb

In Our Prayers

• In treatment - Rush Limbaugh, Mary Howell will be home for Christmas, Christina Jackson has excellent blood tests.
• Randy Anderson is doing very well.
• Doctor's care - Pastor Shrader, Pastor K, Dr. Lito Cruz, Jeshra Palangyos.
• Pray for Lyne Cruz' retirement red tape to be removed.
• Our media ministries - Alec Satin, Norma Boeckler, Travis and Lauren Cartee, Pastor Jordan Palangyos.
• Our President and his staff/cabinet, our military justice system.

Merry Christmas - Diverse Cul-de-Sac

The doorbell rang at an odd time. Ranger Bob scratches on the door, driving Sassy crazy with anticipation. She stays six feet back and barks loudly - her happy bark. The Military Gardening Group brought over five boxes of cookies. We must look starving.

This was different, so I went to the door. But first, some background.

Every Mother's Day, I deliver a rose or roses to each house on the cul-de-sac. One mother, with four children, got four on one stem and photographed them for Facebook. 

One mother was leaving for work when she stopped and rolled down the window. She said, "I saw you. That was your rose." She was smiling.

I was thinking about a daffodil day in spring, because so many should be popping up.

So I opened the door. There was the Mexican mother with a wrapped package. It was a Mexican vase she bought there, with deluxe chocolates inside. I was trying to get Feliz Navidad out of my mouth when she said, "Merry Christmas" with broad smile. She was the one who caught me walking away from her house.

Our block includes Osage Indian, Mexican, Laotian, and Caucasian families.

Who says roses only last a few days?

Everything Points to Re-Election

Everything points to President Trump's re-election, especially the media's banquet of bad news. Key people continue to dampen hopes, one after another.

Funny how evil sticks together so marvelously well, but the good and the noble are hacked away from the inside. Lutheran leaders of all synods have played that game for 90 years. That is why they have no followers - except for those who want promotions so they can do even less work and have more benefits.

As I explained to Mrs. Ichabod, I do not believe any report from anyone now. The winning side knows how to lead the bad guys into the courtroom. Soldiers could have been posted to prevent or at least diminish all the cheating. Many measures could have been taken and would have worked. Why were they ignored? Because the cheaters were being watched closely and recorded. That has to be entered as evidence, not adjudicated by reporters and PR people.

I am compiling a list, totally confidential, of those who will say, "You were right. I should have listened." I only hope most people avoid the failing legacy media and support the independent media who prove their worth.

"You know who you are."

 

Merry Christmas!

We Should Be as Smart as Birds

One reader reported the need for someone to get 40 pound bags of bird seed. Note the plural.

We did that routinely in Phoenix. My mother lived in her half of the house, and she love loved feeding the birds. We had no squirrels to eat the supply. We even bought "dove blocks" of seed to in-between snacking. The sacks were black oil sunflower seeds.

Mom would scatter seed all over the back yard. Then, as a final gesture, fling an entire scoop across the area. It was a very large scoop, the kind used to fill an entire bird feeder.

The birds decided they found Paradise in the desert. We ran the rock waterfall to attract birds and provide shallow puddles of water for them. Migrating birds looked down at the waterfall noise, because birds like moving water. 

Birds do not hide a favorite location but sing about it to all their friends. Soon we had birds that rested on the pool fence all day, awaiting their next meal. We often had birds in the house because they wandered in when we were going in and out to the backyard. I was in charge of bird removal from the house because "those are your birds."

More than once a workman was frightened by 50 doves taking off at once, with their noisy wings and alarm calls. We were used to the sound, but the occasional visitor was not. I was admonished to warn the unsuspecting city slickers.

We had mourning doves, rock doves, white winged doves, and Inca doves. One time the Inca doves stacked themselves up against the kitchen bay window, to keep warm one cold desert night. They were lined up like they were bird bricks, three high, keeping one another warm. I only saw that once.

Birds flock to food and water, sharing their treasures with all the birds, including some predators.

In Springdale, this squirrel concluded the bird swing was built for him to rest on - while stealing everything from the bird feeder.

Has Calvinism influenced Western Lutheranism?... (Pr Gregory Jackson interview)

Photos for Our 51st Anniversary and Christmas, 2020

"That's not mistletoe!"

