Seeds For Thinking

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Scripture: “In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.” (1 Corinthians 15:52, American King James Version)

The prophets spoke of a period which they called "the last days" (Isaiah 2:2; Micah 4:1; in Hebrew, "the after days"), as the period in which the Messiah would live and reign. Peter wrote that the resurrection of Christ has brought the faithful
“to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fades not away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith to salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. (1 Peter 1;4-5)
The Savior expressly said that it was not designed that anyone should know when future events would occur. Thus, prior to His ascension, in answer to an inquiry whether he then would restore the kingdom to Israel, he said Acts 1:7, "It is not for you to know the times or the seasons which the Father hath put in his own power."
Still, question abounded then, as now, concerning the form, the body, that the dead shall have. Paul speaks not of the time of the coming of the last day, but of how it shall take place. He wrote to the Corinthians about the bodies of the living,
“Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed” -A mystery, a secret, which could never have been discovered by reason, or the light of nature. And it shall happen “In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye.”
The Greek word used here for "moment" is ATOMOS. This passage is the only place in the Greek New Testament where this word is used. ATOMOS is the word from which is derived from our English word "atom." The Greeks believed that the atom was the smallest particle of matter that existed, therefore it could not be divided, cut, split, or reduced in any way. The translators have taken this to mean that our bodies shall be changed in "an atom of time," that is, in an instant of time so brief that you could not make it any quicker, or reduce the time in any measure.
To further illustrate the quickness of this transformation, Paul uses the expression, “In the twinkling of an eye.” So how fast is that? The eyes can wink, blink and twink, it is said. A wink is a controlled movement of the eye and so it's length of time is indeterminate, but the quickest wink lasts for a half second. A blink is a reflex action of the eye and lasts somewhere between 300 and 400 milliseconds. The twinkling of the eye is caused by an involuntary, very wide dilation in the eye, estimated by some number crunchers to be 1/6,000,000,000th of a second to make a person's eyeball twinkle: This expression means 'very fast' or 'instantaneously'.
Plainly and unquestionably it concerns our change, our transformation into the image of Christ. See 1 Cor. 15:35-50, which precedes the scripture passage. Our change from mortal to immortal, from corruptible to incorruptible is a promise of God that can no more fail or pass away than any other of God's promises. Jesus states the promise in John 3:16; “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.”
Since we are not given to know in advance the day or the hour, we should be ready at all times. Waiting to set our spiritual affairs in order just won’t work. It will be very difficult to make changes during that “twinkling of an eye!”

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Scripture: Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them. (Acts 3:4-5, NIV)

Look at me!
Often followed by, “When I am talking to you!” There are times when we want someone’s direct attention, and eye to eye contact is essential for communication to take place, or to be acknowledged.
Peter obviously had something more in mind than dropping coins in the beggar’s alms cup. The man gave them his attention. Through the name of Jesus Christ, Peter and John gave him something he never had - the ability to walk.
The phrase “Look at me!” is loaded with meanings, though, and really doesn’t tell us much unless it is put into context. It can be used as an exclamation (look here!) used to call attention to what one is going to say, as I have shown. It can be used as a statement of authority, or to establish communication. “To look” can mean to take heed, to perceive, to behold, to see, to regard, to examine, to investigate. We might look up to someone, to have a great deal of respect for them. Often actions or adornments speak louder than the actual words: The showoff, deliberately attracting attention. The ‘fashionista,’ enrobed in all the latest styles and ornamentation, and, these days, inked skin from top to toe. There is a word for behavior characterized by vulgar or pretentious display: ostentatious, meaning “designed to impress or attract notice.”
Jesus spoke against such practices by the Pharisees of His day:
"Everything they do is for show. On their arms they wear extra wide prayer boxes with Scripture verses inside, and they wear robes with extra long tassels. And they love to sit at the head table at banquets and in the seats of honor in the synagogues. They love to receive respectful greetings as they walk in the marketplaces, and to be called 'Rabbi.'
But He passed on this advice to His disciple, and those who would follow in His footsteps: Don't let anyone call you 'Rabbi,' for you have only one teacher, and all of you are equal as brothers and sisters. (Matthew 23:5-8, New Living Translation (©2007)
I wondered if there is a record of Jesus using the phrase, “Look at Me!” in the gospels, much as Peter and John sought the attention of the lame man. Though I found no written record of such, I can imagine Him asking for attention, and eye to eye contact, prior to healing someone. Never-the-less, consider these two examples from scripture, seeking to establish communication, from a petitioner, and as a statement of authority from God:

O look upon me, and have mercy on me: give thy command to thy servant, and save the son of thy handmaid. (Psalm 86:16)

Look to me, and be you saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else. (Isaiah 45:22)
(Text: American King James Version)

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* Retaliation
* Scripture: Jesus said, " . . .the Son of Man did not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them." Luke 9:56, NKJV

It hath been said, "Don't get mad - get even." Ah! Sweet revenge! "Do unto others if they do it to you - an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth."
Jesus spoke about retaliation in the Sermon on the Mount, as recorded in Matthew 5:38, adding, in effect, 'But if you follow My teaching, you won't act like that.' Rather, His disciples are to turn the other cheek and to love their enemies.
Why? "That you may be (children) of your Father in heaven." (Mt. 5:45)
Think about that in terms of an earthly family. Parents are responsible for providing for their children's welfare. Children are to be obedient, and are under the authority of a parent or guardian until the age of majority, the age at which full civil rights are accorded.
At what point in our Christian journey, then, do we grow up enough that we cease to be "children" of God? Is there a time when we can presume to become independent of God, a time when we can literally 'take over the business,' and run things our own way?
I bring up this point to invite you to consider how we should react to some of the challenges that face us as Christians. When people say bad things about Christianity, about religion in general, or take God's name in vain, the urge to retaliate is very real.
There have been periods in history where the overly zealous attempted to advance the cause of the church at the point of the sword. In essence, some have said, "If you don't love God, I'll kill you."
My chosen scripture verse speaks to the point of treatment of those who reject The Christ. Jesus' disciples wanted to command fire to come down from heaven and consume those people (Samaritans) who did not receive Him. (Lk. 9:51-56) Jesus said, "No!"
If it is not the purpose of the Son of Man (Christ) to destroy such people, then what are we to do?
We are to love God, and our neighbor as ourselves. Who is our neighbor? All people- for all belong to God. That includes those we might consider to be enemies. "Bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you." (Mt. 5:44)
Children of God are not in a position of greater authority to change that teaching. When disciples pray, "Your will be done" (Lord's Prayer) Christians indicate submission to the dominion and authority of God in their lives.
(Quotations from the NKJV)
September 24, 2006

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* Let Go
* Scripture: Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give it to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions." Matthew 19:21-22, NKJV

We are counseled, (and probably have counseled) to “Let go, and let God.” It’s hard, very hard in practice. It’s just not in our common nature to let go of things, including problems that God could handle for us. We refuse to change our habits, even if our well-being is at stake. Something has to grab us, and shake us, until reality sets in.
Since we search for examples to inspire us, I thought maybe this fable from India, “The Farmer and the Money Lender,” might give you something to think about.
The story concerns a poor farmer, who, having lost everything to a money lender, sought the secret to becoming rich. He set out on his quest with three griddlecakes to last him on his journey. A Brahman and a Yogi accepted his offering of a griddlecake, and gave nothing in return. (Compare to the religious men in the Parable of the Good Samaritan, Luke 10:31-32.)
He shared his last cake with a poor man, who gave him a magic conch shell in response to his kindness, with the secret of how to use it to have wishes filled.
The money lender quickly surmised that the farmer’s good fortune was related to the conch shell, so he stole it. He had the shell, but found he lacked the secret of how to blow the horn to gain his wishes. If the money lender kept it, neither would benefit, so he offered the farmer a deal; he would return the magic shell to the farmer, with the agreement that whatever the farmer got from it, the money lender would get double. This arrangement went on for a time, and it preyed upon the farmer’s mind that the money lender always got double. Then, during a very dry season, the farmer wished for a water well, and, lo! there was the well - but the money lender had two new water wells! The farmer brooded and brooded over this, until he had an idea. He blew the conch shell, and wished to be blind in one eye. In a twinkling, the money lender was blind in both of his eyes, and in trying to steer his way between the two wells, fell into one and was drowned. So that is how the farmer got the better of the money lender - but only by losing one of his eyes.
Jesus reminds us that we have to give up some things in order to gain other things, more important things, like eternal life. He also counseled,”If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.” (Luke 9:23-24) Since we are prone to never let go of one thing until we have a firm grip on something else (which may be good advice for daredevil wing walkers) we cling to what we have, rather than let go and step out in faith for the heavenly walk.
This week, think about what you would be willing to give up to assure eternal life.
March 13, 2005

