Lord's Day Devotion - The Scapegoat Sacrifice

Scapegoats...have you ever been one?  Not nice to be unjustly accused of something you haven't done yet many malicious people perpetuate such upon innocent persons.  There are scapegoats and there are scapegoats:  those who are innocent and those who are not.  The Bible in both Old and New Testaments introduce them to us and if you delve into ancient religions you will discover similar.

Uses of scapegoats in ancient times were to take  the sin of the people away and bring purification to the general populace.  In regards to ancient religions in times of drought, famine or plague or some other terrible natural disaster, a scapegoat would be found and offered up to their gods as appeasement and atonement.  

Animals were not always used either.  Often the scapegoat would be of human form such as a criminal or someone considered to be from lower society strata:  the poor or a slave.  Occasionally someone high bred such as a beautiful princess would "do the job" but then again, a scapegoat's scapegoat (from lower society) would oft-times be substituted.    Sometimes babies or other children would be used; for example offered to Kronos or Artemis (ancient Greek Olympian gods).  That is brutal truth.   

You can imagine then how a scapegoat would be looked down upon and avoided at all costs until sacrifice time.  The scapegoat would not always be executed, sometimes ostracized for a length of time, or chased away by stones being thrown at him or her or badly beaten but not to death.   Execution would take the form of being thrown from a cliff, burned, or stoned.  If the human sacrifice had been burned (on the altar) the ashes would be scattered to the ocean.  

Surprisingly there was great virtue in the scapegoat willingly volunteering to be "the victim".  This fell in with the...

"Greek ideology which stressed that the victim was pleased to go up to the altar, sometimes even hardly to wait to be sacrificed!"   -Jan N. Bremmer-

The sacrificial person would be fed with rich foods prior to being slain or sent away, given wine to drink and even good clothes to wear.  Before the actual slaughtering  'act' a prayer would be uttered to whichever deity, the victim held up and the throat slit.  Gruesome.

In the Old Testament we read of an actual goat that was a scapegoat (Leviticus 16).   It was the Day of Atonement.  The time for the purification of all the Israelites' sins.  The LORD spoke to Moses directing him to tell Aaron the high priest and his sons of the yearly ritual that needed to be performed for the sins of the high priest himself and his household, first and foremost, and then for the Israelite multitude.  He was to sacrifice a bull for himself and then the goat for the atonement of the people.  

They were to take two goats; these had to be without blemish of any kind.  They were to cast lots for the goats: one for the LORD and the other as the scapegoat.  When I was young, reading this always made me glad for the scapegoat goat even though it had to be "ostracized" outside the camp of the Israelites into the desert; at least it escaped death.   This second goat was seen as "the sender away (of sins)"  for "absolute removal".  

The goat for the LORD was sacrificed as a sin offering and deals with the pollution of sin while the scapegoat bore the burden of sin.  It took the sins away into the wilderness never to return.    Do note that God ordered animal sacrifice NOT human!

I think you know where I'm headed with all this.  All this is heavy with symbolism, prototype for the atonement Jesus wrought for mankind with His death and resurrection upon the cross.  In the month of December we focus on Jesus' birth.  Yet what was the purpose for His birth into this world?  Was it not to be mankind's scapegoat; Someone who was absolutely innocent of all sin.   It was to make atonement for the souls of all man kind.  He was to take away not only the pollution of sin but to also bear the burden of our sin and its doomed consequences; the full weight.  

He did that for us!  The sacrifice of all sacrifices; the once for all sin for all time for all people.  The yearly bulls and goats fell miserably short of that.  They needed repeating year after year after year as did the Greeks and others who followed those appalling ritual practices of yore at their spring festivals honoring their demanding gods. 

In the book of Isaiah you see Isaiah in chapter 50 and verse 7,

"...setting his face as a flint..."

...to endure with purpose the disgrace and shame he, as the prophet of his time, was given to do by God to get the message across. 

Jesus too, knew His purpose and willingly went quietly "as a Lamb to the slaughter".  

"As the time approached for Him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem" (Luke 9:51 NIV).

 He did this for you and for me and for the "whosoever" (John 3:16) so that He could atone for the sins of all; so we/they do not have to.  

"You do not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish."  So said Caiaphas the high priest as recorded in John 11:50 (NIV).

The author of Hebrews records the following in Hebrews 10:1-12 especially verses 9-10 where we see His willingness to offer Himself up and then the completeness of His sacrifice in giving atonement in verses 11-12 (NIV)...

"Then he said, "Here I am, I have come to do your will...and by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all...day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins.  But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, He sat down at the right hand of God."

Perfect appeasement.  Perfect atonement.  Perfect purification for the soul.   

He sat down...doesn't that bespeak of finished business...completeness!  Praise God!  Thank-you, Jesus!!  You have accomplished what no one else in the whole wide world has been able to do.  As we willingly remember Jesus in His death and resurrection by passing the bread and wine n Lord's Day one to another of His children, who have benefited for all time and eternity, let us continually offer praise to our very own One who was our personal Scapegoat Sacrifice.  

Thank-You, Jesus!

                                                         ~ERC   December 2018~

  A Christmas carol to listen to, especially the third verse Listen to the Story


Besides Bible references as marked above here are some others from the web: 

Scapegoat

Pharmakos

The Strange World of Human Sacrifice

Burning Quest - Part 51

Killing for self-defense; do you take that shot or blow, or no, that is the question.  What do you think?  Think about it now because when push comes to shove, you may not have much time or chance to consider wisely.

It was a surprise to me to learn from one of the online authors on this topic state that the Bible only furnishes two classifications of killing:  "accidental and intentional".  That author said,

 "...self-defense is not an option in God's eyes although by the law of the land" [emphasis mine]

it is. *1


Dr. Sri K. Dhammananda, author of What Buddhists Believe writes that

 "Buddha advised everyone to abstain from killing" 

and that the best self-defense/protection

"is loving-kindness."

