Raising The Flag

This past week on the 23rd marked the 65th year remembrance of the raising of the flag at Iwo Jima. Immortalized by combat photographer, Joe Rosenthal, this actual second raising of the flag captured the heart of the struggle against Japan and underscored our nation’s resilience and persistence. A foreign flag had not been raised on Japanese soil in over 1000 years. Of the seven involved in planting the flag only three (Rene Gagnon, Ira Hayes and John “Doc” Bradley) survived the battle to come home. This heroic but tragic story of the toll of war is captured in the film and book entitled, “Flags of Our Fathers.” Rosenthal who created the iconic photo of the event received a Pulitzer Prize. Very few are unfamiliar with the dramatic and poignant poise of these soldiers struggling to raise the American flag signaling victory and valor. This photo is part of our historical conscience and a reminder that victory always comes with a cost!

A prominent theme in John’s gospel is that the Son of Man would be lifted up (John 3:14; 8:28; 12:32,34). Jesus most profound declaration being, “But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself.” Like the flag of salvation’s victory Jesus held suspended between heaven and earth by the cross reveals God’s grace and unshakeable plan of redemption! Jesus earlier compares it to the brass snake that was raised to heal the children of Israel in the wilderness. Healing, redemption and reconciliation procured in the most unsuspecting flag of victory… a cross! No combat photographer was there to capture the moment on film but the witness of four gospels and countless lives have made the cross a part of our historical conscience and reminder that victory always comes with a cost!

Now, if the cross is a greater icon than the flag rising on Iwo Jima, then what is the challenge of the cross? Is it mandatory decoration and accessory? Is it hallowed and sacred art to be regaled by master artisans? Or is it as Scripture plainly reveals (1 Corinthians 1:18; Galatians 6:14; Colossians 2:13-15) that which shapes our lives and impales our hearts with a never-to-forget consciousness of our sinful ways? The cross is more than iconic it is divine irony that draws us to Jesus. The once heinous emblem of Roman tyranny and torture is now the image of victory and redemption. The cross is no longer the harbinger of pain, fear and defeat but now raised high it is the banner of the Christian faith and the undeniable sign that God reigns in a fallen world! -DAN

Good Without God

Recently 10 billboards went up in the Sacramento area that read, “Are you good, without God? Millions are.” These ads are sponsored by a coalition of atheist organizations who want their message heard that morality is not the product of religious history or influence. The response has been as anticipated… as divided as our country continues to be over the issue of the separation of church and state. I for one am glad to be a part of a diverse community that gives voice to all its citizens. Not because I like such offensive and superficial in your face propaganda but because I know that open dialogue allows truth its best chance to surface. It often finds its sway in outlandish irony. One of the participants in the billboards is FACTS (First Atheist Church of True Science). This group meets at full moon once a month, sings, has a special drink, wears special clothing and discusses the meaning of life. Yet, doesn’t (ironically) see the influence of God/religion on their practice or rhetoric. Hello there!

To say you can be good without God is at best hypothetical because we all live in a world highly influenced by God’s presence! The atheist may chortle at Adam and Eve’s story in the garden but it’s their story. They want to eat of the tree of knowledge not for enlightenment or closer connection to their world but to displace God the Creator. Mankind in many ways, in many times and in many cultures has buried its head in the sands of its self-proclaimed knowledge to deny its need for God. At the altar of Science many a modern has relegated God as an emotional need or social pawn for the greedy or power hungry. They make broad and unfounded caricatures of believers and what they believe. They attack the Bible by reinventing it as the product of propaganda and legend devised to scare and coerce simpletons into blind belief and devotion. But the irony is their claim to rational and critical thinking is far from fair and balanced.