More Interview

 

Reasons To Enjoy Christmas

• Kamala Harris is VP, maybe the new President, but she has not resigned her Senate seat.
• The Trump administration continues to move along with future goals.
• Trump looks happy and relaxed. 
• Biden has become the old man sitting on his porch, shouting and shooting BBs at kids for getting on his lawn.
• One side can easily muster a gigantic crowd on short notice; the other side blusters.
• The media giants will not cover the Biden Family spy ring.
• Court cases, evidence, and talkative witnesses.
• Sidney Powell.
• One side refuses to say "One nation under God."

Cry "Havoc!" and release the dogs.

Two Days in the Neighborhood

Growing versions of Peace is fun - this is Paradise Peace.

Recently, Sassy and I did our morning walk. We saw the morning coffee drinkers first, and Sassy gave them some time and barked to leave. 

Then we saw Pat, John, and Sam. Pat is Sam's mother, and all three love Sassy. Sassy's stunt there is to give kisses to one and not the other, but she adores all three. If one has to go inside, she peers at the door waiting for the missing person to come back. Another Sassy game is to come back and give the hurt person lots of kisses, smiling as everyone talks about her. 

Ranger Bob starts the day in the afternoon and works into the night. Sassy times her afternoon walk at 3 - 4 PM, to catch Bob going to work. Morning walks are no later than 7 AM, or the gentle whining starts.

Bob said, "We are going to do your lights, like it or not!" The Military Gardening Group met to get things going, discuss new used books and movies, and have pour-over coffee. Since the temperature was below 70 outside (not 70 below), we began with coffee. PFC gave us beautiful chimes, and we gave him some collectibles, including two hand-made items. Bob designed outside and inside lights and said, "No outside porch light. That ruins everything!" I said, "Yes, Sarge, but remember I am a bird colonel and outrank you." I plan on pulling rank when we discuss the proper location of hummingbird feeders and the best food to use. As a chaplain I would probably be a general, just as my ND PhD friend retired as an admiral in the Navy - as a chaplain.

Three Heirloom Roses - selling for $40 each, were $10 each as remainders.
The fragrance is strong enough to make a gardener cough.

Christina joins us for most gatherings and Bob often brings roses for her, which end on the altar. He was thrilled this summer with the Rio Samba Rose he got from me for $10. The second one died so he is getting one Heirloom, with an old-fashioned scent, to replace the other Rio Samba. No, I am not charging him!

Rio Samba Rose is not this day-glo color, but it is eye-catching.

Video of Advent 4 Service

Advent 4 Video Service

The Fourth Sunday in Advent, 2020. Faith and Confessing the Truth

The Fourth Sunday in Advent, 2020

Pastor Gregory L. Jackson

Christmas Eve Service at 7 PM Central Standard Time

Bethany Lutheran Church

https://video.ibm.com/channel/bethany-lutheran-worship

The Hymn #477                    Lord Jesus Thou             

The Confession of Sins
The Absolution
The Introit p. 16
The Gloria Patri
The Kyrie p. 17
The Gloria in Excelsis
The Salutation and Collect p. 19
The Epistle and Gradual       

The Gospel              

Glory be to Thee, O Lord!
Praise be to Thee, O Christ!
The Nicene Creed p. 22
The Sermon Hymn #90               Come, Your Hearts              

Faith and Confessing the Truth

The Hymn #87           Joy to the World            

The Preface p. 24
The Sanctus p. 26
The Lord's Prayer p. 27
The Words of Institution
The Agnus Dei p. 28
The Nunc Dimittis p. 29
The Benediction p. 31
The Hymn #85:10 - 15            From Heaven Above to Earth I Come    

Announcements and Prayers

• December 21st - Star of Bethlehem, Jupiter Saturn conjunction.
• December 22nd - Norma Boeckler's Birthday
• Luther's Galatians in color has been ordered for many. Thank you Norma Boeckler, Alec Satin, Virginia Roberts, and Janie Sullivan.
• Walther, the American Calvin is next. Then Creation Flowers, then the Bible text and translations.
• In treatment - Rush Limbaugh, Mary Howell will be home for Christmas, Christina Jackson has excellent blood tests.
• Randy Anderson is doing very well.
• Doctor's care - Pastor Shrader, Pastor K, Dr. Lito Cruz, Jeshra Palangyos.
• Pray for Lyne Cruz' retirement red tape to be removed.
• Our media ministries - Alec Satin, Norma Boeckler, Travis and Lauren Cartee, Pastor Jordan Palangyos.
• Our President and his staff/cabinet, our military justice system.

