1. If the analogy of a ‘rod of correction’ is what my suffering is about, I dare not miss my lesson in God’s training course and parental care (Heb.12:5). There is always that selfishness or stubbornness in God’s children that makes us careless and disobedient in doing His ‘good, acceptable and perfect will’. So, if it is a rod, we don’t choose it, God gives us this chastening. While experiencing the pain of His rod’s rebuke, remember it is not because our Father God doesn’t love us, but precisely because he does! His rod, and staff, both comfort, i.e. strengthen us. We must recognize the rod is administered not to bring out the worst but the best in us; to make us like Jesus.

2. A ‘thorn in the flesh’ can be a persistent physical discomfort, ache or ailment that reveals our weakness. Thorns can be from different sources, like from the devil as in Paul’s case (2Cor.12:7). It could come from an enemy or a friend, as a result of our own stupidity or just being part of fallen creation or humanity. It can be Satan’s ‘attack’ or God’s ‘gift’. Hence, a serious question to ask is, whether the Lord wants us to get rid of it or experience more of his presence enduring it. The thorn can refine our pride, remind us of our frailty and cause us to rely on God’s sufficient grace. It is purposeful in prodding us to selfless, humble service for the good of others and God’s glory.

3. Unlike the rod  God administers, and thorn  He allows, my cross  I freely choose in sacrificial love, for another – Jesus! This mark of true discipleship indicates self-denial and total commitment to the cause of Christ (Lk.9:23). The cross is never externally imposed. Bearing one’s cross means daily dying to selfish ambitions, often to suffer unjustly for righteousness or Christ’s sake and share in his sufferings. Those crucified, hung dying with outstretched hands, totally surrendered with no rights and no more fights. Such costly identification, the badge of a true witness, meant martyrdom! Followers of Christ pay this high price for someOne they value more than life. They willing endanger their comfort and endure shame, fully aware Jesus’ Spirit is with them, there’s a joy God has set before them and they will soon share in Christ’s glory.

Sufferings come in various shapes, sizes and from different sources but always by God’s directive or permissive will to fulfill His purposes in and through us. So, how should we respond to suffering? Christians don’t consider pain in a retributive framework, balancing good and bad (karma), nor resign to it in glib fatalism (kismeth) but as God’s sheer grace (charis). This grace is embodied ‘in Christ’ and symbolized by his cross, where he was beaten with rods and pierced with a crown of thorns. Herein is comfort; that Jesus knows our pain and what is best for us, in love he shares our suffering and his power delivers or sustains us through it. Thus, the cross of Christ is the alchemy that transforms our sufferings into an experience of God’s glorious grace – now, that’s what is so amazing!

Paul declared: This ‘one thing’ I do, forgetting the things behind and reaching forward to the things before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Paul was Christianity’s greatest theologian, a well-traveled missionary, evangelist, church planter, pastor, minister in fact, over half the literature and library we call the ‘New Testament’ was penned by this apostle. What didn’t he do? Yet, amazingly he was a specialist in singleness of purpose: acutely focused with dogged determination to do ‘one thing’– press on! This he did quite simply by forgetting what is behind him and focusing on what was before (v.13). What does this mean and how can it motivate me?

1. Elimination: Forget what lies behind
At times I wish my mind had ‘total recall’ yet often I’ve coveted the gracious ‘gift of forgetfulness’ for some of life’s painful situations. Surely Paul is not referring to a state of mind that forgets history, one’s responsibility or ‘all God’s benefits / blessing’ (Psa.103:2). Rather, this a selective forgetfulness that chooses not to dwell on those aspects from the past that interfere and ruin living well in the present. Anxiety can clog what we ought to do ‘here and now’. Worries are yesterday’s mice eating today’s cheese!

First, past sins must be put away. Our failures and short-comings from the past can haunt us and soon hinder us from effective service then hold us back from receiving what God has for us, here-and-now! Why do we dig up and fish for that which God does not hold against us but buried in the depths of the sea? (Isa.38:17; Psa.51:7; 103:12; Mic.7:19) If the Devil does, we must remind him of God’s abundant mercy and grace. Apart from ‘besetting sins’ there are ‘weights’ to cast off that slow us down in this race-of-life (Heb.12:1).

