MyEDGEMag Summer 2016

MY EDGE MAG

SUmmer 2016

God With Us The Incarnation

Postcards From Israel Being There Missing The Point

BEING

THERE

About MYEDGEMAG is published quarterly by the Youth Ministries Department of the Seventh-day Adventist Church (AUC) Limited. While all content is subject to copyright, permission is nevertheless granted by the publishers for content to be copied and reproduced by churches, schools and individuals for the express purpose of sharing the good news of Jesus Christ.

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The cover photo was taken by Israel Best and modelled by Ryan Starrett and Ben Shaw.

by Tony Knight

I

T WAS THE FIRST CLASS OF THE FIRST DAY OF class at university. After several years in Youth Ministry, it had become apparent that I needed to learn some real “helping” skills if I was going to make any kind of a difference in the lives of the young people I was mixing with. So I signed up to do a post-graduate degree in counselling and found myself sitting among a disparate group of keen-eyed newbies in Counselling Skills 101.

The lecturer started by asking us to define the word “attending.” We looked at each other in bewilderment. The bewilderment stretched out into silence. Finally one brave soul spoke “Not a clue, ...!”

With a not-so-patient sigh, the lecturer proceeded to share her own definition. “Attending,” we were told, “is the behavioural aspect of building rapport.

When a counsellor first meets with a client, they must indicate to the client that they are interested in listening to them and helping them. Through attending, the counsellor is able to encourage the client to talk and open up about their issues.” We were then told that without even using words, it was possible for one person to communicate empathy, acceptance, care and concern to another, and that if we used certain micro-skills (such as facing the person squarely, adopting an open posture, leaning slightly toward the person, maintaining good eye contact and appearing relaxed) the effect would be even greater.

More silence . . .

Another brave soul spoke. “When I attend a footy match I just go there. Is it anything like that?”

Finally a smile from the lecturer. “Yes . . . yes . . . YES! That’s it exactly! When you ‘attend to’ another person you just go there and be with them. Attending is ‘being there’ in every sense of the word—physically, emotionally, empathically, but there’s a catch . . .

It has to be genuine. Congruence is a huge factor. If you couldn’t care less about the

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person, they will pick up on it and your efforts will be wasted.”

. . .There is nothing like actually being together.

We Know it.

God knew it too . . .

The lights finally came on. I began to grasp the meaning of a deep and significant truth.

Sometimes the best way to help someone is just to be with them—emotionally, empathically and above all physically.

“Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us’” (Matthew 1:23, NLT).

“For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost” (Luke 19:10, NLT).

“Therefore, it was necessary for him to be made in every respect like us, his brothers and sisters, so that he could be our merciful and faithful High Priest before God. Then he could offer a sacrifice that would take away the sins of the people” (Hebrews 2:17, NLT).

Phone calls are great, Skype is fine for those long-distance relationships, but there’s nothing like actually being together. We know it. God knew it too—so He sent us His Son. The concern was real. The love was genuine. So what happens next? How does the “client” respond?

Great question.

Have a think about it and tell Jesus everything. He’s with you right now and He’s listening.

Tony Kn ight Victoria lives in Melbo , and urne Centre M is the Resource , anage Australia n Union r at the Confere nce.

IN•car•na•tion In-kahr-ney-shuh n (noun)

Missing the

P OINT

3. The assumption of human form or nature.

by Amy Pitt

What a way to miss the point! To encounter such a treasure and destroy it.

It brings to mind Jesus, whose life was taken by those who accomplished their own plans and agendas by plotting His murder.

He was blamed for everything WE had done.

He received everything HE didn’t deserve.

how great it is to find a treasure long sought for.

One morning, the unmistakable call sounded again. This time it was maddeningly close. A shadow, a rustle, a flap of wings, and suddenly the team came upon the bird caught in one of their nets. They eagerly descended upon the creature, photographing it from all angles.

The good news is that Jesus is still Emmanuel, God with us, an active, dynamic and real presence in our lives. The tragedy is that Jesus is still ignored, mocked and sacrificed to our own sinful natures as He was on the cross. Things have not changed.

c sta ak t mu The hoto P

Because it takes an understanding of the reality of His presence to encounter Jesus—an understanding that He is with us, closer than the air we breathe.

How great it is to find a treasure long sought for. What a shame then, to bury it again and walk away.

Vs INCARNATION

in g fish er, S m ept 2015. ww w.am nh.org

However, while hiking in dense jungle on the island of Guadalcanal, they heard the distinctive “ko-ko-ko-kiew” call of a large kingfisher.

They looked at each other.

