Putin - and Jesus!

It was, of course, my intention to post, this evening, the second part of a mini-series on the question "What is a Christian?" However, the invasion of Ukraine, by Russian military forces on the order of Vladimir Putin, has led me to shelve that post for, at least, a week, and comment on the current situation. 

I make no claim to be either a political, or a military, expert so what follows is merely the thinking of a fairly ordinary man - but one who is not altogether lacking in the ability to discuss such matters. I must also make clear that I am not "on the ground" and, like the vast majority of us, depend on receiving information that is, in terms of historical research, "Secondary Sources".

It was in the early hours of Thursday that Russian president Putin announced, in a pre-recorded television broadcast, that he had ordered Russian troops to enter Ukraine. Since then, the Russian forces appear to have had what may be referred to as "mixed fortunes"! Certainly, they have not swept through Ukraine in the manner in which Putin may have envisaged! The Ukrainian military, supported by patriotic Ukrainians, have repeatedly stemmed the flow. There have even been some 'amusing' incidents as when a column of Russian tanks stop at the side of the road.  A video was widely shared in which a Ukrainian gentleman stopped to ask them what was wrong. He was informed that they had run out of fuel! His immediate response was: "I'll give you a tow back to Russia!" It's always good to be able to exercise a sense of humour!

It is also reported that Russian soldiers are laying down their weapons; that Russian citizens are deserting their country in order to avoid conscription; and that many of the Russian élite are not giving the president their support.

However, what prompted this post was the 'ticker-tape' message on the television screen in the home of friends that my wife and I were visiting on Friday. I cannot recall the text, verbatim, (it was in French!) but it was along the lines of Putin encouraging Ukrainians to overthrow their own government. I turned to my friend and commented: "What a great example! He sits in safety in Moscow, while sending his own troops to potential death, and urging the Ukrainian people to lay their own lives on the line by seeking to bring down their own elected government!" That, was when I thought of Jesus!

What a difference between them. Putin sits in safety, and comfort, and urges others to do his bidding in a move that is only made in order to seek to increase his own power and influence, and to 'make a name' for himself. Whatever we may think of such attempts in much earlier times, at least the leaders of countries tended to actually lead their armies. They were there, at the front, in the thick of the fighting, risking their own lives as much as they expected others to risk theirs.   

And what about Jesus? He dwelt in Glory - in a realm that is beyond the comprehension of our human, mortal, finite, minds. Glory is inestimably further above even the riches of the Kremlin, as the most sophisticated computer known to mankind is greater than a simple abacus! It is a realm in which sin does not, and could not, exist. It is a realm in which He knew true and pure worship that is far beyond what any of us is able to offer to Him. Yet He took upon Himself the very human flesh that He had created, and entered this sinful realm in the weakness and vulnerability of a human infant.

He knew infinite power, and glory, and wisdom, and knowledge. As, Himself, God, He was able to share, fully and intimately, with the Father. Yet He " « ... did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form He humbled Himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross. » (Phil.2:6-8).

He became sin for us! Paul writes to the disciples of Jesus in Corinth: « For our sake He [the Father] made Him [the Son] to be sin Who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God. » (II Cor.5:21). Have you ever given serious thought to what those inspired words are actually saying? They are saying that, not only did the Lord Jesus pay the penalty for your sin and mine as He hung on that Cross, but that He actually, for a brief moment of human time, became the very personification of sin - its ugliness, its blackness, its evil, its vileness, its - well, even as one who has a fairly good command of the English language, and a reasonably extensive vocabulary, I cannot think of words that would adequately describe what I want to describe. But I know this - that He became all of that for me; and for you! Indeed, I believe that it was then that Jesus uttered what we refer to as «the cry of dereliction» - « My God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken me? » (Matt.27:46; Mk.15:34) - because, for that moment, the Father, Who cannot look upon sin, turned His eyes (we speak anthropomorphically!) away from the only-begotten Son.

Putin; Jesus. "Quelle différence" as my French-speaking friends might say! I commend one of them to you - and it is not Vladimir Putin! May you discover, if you have not already done so, that Jesus is the only One Who is fully worthy to be followed; and the only One Who will be with you at all times, and even into eternity. 

COVID-19 Freedom!

The following is a translation of an e-mail that I have received from Portes Ouvertes - the French 'branch' of Open Doors, supporting the persecuted church. It is another reminder that "every cloud has a silver lining", and that, however the situation may look, our God is still on the throne, and in control of His creation.

Uzbekistan: more freedom thanks to COVID-19

The pandemic COVID-19 virus now affects the whole planet, and the populations concerned. But there is a surprising 'upside' as evidenced by the disciples of Jesus in Uzbekistan.

