The Italian Memorandum

“You shall tell your son on that day, ‘It is because of what the Lord did for me when I came out of Egypt'”

(Exodus 13:8)

The commandment (mitzvah) to make sure to tell your people’s narrative (Haggadah, recital) to their children is expressed in Exodus 13:8.  The specific expression in Hebrew is vehigadeta labincha, translated “…tell your son…” Reflecting on this command, one can readily assess its importance in communication and transmission of the facts to the formation of faith for each generation. This telling, as commanded by the LORD, is prompted by repeatable questions, which each generation is encouraged to make (see Exodus 12:26,27).  What do you mean is the right attitude toward divine religion.  It is cognitive, factual, and understandable.  The obligation of  arents to transmit the gospel message, today, is a priority with a powerful design.  Of course, the Christian’s Red Sea-Exodus experience is from the  bondage of sin, not Egypt (Rom. 6:15-23).

The New Testament, too, carries on this same communication-transmission of facts, which leads to faith formation.  Several New Testament passages which convey vehigadeta  labincha (the telling) include, Ephesians 6:4 and 2 Tim. 3:14,15.   “O will you not tell it today?  Will you not tell it today?  If the light of his presence has brightened your way, O will you not tell it today? (Jesse Brown Pounds, 1887).  Let the pillar stand.  When we sing it-we tell it; when we pray it-we tell it;  when we read it-we tell it; and, when we preach it we tell it. Will you not tell it today?

-Robert M. Housby

“And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them saying, Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.  I tell you I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom”

(Matt. 26:27-29)

The early Christians met upon the first day of the week to partake of communion, as instituted by Jesus himself in Matthew 26:26-29 (see also Acts 20:7; 1 Cor. 11:17ff.).  Have you ever wondered why “the fruit of the vine” was chosen to represent the blood of Jesus?    Consider that-

1.      The Passover Feast (Ex.12:43-51; Deut. 16:1-8) centered around the blood of a lamb.  Christ is the Christian’s Passover Lamb (1  Cor. 6:11).  His blood is redemptive (Eph. 1:7).

2.      Grapes had to be pressed to make a drinkable beverage [Gr., oinos]       (fresh or fermented). Jesus could “tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God” (Rev. 19:15) because he, himself, was pressed upon the cross (2 Cor. 5:21; Isa. 53:2,4,7,10,12).

3.      Genesis 49:11 contains an unmistakable connection between blood and grapes. It is an ancient correlation with contemporary Christian relevance.

Before there were government grants to study grapes, there was a plan to grant pardon by the fruit of the vine which flows from Immanuel’s veins.

-Robert M. Housby

“Behold now is the favorable time; behold now is the day of salvation”

(2 Cor. 6:2)

The gospel was meant to be accepted (2 Cor. 11:4).  The gospel must be accepted because it was meant to be accepted; meant by the Lord to be received by men (Acts 11:1; 1 Thess. 2:13).  The appeal of the gospel always has urgency and expectancy within its message (2 Cor. 6:2).

1. Accepting the gospel is an individual affair.  Notice the emphasis upon “each one” in 2 Corinthians 5:10, and throughout the New Testament.  Individual responsibility is clearly meant.

2.Accepting the gospel entails ownership. Ownership also infers responsibility-a right of possession.  2 Peter 1:1,3,4,8,12, etc.  indicate ownership by verbs such as-“have obtained,” “granted to us,” and “you have.”

3. Accepting the gospel means accepting the consequences of following Christ (1 Pet. 4:12-19).

My son has a personal web site which displays the Sphinx of Egypt; the Eiffel Tower of Paris; and the Tower of Pisa.  All of these are places which he has visited in person.  They are not mere hopes nor dreams; but for him they are realities, facts, moments of his life.  Is the gospel such a reality for you?   Have you owned it yet?

Robert M. Housby

“What then did you go out to see?

(see Luke 7:24,25,26)

When John the Baptist came on the scene, he preached a message of repentance to the people of God (Lk. 3).  Then, after he was departed from this world by order of Herod’s execution, Jesus raised the question to the crowds-“What did you go out to see?” [re: John] (Lk. 7:24-26).  The options are provocative:

1.      “A reed shaken by the wind” – a  sensitive tender individual?

2.     “A man dressed in soft clothing” – a wealthy individual?

3.    “A prophet” – a man of God?

There was considerable disillusionment about John.  Expectations often differ from reality.  John had quite a following; but among those who were considered most educated and most religious-John was rejected; they were not about to subscribe to his message of repentance. In fact, the biblical text says that the elite “rejected the purpose of God,” by their rejection of John and his message (Lk. 7:36).

Disillusion comes in many forms, but when it means the rejection of the purposes of God, it is a severe form of disillusionment.  Be careful, then, that your own disillusionment is not a reflection of lack of repentance toward the ways of the Lord.  “Blessed is the one,” Jesus said, “who is not offended by me” (Lk. 7:23).

-Robert M. Housby

“And so we came to Rome”

(Acts 28:14)

The Appian Way (Via Appia in Latin and Italian), is the route which Paul’s captors used when he was brought to Rome.  It is the most important ancient Roman road.  It is designated after Appius Claudius.

The main part of the road was begun and finished in 312 B.C.  Tight and interlocking stones provided a flat surface.  Some of the stones were said  to fit so well that a knife could not slide between the stones.  The via Appia is the first Roman road believed to have featured the use of lime cement.

The Germans in WWII counterattacked the Allies down the via Appia from the Alban Hills.  And, perhaps the most pitiful scene is that of the crucifixion of Sparticus and his 6000 along the Via Appia.  But, for Paul, the crucifixion of Jesus of Nazareth and the gospel message of the kingdom of God was the reason for his famed walk down the via Appia.

