from Rodney Kilgore of the Southern California District Church of the Nazarene in Temecula, California, United States
The Magi and the Messiah
The story is told of the semi-truck which got stuck under a bridge. Not paying attention to what he was doing, the driver of the truck had unknowingly driven his payload under an over overpass slightly too low for the trailer and its contents. The truck had slammed to a screeching halt as, sparks flying, the arches of the bridge ground into the roof of the cargo trailer, hopelessly wedging the truck under the overpass and immediately sending traffic into a snarl. Before long, a tow truck had arrived on the scene along with firetruck, police, and other emergency crews. Could they find a way to take apart the trailer or, perhaps, get a crane to lift the bridge just enough to yank out the load? A large crowd began to gather and a news helicopter could be seen circling overhead as the group charged with getting the truck free began to run out of ideas. Around this time, a small boy on his bike rode past, stopping to see the commotion. As he looked at the situation, he looked up at one of the bystanders and said, “Hey, why don't they just take the air out of the tires?”
Sometimes, it takes the perspective of an outsider to see something missed in a situation, often to the embarrassment of those embedded therein. We see this played out in Matthew 2:1-12 with the story of the Magi coming to worship Jesus. The Magi, in messianic anticipation and eventual adoration, are placed in opposition to the blindness and hostility of the insider Jewish people, especially Herod and his court. The Magi have seen and followed the star. The Jewish people have not. The Magi bring gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. The Jewish leadership brings only conniving and, eventually, murder. This is a common theme throughout Matthew, and the gospels more generally: outsiders “get” Jesus. Insiders often do not. We find this in the inclusion of four Gentile women in Matthew's genealogy, in the prophetic declarations of favor for the Gentiles, in Jesus' inclusion of tax collectors, sinners, and the sick in His ministry (often amidst excluding the Jewish leaders of the day), and in the parables declaring the eventual destruction of the favored and the exaltation of the disfavored.
While some might be tempted to use this to make blanket statements about rich and poor, powerful and disempowered, Matthew seems more interested in saying something about Jesus's connection to Old Testament's messianic prophecy. Jesus is the one who brings not only righteousness to the Jews, but, hope for the Gentiles (Isaiah 11:10). He is the Messiah who associates with the lowly and heals the broken-hearted (Isaiah 61:1-2). (Matthew might even be referencing Isaiah 60:6 and 11:10 with his account of the Magi.)
So what does this mean for us? What does it matter if Matthew is connecting Jesus to Old Testament prophecy? One of the pronouncements concerning Jesus through the gospel writer is this: While the good news of the messiah is for everyone, it is only "good" for us if we choose to live in harmony with its message - the message being, "Jesus is King." While He offers all the chance to come and worship, the worship must be sincere and complete. Part of the message of the messiah is one of judgment for wrong doing. Those who persist in idolatrous ways will experience the justice of the coming King, regardless of tribe, nationality, upbringing, or socio-economic status. "Chosen-ness," as traditional social, cultural, even religious institutions might pronounce upon us, has no bearing in the kingdom of the Messiah.
As we look forward to a new year, remember the work of the Magi. Whether we come from nearby or far away - whether our story is one of lifelong immersion in the Body or a complete disregard for it, may we all choose daily, even minute by minute, to place Christ rightfully on the throne and offer Him the gifts fitting his rule.
Your District Administration
PASTORS' SPOUSE BRUNCH
Chelsea Peugh and Debbie Taylor are hosting a brunch for Pastors’ Spouses on Saturday, February 3rd from 10:30am-12:30pm. Debbie will be sharing with us about her experience in over 40 years of supporting her husband in pastoral ministry. Come to connect with others who are also in this unique role and be empowered, equipped and encouraged to support your spouse in ministry.
This is for ALL Spouses of Pastors both past and present: youth pastors, associate pastors, lead pastors, retired pastors, etc! Please join us!Please RSVP to Chelsea Peugh by Sunday, January 28th at Chelseapeugh930@gmail.com.
WOMEN'S RETREAT REGISTRATION
While the deadline for Early Bird Registration has passed, it's not oo late to sign up for Women's Retreat (March 16 to 18, 2018 at the Town & Country Resort in San Deigo). Our guest speaker this year will be Tara Beth Leach, lead pastor at Pasadena First Church of the Nazarene. Click HERE to register today.
