Jesus said that unless a grain of wheat goes into the tomb, unless it dies and is buried, it remains alone. In other words, the way God multiplies is by death. From the very beginning this is so. God multiplied Adam by laying him down in deathlike sleep and fashioning a woman from his rib.

We don’t know what it would have been like without sin, but in this fallen world it continues this way: the woman lies down in the death of childbirth, the man puts his body on the line every Monday morning when he goes out to turn his time and sweat into the means of his family’s provision, the two of them together died to their unbridled freedom when they bound themselves in covenant marriage to the other, and they bury themselves in dishes and laundry and sick youngsters and leaky pipes and sleepless nights. These are the means by which God has ordained us to be fruitful and multiply. We die and die and die. And if we did not, we would remain alone. But in God’s great wisdom, He multiplies by means of our death.

This was true of Adam, it is true of every family, and it is far truer of Christ.

None of us really know what we’re getting into, but Jesus did. He stretched out his hands willingly to receive the Roman nails. He was the only crucifixion victim ever who wasn’t powerless, who stayed voluntarily. No one took his life from him, but he laid it down willingly. He gave up his spirit, his side was pierced as Adam’s was, and he went into the ground like a seed.

And when he rose again on Easter morning, he rose triumphant with a host of captives in his train. He rose again in order to give life abundant, life eternal to an uncountable number of saints. God multiplied by Christ’s death.

If you love your life, you will lose it. But if you hate your life in this world for the sake of loving God and neighbor, then God will raise you up as he raised Jesus. The temptation is to cling to our lives, to selfishly carve out a little bit for us. But that’s just hewing out broken cisterns, it’s putting water in a sieve. The way to save your life is follow Christ’s example, and to lose it. 

Joshua Edgren – March 31, 2024

Read Full Article

Artificial intelligence is here. We stand on the shore and look towards the horizon. A vast ocean separates us from this undiscovered frontier. What’s out there? What discoveries will be made? Are there dangers? The prophets of pop culture warn us of impending doom: war with machines, Skynet, and The Matrix. There are some here who are not only reluctant to use A.I., but would rather avoid it altogether. But the truth is, we’ve been here before: the printing press, electricity, the telephone, the automobile, radio and television, personal computing, and of course the internet. For each technological milestone, Christians across the world have tried to find the balance between unadulterated fear and probing discernment. 

In the late 19th century, people were experimenting with electricity without fully understanding its potential dangers which led to electrocution and fires. But as knowledge was gained, safety measures were instituted and electricity was widely adopted. Had we allowed our fears to overtake us we might still be huddling around candles for light, instead of clean and efficient LEDs. The key approach then to artificial intelligence is to ask God for wisdom, knowledge, understanding, and discernment. Proverbs 2:3-6 says, “Yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth comes knowledge and understanding.”

  Hebrews 5:14 says, “Solid food (speaking of the more advanced oracles of God) is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.” Philippians 1:9-10 says, “And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ. 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22, “…test everything; hold fast to what is good. Abstain from every form of evil.” 

The application of the Word of God is not restricted to certain segments of your life. Its utility is comprehensive. Including how to deal with disruptive technologies. When I was using AOL in the 90s, there was no way for me to predict the heights of human creativity that would come as a result of the burgeoning internet. But I was also unable to forecast, the extent of which man’s depraved nature would be put on display. A.I. will be no different. So the Christian may be tempted to boast of his “superior” choice, “I refuse the technology therefore I’m pure.” Another chides, “You are a luddite and old fashioned.” Both attitudes are erroneous. Whether you do or do not, proceed with faith. And if you do decide to make use of A.I., your options are like the soldiers of Gideon: plunge your head in and lap up the water like a dog, or kneel down, cup the water in your hands and look around while you drink.

Daniel Namahoe – March 31, 2024

Read Full Article

Two thousand years ago on the first Easter Sunday, Mary Magdalene returned to the garden tomb in which our Lord was laid and found it empty. Struck with concern for her Master’s body, she rushed away and returned with Peter and John, who confirmed that his body was indeed gone. While they returned to their homes, Mary lingered in the garden, weeping—for she did not understand what this all truly meant (Jn. 20).

Mary loved Jesus. When most others had fled, she stood at the cross alongside his mother and John, suffering with Him. And here again, she refuses to leave Him—or at least where she thought He should be. As she cried, a man approached, whom she presumed was the gardener. He asked why she was weeping, and she responded with interrogation, asking where he moved Jesus to.  And it was at this moment, when Jesus the Gardener simply replied, “Mary,” that her eyes were opened. 