These are excellent points but Dhammananda does acknowledge one cannot always escape with those sentiments.  He resumes his opinions asserting,

"During the struggle to protect himself, if a man happens to kill, then he does not create bad karma resulting from that death" (Page 373). 

We discover from the Bible that in the case of accidental death, God provided the Israelites six different places called "Cities of Refuge" to which a killer could flee.  Once the killer reached that haven, the avenger could not avenge the victim.  The elders of each particular city of refuge would have to determine if indeed the victim's death was accidental, or done in cold-blooded murder.  However, if that accidental-or-not-killer did go outside the city of refuge, his fate was in his own hands.  The avenger had a right to avenge the death of the victim.

After the City of Refuge trial determined the murderer guilty of intentional murder,  killing in cold blood, then the avenger of blood himself would put the murderer to death (Numbers 35:9-28).

Besides the elders of the city of refuge, there needed to be witnesses (Deuteronomy 19:15-21) and the testimony of the one who fled to the city of refuge.  There were scenarios in which they'd even have to call in the priests and to stand in the presence of the Lord, the Righteous Judge, to determine correct justice.  These are guiding principles to this day and age!

In today's world it's the governments that dole out sentencing and punishments, not the avenger of blood.  The avenger will take the other person to court and there will be that very long and drawn out process to a hopefully just end.  It is not the avenger, however, who is at liberty to execute the punishment.

Compelling Truth.org brings Exodus 22:2-3 (ESV) to our attention:

"If a thief is found breaking in and is struck so that he dies, there shall be no bloodguilt for him, but if the sun has risen on him, there shall be bloodguilt for him.  He shall surely pay...."

Compelling Truth mentions that time and place and situation have bearing on the instance in which self-defense can be engaged.  They also give some examples from the Bible such as in the case of Abraham rescuing Lot by force.  This is acting in defense of others.  We will see some further examples later on.

Another author I "googled" expresses the opinion that the Bible does indicate that mankind may take the life of another in only four particular circumstances.  We have discussed some of these already.  These four circumstances being: 

 "...self-defense; defense of others; acting in defense of one's nation against foreign aggressors and the state's civil duty to execute criminals who have been properly convicted of capital crimes". *2

It is good to distinguish whether a case is indeed an action of self-defense or that the person is acting in vengeance.   Are we, in indignant anger that an intruder broke into our home threatening potential danger to ourself and family, ready to send him or her the fatal bullet to pre-empt our personal harm, or is it true self-defense; that is the tricky question.

Bible Reasons has some good thoughts on the matter.  Please click on the link to see their views.

I do know that split second decisions are not easy ones.  I recall a time when some friends and myself were sleeping in the basement of a home.  The landlord got broken into in the night.   The daughter had her room invaded but engaged in conversation with the intruder, whose weapon of choice was a machete.  She pled with him to just take the money but leave her wallet and identification documents, so we learned later.  The man was actually heartbroken and desperate so that he felt he had to resort to such actions as he had a hungry wife and children at home; so he said.

I remember sorting through our possessions in my mind for what could be used as a "weapon" of self-defense should the fellow decide to come downstairs.  I was also praying that he would not come and that the family upstairs would be safe and the intruder leave quickly.

You see, self-defense was the first thought, and likely that of most people's who have time to think.  The daughter's self-defense was speech and entreaty; what she had at her disposal on the spur and heat of the moment.  My idea was something a bit harder.  Second thought only, was prayer.

Different situations call for different modes of handling.  This was a minor case and realize the intensity others experience is far worse and calls for greater reaction.

The Bible example of Esther and her people is an excellent one in regards to self-defense and the defense of others on a more major scale.  When the king of the Medes and Persians' decree to annihilate the Jews in the kingdom, instigated by Haman, could not be overturned, Esther negotiated a counter decree allowing the Jews to arm and defend themselves for the allotted time frame (Esther 8:10-13:9).  They were protecting their lives (8:11-12) against those who hated them (9:1-5).

Nehemiah's time of rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem is another great example.  Each of the workmen girded themselves with sword in one hand and work tools in the other, preparing to defend themselves against those who wanted to hinder the construction (Nehemiah 4:10-13, 16, 18, 21).  They were on guard all the while they worked.

In the New Testament, note that Jesus didn't speak for or against self-defense per se.  He did ask the disciples in Luke 22:35-39 if they didn't have a sword to sell their cloak and buy one.  They said they had two.  Jesus answered, "That's enough".

If they were carrying swords, you'd expect they knew how to use them.  In fact Peter did cut off the high priest's servant's ear with one when the soldiers came to arrest Jesus.  (John 18:10).

Jesus didn't tell Peter to carry on.  No, He told Peter to...

 "...put up thy sword into the sheath" (John 18:11 KJV).

It's interesting to note that Jesus allowed the contingent to arrest Him despite it's being unjust.  Jesus willingly allowed His capture and didn't aggressively strike back.

Again I quote an article from the internet.  The author writes that Jesus seemed to be saying, 

"Though we have a right to employ our swords in defense of this unrighteous arrest we are intentionally putting aside our lawful right and I'm allowing myself to be taken without  resistance."

Could it have been that Jesus was saying, wonders the author, that the... 

"...sword is not always the appropriate response, especially in enduring persecution for Christ; that there is greater protection than swords".

Indeed, many persecuted believers the world over are led "like lambs to the slaughter" (Isaiah 53:7).  Jesus Christ is ever our perfect example in living the Christian life.

I'm not saying we don't get ourselves out of a situation if possible.  Jesus did ask His captors to let the disciples go free (John 18:7-9).

Sri Dhammananda makes a very valid point reflecting ideal Buddhist thought,

"...it is not how the killing occurs that is important, but the fact that the life of one being is unnaturally terminated."  (Page 374).