        

KJV Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. 5 Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. 6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

KJV John 1:19 And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou? 20 And he confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ. 21 And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elias? And he saith, I am not. Art thou that prophet? And he answered, No. 22 Then said they unto him, Who art thou? that we may give an answer to them that sent us. What sayest thou of thyself? 23 He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias. 24 And they which were sent were of the Pharisees. 25 And they asked him, and said unto him, Why baptizest thou then, if thou be not that Christ, nor Elias, neither that prophet? 26 John answered them, saying, I baptize with water: but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not; 27 He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe's latchet I am not worthy to unloose. 28 These things were done in Bethabara beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing.

Fourth Sunday In Advent

Lord God, heavenly Father, it is meet and right that we should give thanks unto Thee, that Thou hast given us a more glorious baptism than that of John the Baptist, and hast therein promised us the remission of sins, the Holy Spirit, and everlasting life through Thy Son, Jesus Christ: Preserve us, we beseech Thee, in such faith in Thy grace and mercy, that we may never doubt Thy promise, but be comforted by the same in all temptations: and grant us Thy Holy Spirit that we may renounce sin, and ever continue in the righteousness bestowed upon us in baptism, until by Thy grace we obtain eternal salvation, through the same, Thy beloved Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, one true God, world without end. Amen. 

Faith and Confessing the Truth

KJV John 1:19 And this is the record [GJ - witness] of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou?

We have this reading because this Sunday is so close to Christmas. Therefore, this Gospel lesson concerns the witness about Christ and John's role as the Last Great Prophet before Jesus. Each Gospel is very concise, so the wording is important to consider. A delegation from Jerusalem was sent to John the Baptist, so that means the Jewish leadership wanted to know. Priests and Levites, as a group, came to see John and ask him questions.

This alone signals the great concern of the leaders and their Roman minders about John the Baptist. The two great signs from God were 1) The Star of Bethlehem, 30 years before. 2) The new Elijah preaching in the desert.

The Star left a permanent impression. When scientists dismissed Kepler as a "mystic" meaning "You actually believe the myths of the Bible?" - the Star receded in our scientific culture as a reality. But in John's time, the memory was fresh, like ours of the Hale Bopp Comet, 1995. Christina and I were in the car, heading somewhere, and that comet was quite vivid, the brightest in our lives. I once owned two reflector telescopes because a chemist talked me into a 10 inch, which had 3x the gathering power of his 6 inch reflector. I eventually owned his and sold the 10 inch to a medical doctor. (When I sold a booklet on religious publishing, all the male customers were MDs.)

So the Star of Bethlehem was a current topic, a remembered miracle, and a great portent. Something was going to happen in Israel. The mission of John in the desert wilderness became the certifying sign of vast changes ahead, so the great and powerful wanted to know John's role in the future. One person was not enough, but a group representing the religious leadership came out to do this job. They were "sent," a major theme in John's Gospel, because the apostles were sent by Jesus just as the Son was sent by the Father.

20 And he confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ.

Everyone taking Greek or the Gospel of John class is smarter than the Evangelist. I remember us being snarky about the repetition in this verse. Martyr is the English derivative of "witness," and it also forms the verb, to witness. Why write the same thing twice, when the Gospels are stingy with words and details? This shows especially - with simple words - that John is the steadfast witness for the Messiah, and not the Messiah. This delegation is extremely concerned because their overlords, religious and Roman, are quite worried and want to know all the details. Thus the group, not just one, and the mixed collection, to see and hear all the information. This is a fact-finding tour.

Many people would have assumed that John was the Christ, the Messiah (both words, Greek and Hebrew, for the anointed King). His witness is especially strong and clear, to remove any doubts about his identity. Because of his fame, he could have assumed the Messianic role falsely, but he did not.

Sidebar - John's Gospel is the simplest to read in any language, including Greek. We read it and translated it 54 years ago in the first week of Greek class 101, after learning the alphabet and the pronunciation. This intrigued a redhead I met in English class, because she knew that only theology students took Greek.

21 And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elias? And he saith, I am not. Art thou that prophet? And he answered, No.

This is an extremely important conversation, so we have the concise wording before us. Doubtless many locals were also there to hear this witness. They figure that John would point them to the Messiah, or pretend Messiah, and the authorities could deal with that fact. They could not lose. If he were the Messiah, they would report him as a disruptive element. If he were the final prophet, they would follow his work and identify this new Messiah. 