Uzbekistan, in Central Asia, is a country in which disciples of Jesus are severely persecuted. In the current World Index of Persecution of Christians, it take 18th place out of the fifty countries that are n the Index. Freedom of religion is enshrined in the Constitution, but does not exist in everyday life. The churches are strictly controlled by the authorities, and police raids are frequent. But things have changed since the Covid-19 epidemic entered the country! The first thing that the Uzbekistan government did was to close the borders, and impose strict containment. City streets are almost empty, with no public transport. Of course, all religious services are prohibited but are, when possible, held online. What has surprised everyone, however, is that the authorities have asked Christians to gather in homes and families - something that was prohibited before the onset of the epidemic! This is a real blessing for small churches, not officially registered, and usually repressed by the police. Only large supermarkets and open-air markets are operating, but no-one knows how to survive. Most of those confined to their homes are without work, or income - or support from the authorities. Some believers from a local church have, therefore, bought food, and visited the poor of the neighbourhood to offer them a food parcel. This local action has had an amazing effect. In one week, ten people came to faith in the Lord Jesus. One of the believers from that group says: "In a difficult period, we have to be wise and prudent, and follow all safety rules. At the same time, we will not be afraid and hide." He added: "we want to bring light and hope, support those in need, and express God's love to people." Since it is forbidden to go out without a mask, on penalty of a fine, other believers have bought 100 masks which they have distributed freely, taking the opportunity to share the Gospel message. The situation is almost the same in some neighbouring countries. Again, Christians are taking initiatives to support those confined to their homes, and frightened by the situation. In Kazakhstan, for example, people are watching, with interest, the films that Christians are sharing online, with many saying how much this improves their current situation. In Kyrgyzstan, believers are meeting is small groups to pray, either in homes, or online. They are also supporting the poor with packages of provisions. Christians in Russia, from most denominations, are united in prayer for the country, and for the world. Sadly, in Turkmenistan, Christians are saddened as the authorities hide information, and no-one knows how serious the situation is - leading to a measure of panic. So, the Covid-19 virus, the source of so much upheaval, is also a factor of unity among these persecuted believers, and an opportunity for them to enjoy some relative freedom. Let us unite in prayer for disciples of Jesus in Central Asia - and let us follow their example by being united with other believers in our own localities, and seizing every opportunity to express God's love to our neighbours. Let us pray that the church in these countries will be better thought of by both the authorities and the populations.

The Scottish Saltire.

Here in France, every day is dedicated to one of the "saints" of the Church of Rome. Of course, as I frequently point out, when we turn to the written Word of God, we discover that every true disciple of the Lord Jesus is a saint. Yes, you are reading the words of "St.Brian"!!!

However, today being November 30th means that today's "saint" - Andrew - is also celebrated in Scotland. He is, after all, the patron saint of the country. There is one legend that states that he actually visited Scotland, and preached there. However, whilst that is certainly not an impossibility, other legends are more likely.  One of these claims that, in A.D. 345, Saint Regulus (also known as St.Rule) was instructed by an angel to take some relics (bones) of Saint Andrew from Patras, in modern Greece, to a far-off land. He eventually arrived in Fife on the east coast of Scotland, where he founded the settlement now known by the name of the apostle. Another version recalls how in the 7th century, Saint Wilfrid brought the saint’s relics home with him following a pilgrimage to Rome. The Pictish king, Angus MacFergus, subsequently had them installed at his new monastery of Saint Regulus at Kilrymont, later renamed St. Andrew's. It is unlikely, however, that we shall ever know for certain what the precise link is.

When it comes to the national flag of Scotland, we are on somewhat firmer - if still tenuous! - ground. When Andrew, one of the apostles and brother of Peter, was being crucified by the Romans in A.D. 60, it is said that he believed himself unworthy to be crucified on a cross like that of his Saviour, and so requested that he hang on a ‘saltire’, or X-shaped cross which became his symbol.

Another legend links the adoption of Saint Andrew’s cross as Scotland’s national flag. This recalls that, in A.D. 832, on the eve of a battle between a combined Picts and Scots (Highlanders and Lowlanders. "Sassenachs" are, properly, Lowlanders, and not the English!) army and an invading army of Angles led by King Aethelstan of East Anglia, Andrew appeared to the Pictish king, Óengus II (Angus) and assured him of victory. The following morning a formation of clouds gathered against the backdrop of a clear blue sky, depicting a white saltire that was visible to both sides. The omen inspired the Picts and Scots to win a famous victory over the Angles of King Aethelstan and so the white cross on the blue background was adopted as the national flag of Scotland.

