For the last eight weeks, we have been doing a mini hermeneutics course in our high school seniors Sunday school class. We’ve covered genres, themes, and keys to interpretation in the hopes that they will feel more confident as they approach Scripture study. This Sunday is the last Sunday, so you guessed it, it’s time to approach the ‘scary’ Revelation. True, wars, whores, strange beasts and fiery dragons are the stuff that nightmares are made of. Not to mention, we’re not all that comfortable with uncertainty, and the numerous symbols and visions don’t lend themselves to easy interpretation. And of course, that many mini-battles over millennialism aren’t that pretty either.
And yet, I volunteered to lead this study, because I am so passionate that this is a book of hope about Jesus Christ, and people should not only not avoid it, but should study and enjoy it. The most helpful resource has been Scotty Smith and Michael Card’s book, .The subtitle says it all: “eternal encouragement from the book of Revelation.” In these last days, which had been lasting for a long time, we all need encouragement to persevere through life in a broken world. Revelation tells us the end of the story, and it is good. The day is coming, a city is coming, when and where a wildly varied fellowship of believers, Jesus’ name tattooed on our foreheads (okay, maybe that’s just a symbol, but who knows?), will dwell with God forever, freed from sin, sickness, and sorrow to finally live as we were created to do. It’s a really good story. Why not read it again for the very first time?
PS. Stay tuned: I’ll post my notes for the seniors here tomorrow.
Posts Tagged ‘Michael Card’
Today I invite you to meditate with me on that Thursday night long ago when Jesus struggled with the immense pain of preparing to be separated from the Father.
“Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.” Read the whole passage in Matthew 26:36–46.
Michael Card, in his beautiful book, A Violent Grace, explains more:
“Gethsemane, the garden where Jesus’ awful drama played itself out, means ‘place of crushing.’ The name came from the olive press located there. You can imagine how an olive press works: beautiful, ripe olives go in; heavy stones apply irresistible pressure; and the precious oil flows out.. All that remains in the press is unrecognizable pulp.
For just such a crushing, Jesus has come to Gethsemane. Before the night is over, there will be a series of struggles, and in each one, he will be crushed. Two days later, the human form of the son of God will have been beaten and battered beyond recognition. But from his crushing, precious and abundant life will flow for you and me. Without the sorrows of Gethsemane, there will be no salvation at Golgotha.”
Let us join in praise of the king who was crushed that we might be saved!
Today, a meditative reflection from Michael Card’s lyrics, Immanuel. Read it, sing it, pray it, live it:
A sign shall be given a virgin will conceive
A human baby bearing undiminished deity
The glory of the nations a light for all to see
That hope for all who will embrace His warm reality
Immanuel our God is with us
And if God is with us who could stand against us
Our God is with us
Immanuel
For all those who live in the shadow of death
A glorious light has dawned
For all those who stumble in the darkness
Behold your light has come
Immanuel our God is with us
And if God is with us who could stand against us
Our God is with us
Immanuel
So what will be Your answer? Will You hear the call?
Of Him who did not spare His son but gave Him for us all
On earth there is no power there is no depth or height
That could ever separate us from the love of God in Christ
Immanuel our God is with us
And if God is with us who could stand against us
Our God is with us
Immanuel
Immanuel our God is with us
And if God is with us who could stand against us
Our God is with us
Immanuel
