“It’s the Washington DC Metro Station on a cold January morning in 2007.  He played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes.  During that time approximately 2,000 people went through the station, most of them on their way to work. After three minutes a middle aged man noticed there was a musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds and then hurried to meet his schedule.

Four minutes later:
the violinist received his first dollar: a woman threw the money in the till and, without stopping, continued to walk.

Six minutes:
A young man leaned against the wall to listen to him, then looked at his watch and started to walk again.

Ten minutes:
A three-year-old boy stopped but his mother tugged him along hurriedly, as the kid stopped to look at the violinist.  Finally the mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk, turning his head all the time.  This action was repeated by
several other children.  Every parent, without exception, forced them to move on.

Forty five minutes:
The musician played.  Only 6 people stopped and stayed for a while.  About 20 gave
him money but continued to walk their normal pace.  He collected $32.

One hour:
He finished playing and silence took over.  No one noticed.  No one applauded, nor
was there any recognition.

No one knew that the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the best musicians in the
world.  He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written, with a violin worth $3.5 million dollars.  Two days before Joshua Bell sold out a theater in Boston where the seats averaged $100.

This is a real story.  Joshua Bell playing incognito in the metro station was organized by the Washington Post as part of a social experiment about perception, taste and people’s priorities.  The questions raised: in a common place environment at an inappropriate hour, do we perceive beauty?  Do we stop to appreciate it? Do we recognize talent in an unexpected context?

One possible conclusion reached from this experiment could be:

If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world playing some of the finest music ever written, with one of the most beautiful instruments …

How many other things are we missing?”

So after reading all of that article and watching the video; and after playing twice on the streets of London this past weekend, seeing all the people walking by… I’m caused to think about how many people are missing out on, not just beauty and talent or music, but the very reason we’re alive.

The one who made beauty, and who is the embodiment of it. The questions raised in the writers mind are quite valid. And it’s amazing how similar the Biblical accounts of Jesus, who is God incarnate come to earth, really are to the account you just read. He came into the World at an “odd” time, and was born in an “obscure” place…and even given the historicity of the Bible and it’s infallible claims, and given the masses that witnessed His miracles and resurrection, we still find it hard to stop, and to look at Him. To take a long look at Christ. Jesus told us in John 3:14 that just as Moses lifted up the snake, He would be lifted up, and that anyone who believed in Him wouldn’t be damned…but accepted into Heaven as sons and daughters of God. And what’s crazy is that this amzing information is for all of mankind…the whole earth can bank on that promise! (see John 12:32)

That, to me, is a whole lot better of a deal than a free concert by an amazing musician. I propose a different, but similar, question: In a common place World, do you and I stop to see, and know, a very uncommon savior?

For Unto Us A Child is Born…

Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel…

Isaiah 7:14(NKJV)

You can catch it pretty often around this time of year.

Whether it’s driving down the main drag of your town, hearing it during the Christmas pageant, singing it in a Christmas carol, or it’s just the Spanish guy that lives next door;  the word “Immanuel” becomes part of the traditional vocab we use during the Christmas season. However, it seems over time the word has become nothing more than another catch phrase to usher in nicely wrapped gifts and overly active shopping centers.  Although I poke a little fun at the misdirected focus often held during Christmas, the truth of the matter is at one point in history the whole concept of “Immanuel” or “God with us” was way more than just an annual holiday…it was the fulfillment of a promise a long time in the making.  It carried hope and healing to those that longingly waited in the midst of some seriously dark and difficult times.

One of those dark and difficult times began in 745 B.C., Tiglath-Pileser III was extending Assyrian rule further west and in doing so began to knock on Israel’s door. Only ten years earlier Isaiah had begun his ministry in Israel, speaking warning and wisdom to the nation wasn’t exactly on the top ten jobs list. The nation that once worshipped and obeyed Jehovah had grown rebellious and in their hard heartedness turned away from the One who had established them in the first place.

The nation grew tenser as the pressure from the Assyrian empire began to weigh on the northern kingdom. Women would whisper in the market about the rumored violence, and husbands grew nervous when hearing of the way Assyrian warriors would kill children in cold blood while stripping the prisoners naked and leading them away by hooks through the nose. This was the atmosphere that Isaiah was dealing with, and in such an atmosphere is where the promise of Immanuel was voiced.

“Nevertheless the gloom will not be upon her who isdistressed, as when at first He lightly esteemed the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, and afterward more heavily oppressed her, by the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, in Galilee of the Gentiles.”

Isaiah 9:1(NKJV)

Isaiah began voicing the promise of a radical change to come in the midst of some pretty terrible and tough times. The Assyrians hit the Northern tribes from every side with three campaigns in 733 B.C. By the way of the sea, from beyond the river Jordan, and through Galilee of the Gentiles they came and executed such a merciless takeover it would make Hitler’s Holocaust look almost humane.