Followers of Jesus Christ are reminded that it is God who gives breath and who takes it away as He alone knows the number of our days (Genesis 2:7; Job 33:4; 32:8; 34:14-15).  He is our Avenger for He says,

"Vengeance is Mine; I will repay" (Deuteronomy 32:35; Romans 12:17-19)

A person does well to ponder on these things.  I don't think we just let someone rape or shoot us without trying to defend ourself.  There is need to extricate ourself as we can according to God's guidelines in conjunction with the government's law of the land in which one lives.

Yes, that can open another whole can of worms especially in countries where Christians and others of other religions are not protected and from which the governing powers do not base their individual selves or their laws on God's Word.

God gives life to mankind.  Mankind must hold that precious even in situations that require self-defense.  In the heat of the moment it may well be difficult to think before you shoot or bash a baseball bat on someone's head..  Avoid the death of another if at all possible.  Thinking about this now before such an unwanted event could occur, may well be pre-emptive of regret, post shot.  Yet...

"If any lacks wisdom, let him ask of God who gives generously..." (James 1:5 NIV).

                                                   ~ERC  December 2018~


Notes:

Some of the internet references used while writing the original draft of this entry seem to now be no longer available.  Below, you will find however, the reference web addresses:  perhaps access can be reached from elsewhere.

*1.  www.cgg.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/library.sr/

*2.  rippster4Christ.blogspot.com/2013/08/the-bible-and-euthanasia.htm

Another site about self defense:

Biblical Self Defense

The following is a secular view of self-defense.  It's very long (about 89 pages), written by a lawyer but in semi-layman's terms for greater understanding. 

Lawyer's view.

Worship King Jesus Christmas 2018

Dear All,

There is a poem by one Rebecca Barlow Jordan that has touched my heart for ever so long.  Can't recall where I first ever laid eyes on it but perhaps it was in a Christmas card. Several years ago I used this poem for a Sunday School Christmas message.   I'll give it to you in snatches as I add in my extra two cent's worth of thought with a modified version. It starts with...

Who is "His" Who has been born?   Is it not our Lord Jesus Christ? 

This speaks of "hope".  We hope to go swimming, get new clothes, get lots of this or that on our birthdays, and especially as gifts for Christmas.  Maybe it'll happen; maybe not.  This hope is not sure.

With Jesus you'll find that His hope is always sure.  He keeps His promises and you won't be disappointed.  With His birth into this world, something new and exciting was precipitated.  He came to make the way to Heaven where there will be no more suffering, pain, or tears.  There will only be happiness and JOY and contentment.

That Christmas carol comes to mind "Joy to the World, the Lord has Come!"  The JOY of Jesus.

Do you like to get new things?  Here's another something new.  What is it?  Strength!  Yes!  Our help comes from the Lord who gives us strength. And that strength can be renewed.  And the joy of the Lord gives us strength (Nehemiah 8:10; Isaiah 41:10).  We have new hope and new strength to be like Him and live for His glory.

People lift dumbbells or other weights.  That takes strength.  Who gives that strength?  God does.  He gave them good muscles to do so.  The more one lifts the weights the stronger one gets.

So too God can give us the strength to say "yes" to good things and "no" to the bad.  The more we say, "Yes" to "yes"  and "No" to "no", the stronger and more courageous we will be to say "Yes" and "No" to what we should.  We don't have to do so by ourself; He, Jesus, helps us.

What's next?

The third new thing now.  Acceptance.  What a blessed thing that is!  To be accepted for who we are and not because of what we have achieved! 

When someone gives you a gift - you take it - that means you 'accepted' it.

Jesus will accept you no matter how good or how bad you've been.  You need Him and He'll accept you.  God sent you His gift, Jesus.  Will you accept Him?

A person doesn't have to work for God's acceptance.  God doesn't say:

"Ok, climb Mount Kinabalu twenty times, on your knees, and then I'll accept you."  NO!

He doesn't say, "Give all your money to the poor and then I'll accept you."  NO!

He even doesn't say, "Read your Bible 100 times and pray two hours a day and then I'll accept you."  NO!

He says,  "I'll accept you no matter how tall or short; fat or lean, black or white, etc you are and no matter what you may have done.  He wants you and you and you alone.  He wants everyone so He'll accept you just as you are.

From the manger to the cross, Jesus lived about 33 years on earth. 

Most of us know what a manger is.  Baby Jesus was laid in a feeding trough for horses; the best bed His parents could find at the time.  If Jesus had never been born, He'd never have died on the cross.  We have both:  birth and death.  For 33 yrs, approximately, Jesus walked the earth from infancy to grown manhood; fully God yet fully man.  Everyone knew Him.  He was obedient to His earthly parents and learned carpentry.  Then He started with the miracles revealing His divine power if the people had wished to realize.    But His most important purpose was the cross.  To give His life for you and me and bring us salvation.  He knew His purpose of life and aimed for it. 

Because of that...

Jesus meets our every need, and desire.  That does not say "every want".  It says "every need".  Our biggest need is Him.  Have you accepted His gift of salvation?  Please do.  He lovingly offers His gift to you, and in turn you can gain purpose for living. 

Make Jesus your KING.  How do you make Jesus your KING?  Do we simply put a crown on His head and say, "Hello, King?"

Let's back up a bit...look at the character of a king.   How does one 'treat' a king?  One must respect, obey, and say, "Yes, Your Majesty".  If you don't obey or show proper respect, you get into trouble.  Right?

And then there are good kings and bad kings.  Jesus is a good King:  kind, gentle, loving, just, and we must make Him #1 in our lives; the most important Person.  Put Him at the top of your heart and let Him fill it.  Put Him above sports, clothes, computer games, etc.

