Quick life update before we dive into the current post. i took a vacation. A much needed visit to see two out of my three adult sons. As well, their amazing wives and my now three grandchildren, with a fourth on the way. It was an amazing week in a beautiful part of the world. The grandkids are growing like weeds. my boys continue to make me proud, as they have grown into great men, husbands, and fathers. They help each other out on projects as they live 15 minutes apart. While i was there my middle son helped by oldest put up a new stove pipe for a wood stove and my oldest son helped my middle son with some landscaping work, putting in a pad for a fifth wheel trailer with full hookups. The way they worked together, communicated, asked questions, gave advice, and sought outside input from others was so impressive and inspiring to me.

The earliest “Christians” as you may know were not call themselves Christians. Although, the term Christian means “little christ” it was used as a mocking term. An insult. Believers, were known in Judaism as the Sect of the Nazarene. “Followers of the Way”, was another name in which one would be known by within the early Church. It was a family. Sabbaths, began with a meal at sundown on Friday, known then as the “day of preparation.” These meals were in homes with like minded family, friends, and neighbors. They then would attend Synagogue on the Sabbath day, we call Saturday. This was the custom. It didn’t stop there as they were all excited for life in Messiah they met as often as they could.

We read in Acts 2 this description; “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. A sense of awe came over everyone, and the apostles performed many wonders and signs. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they shared with anyone who was in need. With one accord they continued to meet daily in the temple courts/ and to break bread from house to house, sharing their meals with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And Adonai added to their number daily those who were being saved.”

This eagerness to be apart and to learn and grow in Messiah was infectious. As we read, “And Adonai added to their number daily those who were being saved.” A desire to be like Messiah was the heart of those in Berea, as we read in Act 17 (which I have shared numerous times over the past few posts) “Now the Bereans were more noble-minded than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if these teachings were true.”

This is what i was reminded of this past week and a half. i watched my boys (now men), live out early Ekklesia life. Throughout history, culture, and community, there have been pockets that mirror this life. There is a glimmer of The Way. It sparks a desire within those partaking to commitment, one to one another, as a collective. While simultaneously sparking the interest of those on the outside looking in.

They say old habits die hard. It isn’t because there isn’t a desire for change, but routine is comfortable. Braking out of routine was the problem the Pharisee’s and the Religious leaders had. Their way of life was being challenged, their understanding was being challenged, their traditions were being challenged. When Yahoshua (Jesus) was talking about why His disciples didn’t fast He says this in particular to make His point: “Besides that, after drinking old wine, people don’t want new: because they say, ‘The old is better.'”

This is true with many things in life. Recently, the company that I work for as means to pay bills has been updating their computer system. With every update it will be heard, “I liked it better the old way!” I have probably said it a time or two. Yet, the more I use the new system the less I feel that way. The Pharisee’s had been doing things one way their whole lives, and in so doing adding more and more man made traditions. It is the same with the Church today, they have been doing things one way their entire lives, and following the traditions of man in the process.

my desire has always been to strip away the pomp and circumstance for simplicity. To look beyond the torn veil into the perfect instruction of God. To test what I have been taught and to seek Gods truth above all else. And to do it in community with other Followers of the Way, the sect of the Nazarene. To mirror the early Ekklesia, in fellowship and in attractiveness. So that those who see from the outside, see a group of people, loving God with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength. And likewise, loving their neighbor as themselves. Seeking to live lives pleasing to the Father by imitating the Son.

What is your desire? How do you want to be seen? And who do you want others to see in you?
For me– simplicity, just, loving, humble, a reflection of my Messiah.

You are loved,
cj