No Junk Mail, Please
If you've done much door-to-door work, you've likely seen a variety of signs: "No Flyers," "No Unsolicited Mail," "No Printed Material," etc.. With all the extras that find their way into our mailboxes, I can understand folks aversion to more. If I happen upon a sign such as those listed above, I respect the wishes of the homeowner and do not leave material behind. However, I'm always delighted to see the signs which read, "No Junk Mail," and always leave a flyer or invitation.
JUNK |
If the offer were a free pizza, gasoline or vacation, I doubt we'd hear any complaint. Such things appeal to the flesh; are tangible and valuable to the earthly mind. But an offer to study the Bible - what value is there in that?
Jesus taught His disciples about the value of the kingdom of God in a pair of kingdom parables. He said:
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has a buys that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he has found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it. (Matthew 13:44-46)
There are all sorts of treasure seekers in the world. Some comb beaches with metal detectors, hoping to find washed up valuables. Others dive in search of lost treasures tombed in long forgotten vessels. The "gold rush" captured the imagination of many throughout the 1800s and early 1900s. There is an endless list of treasures in the world: a lakeside property, a dream car, a pair of tickets to a once in a lifetime event, the heart of a highschool sweetheart...
“...an invitation to study God's word is not junk.”
The universal appeal of great treasure, whatever it be, is an exceptional way to describe the kingdom of God! The one who comprehends the true value of the kingdom of heaven is willing to give up all else in order to receive it (Matthew 10:37-39; Philippians 3:7-11). The treasures once yearned for fade in significance; our focus beign turned to the "...prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:14). The apostle refers to the former things as "rubbish" (NKJV) or "refuse" (ASV) in contrast to "...the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus..." (Philippians 3:8).
However, until one is willing to consider the word of God, the treasure remains veiled, it's value hidden. Jesus spoke a parable about a sower who indiscriminately scattered seed on various types of soil (Matthew 13:3-9). The seed which fell on the wayside (path, road) could not germinate. In explaining the parable, Jesus said of this soil,
When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside. (Matthew 13:3-9).
This will be exhibited in a variety of ways, from a friendly, "I'm not interested" to harsh and explicit words, perhaps even violence. Don't allow the potential results deter you from sowing the seed. You cannot know whether the soil is good or not until the seed has touched it.
Finally, there is hope. Though one has rejected the gospel today, so long as there is breath, there is life, and the opportunity to obey the Lord. The soil can change. Through the circumstances of life, what once was a piece of "junk mail" may be perceived in the future as a treasure map, leading a lost soul to the truth of God's word.
Do not be discouraged my friends - share the word with friends, family, co-workers, neighbours, and strangers alike. A simple card or flyer of invitation may result in a soul turning from sin to salvation. Sow the seed!
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Answering The Atheist
Complaint:
The Bible says that the Messiah would be of the tribe of Judah and a descendant of David. According to Christians, Jesus was born a virgin. However, tribal affiliation is conferred through the birth father only (Numbers 34:14; Numbers 1:18-44; Leviticus 24:10). The mother's tribal affiliation was considered irrelevant to what her children's tribal affiliation was and tribal affiliation / genealogy could not be inherited through a stepfather; only property could be inherited. Because Christians believe that Jesus had no human father, he would have had no tribal affiliation and would be eliminated from messianic consideration.
Response:
The questioner's case against Jesus' qualification as the Messiah is a manufactured set of rules which are found nowhere in the Bible. The questioner tells us that "tribal affiliation" (genealogy) is exclusively from the father (ie. cannot be derived from a step-father). No Bible text gives such a restriction, nor is there an example to demonstrate this to be true. Of course, cases of "adoption" in the Bible are rare, and those which come to mind (Samuel, Esther) occurred within the same tribe.
The questioner's own reasoning presents a conundrum. We are told that an adopted child cannot inherit the step-father's genealogy, but does inherit property. Friend, the inheritance of land was the primary cause for such detailed attention to genealogy (Numbers 26:55; 33:54; 34:14). In fact, the law of Moses had a provision whereby if a man died childless, his brother should take his wife and bear a child for him, to perpetuate his name in the land (Deuteronomy 25:5-6). If an adopted child does not enter his step-father's genealogy, neither does he receive any property from him.
We've noted 34:14 above. What about the other verses referenced by the questioner? Numbers 1:18-44 is the numbering of the tribes of Israel after they had come out of Egypt. It does nothing to prove the affirmation above, it simply reveals the process and results of a census taken among the people of Israel.
In Leviticus 24:10-11, we read of an Israelite woman's son who had blasphemed the LORD. He is not referred to as an Israelite, as his father was an Egyptian. This may show, as the questioner states, that "the mother's tribal affiliation was considered irrelevant." However, we shall see that it has no bearing on Jesus' claim as the Messiah.
The questioner rightly stated that Jesus did not have a human birth father, for He was born of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23). This makes Him different from every other person to have dwelt upon the earth. Though He had no biological father, the Bible tells us about His Father - God. Notice in Luke's gospel:
The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. (Luke 1:35)
His virgin birth does not disqualify Him; it establishes that He indeed is the Messiah. The man in LEVITICUS 24 may have been excluded from Israel, being the son of an Egyptian; but such an exclusion cannot apply to Jesus. His Father owns the nation Israel! His Father establish the plan to send the Messiah, and His Father sent Him as the Messiah. Yes, He was born of a woman from Judah (Luke 3:23-33). We know that His step-father was of the tribe of Judah (Matthew 1:3-16). Are these important? Perhaps, but His association with the Father in heaven is the reason why He is the Messiah.
Whether His relationship to Joseph would qualify Him to receive an inheritance of land is neither here nor there. The fact that He is the Son of God, sent in the house of Judah qualifies Him to be the Messiah.
There is no contradiction.
This article is in response to a reader submission.