How will Jesus get into your heart so you can make Him your King?

We've all done bad things such as lying, disobeying, disrespecting our parents or teachers; talking back, cheating, or kicking someone; perhaps as adults, committed adultery or become addicted to pornography, etc.

Jesus loves and accepts us but NOT the bad things.  Let me tell you, the good things are good but still not good enough to earn us salvation.  So how can a person have Jesus in their heart when there are so many bad things there?

Start with saying you are sorry to God for all those wrongdoings; admit you are wrong.  Have a willing heart to change that and humbly repent.   Ask Jesus to wash the sins away.  He died on the cross and shed His blood for just such a reason.  It's the...

"...blood of Jesus Christ that cleans us from all sin"  (1 John 1:7)

When a person has done that, he or she has made Jesus Savior of his or her life.  Then that person can start making Him king too, by obeying Him.  Read the Bible for instruction.  As a person reads and obeys, that is making Jesus king.  It is like putting the crown on His head and putting Jesus at the top of your heart.

He gives the power to stop the lying and cheating, and bad words, etc.  He gives us the power to obey Him; to live circumspectly for Him. 

Once we make Jesus the King of our life we can also worship Him.  We tell Him how good He is; how great He is for all He's done for us, and thank  and praise Him for giving us that new hope, strength, and acceptance.

Yes, Jesus is the greatest gift for all of us.  You like to get gifts right?  Jesus is like a GREAT BIG gift from GOD, sent by special delivery.

Now we want to worship Him.

If you have a birthday cake handy, light a candle on it because it is Jesus's birthday... you can sing the Happy Birthday song but an even better one for worshiping Him is...

Our God is an Awesome God!

                                      LET'S SING AND WORSHIP KING JESUS.

Father God in Heaven we love You because You first loved us.  Thank-you so much for the best gift ever, that of Your dear Son Jesus Christ Who came into this world to buy our pardon and give us the salvation we so desperately needed.  In Your Son Jesus's Name we give you praise.

                                                                      Amen.

                                                      ~ERC  December 2018~

Burning Quest - Part 50

May God have mercy on us all especially when it comes to mercy killing.  When a person believes that beasts and mankind are of the same flesh, they will also believe that mercy killing is or is not an option for man or beast.  If one believes there is a difference, then what?

Dr. K. Sri Dhammananda in his book What Buddhists Believe, says,

"According to Buddhism mercy killing cannot be justified..." (Page 372).

He asks the valid question...

"...if mercy killing is the correct method to be practiced on pets and other animals, then why are people so reluctant to do the same to their beloved ones?"

Mercy killing, or as some use the term, "euthanasia," is when, for example, due to terminal illness or irreparable injury of an animal or human being, the said creature is put to sleep (vet's terminology); shot (a horse perhaps), or given lethal injection (perhaps for a person suffering great pain from cancer or war wound).  This is to put them all "out of their misery."

Most followers of Jesus Christ differentiate between the animal kingdom (broad term including the birds and aquatic creatures) and human beings.   They do not do this arbitrarily either.  To substantiate, turn to Scripture; the Word of God of our loving Heavenly Father.

In an article I found online by a Dr. Werner Gitt writing about the "Difference Between Human Life and Animal Life", Gitt states eight major reasons.  (You can read his whole article by clicking on the link provided.) 

In essence, Gitt explains from Genesis 1:27 that mankind was created in the image of God.  It was only man (Adam), that got the 'kick start' so to speak, by receiving the "breath of God" breathed directly into his nostrils (Genesis 2:7; Ecclesiastes 12:7; 1 Thessalonians 5;23).  We consist of spirit, soul and body and upon death the "spirit returns to God who gave it."  That is not mentioned in regards to any of the animal kingdom.

The next point given is of great interest, and pleases me as I had never taken note of it before.  It is "only with man did God use His hands" (Genesis 2:7) to create any of His creation.  Apparently, so Gitt notated, the Hebrew word used connotates "actions of a potter" in how God used His hands to form man.

Man can communicate with God (in prayer, for example).  Yes many times on YouTube you'll see people who have supposedly taught their dogs to pray before eating.  It's the pet owner, however, I've actually heard voicing the prayer.  The dogs were only in a posture of prayer.

Animals do things by what they've been taught but left to themselves, more largely, act according to their own instinct.  Where I sat writing the original rough draft of this blog entry, I saw a squirrel running hither and thither, to and fro the bird feeder gathering seeds and suet for its winter store.  That is instinct.

Yes, we even see orangutans who have learned to paint and have a repertoire of signs to converse with human beings in sign language.  That is truly amazing.  However, left to their jungle habitat you'll see quite different behavior; its natural instincts will kick in and the alpha male will show who's boss.

Granted human beings often act thus and worse than animals at times. On the other hand, human beings have made multitudinous and amazing inventions; strides in medicine; painted wondrous works of art; etc, etc.   Yet mankind has "free will" (another whole subject) and "faculty of creative thought" (Psalm 8:5) showing distinctive creational category from the animal kingdom. 

The sixth point is that clincher for me.  Read 1 Corinthians 15:39 (ESV)...

"For not all flesh is the same, but there is one kind for humans, another for animals, another for birds, and another for fish."

Genesis 1:25 collaborates that:  animals (& birds, fish, creeping things) are different from human kind.  Human kind was designated to have...

 "...dominion over the fish...birds...livestock...earth...every creeping thing..." (Genesis 1:26).

This gives answer to why human folks are (and should be) reluctant to put their loved ones out of their misery.  It's God's call to give and take the breath of life.

Of course this does not give free license to simply kill animals for pleasure, or because we just don't want our pets anymore.  God did give animals for food post-Flood days.  He told Noah in Genesis 9:3 (ESV)...

"Everything that lives and moves about will be food for you.  Just as I gave you green plans, I now give you everything."

