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THE BAKER OF CAPERNAUM,
a new novel, plays out in the time of Jesus. How does the baker
of the village perceive the young rabbi? Read more...

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Last updated: 2013-05-18

The pain of goodbyes

Most people dread goodbyes, especially when the visitors live far away and you know you won’t see them soon again. The house has been filled with the joy of togetherness, and now it feels like an empty nest. Your heart aches with yearning for those you love.

Jesus knew his followers would feel the same when he returned to his Father. So, the night before the crucifixion, he comforted them with the intimate teaching recorded in John 13 through 17.

He assured them he is going to prepare a place for them and will return to take them with him. In the meantime, he would not leave them as orphans but give them a Helper to be in and with them.

His death on Calvary took him away for a few days, but he returned in a new body. Before his final departure, there were 40 days of occasional contact. They got time to grow into the idea that he will not be with them physically for much longer. However, spiritually he would be nearer to them than before: he would be in them through the Spirit.

Eventually, the last day of his life on earth arrived. They gathered on the Mount of Olives near Jerusalem. It might have been the occasion when 500 followers saw the risen Christ (1 Cor. 15).

With his last words he urged them to forget about earthly kingdoms and to focus on the kingdom of God. They had to wait in Jerusalem for the coming of the Spirit who would empower them to tell the good news of salvation world-wide.

While blessing them, he ascended into the sky until clouds hid him from their gaze. Psalm 110 was being fulfilled: “The LORD said to my Lord, ‘Sit at my right hand till I make your enemies your footstool.’ ”

The Spirit would guide them to grasp the meaning of Christ’s ascension. Their beloved Master would henceforth intercede for them at the Father’s throne (Rom. 8:34, 1 John 2:1).

As eternal High Priest, he went into the Most Holy of the heavenly Tabernacle to atone for their sins with his own blood (Heb. 9:12).

The apostle John called both Jesus and the Spirit Parakletos, meaning Helper, Advocate, and Comforter. Jesus pleads for them in heaven; the Spirit pleads through them on earth (Rom. 8:26-27).

The disciples returned to Jerusalem in a sad farewell mood. Jesus was gone. In prayer, they waited for the Spirit, but they did not know what to expect. They must have felt lonely, abandoned, left behind, scared, and overwhelmed by uncertainty.

Jesus spoke to his Father on their behalf, and within ten days they had a fantastic transformation.

Stunning friend and foe

At last they had him where they wanted him: dead and buried in a sealed and guarded tomb. When small humans arrogantly throw off God’s rule, he laughs at their impudence (Ps. 2). His Son will shatter them to pieces like clay pots. The humor of Easter began.

A rumbling earthquake, followed by the blinding light of an angel descending on the empty tomb, stuns intrepid soldiers. Regaining their breath, they scatter like rats — not to the fortress but to the temple, hoping the priests will explain the supernatural to their cynical officers. The story concocted by the priests confirms the resurrection: No one will believe that the fearful disciples stole the body from under the noses of the Roman guard.

God’s humor splashes even onto the followers of Jesus. The frightened women are puzzled by the simple question of two strange men: “Why do you seek the living among the dead?”

Mary Magdalene spins a story about grave-robbers, but fails to realize they left the linen-wrappings behind. Peter and John arrive out of breath at the empty tomb without grasping the obvious.

Two followers on their way to Emmaus are enthralled by the scripture lesson of a foreigner. The disciples refuse to believe the women’s thrilling story that Jesus rose from the dead and appeared to them. Thomas vows he won’t believe unless he touches the risen Lord.

Jesus lets the disciples steam in their unbelief until nightfall. He has already shown himself in his new body to Mary Magdalene, other women, the men in Emmaus, and to Peter. He surprises the other disciples by entering the room while the doors are locked. A week later, even doubting Thomas worships him.  

He eats fish and honey to show he is not a ghost. He allows them to touch him. His body is physical but different from theirs. He enlightens them with scripture: what happened to him had been foretold by the prophets.

Jesus sends them to Galilee. He meets them again where he called them to be his disciples. After a night of fruitless fishing he helps them to make a huge catch. Without him, they can’t be fishers of men either. He provides breakfast for them on the shore of the lake where he calmed the storm and walked on water.