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* Paying the Piper
* Scripture: Jesus said, “And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” Matthew 19:24, NKJV

I’ve seen a lot of changes in the field of electronics since I first became involved in it, and, as I was granted that opportunity, did what I could to advocate the utilization of television and computer technology in the field of education. I still try to keep up-to-date on the latest technology - and occasionally even buy some of it.
Perhaps I have fallen into some sort of time warp, though, because I revert often to an ancient form of data storage and retrieval - that is, I read books. Not the top of the current best sellers, either. I delve into the really old stuff. Like the Bible, for instance. And books that I have acquired over the years with publishing dates in the 19th and 20th centuries. Opening an old book is like opening a door and walking into a different world, a foreign world of words and ways long forgotten.
Quaint and curious though the words and customs may be, human nature remains rather constant over the ages. All of the vices and virtues of today’s lexicon are there; it is a story told over and over - as numerous as the souls who have traversed this mortal realm on their way to eternity.
We are all too familiar with examples of leaders in name only, those who utilize their power to enrich only their own coffers at the expense of the citizenry whom they govern.
Hamelin Town had such a problem.

“Our Mayor is a noddy,” cried the people,
“And as for our Corporation - shocking
to think we buy gowns lined with ermine
For dolts that can’t or won’t determine
What’s best to rid us of our vermin.”

The answer to their dilemma arrived without their summons, and asked for a sum of one thousand guilders to rid their town of - Rats!
‘”One? fifty thousand!” was the exclamation of the astonished Mayor and Corporation.’

And rid Hamelin Town of rats the Pied Piper did.

The Hamelin people rejoiced, “ringing the bells till they rocked the steeple.”
But - pay the Piper?

“A thousand guilders! The mayor looked blue;
So did the Corporation too.”

Avarice and greed were their downfall. Perhaps you know the rest of the story. The children of Hamelin Town danced through the streets to the Piper’s tune, entered the mountain portal, and were gone forever.

“Alas, alas for Hamelin!
There came into many a burgher’s pate
A text which says that heaven’s gate
Opes to the rich at as easy rate
As the needle’s eye takes a camel in!”
(Quotes from “The Pied Piper of Hamelin”, by Robert Browning)

One thousand years? Even two? No, little has changed since Jesus’ day, we just tell the same old story in a different way.
February 13, 2005

Link: http://seedsforthinking.oldgleaner.com/

Scripture: Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. Genesis 1:3, NKJV)