Second, surprisingly, past successes must put aside. Paul uses the analogy of a Greek marathon runner. How true, our past victories can make us conceited or so content that we become complacent- mediocre and lethargic. But notice it is not just the bad things Paul was laying aside but also the good for the Best, what he once counted ‘gain’, i.e. his worldly accomplishments and self-righteousness. Now, that’s hard!  It is precisely here that we must ask ‘why’ did Paul delibrately embraced such a view.

2. Exertion: Focus on what lies ahead
Winston Churchill once warned, ‘If the present quarrels with the past there can be no future’! I believe it was Bonhoeffer, who came out of the Nazi camp who said: He who has a ‘why’ for living can face the ‘how’ of life’s struggles! Paul’s life’s ambition (3:10) placed him among ‘the Unstoppables’ and in his image of an athlete we see two clear motivational factors: the mark i.e. his Goal and what he reckoned as prize or reward i.e. his Gain.

First, consider the challenge Paul’s goal posited. It made him to concentrate and ‘press on’, to reach out, stretch and strain every muscle to get his body into motion. There was a cause as well as a cost. Winning the prize meant paying the price – that discipline and audacity to keep on keeping on. There is only one place where success comes before work– in the English Dictionary, everywhere else its ‘no pain; no gain’. It is incredible to see what a deep sense of what my destiny is, can actually do to me and for me.

Next, consider the crown Paul’s reward promised. ‘Where’ Paul was heading determined ‘what’ he chose to leave behind as well as his perspective on those things he was leaving behind. ‘Things’ he once deemed as gain he now calculated as ‘loss’, even ‘dung’ in exchange for ‘knowing’, ‘being found in’ and ‘becoming like’ a person – his Lord, Jesus. His destiny is not a place but to ‘be with Christ’ – a Treasure and ‘Pearl of great price’ worth trading for everything else in life. In Paul’s sanctified aspiration, we find no ‘I can’ activism or ‘may be’ passivism, but a sure and steadfast hope. Not a fading earthly crown (stephenos) but Christ himself was his Vision, Mission and Ambition!

Hudson Taylor, missionary to China, pronounced: “I am willing to go anywhere, as long as it is forward, onward and Christward’. Let us with undivided hearts not look back and worry, but count the cost and press on toward this high and upward call in Christ Jesus. The winner of the Greek Olympics was given much honor. An effigy of his face was craved in marble and he was given a front seat in every game. He was exempted from paying taxes to Rome but most of all, he would receive a crown that laurel wreath from Caesar himself. My goal is to be with Christ and one day hear Him say to me: ‘Well Done! My good and faithful servant’. Till then, may we also demonstrate that ‘to live is Christ, and to die is gain’. Remember: the Christian’s past is under the blood – forget it, the present is under the cross – live it, the future is under the crown – go for it!

Pressing On! – Chris Gnanakan

The Christ of God, Jesus, was a long-expected Savior but he’s always on-time! Advent, his coming, was that moment, the “fullness of time” for eternal God “to send” [missio, Latin] his Son to be our Savior (Gal. 4:4). Christmas made God’s “mission possible”. It was the right or a better term is the “ripe” time for the surrounding historical (chronos) and opportune events (kairos): Roman rule (pax Romana), Hebrew monotheism and Greek learning had all come together preparing the way for our Lord. At times I wish God showed me his will – what to do, say or where to go – well ahead of time. Is he teaching me to trust him one day at a time? Yet he turns up always “on time”; not too early and never late!

Amazing facts about Christmas show us God is always right and right on time: Besides arriving at the right period chronologically, Jesus was born at the right place geographically, foretold some 700 years (Micah 5:2). Think of the probability of a Governor Quirinus issuing a decree for Joseph to go to Bethlehem at the exact time Mary was expecting? Jesus was born of right parenthood genealogically (2Sam.7:12). Joseph was of the lineage of King David and Mary was prepared right biologically as a virgin to conceive. Impossible without God’s intervention! (Isa. 7:14) Yet all this was that theologically Jesus could be born for the right purpose. Christ “came into the world to save sinners” – to put us back into a right relationship with God (1Tim. 1:15).