He probes Peter three times about his love for him, a self-search the others have to apply as well. He charges them to make disciples in all nations.

Jesus’ resurrection proved to them he is the Christ, who performs the first and second resurrection (John 5:24-25). They will become like him (Phil. 3:20-21).

For more on the resurrection, click on END-TIME.

Catastrophe or Development?

Gwynne Dyer’s article, A third option for mankind (Herald, 2013.04.28), is more than enlightening—it’s shock therapy for a planet in crisis. According to economic experts, Dyer says, the world is heading for either massive recession or environmental disaster—real and imminent dangers looming on the horizon.

  We have seen how unrealistic high mortgages (“home bubble”) brought some banks to their knees in 2008. Economists predict that if we stop using fossil fuels now, many banks will again fall because of unrealistic high loans to oil companies (“oil bubble”). These loans are based on the value of oil and coal still unexploited. If we are not going to use that fossil fuel, it will lose its value, and banks will lose their investments.

On the other hand, if we keep on burning fossil fuels to prevent another recession, we will create environmental disasters decades later that will be much worse than a recession. Droughts and storms will probably kill millions either directly or by destroying food sources. Dyer thinks that because of indecision we will eventually suffer both catastrophes.

Maybe we can avoid both scenarios by a gradual shift from one natural commodity to another. If polluting oil and coal have financial value, pollution-free hydrogen should have more. The market value of oil and coal reserves should gradually be replaced by the market value of hydrogen reserves—oceans full of it.

Oil companies should redefine themselves as energy companies. When they use their industry to produce hydrogen from water for road, rail, water, and air transport, and to produce electricity and heating, they will prevent both the recession and the environmental disaster. The depletion of an exhaustible, dirty energy resource will be replaced by a recyclable, clean energy resource. When hydrogen burns, the only by-product is water—no harmful emissions. The amount of water on earth will not change.

At the University of Calgary a new, cheaper method for hydrogen production from water was recently invented. When we start to move towards hydrogen, industries and public will adapt and embrace clean energy. In the process, many new jobs will be created to develop hydrogen infrastructure and to modify engines.

Then the win/win scenario prevails over the lose/lose one.

Bullies and terrorists 

While all know what bullying is, formulating an inclusive definition is not easy. Bullying takes on many forms. It is a social phenomenon that has physical, emotional, spiritual and legal repercussions for the victims, culprits, and bystanders.

Whenever the stronger harasses the weaker, it is a form of bullying. It may include physical or verbal attacks. Besides the victim, his/her possessions or family may be targeted as well to inflict pain to the victim. Humiliation of the victim and ego-boosting for the culprit seems to be the main goals of this caustic behaviour. Taunting is often part of the torture. Because the bully derives pleasure from harming someone, this behaviour can be described as sadistic.

Smart-phones with cameras, linked to social networking, have moved bullying into the public domain. Posting pictures or video online of the victim’s humiliation attracts many curious eyes to the crime, thus increasing the pain of the victim and the sadistic pleasure of the culprits. Some methods of the paparazzi can be seen as bullying. This abuse is all the more loathsome when a group of cowards inflicts this pain on one person. Gang rapes are becoming more frequent. Victims may be either female or male.

The goals and means of terrorists may be on larger scale than those used by bullies, but primarily terrorists also try to force their will on others by creating fear through injury. In both cases the wicked mind wants to dominate vulnerable human beings. In case of terrorism, it looks as if the weak takes on the strong, but in the perverted minds of the terrorists they feel strong when they can harm a country.

Bullying is not limited to schools. Causing deliberate harm to opponents in sports, business, or politics falls in the same category. Attack-ads of political parties on their opposition sometimes border on bullying. Political leaders with integrity should debate the opportunities and problems of their country, and the one with the best policy in the eyes of the voters should lead the country. Today, some parties try to destroy the image of their opponents even before those opponents had a fair chance to state their policies.