The truth always excite people. Those who hate the truth will react in various ways, questioning, opposing, or remaining silent. This is not always bad, since it can make the brain work overtime and come to a realization of that truth. Our generation's fear of being precise about the truth is very dangerous, because that back-and-forth attitude allows an excuse for harboring and protecting lies in the name of a false peace. However, truth also excites people who instinctively - or by training - know the truth and love to hear it expressed.

22 Then said they unto him, Who art thou? that we may give an answer to them that sent us. What sayest thou of thyself?

They are exasperated and emotional. They have to report to the overlords, but they have nothing concrete. "Now tell us so we can go home!" 

If we go over the arguments about John's identity, there is nothing adequate. Only John identified the man Jesus as the Messiah. Only John baptized Jesus, knowing the true identity of Jesus and witnessing to it. Only John said, "This man before you bears the sins of the world, the atonement expressed visually."

The atonement is the Gospel preached to plant faith and nurture faith in the hearts of those who hear it. Those who believe this Gospel have their sins forgiven. Those who harden themselves against the Gospel are not forgiven.

There was a great build-up of hope in the coming Messiah. The Jews were oppressed by the Roman Empire's soldiers and taxes. They did not own their own land, in that sense. They had the entire Old Testament teaching them about the Son of David. It was both a religious expectation and a political one, because they did not separate King David's military might from his religious role as the Christ.

23 He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias.

Here is exactly John's role. He announces the immediate coming of the promised Messiah. He is the messenger, the advance that warns and wakes up the world for the work and miracles of the Savior. This is the 40th chapter of Isaiah.

Isaiah 40 Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God.

2 Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the Lord's hand double for all her sins.

3 The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.

4 Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain:

5 And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.

6 The voice said, Cry. And he said, What shall I cry? All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field:

7 The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: because the spirit of the Lord bloweth upon it: surely the people is grass.

8 The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.

9 O Zion, that bringest good tidings, get thee up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God!

10 Behold, the Lord God will come with strong hand, and his arm shall rule for him: behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him.

11 He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.

John citing this passage is a warning to the opponents and a comfort to those waiting for the Savior. Doubtless some in that delegation began to believe, even as some began to plan against the Promised King.

What they missed on both sides was the manner of His work. The Savior would be the greatest foe of all, but that would be worked out in history, not on the battlefield with material weapons. Christ is the greatest friend for all who believe and come to a knowledge of the truth. He is a terrible enemy to those who oppose faith in Him and harm the weak, the vulnerable, and the wounded.

It is possible that the greatest and most monstrous evil of all time will collapse before our eyes - the Communist regime of China. But maybe not in this generation. In contrast, the good fruit grows on the tree of faith. America's relative peace and prosperity comes from God's design, giving us the protection of the oceans, distance from enemies, the most fertile land in the world, vast mineral resources, and ocean ports in the Midwest via the Great Lakes, which are wonders by themselves. Our history began with perfidy in England and persecution in France, a way to leave Europe behind and beget a new land of freedom and human rights.

24 And they which were sent were of the Pharisees. 25 And they asked him, and said unto him, Why baptizest thou then, if thou be not that Christ, nor Elias, neither that prophet? 26 John answered them, saying, I baptize with water: but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not; 27 He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe's latchet I am not worthy to unloose.

The Pharisees miss the point which is obvious. There is no other prophet like John. He is greater than all the rest, because he is the messenger, as Malachi 3 called him. The old age has ended. The Messianic age has begun, but they do not know it.

John tries to help by signifying his special role. John immediately precedes the Messiah, so they should be on alert. Jesus is after him in being revealed but before Him in importance. Even now people argue over who is first in the procession and England has rules for its royalty about that. One pastor told me about the rules in clergy processions in his district, which were based on years there. The newly ordained women at the back said, "Why are we always last?" It is easy to play up to those games. John places Him above all others and  humbles himself.

28 These things were done in Bethabara beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing.

This is not the Bethany near Jerusalem, so important in the raising of Lazarus. This is another indication of John's familiarity with the region, another reason why we know it is apostolic and not from 300 years later.

29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

For years a Preus tried to make this a declaration of universal absolution - without faith. I pointed out a dozen times or so that this means the Lamb of God pays for the sins of the world - that is the atonement, the Gospel which creates and renews faith by the work of the Holy Spirit.