Ring the Bells 1 John 1

As the tree is raised in Union Square I hear bells. In songs from Jingle Bells to Silver Bells, in the hands of Salvation Army workers stationed at the grocery store, jangling from fake reindeer next to the fake Santa in the mall, all season long they will be ringing.

The name of the season is whittled away, the baby gets bumped for wrap and ribbons, and whatever the message it seems lost in the line at the register where the lady who can’t find her credit card is continuing to back up traffic still vying for a 10% discount because the polyester micro blend is missing a button on the right sleeve. (That’s why she picked it.)

When I close my eyes and drift into Christmas past it’s bells that remain a constant. I was only ten but my favorite family Christmas memory is in the snow on a sleigh behind a tractor in Nooksack WA, bells a jingling. As Jesus’ good friend thinks back on those magic days, it’s like he is there again with the One its all about.

Already there were imitations, spin offs, fabulous fakes and fantasies. John’s truth rings clear as a bell. “The one who existed from the beginning is the one we have heard and seen.” Notice the emphasis on “the one.” There is no other, accept no substitute.

“We have seen and heard the one.” Can you sense the apocalyptic climax in his words? You know, the kind they try to build into movies that explain the inexplicable logic of life. Wait John has more color, definition for the image; “We saw him with our own eyes and touched him with our own hands.” It’s HDTV, “He is Jesus Christ the Word of Life.”

John’s language projects something not to be missed. The Christ experience is so authentic, so tactile to be present. John’s syntax shows the audio so clear it is “still ringing in our ears.”

The ringing bells of Christmas carry me to back to John’s experiential joy in the One, the Word of Life. John’s celebration is invitational; “We are telling you . . . so that you may have fellowship with us.” When you hear the bells of Christmas consider it an invitation to listen for the One it’s all about and celebrate his presence. See if it doesn’t ring true.

I in them and you in me. Then they’ll be mature in this oneness, And give the godless world evidence That you’ve sent me and loved them In the same way you’ve loved me. John 17:23 (MSG)

PSALM 133 IS A LIFE VERSE FOR ME
It was prophesied over my life as a quest and a passion God put in my heart for God’s people. I remember it clear as yesterday, though it was 28 years ago at a conference with Dr. Walter Martin my mentoring hero as I began to follow Jesus.

• I had no idea what it meant. I had no idea how important it is to God and his heart for the church. I had no idea the burden caring for the unity of God’s people would be. I had no idea how difficult it would be. I had no idea what heartache and pain contending for the Bride of Christ to be one would be. I had no idea what passion God would grow in my heart, or what sorrow passion opens your life to. I weep when there is brokenness in relationship. I feel weary and sick. I had no idea how wonderful it is when brother’s live in harmony... or how hard it is for brothers to live with their family. God’s passion is for his people to be one.

John 20:2-4

• She ran and found Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved. She said, "They have taken the Lord's body out of the tomb, and I don't know where they have put him!" Peter and the other disciple ran to the tomb to see. The other disciple outran Peter and got there first.(NLT)

I want to run to the risen Christ. But like Peter I am aware of my sin, my failure, my intentional detours, my denials, the way I have disappointed. John out runs Peter to the tomb. Some say John was younger, maybe faster. My observation is Peter usually found a way to be first when he wanted. My conjecture is that fear held Peter back. I might even suggest fear - that foreboding cloud of dread and guilt may have even paralyzed Peter had it not been for the love of the Lord himself.

“Until then, they hadn’t realized that the Scriptures said he would rise from the dead.” John 20:9 NLT

• A major problem for people who have never seen the green flash is not knowing what to look for. It was Sunday, January 29, 2006 – Moss Beach. I thought it was a myth. I had heard about it; I had looked for it, but I had never seen it. Like Peter, I am glad I wasn’t alone or I am not sure I would have believed it. I, for sure, would have doubted it later on. But there were other people there – they saw it, too, so I know it is true. I clearly saw the green flash at sunset at the beach.

Still, when I tell others, I can see their excitement – something in there wants to believe it is true. But I can also see their guarded truth. Some say, “I have never heard of that.” Others: “Oh yeah?” (Somewhat optimistic but skeptical at the same time.) Then there are those who embrace it and rush to the beach to see for themselves.

When Thomas hears Jesus is risen from the dead he is guarded, refusing even to toy with the idea – he would not be one of those heading to the beach at sunset. Thomas won’t embrace the possibility until the Jesus reaches out to him first - where he can touch him. That’s what it will take to dispel the myth. That’s what Jesus does:

• Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here and see my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don't be faithless any longer. Believe! . . .You believe because you have seen me.” (27,29)

Thomas embraces the unbelievable – the Jesus Risen Savior. Today the Lord of Life reaches beyond Thomas to the place where your heart and mine lack trust, faith, hope and says: "Blessed are those who haven't seen me and believe anyway." (29)

• You may never in this lifetime see the green flash. I only did on this one rare occasion because, though I had never seen, I was looking. I had indeed put some measure of hope, some weight of faith in the reports I had heard.

Whose witness do you need before you will put new hope in Jesus? Perhaps today, this Resurrection Sunday you might have just enough hope to open your eyes to the hand Jesus is extending toward you.

Jesus' disciples saw him do many other miraculous signs besides the ones recorded in this book. 31 But these are written so that you may believe* that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing in him you will have life. (30)

Exodus 4-6

Jesus once said, "My Father is working until now, and I Myself am working."
John 5:17 (NAS). From this we learn God is always at work. There is a flow, a current, of what God is doing, how God is moving and where God is guiding us.

• LOOK AT THE EDDY

Like rivers or airstreams which can develop eddies, people following God can get caught in pockets of divergent currents going against the main current. Often times we have followed God to a place of His provision and comfort, and after a while, that same safe place can become a whirling eddy in our life. We stay busy whirling with activity in a current that is off to the side. Life is constant and on the move. Yet somehow imperceptively, even unimaginably, we have limited our vision, our depth perception.