A closer look at these Christmas figures reveals that their hope was not wishful thinking. It was grounded in God’s Word! Having received his promise, waiting was their active stance.  They were attentive to what God was doing and responsive in obedient faith. They possessed God’s love that cast out all their fears and were strengthened by the joy of the Lord amidst suffering. As we approach a New Year 2012, despite defeats and disappointments, let us wait on the Lord for strength and renewal (Isa. 40:31). Christmas teaches that all who wait in hope on this On-time God and don’t lean on their own understanding, do find sufficient grace in time of need. Divine providence and guidance are ours since this On-time God makes all things beautiful in his time!

A twofold belief in most religions is that there is ultimate reality other than us who can be known, and that there is a moral problem that keeps us from knowing and experiencing God’s blessing. Whatever separates us from God makes us unworthy to be near him, links fear to religion and warrants some kind of appeasement or sacrifice. Hence there has always been a universal quest to locate and know God (one has to learn to be an atheist!)

Christian faith is unique in that at Bethlehem we find God on a quest! Amidst the commercialization and confusions that surround Christmas celebrations, Bethlehem reminds us that God did come to us in flesh. Jesus, “born in Bethlehem that day”, desires by his Spirit to be born in us today. This little town was God’s hometown and if we believe in what it gave the world – a Savior, it can become our hometown! How come?

Bethlehem, meaning “house of bread” was the least among the clans of Judah. It was an ordinary, at that time largely unknown hilltop town except that God had chosen it to be the birthplace of David the shepherd-king, forerunner of Jesus – the Bread of Life. It is on our maps today because from of old it was on God’s map (Micah 5:2). Despite what is portrayed, there were no earthly festivities at this Judean city. Yes, there was a rush but the excitement was not over Jesus’ birth but regarding the political census and people’s socio-economic concerns. The interests of the crowds have not changed much since then! As for Jesus, “God’s wondrous Gift”, he came silently – without fanfare, frills, pomp or parade and usually, he still enters human hearts in this manner.

Could you believe five years ago, one census noted that over 5 million tourists were expected to visit and spend over 4.5 billion US dollars in Bethlehem that year! It seems humankind is now trying to make up for missing Jesus’ birthday then. My brother, Clifford, told me about Queen Elizabeth’s recent visit the US and how reporters delighted in spelling out the logistics involved: Her four thousand pounds of luggage included tow outfits for every occasion, a mourning outfit in case somebody died, forty pints of plasma and white kit leather toilet seat covers. She brought her own hair dresser, two valets and a host of attendants. A brief visit of royalty to a foreign country cost 20 million dollars. In meek contrast God visited the earth. It took place in Bethlehem’s animal shelter with no attendants present and no where to lay the new born King but a feeding trough. Indeed the event that divided history and even our calendars into two parts may have had more animal than human witnesses.

All the global mobility and money spent over this holiday season is meaningless unless the motive of our hearts is right. Hope and fears that first Christmas met at at Bethlehem. Since then a lot more has come together since God came to provide for us and to meet us at our point of need. Life and health and peace can be ours because that Babe of Bethlehem grew to be the Christ of Calvary and for all who receive him, is the soon-coming king of glory.

The scene at Bethlehem captures God’s vulnerable love. Jesus’ cradle and the cross were carved out of the same wood, in other words the Christmas message cannot be separated from Christ’s mission: to die that we might live. Bethlehem’s story, Mary, Joseph, the shepherds etc., assure us that God is still in control and works in remarkable ways. It teaches how ordinary places and people become significant when the presence of Jesus is within their perimeter. “Where meek souls will receive Him still, the dear Christ enters in”. Bethlehem’s humble surroundings were apt for Christ’s coming. It offers hope amidst fears. Such a preview of God’s anointed king welcomes the last, the lost and the least of us Come to Bethlehem and see Him whose birth the angels sing; To come adore on bended knee, Christ the Lord, the newborn king!

