Jesus' Dash

When you visit a cemetary and look at the tombstones, you will see the person's birthdate and then the date of their death. I've heard lessons before about how the "dash" - what's in between the two dates - is what matters.  Maybe I've even posted about it in the past.

Today I was thinking about Jesus and his "dash". Jesus didn't need a tombstone because he wasn't going to be staying in the grave very long. In fact, he had a big stone in front of his burial cave and it was soon rolled away, wasn't it?

Christ's birth is celebrated on December 25th. However, most, if not all, Bible scholars agree that most likely December 25 was not Jesus' birthdate. I just noticed the other day that even my NIV study Bible notes that it most likely wasn't December 25th. I've seen reasons listed why it was most likely in the spring and reasons why it was most likely in the fall. But, we know that He was born and we read of His miraculous conception and His humble birth. I just love reading that story, don't you!?

And then we know of His death, celebrated at Easter each year - and that date is different every year. But we know HOW He died. On a cross. For you and for me.

So, what about Jesus' "dash"? What did He do from birth until death, at age 33?

1. Birth - Born in a manger in Bethlehem. Luke 2:6-7

2. Shepherds visited. Luke 2:16

3. Eight days old - Jesus was circumcised in Jerusalm and blessed by Simeon at the temple. Luke 2:25-35

4. Jesus went with his parents to Nazareth and he grew.
"And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him." Luke 2:40

5.  The Magi (or wise men) visit Jesus - sometime after 8 days old and under 2 years old. 
(Note:  The Magi didn't visit Jesus at birth as is often depicted in Nativity scenes and in songs.  We know this because the Bible says the Magi "came to the house" Matthew 2:11 and also because of King Herod's decree in Matthew 2:16, "When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi."
Also you may note that the Bible never says there were three wise men, but that they brought three gifts of "gold and of incense and of myrrh"

6.  Jesus is 12 years old and goes with His parents to the Feast of the Passover in Jerusalem.  He stays behind without His parents knowing.  When they find Him three days later, He is found in the temple courts listening to the teachers and asking them questions.  Luke 2:42-48

7.  Jesus goes back to Nazareth with His parents and is obedient and He grows.
And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men. Luke 2:52

8.  Jesus is baptized at about 30 years old and begins His ministry.  Luke 3:21-23

9.  Jesus is tempted by Satan. Luke 4:1-14

10.  Jesus begins preaching.  Matthew 4:12-17

11.  Jesus calls His first disciples.  Matthew 4:18-22 and following chapters

12.  Jesus heals many, performs miracles, speaks in parables as He teaches, and designates His 12 apostles from among the disciples. (Throughout the gospels.)

13.  Jesus is rejected in his own hometown.  Matthew 13:53-58

14.  Peter confesses that Jesus is Christ, the Son of the Living God.  Jesus says that upon that confession, His church will be built. (Note:  Not the building, but the people.) Matthew 16:13-19

15.  The first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread where the last Passover meal is served.  Jesus institutes the Lord's Supper to be done in rememberance of Him.  Luke 22:7-20

16.  Jesus prays, knowing that He will soon give His life on the cross.  Luke 22:39-44

17.  Jesus is arrested.  Luke 22:47-53

18.  Jesus is on trial. Luke 22:66 - 23:25

19.  Jesus' death at age 33...the ninth hour.  Luke 26-46

20.  Jesus is buried on a Friday.  Luke 23:50-56

21.  On the first day of the week (Sunday), Jesus is risen!  Luke 24:1-8

22.  Jesus appears to some women and to His apostles (Eleven now, minus Judas), and others Matthew 28:9-15

23.  Jesus tells His disciples what they are to do: 

A.  Make other disciples all over the world, baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and teach them (the new disciples) to obey His commands.

"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you." Matthew 28:19-20

B.  He opens the minds of the disciples so that they could understand the Scriptures. They were to preach repentance and forgiveness of sins to all nations.  They were witnesses because they actually saw Jesus and His miracles.  "What the Father has promised" would be the Holy Spirit, which would give them the ability to do miracles, too.

"Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. He told them, "This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high."" Luke 24:45-49

24.  Jesus' ascension.  Luke 24:50

So, there is Jesus' dash.  What is your response to His birth, His life, His death, and His resurrection?  Many all over the world are happy to celebrate December 25th, or perhaps think about Him all month long. But, when the Nativity scenes are put away in a box on December 26 or by January 1, Jesus is forgotten.  He's left in their minds as a sweet little baby, never allowed to "grow in wisdom and in stature and in favor".  He's never allowed to become their Savior.

And then there's Easter.  Some may also think of Jesus then, too.  But, is that really what Jesus and God want?  During our Lord's Last Supper - the Feast of the Unleavened Bread - Jesus said, "Do this in remembrance of Me".  Do you suppose Jesus meant to only remember Him on Christmas and Easter?  Of course not!  Jesus wants us to remember His dash - remember His life  and what He did for us all year long.

There's another thing, though about Jesus' dash.  It doesn't end at all because He's alive still today!  He's in Heaven with God and will return to this earth some day.  I look forward to that day, don't you?  It's at that point the "dash" in our life will be very important.  How are you living out yours?

Soap Box Saturday

Note: Part 2 of "GO - It's a BIG Word!" is posted below or here.

For today's Soap Box Saturday, I want to talk about Easter. Tomorrow morning millions and millions of people will worship God and many of those will be celebrating the resurrection of Jesus. Of course, that is WONDERFUL! It is GREAT! It is what SHOULD BE DONE! But, here's my "Soapbox": On Sunday, April 19, many of those same people who were so excited about the risen Savior on Easter Sunday, will have put Him out of their minds until Christmas. Many feel obligated to get all dressed up and "go to church" on special holidays, but I can't find any scripture in the Bible that tells us that is what God wants.

In fact, we see just the opposite is true in the following passage:

Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:19-25

It seems from this scripture that the early church had the same kind of problems the church does today. There was, is, and always will be, those who choose to not assemble or meet together with other brothers and sisters in Christ to worship Him.

But, consider this question: Is Jesus your mascot or your Master? Answer it truthfully. Is Jesus something you just use to fulfill a duty or an obligation or his He the Lord of your life? The definition of mascot is: A person, animal, or object believed to bring good luck, especially one kept as the symbol of an organization, such as a sports team.

Jesus wants to be your Savior. But He wants to be recognized as being so every day...not just on special holidays.

Have a wonderful Easter Sunday!