Eliminating the opposition by mean tricks is being practiced in all walks of life. It has been part of warfare for millennia, and we see it even in wild-life documentaries. Predators and prey try to outmaneuver each other, but eventually the weak succumbs to the strong.

Bullying is the exact opposite of the Great Commandment of Jesus: Love your neighbour as yourself. The devil is the biggest bully of all, misleading people and landing them in dire straits. If bullies and terrorists want to be on the devil’s side, it is their foolish choice. However, it is the responsibility of authorities to thwart bullies and terrorists in all possible ways by preventative measures and by enforcing justice on culprits. The general public and victimized individuals must remain firm in their resolve not to cave in to the mean methods of bullies and terrorists, but to maintain a firm front by standing together. We must not ignore or give in to this cancer in society. We have to put up a brave fight and mobilize all possible help. It will cost us money, time, and effort, but doing nothing will cost us much more.

Character and behaviour 

Our character should dictate our behaviour, but sadly it is not always so. Sometimes we act out of character, ignore the true self, and violate our deepest convictions. It makes us feel bad about ourselves. This guilty feeling can incite defensive reactions that do not address the real problem. To protect our self-image, we may lie, deny, distort, blame, rationalize, or fantasize. In fact, we are running circles around the problem without admitting it and dealing with it. We can silence the conscience temporarily, but it will haunt us continually.

If we don’t rectify the wrong, persistent guilty feelings may harm our self-image. We may resort to self-blame, beating ourselves up by name-calling. It will affect everything we do. It may distract and drain us so much that we function at a lower level we are capable of, or we may over-compensate by aiming too high and over-stretching our resources and abilities.

People who don’t know our real character watch our conduct and make conclusions about our character. Sometimes we make the same mistake by not discerning between what we ARE and what we DO. If a student has been taking it easy for a while, a teacher can reinforce the negative self-image by telling the student, “You are a failure!” However, the teacher can appeal to the true character of the student by saying, “The quality of your work has decreased; I know you can do better; do yourself a favor by resuming your former quality.” The same situations may occur in work, sport, or home.

When we have acted out of character, the real solution is to get clarity about who we really are, and to bring our behaviour in line with our true character. It is easier said than done, but it is the only way that will pay dividends in the long run. Students, workers, spouses, and prisoners have to ask themselves what kind of persons they are and want to be, and then start working on their practical behaviour.

After King David committed adultery and murder he paddled along for nine months as if nothing had happened. Then the child was born, and the prophet Nathan confronted his king. Nathan’s questions focused on David’s behaviour, and he had to decide if it reflected his true self. David’s suppressed guilt erupted, and his relationship with God was restored by repentance and forgiveness.

Saul of Tarsus tried to wipe out the early church. Near Damascus he was confronted by Christ, who referred to his behaviour: “Why do you persecute me?” Saul came to insight and repentance, and a few days later he was informed that he was Christ’s chosen instrument to carry the gospel to Jews and Gentiles. When he discovered his true self, Saul the persecutor became Paul the missionary and writer who laid the foundations of New Testament theology.

The ultimate weapon

 Iran and North Korea keep testing the patience and resolve of the world regarding their nuclear ambitions. For the past seventy years, nuclear power has been idolized as the ultimate weapon. The eight countries having it enjoy a false sense of security, hoping their nuclear arsenal will deter attacks from others. Although no country can dare to use nuclear weapons, these destructive devices are coveted as an insurance policy.

Before the days of gun powder, opposing armies and fleets hurled rocks or fireballs with catapults at each other, or set fire with burning arrows and spears. Cross-bows increased the range and accuracy of arrows.

The use of fire-arms and artillery caused more harm and from a greater distance. Thin stone walls were replaced by thick soil-filled walls that could absorb the impact of bombs. As soon as bombs started flying over the walls, hiding in a fortified city was not safe anymore. Trenches, landmines, canons, planes and missiles became more effective for slowing down advancing armies.

Scarce commodities like oil as well as trade boycotts have been used as effective weapons to coerce obstinate countries into compliance. It causes a chain reaction: the country’s economy suffers and its currency loses value. The suffering of the population forces the regime to make changes or face defeat in elections. Over the centuries, lovers have used the withholding of love as a weapon to get their way. Parents discipline their children by taking away privileges temporarily.