So where does this leave us? Hopefully, with open dialogue that asks even deeper questions… like, “Why should one be good?” And… “If we all fail to be good consistently –what are we to do? You see I’m not interested in a contest about whom is the most moral among us but rather how can I overcome my sinful ways! The cross was an unexpected place to find the answer to sin but it is there I’m redeemed and humbled so that I never again enter an argument about my goodness based on my own righteousness. Sorry billboard but I’ll never be good without God! -DAN

Valentine

If you want to get into big trouble forget to ask your significant other to be your valentine accompanied by the traditional Hallmark hype of card, candy and flowers. Who is this Valentine guy and what’s he got to do with me telling my sweetheart that I love her? And is he really a saint or is that just cupid arrow shooting, frilly heart stuff? Well, the answer is that nobody really knows how this all came about. Guesses range from the Christian response to the pagan Roman celebration of Lupercalia (or Wolf Festival) that celebrated fertility, to a priest who defied Emperor Claudius II edict that young men remain single and secretly performed marriages. Reality is nobody knows except that during the ever so romantic Elizabethan period the Valentine business took off and we have been stuck holding heart shaped boxes of candy and flowers ever since.

Now, don’t get me wrong… I think celebrating love, relationship and fanning the fires of romance are noble and worthy causes. I’m just fascinated once again that much of what we do we have no idea why we do it. Well, we know that we do it because that’s the way it’s always been done… we say. But we don’t have a sense of its history or genesis. So, here’s my Valentine challenge… let love always be our tradition (“All men will know that you are my disciples if you love one another (John 14:35).”). But in our exchange of love may it never be out of tradition, formal celebration or commercialization… but let it be sincere and passionate! Let love not only reign supreme but let it be the first option, the last stand and the abiding principle by which all that we say and do may rest. If God is love then let us aspire to be like Him. If the cross is the ultimate act of love then let the cross guide us and challenge us to higher heights. And last of all may we never fail to be passionate about the object of our love and keep the romance going.

I’m still going to ask (actually already have) my lovely wife to be my Valentine! We’re ooie gooie like that but it’s because we know how blessed we are to have each other and to be united in our love and our faith that is in the true object of our love… our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! Happy Valentine’s Day! -DAN

Much In A Name

Shakespeare queried through the heart sick and forlorn teen, Juliet, "What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet." Yet, she a Capulet and Romeo a Montague meant their warring families would not let this romance blossom and like the rose it would be a thorny affair. Solomon said, “A good name is more desirable than great riches… (Proverbs 22:1).” There is something in a name! Hitler, Mussolini, Stalin, Idi Amin, Osama Bin Laden and a host of others fill the air with ill will and collective disgust. “Your name is mudd” is an expression vilifying Doctor Samuel Mudd who aided John Wilkes Booth in his escape attempt by treating his broken leg and wounds. Yes, there is much in a name. Thus Peter surmises, “Salvation is found in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved (Acts 4:12).” And Paul adds, “…at the name of Jesus every knee should bow… and every tongue confess the Jesus Christ is Lord… (Philippians 2:10, 11).” Yes, there is much in a name!

Now sometimes we exalt a name because we are either ignorant of the facts or overlook certain transgressions because one’s cause is greater than himself. Let me illustrate by asking you a question… “Who would you add to this list? Judas, Brutus, Benedict Arnold, Robert Hannsen…???” May I suggest, Josephus whose given name was Joseph Ben Matthias but was legally adopted by Emperor Flavius Vespasian thus his name changed to Flavius Josephus. Josephus was not only a turncoat advocating Jews become Roman Jews but quickly abandoned anyone who got in the way of his success. He went through four wives, three emperors and his most famous betrayal was in the small town of Jotapata in Galilee where he hid in an underground cave with forty others as the city was being besieged. When they were found out he wanted to surrender but to avoid being killed by the others suggested that they commit suicide. Since it would be wrong to take one’s own life they would kill each other by every third person killing the other. Josephus strategically placed himself so he with a servant were the last two alive. He then surrendered. What a swell guy!?!?

We speak highly of him because he mentions Jesus possibly twice lending historical witness to the life of Jesus. His antiquities offer information about the fall of Jerusalem though speculated to be highly exaggerated. But none-the-less, Josephus was no rose and his name should be Mudd! Now, I said all of that to say this… We should guard the name of Jesus with profound reverence and wear it with great pride! His name is above all names and brings dignity and life to all who wear it. Yes, for those who are redeemed there is much in a name! -DAN