The Spirit led Simeon (meaning “to hear”) into the temple and he spotted Mary, Joseph and… Jesus! This was no accident but another example of our God’s promise keeping, perfect timing and providential care. God shows Himself faithful and “mighty to save!” Simeon was part of a faithful remnant with that blessed assurance watching and waiting, looking above. Holding and beholding the Christ-child in wilting arms, he is filled with wonder and lost in love! His eyes had seen God’s salvation, so his heart sings the 1st Christian worship chorus. Now, his lips prophetically speak and spread forth this blessed assurance to “the Gentiles and all people”- that’s Simeon’s pure vision for global mission!

Notice Luke’s emphasis on Simeon’s “eyes” (2:25-32)? All of us have eyes to see, but few have vision to perceive God’s mission in sending Jesus, Messiah. Let’s get an eye-check and ask the Spirit to adjust our spiritual outlook during this season of lights. Let’s focus on and consider “What child is this?” so we understand the real meaning and message of Christmas. We can revision Who Jesus really is if through Simeon’s “eyes of faith” we care enough to look a little (1) higher (2) clearer (3) wider and (4) deeper! Lets us in prayer earnestly ask:

1. Lord, give us eyes to see you a bit Higher (v.29): Holding this harmless little baby, Simeon sees the Holy One and work of a Sovereign Lord (Acts 4:24; despot) Our On-time God was in control of the how, where and when the Christ was born. He still controls human affairs no matter how bleak our situation seems! This Savior’s arrival meant Simeon’s “departure” – a word used when a ship is loosened to sail away or a prisoner released or tent taken down! Devout and righteous Simeon practiced the presence of Christ: He lived for his coming and now was dying with him and omniscient God watching over his soul!

2. Lord, give us eyes to see you a bit Clearer (v.30): Simeon saw in baby Jesus’ face, the glory of God’s so great a salvation. For hundreds of years, Israel’s learned religious hierarchy had been looking for Messiah. When he eventually arrived, somehow they didn’t care to examine Mary’s child could be or figure him out. Poor Simeon was simply “a man”, no prophet or priest, but he wasn’t “in the dark.” He saw in the Christ-child as the consolation or comfort for Israel God’s discouraged people being oppressed under Rome. His saving message-in-song declared Jesus to be the light of God’s salvation. Jesus was bringing the light into a hopeless world that is lost in the darkness of sin and held captive by Satan!

3. Lord, give us eyes to see you a bit Wider (v.31-32): Israel’s religious leaders with myopic tunnel vision didn’t perceive God’s greater and global purposes in Jesus. Simeon had the eyes of a missionary! Looking at Jesus, he saw what God was going to do “farther” – in regions beyond. Mary and Joseph came to the temple bringing Jesus, who came unto his own, the Jews! Yet Simeon, in all this, saw God’s so loving the world and giving his only Son to be its Savior! He saw God’s promised “Light for the Gentiles” to “all nations.” All such ethnic groups represent those seated and living in darkness! Jesus’ coming to die to forgive sins was light revealing God’s saving grace particularly to the unreached peoples (Isa. 9:1-2; 42:6; 49:6; Acts 13:47). This is the Gospel, glad tidings to all people, in order that all nations will come to know the one, true, living, creator God. Emmanuel: God “in Christ” is dwelling among and with us!

4. Lord, give us eyes to see you a bit Deeper (v.34-35): Simeon took a long, hard look into Mary’s pondering heart to share deeply in its heaviness. Did he know Mary’s boy will soon be scorned as an illegitimate son, lied about by Jewish leaders, betrayed by his friends, sold for a slave’s price by a disciple and condemned to die as a criminal?! What we do know, as predicted (Isa 53) Jesus was be despised and Simeon understood the hard hearts of all who reject God’s Son as Savior. His empathetic eyes had insight, foresight and vision concerning Mary’s “sword-pierced heart”. He sensed what one day she would watching this child she brought forth and the Son God sent forth, die on the cross!

At last Simeon’s long wait was over! He is honored to hold in his hands an infant yet the infinite One by whose hands the worlds were made! The Father had sent his Son to be our Savior! Jesus is that way and truth that leads to Life (Jn. 8:12). No one comes to God but by him! Till he fully restores Israel’s glory, Jesus radiates God’s life so you and I can be saved. Oh, How deep the father’s love for us; how vast beyond all measure! Have you looked unto Jesus? Look and Live!