See also Genesis 1:29 for contrast...responsible stewardship (another topic in itself).

Dr. Gitt continues with the seventh point giving reference to Colossians 1:16 that states that creation by God was "created by God and for God." [emphasis mine].  I believe it.  Yet in John 1:12 we see Jesus came for the benefit of people and that only people can be called "children of God".  Thus an obvious pointed disassociative variance.

Gitt's final point is that "man is an eternal being".  He gives reference to the story of the rich man and Lazarus and their ongoing existence after departure from Earth (Luke 16:19-30).

The other reference given is 1 Corinthians 15:42-44, 49.  When a person's body dies, it generally gets buried in the ground or cremated and its ashes either preserved in an urn or scattered to the winds.  That's that for our present earthly body.  However, there comes a day when those destined to be with Christ forever (those saved by faith and grace) will gain an imperishable body; it's going to last forever!

Human beings will not "cease to exist" upon reaching a utopia of self-attained righteousness.  Please be informed.  There is everlasting living to enjoy in Heaven or everlasting death to endure in Hell.  With Christ in Heaven will be joy evermore.  Without Christ in Hell, will be eternal suffering and torment that one cannot ever get out of.

Buddhist hell is one that they can get in and out of after serving their time.  But then their mental continuum inhabits what, through Buddhist rebirth?  A dog, an elephant, a cockroach?  A human being, again?  Then to start the cycle all over again and again unless of course they've reached Nirvana.   Is there hope in that?

This is a solemn question of destiny to contemplate.  Consider your investigation well.  This is far different than the end of an animal.

So, NO, mercy killing is NOT for humankind.  To make yourself or another's life "go away" is NOT a kindness in any way, shape or form.  Yet some may argue, but the person is a follower of Jesus Christ, they would have a glorious beginning with no more pain, tears or suffering if you helped them on their way.

Yes, I can understand not wanting to prolong suffering, especially that which is excruciating in body and/or mind.  Consider life on the 'other side'.  Couple that with it being God's prerogative to,

 "...to put to death and...to bring to life" (Deuteronomy 32:39; 1 Samuel 2:6; Genesis 9:6).

Other articles that may be of help in understanding this are as follows:

Christian Life Resources has a number of answers to a variety of aspects on this topic.

Animal Pet Euthanasia

Dr. K. Sri Dhammananda concludes

"As Buddhists, all that we can do is to help to reduce the pain of suffering in others" (Page 373).

I agree with this statement in regards to both beast and human being.  Nevertheless, to put down an animal is a mercy to said animal in pain and sickness as they do not need to think about an eternal destination.  Six feet under, and that's it.  On the contrary, it is a mercy to keep the human being alive despite the pain and anguish of earthly physical or mental state, and let God be the judge and accountant of the number of an individual's life on earth.

Do I say all this too glibly?  

Let me conclude with the example of my mother.  Currently she is living out the end of her days.  As I wrote the rough draft of this Burning Quest - Part 50, she had lived some ninety days, sixty of those days past her diagnosis "death sentence" date the human doctor had given her.  She has acute myeloid leukemia (AML). 

The doc's emphasis was on ONE month although he said possibly 1-4 to live.  To this day, as I type on my laptop, she is still with us, more than a year later.  She's still breathing although it's now getting very difficult to do so.  She gasps for breath at mere activity I'm told.  Morphine and oxygen have been her companions for breathing assistance.  

This "reduces her suffering" but we cannot "pull the plug".

Is it pleasant to have to gasp for breath?  Is it pleasant to helplessly watch?

No, it certainly is NOT!!

We can and do pray that she'll have the perseverance and peace needed to endure to the end.  We also pray, appealing to the God of all mercy that she will go peacefully in her sleep; sooner, rather than later now.

She's had a wonderfully productive 15 more months!!  She has brought good cheer to many.  She's knitted numerous baby hats for orphans.  She's written countless notes of thanks and encouragement to send out to others.

Would she be more than happy to leave this earth?  You betcha!  She looks forward to being with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ but she submits to Him and the number of her days.  She's at peace.  Her times are in God's hands and she's content.   She's at His mercy. 

                                                     ~ERC  November 2018~

Praise God...

"Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; mercy and truth go before Your face."  Psalm 89:14 (NJKV).

Lord's Day Devotion - Highway of Holiness

"Unclean, unclean!" came the clarion call of the leper as he shuffled along.  He's shouting, but...

Wait...what is he doing!  Why is he coming here!!  He's supposed to go away.  Doesn't he know God said he's supposed to go away from everybody!!  (Leviticus 14).   The crowd shrank back gasping in fear and maybe even disgust, clutching their garments close, and letting the man pass by, hopefully, preferably, without making any contact with him.

Here he came, right up to Jesus. 

 "Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man" (Luke 5:12-15 ESV)!!!!

Anathema!

It was unthinkable to touch such a person.  Yet Jesus out of love and compassion and a willing heart, did so.  It must have felt like an electric shock coursing through the leper's body.

The leper knew Jesus could help but did not demand it.  He hoped.  He hoped from the top of his head to the bottom of his feet.  

"Lord, if you are willing..." 

What faith the man had too...

"Lord, if you are willing, You can make me clean."

Yes, Lord.  Yes, yes, Lord.  We plead from the bottom and depths of our souls for His compassion and mercy.  Would we deny it for others?

Jesus did not.  Don't you just love His response that came with that touch!

"I am willing...Be clean!"

The man was immediately made whole.

Not partial healing, but whole!!

Jesus is still touching mankind and making them whole.  Sin sick people receive His salvation.  That is what we remind ourselves of every Lord's Day.  Salvation has put each of us who have become a child of God by accepting the gift of salvation, on the Highway of Holiness.  

Jesus made us clean in God's sight,

"The blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin." (1 John 1:7 ESV).

