Devotional - 97-02-20 - Moon Circles


A great King came to die for a planet.
  What a very strange plan, not the one expected.
And so the people with the answers said the plan was rejected.
  And you know it seems that the moon circles.

Sung by Phillip and Michael Sandifer - from the song "Moon Circles" by P. Sandifer
 Urgent recording "Moon Circles" (UMD10602) by the group Santa Fe 
 (Phillip and Michael Sandifer) 
 http://www.io.com/~urgent/santafe.html

The moon circles in its course around the world Jesus created for us at an average distance of 248,000 miles. It makes the complete circuit about every 28 days. It regulates tides, marks the seasons, and reminds me of christianity as a great light shining in the darkness. Phillip Sandifer mentions the constant celestial neighbor to the Earth to point out that somethings just never seem to change.

It has been made abundantly clear that Jesus came to live and die for this world. It is clear that the plan was formulated by the Godhead in eternity past. It has been proclaimed to nearly the entire earth. The gospel has been translated into more tongues than most, if not all other texts ever written. From the time of Genesis, God promised a redeemer.

Eve got it wrong. She thought her first born son would be the Messiah. That bubble was finally put to rest when he killed his brother.

The people of Noah's day laughed the idea to scorn that God, if He existed at all, affected them. They lived as they chose, and died in that choice. They had refused to even accept the idea that God would send a Messiah.

The Israelites saw firsthand the Red Sea (no, not the Reed Sea) part before their eyes. They crossed to Sinai on dry ground. They crossed the Jordon river on dry ground. They saw the mighty army of Egypt drowned in the same Red Sea they had crossed. Yet, when Moses failed to return when they expected, they built a golden calf to worship. Many died when they would not return to the Lord's side, even after seeing Moses again alive and well after spending weeks on the mountain.

The Pharisees expected a political leader, as did Judas, to remove the yolk of Roman tyranny and establish an earthly kingdom. The itinerant Rabi Jesus did not fit their expectations. They rejected Him and had Him put to death. And yet, He rose again on the third day with the victory secured and our salvation won.

Through out history, men have decided they would rather live their way, or choose their Messiah rather than wait for the God of the Universe to move. The plan is rejected even today. People we know, if they are polite, simply shake their heads and wonder how such bright people can hold the antiquated ideas. The beat goes on just as surely as the moon circles.

Even so, there but for the grace of God go you and I. So, we must not take these refusals personally and give up. Do we cross swords of logic? Perhaps, if you are well studied. Present the Gospel in love and we are called to be ready to defend our faith when people ask.

1 Pet 3:14-15 - But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. And do not fear their intimidation, and do not be troubled, 15 but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence; (NAS)

We are called to present the Gospel, the Good News that Jesus Christ came, lived, died and rose again to save is all. Let Jesus change the hearts and save the souls. There is a never ending stream of people who keep the moon circling in their unbelief. But one day we every eye will see His return, and the moon will stop circling that day.

Lord Jesus, that day indeed comes soon. Give us the teaching, the patience to hear and learn the great things You have stored up for us, and the grace to reach out to this world that rejects us as Your ambassadors. We know that only You an touch the human heart with change. Help us to see that things will not always just "continue on as they always have". Give us a sense of urgency, that the time is short. Give us the words to day when we have an opportunity to speak with a friend or the President... lovingly and graciously and You reached out to us. Amen.

Peace,
Mike