Terrorism has introduced a new kind of warfare. The culprits hide among the population, so there is not a visible enemy to take on. Initially, they used homemade bombs to inflict injury and terror. Later, they used passenger planes to destroy the Twin Towers. Disrupting mass transportation has become one of their favorite weapons. By invoking fear, they try to force regimes to make concessions.

The tactics of the defenders also changed. Armed drones and secret strike missions have eliminated many of the terrorist leadership. However, the low-tech methods of the terrorists have defied the sophisticated methods of the defenders. Roadside bombs have killed many soldiers in Afghanistan. The terrorists’ cruelty is an effective weapon for intimidating the local population so that they do not give vital information to those who hunt the terrorists.

When David faced Goliath, the ultimate weapon was not sling-and-stone but the power of the Almighty who responded to the faith of a shepherd boy. David confirmed it clearly to his adversary: “You come to me with a sword and spear and javelin, but I come to you in the Name of the LORD Almighty.” Maybe it is time for us to fall back on this ultimate weapon. It can’t be obtained and used in arrogance, only pleaded for in humility.

Storm-tossed? Who’s the culprit? 

The eastern parts of America and Canada have recently been hit hard by repeated destructive storms. We have been warned over decades that the excessive use of fossil fuels will cause devastating climate changes, but our efforts to rectify the problem were pathetic and totally inefficient. We are all guilty of aggravating storms world-wide by unwise energy consumption.

Coal has been used for heating and cooking through the ages, but its use increased dramatically during the industrial revolution when steam-engines became the main source of power for factories and transport. The use of oil products escalated with the production of automobiles and airplanes.

Carbon is stored in living plants and animals and their remains are stored as fossil fuels in the crust of the earth. Burning carbon produces carbon dioxide. It is seen as the main source of climate change because it creates a hothouse effect around the globe, warming and acidifying land and sea.

Fossil fuels are not renewable: when the existing resources have been used they are done. With growing industrial development in populous countries like China, India, Indonesia and Brazil, the demand for fossil fuels rises at a time when its availability is declining. Unavoidably, the price of oil products will increase to the point where serious efforts will be made to develop alternative energy sources.

Generating electricity from clean and renewable sources like sun, wind, and water, is seen as the best alternative for oil products. However, this source of power fluctuates with the availability of sun, wind, and water; therefore, it will probably never be able to replace fossil fuel energy completely. The capacity and longevity of batteries are still far from satisfactory, especially for use in cars.

There is a clean, abundant, and renewable alternative: hydrogen. Water consists of hydrogen and oxygen (H2O). Seventy percent of the globe is covered by water. All the water of Noah’s flood is still here (Ps. 104:5-9). Using water for hydrogen production will not deplete the earth’s water, because when hydrogen burns, it unites with oxygen to form water. There are no harmful by-products—the ideal fuel! The Lord provided this source of energy when he created earth, but mankind was too stupid to realize it.

As soon as the oil-price really hurts, scientists will more urgently search for cheaper technology to extract hydrogen from water. At the moment such efforts are frustrated by oil companies and governments who first want to make money from the black gold. However, when the price and availability of oil reach crisis levels, they will quickly change their tune.

Unfortunately, the transition to hydrogen cannot be made overnight. Infrastructure must be developed. Production points have to be erected all over the country so that hydrogen does not need to be transported long distances. Filling stations have to be equipped to disperse hydrogen to the public. Car manufacturers have to make and test replacement kits so that their vehicles can be converted to run on hydrogen. Ford, Mazda, Mitsubishi, and BMW have already proven that the internal combustion engine can run on hydrogen. When hydrogen and the conversion kits are available at reasonable cost, many motorists will make the shift from dirty oil products to clean renewable energy.

May God move the minds and hearts of politicians, scientists, industrialists, media, and the public to make timely preparations for the day when we will no longer abuse planet earth but instead start to be good custodians of the only habitat we have.

The Fiscal Cliff 

A preschool child can tell you that a dam will run empty if outflow exceeds inflow. Every household has to live within its means to avoid serious trouble. How on earth is it possible that the best brains in a country can’t balance the national budget?