Following Robert the Bruce’s victory at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314, the Declaration of Arbroath officially named Saint Andrew as the patron saint of Scotland. However, it was not until 1385 that the saltire appears to have become the official national flag, when the Parliament of Scotland agreed that Scottish soldiers should wear the white cross as a distinguishing mark. In such times flags and banners were important to identify opposing forces in heat of battle.

Whilst its exact origin may have been lost in myth and legend, the flag of Scotland is generally regarded as one of the oldest national flags still in modern use.

So much for the brief history lesson!! The question that may legitimately be asked is "So what?"! To answer that question, I would point to what we really do know about Andrew. As I have already stated, he was the brother of Peter, who became the leader of the apostle band after the crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension of the Lord Jesus. However, he was so different from his brother! Whilst Peter jumped in with both feet (sometimes in his mouth!), Andrew preferred to stay in the background. Whilst Peter was comfortable speaking to crowds of thousands, Andrew was more of a "personal worker". 

Of course, it was Andrew's "one-to-one" approach that brought Peter into contact with Jesus! (see John 1:41). He was also the one to whom Philip went some Greeks told him that they wanted to speak with the Saviour (Jn12:20ff). And he was the one who had discovered that a young lad had a packed lunch, and brought the boy to Jesus so that thousands could be fed - with loads to spare! (John 6:1-14). He didn't acquire that information by making a public announcement!

Not too many of us are gifted to be a Peter, or a Paul. All of us, surely, if we dare to claim to be disciples of Jesus, ought to be Andrews - people who don't hog the limelight, but who are willing to speak about Jesus to just one person (even if that person is a biological brother!); people to whom others - including co-workers - are willing to turn for assitance; people who are able to get down to the level of a child - and then discover that that same child holds the resources that we need, if we are willing to turn them over to Jesus.

Quite a man was our Andrew! Of course, he is also considered to be the patron saint of Greece, Russia, Barbados, and the ancient Italian town of Amalfi (south of Naples), in whose cathedral, it is claimed, the apostle's remains are entombed.

May each of us endeavour to emulate him, in at least one of his attributes - to the glory of our common Saviour.

St Andrew's Day

I wonder if I am alone in sometimes wishing that I was "someone else"?   Not that I have any desire to be one of the modern, so-called, 'celebrities' - whether in the world of sport, or of entertainment, or of business.  No, when I think like that, I want to be a Billy Graham; a Luis Palau; a John Wesley; a Martin Luther; even a Peter, or a Paul!

Of course, such idle dreamings are exactly that - no more, and no less.  I have not been gifted in the same way as these men were/are.  I believe that I may have been used by God, just as they have been - but not to the same extent.  That's why their names are known to history; mine is confined to family, friends, and acquaintances - and a few Christian fellowships!

Today is November 30th, the day in the Christian calendar dedicated to St. Andrew, one of the first of the disciples of Jesus, the Christ, and the patron saint of Scotland (as well as Greece, and Russia).  According to John, it was Andrew who first introduced his brother, Simon, to Jesus, (John 1:40-42) and Jesus gave Simon that name of Peter, a rock: an indication of what he was to become, but certainly not what he was then.  I find that to be very encouraging!  God sees you and me, not as we are but as what we may, by His grace, become.

Peter became one of great leaders of early Christian community.  He wrote two of the letters that have been preserved for us in the Bible.  But without Andrew, there might not have been a Peter.

Some may recall the old Negro spiritual that says:  “If you can’t preach like Peter, if you can’t pray like Paul; just go and tell your neighbour, and say Christ died for all.” (There is a balm in Gilead).  And it may be that, by the grace of God, it is your neighbour who will then be the Peter, or the Paul, or the Billy Graham.

Tradition says that Andrew was crucified – but on a cross shaped like an X.  That’s the origin of the Scottish national flag, the Saltire.  The story is that, before a battle with an English king, Angus mac Fergus, king of the Picts – the people who lived in the lowlands – had a dream in which Andrew appeared and promised him victory.  During the battle, a Saltire cross was seen in the sky and this encouraged Angus and his troops.  After his victory, Angus ordered that the Saltire be the badge of the Picts.

Andrew is a saint – but according to the New Testament, so am I, and so are you if you belong to Jesus.  A little boy was asked to explain what a saint is.  He remembered that, in the church building his family attended, there were stained glass windows with pictures of some of the saints in the Bible, and how beautiful they looked when the sunlight shone through them.  So he answered that a saint is somebody that the light shines through!

Jesus said: “I am the Light of the world”.  But the only way in which some will see Him is if we allow Him to shine through us! 

You and I may never be a Peter, or a Paul – but we may be an Andrew, letting the light of the Lord Jesus shine through us, that others might come to know Him, and receive Him as their own Saviour and Lord.