We are now entitled to walk on that highway, as Isaiah puts it in Isaiah 35:8 (NIV),

"And a highway will be there; it will be called the Way of Holiness.  The unclean will not journey on it; it will be for those who walk in the Way..."

Let us continue on this highway, living to please our Heavenly Father, Lord and God,  and Savior, through Jesus Christ Who is the Way (John 14:6), by examining ourselves and obeying His Word and being in the way of progressive sanctification.  God made us fit to walk there and will never kick us off nor can we get ourselves kicked off because He has made us worthy.  Let us be worthy of that worthiness though.

Examine your hearts, keeping short accounts with God and remember Jesus in His death as He requested, passing the emblems of the bread and wine one to another, thanking and praising Him with all gratitude for touching us and making us completely clean.

                                                  ~ERC   December 2018~

Note:

Robert Lowry penned the words which we often sing, 

"For my cleansing this I see,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus..."

Singing Christmas 2018

December is almost upon us and scores of people around the world are thinking of Christmas and all it means; whether commercially, or for "Jesus is the Reason for the Season".  I prefer the latter.  Was going through some last era (which means, my era but ancient eons ago to my children) and came upon the following that we used to sing with gusto.  I'll share it here.  Credits to the lyrics by Ralph Carmichael.  

He's Everything to Me has been a favorite.  Hope you enjoy it.   It's a nice song for this time of year and brings forward the  meaning and purpose of Jesus's birth.  I give you...

 Here it is  sung in Tune.


                                            ~ERC  November 2018~

Lord's Day Devotion - Light of the World

Light reveals, brightens, warms, cheers, penetrates darkness, gives energy, helps things grow, gives life, brings us oxygen for breathing and no doubt many more benefits radiate from it.  There are greater lights and lesser lights like the sun, moon and stars created by God.  

Light can be bright and it can be brighter.  I was charmed by what  Isaiah had to say in Isaiah 30:26 (ESV),

"Moreover, the light of the moon will be as the light of the sun, and the light of the sun will be sevenfold, as the light of seven days, in the day when the LORD binds up the brokenness of his people and heals the wounds inflicted by his blow." 

Look what the LORD's light can do.  Yes, the context of this verse was for when the children of Israel were able to be released from their captivity in Babylon and go back to their own land of Israel; yet it does seem prophetic to me.  

Connect the Isaiah verses with what John the Baptist's father, Zechariah, prophesied when he was filled with the Holy Spirit, as we read in Luke 1:68-70 (ESV).  He starts off blessing the Lord God of Israel, and mentions that his son John will be "the prophet of the Most High God...to prepare his ways..." and that the One he is preparing for will be "the sunrise" and will,

"...give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace." (vs 79).

Whomever was he referring to?

I believe most of us know the answer well;  none other than our Lord Jesus Christ.  He Himself declares,

"I am the light of the world.  Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."

Isn't He wonderful! 

Jesus showed up His light so that we may be free.  He has shown his Light into our hearts and minds to reveal to us what was there and the need of Him.  He bought and brought us His salvation.  We followers of Jesus Christ can be so thankful for this.

From the Light of His salvation we can grow in our Jesus life like plants in the sunshine. 

And guess what else!?   We look forward to being with Him in Heaven where His temple is the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb, the Light of the world.  Did you know that,

"...the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb"?  (Revelation 21:22-23)

Because of Jesus Who is the Light of the World, we will experience this glorious Light for all eternity.  What a wonderful feeling and future to look forward too!

When we followers of Jesus Christ remember Him in His death and resurrection, taking of the bread and wine emblems on Lord's Day, showing what His death has accomplished for us, let us be glad and grateful for the Light of His salvation shining in our lives.

No doubt you all at one point or another in your lives have seen and/or visited a lighthouse.  I grew up by the sea and have seen them and even been in them.  Lighthouses function as beacons to those at sea warning of danger,  helping the sea captains to navigate their way safely.  

Similarly may we in turn shine out His light of life and love to others bringing them hope, cheer, healing from brokenness, and give comfort such as we have enjoyed.  Help others plot their life course straight to Jesus, the Light of the world.

                                                ~ERC  November 2018~

Here's a song sung by Tim Hughes called Light of the World

Burning Quest - Part 49

The colossal million dollar question was, "Is it OK to join the army?"  For that matter, can one join the police force or other such law enforcement agency?  These questions stemming from the previous blog entry, Burning Quest - Part 48 about War and Peace, are especially for the benefit of followers of Jesus Christ  inquirers.

By comparison, the Buddhists pose a similar question.  Dr. K Sri Dhammananda in his book What Buddhists Believe gives his answering perspective,

"Does Buddha teach the doctrine of complete self-surrender?  Should I suffer the evil-doer to do what he pleases and yield submissively to him who threatens to take by violence what is my own?  Does the Buddha maintain that all strife including warfare waged for a righteous cause should be forbidden?" (Pages 369-370).

Sri Dhammananda asserts Buddha taught, 

"'He who deserves punishment must be punished.  And he who is worthy of favor must be favored.  Do not do injury to any living being but be just, filled with love and kindness'" (Page 370).

He continues,

"These injunctions are not contradictory because the person who is punished for his crimes will suffer his injury not through the ill will of the judge but through the evil act itself.  His own acts have brought upon him the injury that the executors of the law inflict.  When a magistrate punishes, he must not harbor hatred in his heart.  When a murderer is put to death, he should realize that his punishment is the result of his own act" (Page 370).

Lots of wisdom there.  

We learn from Romans 13:1-5 that authorities are God's servants to "carry out God's wrath on the wrongdoer" (vs 4).  Yes, there are those in authority who are not good leaders yet as discussed in the past, God still uses them to accomplish His purposes.  They will have to answer to God and be responsible for their actions and their consequences.