Here was her resurrected Lord and friend, no longer dead but alive, calling her by name. She replied with joy, exclaiming, “Rabonai, Teacher!” While she did not understand what was happening, her patient love and devotion to Christ, though mixed with grief, allowed her to see and believe. With that one word—her name spoken by Christ—her whole world was turned upside down. The tears she had sown in that garden quickly reaped a harvest, and Mary received her reward. 

In this, Mary is a picture of Christ’s bride, the Church. And Mary is an image of you this morning—if you hear His voice. Christ knows your sin and weakness. He knows your fears and grief. He knows that you are often slow to understand all that He is doing. And as the Good Shepherd He comes near in comfort, calls you by name, in order that you would recognize His voice (Jn. 10). 

So this Easter Sunday, remember that His resurrection is not merely a historical fact. It is personal. If you have died with Him, if your sins have gone into the grave—you too now share in His resurrection. So hear and believe this Good News, that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and in your believing may you have eternal life (Jn. 20:31).

Shawn Paterson – March 31, 2024

Read Full Article

In Matthew’s Gospel, as Jesus entered Jerusalem on the donkey, we read that “all the city was moved, saying, ‘Who is this?’ So the multitudes said, ‘This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth of Galilee’” (Mt. 21:10–11). 

The multitudes here are the people who recognized the Messiah riding in like a king, and cried out, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” (21:9). These were those who knew the Scriptures, who could clearly see the prophecies coming true, and were worked up into jubilant praise, sharing their joy with the whole city. 

What is this all about? Who is this? It’s Jesus of Nazareth, the Son of David, they gladly answer. This question itself brings to mind another Scripture, for it is an echo of the great question of Psalm 24, “Who is this king of glory?” 

Our Lord’s entrance into Jerusalem was obviously a one-time historical event in God’s plan of salvation, but there is a lesson here for us to learn. As Christ’s works are seen by the world, we must be ready and eager to praise Him and point others to Him. When His reign is manifested in our midst, it is our duty as His witnesses to declare what is taking place, what all the commotion is about. As we seek to live quiet and peaceable lives, others should see our faithfulness, and our city ought to be moved, causing questions. And it should be our joy to answer them. 

When Christ saves sinners — behold, the King of glory! 

When the Lord’s Day is honored — behold, the Lord strong and mighty!

When children are raised in the nurture and admonition of the Lord  — behold, the Lord of hosts! 

So this morning, turn your attention in worship to your King of glory. He once road into his City on a lowly colt, and He has promised to come again on a white horse. But until that glorious Day, recognize the thousands of different ways in which He comes with blessing and mercy to you, your families, and this community. And call upon all people, saying, “Lift up your heads, O you gates… and the King of glory shall come in” (Ps. 24).

Shawn Paterson – March 24, 2024

Read Full Article

Today is Palm Sunday. On this day the church has traditionally celebrated and remembered Christ’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem on a donkey before his crucifixion.

It is the Passover season, the highest of the feasts, and Jerusalem is stuffed with pilgrims. Jesus acquires a donkey, as the prophecy foretold, and enters as the Returning King. A populace welcomes him joyously, crying “Hosanna”–begging for deliverance. These are the poor and downtrodden, and they honor him with whatever they have at hand: palms cut from nearby trees, the clothes off their very backs. And this King is magnanimous enough to receive their humble adulations.

And then, as the Great High Priest, he goes to inspect the house of God, but it is leprous and must be cleansed. Imagine the scene. Imagine the commotion and noise. Imagine the authority pouring off Jesus. No one stopped him. No one interfered. Here is power and majesty. Here is one fit to sit on David’s throne.

And then he turns and heals the blind and the lame and receives the praises of children. He has no patience with sham religiosity, with the hypocrisy of the temple leaders, but he gives himself to the week and despised and small.

This is comfort and it is warning. For the fig tree that bears leaves but no fruit, there is strong warning. Matthew Henry puts it this way, “If Christ came now into many parts of his visible church, how many secret evils he would discover and cleanse! And how many things daily practised under the cloak of religion, would he show to be more suitable to a den of thieves than to a house of prayer!”

But to the contrite and lowly, to those who would call God their Father, He is abundant in mercy. He comes as conquering King, but this King, so great and mighty, has come not to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.

Joshua Edgren – March 24, 2024

Read Full Article