Acts 28:24 records two responses to Paul’s arrival and message-“some were convinced…but others disbelieved” .  These two responses are as relevant today as when Paul came to Rome on the via Appia.  These responses serve to remind us that Challenge & Response is the nature of the call of the gospel;  Some will, but most will not (Matt. 7:21-23).  What is your response to the gospel?

-Robert M. Housby

(In Review of “The Last Templar” Mentality)

“For I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel that was preached by me is not man’s gospel”

(Galatians 1:11)

The Last Templar appeared on national television January 25, 26, 2009.  This program is indicative of the kind of non-critical approach to Christianity that is so often aired in the 21^st century marketplace.   Much of this sentiment is liberal, anti-Christian, and/or so off the wall that it is incredible.  However, we say this having a background in both classical and historical Christian evidences; not all have taken this trek.  We are reminded therefore of the tremendous importance of source.

1.   Galatians 1:11 claims divine origin. The Last Templar intimates with delight-human origination. The idea is further complicated with the notion that God needs help to sustain the scheme of  a noble but far fetched story by a Nazarene called Yeshua.

2.   We are reminded of critics who attempt to expose the book of Job. The matter becomes absurd when they quote from the very sources whom Job says do not speak for God (16:2; 42:7)!  This is  the kind of non-sense that is being lauded as astute today.

3.    See Psalm 18:26 regarding how astutely God outwits the crooked.

Source remains critical (Gal. 1:11-12).

-Robert M. Housby

“Happy are those whose strength is in you”

(Psalm 84:5, NRSV)

The concept of “strength” is not only vital in the natural sense; it is vital in the spiritual sense to God’s people. The English Bible often translates “God” from the Hebrew word, “Elohim”. This word carries the idea of strength. It is also a plural (with the “im” ending). This use of the term Elohim is known as a “plural of majesty”, or “honorific plural”. It certainly is not strange why the Psalmist endorses God as the source of strength and blessing of his people (Psalm 84:5).

Psalm 84 expresses four key concepts about such strength:

1. Such strength shows itself in joyful confidence (84: 1-4).

2. Such strength is meant for life’s spiritual journey (84: 5-7).

3. Such strength is connected to prayer (84: 8-9).

4. Such strength is based on trust in God (84: 10-12).

Have you located the source of your strength today (Ephesians 3: 14-21)?

– Robert M. Housby

“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your  reward.  You are serving the Lord Christ”

(Col. 3:23,24)

The story was recently told over the radio about an American soldier returned from Iraq who suffered the loss of both legs.   As devastating as this must have been for him, and doubtless will continue to be, his attitude seems exemplary.  He is reported to be fond of wearing a shirt when he goes out in public with a printed message.  It reads on the front-Used Marine, Cheap.  On the back of his shirt it reads-40% OFF / SOME ASSEMBLY REQUIRED.

Like the American soldier above, we also want to find our own niche after loss and disappointment; to continue to get up and try again-under less than ideal circumstances. How well Paul knew this (2 Corinthians 11:21-33).

1. Being useful was a priority with Paul (Philemon 11b).

2. Even being useless is notable to Paul (Philemon 11a)

3. The motivation for usefulness is the Master (Col. 3:22-4:1).

4. Being useful is to produce good works (Eph. 2:10).

5. And, Paul kept in mind the need for constant encouragement to remain useful (1 Cor. 15:58).

The Lord will not forget your usefulness.

-Robert M. Housby

“When I was a child I spoke like a child, I thought like a child,

I reasoned like a child. When I became a man I gave up childish ways”

(1 Corinthians 13:11)

Back in the days, the cousins and I would run across the open field to Foley’s little grocery store. Pyapp, my grandfather, who himself lived just across the street from this store, would see to it that we all had 15 cents. Once inside the store, we could smell everything from fresh fruit, to garlic Polish sausage. Immediately, we were confronted with decisions. A comic book-15 cents. A small brown paper bag full of assorted candies-penny-a-piece. And, then there was the classic box of Cracker Jack-15 cents. The prize inside was often the cause of not a little delight. Of course, one usually got a plastic monkey, or the like. But, on one very special day we received the prize of a small magnifying glass. Wow! Every time, thereafter, when we broke open a box of Cracker Jack we did so with the hope of another magic glass. But, this avid hope was often dashed against the rocks of another plastic monkey.

The Bible is full of stories of people holding on to their plastic monkeys. Always holding out for a Cracker Jack dream; though all too often winding up with another plastic monkey. Look around, consider those near to you. Now, they’ll never admit it-but their hearts are frequently consumed with plastic monkeys (Mark 10:22; James 1:23-24).

“Seek the things that are above” (Colossians 3:1).

-Robert M. Housby

“For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have

come into the world”

(John 19:37)

“I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work

that you gave me to do”

(John 17:4)

We often refer to the life of Christ as a life of a designated destiny (Jn. 17:4; 18:37). But, we sometimes forget that as followers of the Christ we, ourselves, are to have that same sense of royal destiny. Consider this divine destiny for every believer as taken from the Gospel of John:

A. The Christian has not only been born, but has been born again (Jn. 3:1-8).

B. Once Jesus said, “kingdom,” and he did (Jn. 18:36), the entire royal Davidic program became current and electric (cf. Jn. 12:13).

C. This program of designated destiny was meant to include his followers (Jn.18:36,37; “everyone”).

D. Now, we have our own work to do (cf. Jn. 9:4; 12:26; Eph. 2:10).

-Robert M. Housby