So if God uses those in authority to keep things "godly and orderly," to defend "innocent people from evil aggressors" and "promote justice," I ask you, wouldn't that be a worthy cause to join?  

Army personnel, police officers, lawyers of integrity, even politicians who think of people and not their own agendas (Possible?  With God all things are possible), could work together for the common good.

I'd like to add...is God calling you to such positions?  Well and good.  To the rest of us, pray for them that justice would well and truly be advanced through those on the front lines of administering justice through legitimate government channels.  All Godspeed to those at that helm.  

There are some good articles on this topic by other authors.  Click on the following links to check for more in depth study.

Compelling Truth/Christian Military

Got Questions/ Military Christian

Live As Free People/Join the Military/Police Force

Why Didn't Jesus Denounce Military Service?

It is difficult to ascertain what exactly is implied by the Buddhist definition of "righteous cause" for which they could go to war.  It is known from history that the Sinhalese Buddhists of Sri Lanka engaged in war for years whether to "protect" their territorial boundaries or to defend and preserve Buddhism itself is not entirely clear.  There is a rather lengthy article written by one P. D. Premasiri  entitled The Place For A Righteous War in Buddhism you may be interested in; click on link.

Another article by Barbara O'Brian that was recently updated follows a similar view.  You can read for yourself about Buddhists At War.  Buddhists condemn war but they are also seen engaging in and fueling it as in the case of Japan during WW2.  You can read about that in the indicated article.

Getting away from the actual physical joining of the military or other law enforcement agencies, there is the idea of conquest; that is, the conquest of self.  Can we be our own "soldier" or "police officer" to route out that which is unwholesome and wrong in God's eyes?  This implicates the spiritual realm aspect.


Dr. K. Sri Dhammananda raises this issue by quoting a portion of Gautama Buddha's teaching from Page 371 of his book,

"Great is the successful general...but he who conquers self is the greater victor"...The person who has conquered himself is more fit to live, to be successful and to gain victories than is the person who is slave of self...struggle courageously and wisely.  Then you can be a soldier of truth."

Remembering that a Buddhist works to earn his/her own salvation by living a life eradicating desire and of thinking good and putting it into action, this struggle with conquering self is a noble and exacting task.

However, for a follower of Jesus Christ, we have salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.  God then imputes His righteousness to said believer and sends the Holy Spirit to indwell him or her.  That happens at the instant of salvation and the believer starts on the road of progressive sanctification "taking every thought captive to, and making it obedient to, Christ" (2 Corinthians 10:5).  When the thoughts are obedient to Christ, the actions will follow suit.  

In this way there is "self-conquest" as the individual's will has activated the mind towards obedience to Christ.  Make note, however, that it is not true self-conquest because we could not gain or sustain without the help of the Holy Spirit.

This we learn from Romans 8:6-9 (ESV),

"For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.  For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot.  Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.  You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit..."

This is inside, outside "help".  The Holy Spirit of God is an "outside source" Who indwells the believer therefore becoming an "inside source" of aid.  We definitely need Him for such warfare.

Julie Gossack  brought my attention to this in her work about the Ministry of the Holy Spirit published through Crossway Publishers.  She writes,

"The Holy Spirit is at odds with the flesh...The Spirit and the flesh are both at war in us.  This adversarial relationship creates a ceaseless battle in our hearts and minds.  The flesh and Spirit will never be at peace with each other.  However, the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit subdues the flesh.  Thus, we must avail ourselves of His power as a spiritual weapon against sin."

Another day I read...

"We are filled with the Holy Spirit when we let the Word of God dwell richly in our hearts" (Colossians 3:16).

As we read God's Word and obey it we allow the Holy Spirit to reign in us more and more to become obedient in thought (mind) and heart to Jesus Christ.  In this we will have degrees of "self-conquest" as we submit our will and ways ever more to our loving Heavenly Father.  He works in us every good work conforming us to the image of His dear Son Jesus (Romans 8:29).  This is Christian living.

From the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association there comes an article by Ken Boa about this type of obedience titled, How to be Conformed to Christ's Image.  Please click on the link to learn more. 

In conclusion...to join the army or not to join the army (or other law enforcement)...there is much biblical backing to do so should the need arise.  Let the Holy Spirit of God help lead and guide you to such a decision.  As far as self-conquest is concerned, I'd say that is a definite 'army' to join and 'war' to fight.

                                                    ~ERC  November 2018~

Burning Quest - Part 48

Can we justify war?

War has been marring the peace of the world for millenniums.  One only need Google to view a list of currently ongoing conflicts to learn of such devastation.  This list was updated as recently as 14 November 2018.  How many of those are justified?

It's difficult to say.

The following thought has been previously established but it bears repeating...

"So far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men" (Romans 12:8).

Case in point...just today I was parked very properly in a proper parking space.  I went about doing my errands and returned to discover another driver had parked very improperly and not in a proper parking space leaving his or her two very young children locked up in the car.  I would not be able to get out of my space without bashing into that car (yes, I felt like it) unless I did some improper calisthenics with my vehicle enabling me to go on my way.  Can you imagine the unholy thoughts that frothed up?  How inconsiderate could that driver get?!!  And that not to mention leaving the two children unattended!!  On top of that, when I beeped my horn to call attention to the in absentia driver who was nowhere in sight, the older of the young children shook his little fist at me.   

I certainly did NOT feel like I wanted to be at peace with that driver parent and so I went self righteously grumbling down the road after my escape maneuvers.  As I remember and write about the incident I still feel the unforgiveness in my heart.  The mind was, however, convicted;  you are a child of God, "live at peace"!

Dr. K. Sri Dhammananda comments in his book What Buddhists Believe on pages 366-367...

"People should not pander to their aggressive instincts.  They should uphold the ethical teachings of the religious teachers and display justice with morality to enable peace to prevail."