While death and darkness began to fall down and fearful force was being applied Isaiah brought the illuminating promise of a “mashiyach” or “Messiah” the One who would bring deliverance from the violence with exacting Power, bringing Peace to the frightened hearts of the people and war weathered borders of the land. He would bring a new Wonder and Counsel that would re-establish a nation with Everlasting authority.

“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, upon them a light has shined. You have multiplied the nation and increased its joy; they rejoice before You according to the joy of harvest, as men rejoice when they divide the spoil. For You have broken the yoke of his burden and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, as in the day of Midian. For every warrior’s sandal from the noisy battle, and garments rolled in blood, will be used for burning and fuel of fire. For unto us a Child is born,
unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.”

Isaiah 9:2-7 (NKJV)

The promise was fulfilled many years later but not exactly in the way that many expected. The Messiah came in the body of a child by the Spirit of God, and lived up to every name that was prophesied over Him.

Much like the “Assyrians” sin had come and executed death and darkness unto a rebellious and hard hearted people; difficult days and uncertain times seemed to come from every direction and carried not just a nation, but all of mankind into captivity.

Then Immanuel arrived.

Christmas is the time where we acknowledge and celebrate outworking of Peace, Might, Wisdom, and Wonder that Jesus Christ brought to the world.  Jesus went on to win for us liberty and righteousness through the finished work of the cross.

Perhaps this Christmas you feel a bit like Israel of old…

Are the soldiers of sin holding you captive?

Maybe it’s not sin, Perhaps you already have salvation through faith in Jesus but something else is oppressing you.

The footmen of fear are attacking from the sea, the warriors of worry are coming from beyond the Jordan to overcome you, maybe it’s a death, divorce, or a financial struggle that is hitting you hard this season.

Whatever the case, don’t take for granted the message of Immanuel…God with us. It’s true and it’s for you in your personal battle today.

He’s Wonderful when the wonder seems to be lost

He Counsels when you don’t know what to do

He’ll stand Mighty on your behalf when you’re helpless

He’s Everlasting when it seems like life is passing you by

He is Peace that will not fail

He is Jesus

Merry Christmas!

Genesis 21:2-7

Earlier Abraham and Sarah laughed at God when God promised them again and again the desire of their hearts, a son.  Now we see that in the fullness of God’s timing He has brought about the fulfillment of that promise and Abraham and Sarah aren’t laughing at God…their laughing with Him.  You see God knew their hearts, He saw their commitment and love to Him although at times they messed up and even doubted, God still brought about a reason to “Isaac” or literally translated “Laugh”. 

You see, although at times it seems like the wait is unbearable and the joke is on you, God allows what seemed to be cruel and unusual punishment to turn into praise.  Those things which made you cry will soon be taking on a new form and be the cause of joyful laughter.

“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, Because the Lord has anointed Me to preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound…To comfort all who mourn, to console those who mourn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.”

Isaiah 61:1-3

This prophecy from the prophet Isaiah was a word from God Himself declaring what His Son, Jesus Christ, “The Anointed One”, would come to do here in the lives of those who were feeling the effects that life here on earth often oppress us with.  And as Isaac was promised to Abraham and Sarah, so too we have some promises in Jesus that are coming to fruition in our lives. 

Where loss has made us mourn, Jesus will gain for us joy

Where situations have brought heaviness, Jesus will clothe you with praise

Where addictions have you imprisoned, Jesus will bring liberty

Where relationships broke your heart, Jesus will apply healing

Put your hope in the Lord, He’s on His way to deliver!

psalm-46:4-5-at-blairstown-nj

Genesis 14:14

I love what happens here, Abram fights to rescue his “brother” from error. Upon hearing the bad news Abram doesn’t kick back and say, “Serves him right!”…NO WAY, Abram preps for a rescue mission immediately. Armed with everything he’s got he pursues the problem, with no thought of letting up till the mission is completed.

This story stirs my heart. So many times I, like Lot, have made poor decisions, gotten derailed, and found myself a prisoner to my bad choices. At one time or another, for whatever reason, we’ve all been where Lot is. The wonderful truth is that we have a “greater than Abram” who left his dwelling place next to God and pursued us to where sin held us captive. The only thing He was armed with for our rescue was three nails and a cross.

“I’ve won”, Satan shouted.

“Over my dead body”, Jesus replied.

And He laid down His life for our ransom. Jesus our Savior had no intention of letting up till the mission was accomplished, restoring not just his family (the Jewish race) but also the “women and the people” (verse 16) meaning “everyone”, Jew and Gentile, no matter the gender, race, past, present and future. (Ephesians 2:11-18 Hebrews 2:9)

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