Light! Created by God, dividing Day from Night, and the light was good. But what is light, exactly? It is far easier to define darkness as the absence of light than to define how light works. Scientists and physicists still struggle to explain something that we take so much for granted.
A further reading of Genesis has intrigued scholars, as well. God created light during the first day, then turned it off at night. But the lights in the heavens, the sun, moon, and stars, were not created until the fourth day. Some have postulated that the original light came directly from God; God’s light will be part of the New Jerusalem: “The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it. The Lamb is its light.” (Rev. 21:23, NKJV)
Vision is perhaps the most marvelous property of light. We see, because light is! It was once suggested that light originated in the eye, and illuminated the world. It was quickly pointed out that we should be able to see even at night, if that was the case. No, the eye has the property of using light from the sun, candles, lanterns and a multitude of electrical powered lamps to produce vision, the ability to see things.
So - what is the nature of light? Light is a form of radio wave, except we “tune it in” via our eyes, rather than on a radio or television receiver. (Physicists talk about a lot of things deeper than we will go.) We see the colors of a rainbow sort of like “different channels” for red and green and blue light. Marvelous!
Light does not travel instantaneously: the speed of light in a vacuum is presently defined to be about 186,282 miles per second, which is still pretty fast. The speed of light is a factor in Einstein’s famous equation E=mc^2.
Astronomers use a form of celestial measurement called a “Light Year” to calculate the vast distances to stars and galaxies. It takes light about four years to reach earth from the closest star, about 23,462,784,000,000 miles away. How many light years to the edge of the universe? A bunch! And yet God is there. Even the best scientists and physicists struggle with things too marvelous for us to comprehend, but every speck - every force - in the universe is there because God said so.
The use of a light bulb image in cartoon or comic strips symbolizes enlightenment, indicating greater knowledge and understanding about a subject or situation. Those who simply “don’t get it,” are in the dark.
In the New Testament, John equates anyone who hates his brother with darkness. “He walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.” (1 John 2:11) However, “He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him.” (1 John 2:10)
Jesus spoke of the salt of the earth, and the light of the world in the Beatitudes. “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)
What is that light? “God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all. (1 John 1:5) “But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us of all sin.” (1 John 1:7)
Let the glory of God illuminate your life. Don’t hide your light under a bushel (No!) as children sometimes sing. But walk as children of light.
Let Your Light Shine

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Scripture: The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.” (Genesis 3:13b, NKJV)

A few years ago, as I recall, a tag line in a skit on a popular television show was, “The devil made me do it!” Sure, it brought laughs, but it begs the question of why we should be listening to the devil at all.
The woman (Eve) was the first to use that line, according to Genesis. The serpent, of course, was Satan, the adversary. His advice sounds like such a simple matter: Go ahead, eat that fruit. “Your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”
Satan (the devil) often appeals to our physical desires, in this case, food. It was good to eat. Adam and Eve could see the tree in the garden, and the pleasant-looking fruit that grew upon it. It looks delectable; it is desirable. It has the potential to make them wise.
Convinced of the serpent’s credibility, Eve ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate. Adam doesn’t use the devil as an excuse, but does use the role of accuser: “The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I ate.” (Genesis 3:12)
Now turn to the Gospel of Mark, Chapter 9. Jesus warns that giving in to temptation, and entering into sin, leads to hell - where “Their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.” (Mark 9:44)
Jesus was referring to the trash dump in the Valley of Hinnom - Gehenna. Initially the site where idolatrous Jews sacrificed their children to the god Molech (2 Chr. 28:3, 33:6; Jer. 7:31, 19:2-6), the valley later became the common wasteyard for all the refuse of Jerusalem. Here the dead bodies of animals and of criminals, and rubbish, were cast and consumed by a constant fire. In time it became the image of the place of everlasting destruction in Jewish tradition.
Eve credited the serpent - Satan - for leading her astray. Couldn’t she just as well have blamed her hand, which reached out and plucked that fruit? “Well, LORD, my hand made me do it!”
Or, suppose that a pick pocket thief is caught in the act, is hauled into court, and enters a plea of “Not Guilty, your honor.” And why not? “Well, your honor, my Hand made me do it.” We might not like the idea of cutting off a thief’s hand, but it is used in some countries.
Yes, Mark relates that Jesus advises, “If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off.” (Mark 9:43a) I’m sure that many people, like myself, have pondered, and been troubled by, these words. But wouldn’t that be an appropriate retort: “Your hand made you do it (sin)? Then cut it off.
The fact is, it is not possible to overcome sin by mutilating one’s body. Cutting off a hand, a foot, or plucking out an offending eye will not save anyone from the fires and worms of hell. (Read the rest of Mark 9:43-50)
Blaming the devil, your hand, your foot, or your eye is no excuse for sin.
Salvation from sin comes only through the Grace of God. Whosoever believes in the only begotten Son of God shall not perish, but have eternal life - in the kingdom of God, where there are no worms or an unquenchable fire.