 He continues...

"To guarantee true peace, we must use every method available to us to educate youths to practice love, goodwill and tolerance towards others."

He has good points.  And I certainly had good opportunity to put that into practice.

Tolerance, yes; to within Christ's standards.  And, there will be no guarantee of true peace until Jesus Christ reigns over the earth.  However this doesn't mean we don't try for peaceful solutions towards avoiding war or bashing purposefully into a thoughtless, self-centered someone's car.

Matthew 24:6 (NIV) says,

"You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed.  Such things must happen but the end is still to come."

Again, this does not give license to go on shooting sprees nor create wars on a whim.

Nevertheless there are times, 

"...to love, and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace"

So said King Solomon in the Song of Solomon 3:8.

The Buddhists do not believe there should be war either but Sri Dhammananda says there are instances that under certain circumstances a person may be... 

"...duty bound to join the struggle for peace and freedom" and "they cannot be blamed for becoming soldiers or being involved in defense" (Page 367).

Sri Dhammananda goes a step further in saying that,

"Buddhists should not be the aggressors even in protecting their religion or anything else"(Page 367).

Emphasis on the "should".  Human nature being what it is, there are news accounts that they do become aggressors.  Examples have been pointed out previously such as in the case in Sri Lanka.  The question there was that due to religion or cultural and territorial preservation or a bit of everything?  Similarly in Bhutan seems to be more about zealously preserving their religion for one and all of their citizens rather than allowing them to choose the religion of their own individual choice. This is not tolerance.

Sri Dhammananda uses the word "tolerance" on several occasions throughout his writings.  He believes that when the concept of tolerance, as mapped out by Buddhist teaching, is exercised, war will be averted.  That is the ideal in Buddhism, Christianity, and no doubt in other religions.  Yet, as in the above mentioned countries those teachings are not always adhered to.  Results are war (Sri Lanka) and aggression against Christians and other non-Buddhists (Bhutan).  Are these justified?  Where was/is the tolerance?

I'm not stating these things to make war.  I only wish to show that even religion cannot be a totally guaranteed deterrent. 

It is not religion that changes hearts to good behavior.  It is being born again through Jesus Christ and living in step with the Holy Spirit of God.  It is Jesus Christ who brings about a change of heart and mind..."the true disarmament" (to use Sri Dhammananda's phrase, Page 368).  It is relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ, NOT religion.

Romans 7:22-21 (ESV) reveals this struggle,

"...but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members.  Wretched man that I am!  Who will deliver me from this body of death?  Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!  So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin."

Add to that what the apostle John says in John 6:63 (ESV),

"It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all.  The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life."

Thank God for explaining this in His Word.

The idea of war being justified, or not, is well explained by Commander Timothy J. Demy, a former chaplain in the US Navy.  You can peruse his thoughts in his articles Onward Christian Soldiers?  Christian Perspectives on Wars.  (I cannot find the original article on this subject I found when writing the original rough draft of this blog entry but this link is a fair facsimile to it.  A second article is from a U.S. Naval Institute Blog which you can also take a peek at.)

Christianity Today also has an excellent article by one Phillip Jensen, dean of Saint Andrews Cathedral in Sydney, Australia.

Both authors talk about a "spectrum of war"; one that swings from a pacifists perspective all the way to full battle cry, such as that of the Crusaders of long ago, "God wills it!"  (This is not necessarily the authors' view.)  

There is a "just war" view which Demy explains is "most moderate" which has "general acceptance by Christians through the ages".

He says, 

"...just war seeks to limit devastation and outbreak of war".  

He cites 1 Timothy 2:1-2 (NIV) that reads,

"...praying for authorities that we can...live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and honesty."

However, a Biblical pattern for war is, 

 "...a war of defense that defends innocent people from evil aggressors".

We go on to see that according to Romans 13:1-4, authorities are...

 "...the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrong doer".

"The role of the government is to promote justice and defend innocent people from evil aggressors and act as an avenger to promote good and to punish evil" --Demy

John MacArthur of Grace to You points out that God's justice is established on an individual level through human government.   So as individuals we adhere to Exodus 20:13 "Thou shalt not murder" and as the Lord says in Romans 12:19, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay...."  Yet God has, 

"...established war as a means of judgment on a national level using kings and countries to gain His own purposes".

MacArthur states Joshua 10:40 and the conquest of Canaan; Jeremiah 5:14, 15 where God brought the Babylonians against the House of Israel; Jeremiah 51:1, 11 where the Medes and Persians were used to overcome the Babylonians; and step back to Exodus 15, the Israelites even sing about the victory God got for them on their behalf from the Egyptian army.

MacArthur reviews many other verses about how,

 "God is involved in war...understands the devastation that war brings...."  

Such Scriptures to read are Psalm 37:9; Isaiah 13:15, 16; Hosea 13:9; and Nahum 3:10.

The reality of war, however, is not a pretty picture.

Another denotation MacArthur makes is that God is sovereign and doesn't have to give us an account of His actions (Amos 3:6-7).  Let it be known that God is never responsible for evil; He hates sin and He is absolutely righteous.

"God is patient and gracious but His sovereignty selects the calamities and battles He allows even though they are generated by wicked and evil men, they fit within His purpose..."

We are reminded again by King Solomon,

"...a time for war, a time for peace..."  Ecclesiastes 3:8

So, is a particular war justified?  What are the reasons?

Does it come under the "just war" perspectives of "defending innocents from evil aggressors"?

An individual would need to do their homework to discover and discern the answer for themselves on any given 'war'.

That answer would bring the individual to "help" out the cause:  to join or not to join the army, navy, air force; in short, the military, and whether or not to go...to war.

That drops us into the lap of another question which we will pursue in the next entry, Part 49...

Is it OK to join the army?

                                                  ~ERC  November 2019~