Familiarity
breeds contempt. This quote is attributed to Publilius Syrus, a Roman author
during the 1st Century B.C. As you just saw on the video ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gx4UFB0XBGw ), the most
simple of journeys can become very frustrating if you lose sight of where you
are, and where you are going. Our Western minds have become so accustomed to everything
being taken care of by “them” that we forget how to deal with problems
ourselves.
The
Liturgical observance of Lent began this week. For the most pious observers,
this involves giving up meat and most “pleasant food” for the period of time
leading up to the celebration of Easter, the resurrection of Christ from the
dead.
These
churches remove the fine brass or gold fixtures in their worship centers, like
candlesticks and urns, and replacement with iron or wooden fixtures. The
beautiful flowers normally adorning the pulpit are replaced by leaf-less
branches cut from a tree. It is a time of mourning and self-deprivation to
identify with the suffering of Jesus as He was crucified in our place on the
cross. Lent is preceded by Fat Tuesday. The custom is to eat pancakes on this
day in order to consume all of the yeast in the house. It was part of the
cleansing preparation of the home for the period of Lent that would follow.
This time of self-deprivation would culminate with an all night prayer vigil on
the Saturday before Easter Sunday.
Then on Easter
Sunday morning the worship center transforms by returning all of the fine
fixtures to their rightful places. Fresh flowers are placed in the room to
signify life has returned. Our Lord and Savior is risen from the dead. He lives
so that we can live. I understand why most Charismatics, and other
non-liturgical denominations have moved away from these types of celebrations.
They are viewed as “dead works” of the flesh. The responsive readings,
antiphonal singing, and written prayers can give place to vain repetition. I
understand that.
However,
like most things, if you are able to keep the original intent of the liturgy in
mind, and let it continue to be relevant to the worshipper, they can create an
object lesson that can have great impact on one’s faith. Just as with all
fasting, Lent is intended to bring the body under subjection to the Spirit. I’m
not suggesting we take up the practice of liturgy in our worship. I would like
to suggest, however, that we keep the truth represented by the liturgy at the
forefront of our thinking.
What if we
really had a heart-knowledge of, and an active mental understanding of things
like the Apostles’ Creed:
1. I believe in God the Father, Almighty, Maker of heaven
and earth:
2. And in Jesus Christ, his only begotten Son, our Lord:
3. Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin
Mary:
4. Suffered under Pontius Pilate; was crucified, dead and
buried: He descended into hell:
5. The third day he rose again from the dead:
6. He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of
God the Father Almighty:
7. From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the
dead:
8. I believe in the Holy Ghost:
9. I believe in the holy catholic church: the communion of
saints:
10. The forgiveness of sins:
1l. The resurrection of the body:
12. And the life everlasting. Amen.
I’m glad
that we celebrate communion each week. This places us in a very small minority
of non-orthodox churches that do so. Without a regular reminder of what Christ
did for us, we can easily get sidetracked and lulled to sleep spiritually. We
can become “stuck on an escalator”, unable to see that we can very easily walk
to our freedom. Each time you take the cup and wafer, remember that Jesus was
born of a real virgin, Mary. Jesus lived a real life, tempted to lie about His
playmates as a child, tempted to steal from His neighbor, tempted to be
disrespectful to parents or others in authority. Remember that Jesus died on a
real cross, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God. He shed real blood. He was
buried in a real tomb. Remember that He actually was raised from dead. Remember
that He actually ascended to a real heaven. Remember that He sits at the right
hand of a real God, that occupies a real throne; that is King over a real
Kingdom.
Remember
that, according to Ephesians 1 & 2, you also have been really crucified
with Christ; you have really been buried with Him, resurrected with Him.
Remember that, as a believer, you have actually ascended to Heaven with Him,
and are now seated with Him in heavenly places, far above all rule and power
and dominion and every name that is named.