PLNU LOVEWORKS
PLNU LoveWorks Short-Term Missions is beginning its 30th year of sending student Work & Witness teams all around the world. Teams are led by co-leader pairs. If you live in San Diego County, you could commit to attending weekly training at PLNU from February to May and 3 weeks away in May or July, and you have a heart to disciple young people on a challenging mission as a team co-leader, then LoveWorks is looking for you! Please go to www.pointloma.edu/missions for more information or e-mail Brian Becker at BrianBecker@pointloma.edu
(Brian Becker, PLNU Director of International Ministries, is scheduling another shipment of Crisis Care Kits to Sacramento in November. He asks if you would like to have them transport your CCKs -- please contact him at PLNU [BrianBecker@pointloma.edu]. They will stockpile them on campus until delivery day. CCKs continue to be greatly needed.)
SOCAL DISTRICT COMPASS INITIATIVE
Pastors, are you a part of the COMPASS financial program? The COMPASS Initiative is a Nazarene initiative to address our U.S. ministers’ most pressing financial difficulties. The COMPASS Initiative utilizes a financial literacy, management, and well-being program to equip ministers in personal and church financial matters. Additionally, COMPASS has programs for the local church and a retreat to learn how to better manage financial matters dealing with the local church. For more information, visit COMPASS Initiative and stay tuned for SoCal district specific information.
YOUTH WORKER TRAINING EVENT
We are hosting a youth worker training event at PLNU on March 16 (Cost is $15 per person). Brad Griffin will be training on the new "Growing Young" research that Fuller Institute has been conducting. Some of our own Nazarene ministers are a part of this initiative, including Marcos Canales and Keegan Lenker. Click on the link for more information: fulleryouthinstitute.org
Stay tuned for registration information.
FRESH START: MARK THE DATE
Feb. 24, 2018 at The Bridge Church, international speakers Gary and Cherisse Zelesky will be joining us as keynote speakers for our annual Fresh Start conference. The couple has a powerful story of restoration and Gary speaks regularly on the area of passion. Make plans now to join us this upcoming February. Registration is coming soon.SOCAL ROUNDUP
SoCal RoundUp is coming May 18-20, 2018. This family-centered event is an opportunity for groups to camp together in tents or structures, take part in numerous activities (swimming, crafts, obstacle course, derby racing, etc.). Times of praise and worship round out our time together offering an opportunity to get know both each other and our Lord better. The cost is very affordable and the fun starts Friday night and ends Sunday morning after our morning worship time together. Contact Janet Crow at janetloma@cox.net for more information or to arrange a tour of the campground. If you want to look at the campground information online, you can do so at http://www.indianhillscamp.com. LOCAL CHURCH TREASURERS
You can find the link to the district online payment site for paying district allocations HERE. Please familiarize yourself with this webpage and the process for making regular payments. Thank you.
A PLAIN ACCOUNT: WESLEYAN RESOURCES
Check out the "Wesleyan-perspectived" commentary based on the Revised Common Lectionary. If you are a pastor or a lay-person interested in following lectionary readings throughout the year, we recommend visiting aplainaccount.com for more information. Nazarene ministers and scholars from all over the globe are participating in this project. We would love to have you be a part of this work, supporting it in any way you can.
NEW DISTRICT ADMINISTRATOR
Shanae Brown was installed as the new district administrator on November 13, 2017. She has prior experience engaging with ministerial leadership in management and support roles. She holds a B.A. in Organizational Management from PLNU and has been employed by the Wesley Center there, as well as having worked as youth director and program director for a homeless outreach. We're excited to have her on-board and look forward to her interaction with our district family.
CHURCH REPORTING
Forget losing weight or reading more, HERE is your chance to start the new year out right.
Upcoming Events
- Fresh Start: February 24, 2018
- Youth Worker's Training Event: March 16, 2018
- Women's Retreat: March 16-18, 2018
- SoCal RoundUp: May 18-20, 2018
- Men's Retreat: September 14-16, 2018
For a more detailed record of these and other upcoming district events please visit the district calendar, or www.socalnaz.org/events/calendar
For a printable version of this newsletter (abbreviated) for use as a bulletin insert or wall posting, please click HERE. (https://docs.google.com/document/d/105XRH7mXTV2kXxuS5bYC0wJix-zw8-IRdd64Z-zhclk/edit?usp=sharing)
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