The conservative side wants to decrease spending, and the liberal side wants to increase revenue. Both sides say they have to compromise, so obviously the spending must be decreased moderately, and the revenue must be increased moderately. Then big egos start to split hairs about exactly how much each side will sacrifice. Fearing they may lose votes if they give too much, they nickel and dime each other to the edge of the fiscal cliff. The nation and the world shake their heads in disbelief about the lack of wisdom.

Before we drag them to the guillotine, let us consider how difficult it is for a family to balance their books. They draw up a list of items such as: payments on mortgage and car; expenses for health-care, utilities, local tax, gas, power, phones, and television; purchase of food, clothes, and toiletries; money for sports, recreation, and bus fare. Each one of the family will plead for a little extra here and there. When all the wish-lists are in, the cost far exceeds the income.

Now they have to cut. Luxuries are the first to be deleted, but there is no agreement on what luxury is and what it is not. Jane wants John to forget about new skates, but she does not want to let go of her dreams about an awesome dress for an upcoming party. John feels just the opposite. Dad wants his football tickets and mom pleads for a better refrigerator. It may take firm discipline, yelling, and tears before the most necessary expenses are squeezed into the parameters of available income.

Oops! They forgot something: unforeseen crises! Something must be put away for the rainy day. What if the car or an appliance suddenly breaks down and throws the smooth running of the household in jeopardy? And those once-a-year fees are so easily forgotten, like school, taxes, birthdays, and Christmas.

Now if it is so difficult to balance the budget for a household, how much more mind-boggling must it be for the government to balance the books of the country with thousands of items that are important to the welfare of the citizens? The unforeseen expenses for oil-spills, hurricanes, tornados, and earthquakes can run into billions.

When the legislators have made their cuts and raised their taxes you will hear a lot of moaning and groaning form those who get less and those who pay more. And they may take revenge at the next election. Maybe we should show a little more patience with the politicians, and do a little more praying for them.

Social pressure and personal choice 

When many do something wrong, does it legitimize the wrong? If many athletes use drugs to enhance their performance, does it make doping acceptable? If many couples in a subculture cheat on each other, does it condone adultery? If many resort to cannibalism during a famine, does it sanctify this survival strategy?

Because we want to fit in and feel accepted peer-group pressure easily sucks us in. We defend our spineless compliance by saying “When in Rome, do as the Romans do.”

We have watched this folly play out on TV in many forms: Cheating in marriage, sports, banks, taxes, politics, and even among clergy. When doping, corruption, fraud, embezzlement, inebriety, immorality and perversion become general phenomena, it paralyzes the social conscience, which in turn erodes personal values.

Therefore, when you land in a group that does things contrary to your values, distance yourself from them mentally and physically lest you become like them. Wrong company corrupts good values. If you have to live with them for a time, stay true to your values despite the group’s urging and mocking.

The root of this decadence is located in the lie of democracy, namely that the majority is right. Jesus exposed this lie when he said that most people are on the broad road leading to destruction, and few are on the narrow road leading to life.

 When humanity got extremely perverted, God wiped them out with the Flood while he spared only Noah and his family. The majority was dead wrong. Ten of Joseph’s brothers turned against him and sold him as a slave, but God used Joseph to save the whole family in a severe drought. When the teenage David volunteered to fight the giant Goliath, his brothers and the king sneered at his youthful over-confidence. However, God was on David’s side, and that day made him famous for the past three thousand years.

Jeremiah was the only person through whom God counseled Judah, and in the end he was right and the nation and their leaders went into exile. John the Baptist was a voice calling in the desert: the leaders rejected him and only a minority heeded his words about the coming Messiah.

When Jesus was brought to trial, only the judge tried to defend him, while the leaders and their supporters shouted for the execution of the innocent. In the last judgment, Christ will be the judge, separating the sheep from the goats. The majority will have no say.

When you stay true to your real self and decide to do the right thing, you will often stand alone against a majority. Take your cue from God’s Book that does not change, not from the majority that can be swayed by the fashions and propaganda of the day.