Was it too good to be true?

Then, in a move that has divided the research community, they killed it. All in the name of science.

f ro

HE MALE MUSTACHED KINGFISHER has only been seen once. In September, Chris Filardi, of the American Museum of Natural History’s Center for Biodiversity and Conservation, lead a team of experts to study biodiversity in the Solomon Islands. Never did they dare to expect an encounter with the rare and beautiful bird, which is thought to exist in numbers of only 250 to 1000.

4. The Incarnation, Theology. the doctrine that the second person of the Trinity assumed human form in the person of Jesus Christ and is completely both God and man.

he dk

T

Filardi had been searching for the kingfisher for more than 20 years, and described the possibility of an encounter like a “myth come to life.”

Over the following days, the expedition party homed in on the elusive creature.

2. A living being embodying a deity or spirit.

en

a Bachelor studying Amy Pitt is Melbourne, and of Arts in od story. loves a go

1. An incarnate being or form.

REINCARNATION

The religious or philosophical concept that the soul or spirit, after biological death, can begin a new life in a new body. The belief is a core tenet of Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism and Sikhism, along with many tribal societies around the world in such places as Siberia, West Africa, North America and Australia. Reincarnation is also core in Spiritism, Theosophy and among proponents of new-age religious movements. The majority of Christian, Jewish and Islamic followers reject the concept of re-incarnation.

A Christian teaching describing the mystery of God being born in “And just the form of a human as each person being (compare is destined to die Philippians 2:6-8). once and after that The incarnation is comes judgment, so crucial to the understanding of salvation in also Christ died once for that only God could live a perfect life in all time as a sacrifice to human flesh and so fulfil the demands of take away the sins of many the law, providing a perfect substitute for people.” Hebrews 9:27 (NLT) sinful humanity.

In old folklore, it was believed that birth marks showed where you were killed in your last life!

(culture watch) #THESTREAM | 03

A Baby Was

Born

by Peter Roennfeldt

R

ECENTLY, MY WIFE AND I STAYED with friends in Lyon, France. It was a crowded house as the adult children also came to visit. We enjoyed late northern summer evenings around a long outdoor table with simple meals. Attention was often focused on the little ones—a baby gurgling and falling asleep in his aunt’s arms, his older brother shyly watching.

Imagine the home in Bethlehem, a cluster of perhaps 50 to 60 homes in the rugged Judean hills only eight kilometres south of Jerusalem, in full view of the Herodium, a cone-shaped hill-top fortress-palace, soon to be the burial site of Herod the Great. Their home was crowded too.

Tradition suggests some of Jesus’ brothers and sisters might have been older children of Joseph from a former marriage. Had they also travelled to Bethlehem—the “place of meat or bread”—a place tist for farming n e v Ad ps t, an u wheat, barley nfeld ding gro d by n e o a e le ir rR Pete r, loves be insp making and sheep? to to le as el p ra cip gh Is r dis ing. throu model fo ent build ree ’ h m s e u v s o ael t ar!

Je r m Is d in ye an this been He’s s already time

The extended family would gather for

evening meals, the men in from the fields and the animals gathered in the cave adjacent to the main living area. Mary and Joseph had come to Bethlehem to register for a census, and “while they were there, the time came for the baby to be born” (Luke 2:6). In the Gospels, there is no suggestion of a breathless arrival in the village, with baby Jesus born that night!

It would have been unthinkable for Mary to be left without care, to give birth alone or with a man (Joseph) present. It is true: Bethlehem was crowded, but no Middle Eastern family would neglect a pregnant wife—and there is no suggestion they did. Just the opposite! The family’s guest room—called an “inn” but not the same as a commercial inn—was occupied.1 But that doesn’t mean they were left out in a stable.

Imagine the excitement. Women cleared the family living area where the cooking and baking was done, where the family slept each night. This space was adjacent to a lower area (maybe a cave, from which the home extended)2 where animals rested during the night, with their feeding troughs or “mangers” in the floor of the living space, their presence providing warmth for the family during the winter months. The men would have been banished, the baby was born, wrapped and placed in the perfect crib, “a manger” in the heart of the home.

It is one of the greatest mysteries of Christian faith, the belief that Jesus did not stop being God but became truly human: both human and God at the same time!

Months passed but there were already memories. The shepherds received the good news. Understanding the value of life, they found the Baby as they had been told and “spread the word”—“glorifying and praising God” (Luke 2:20). Jesus was born in poverty, welcomed by the roughest and poorest.3 You can imagine the talk of the women. As was usual, Jesus was circumcised when eight days old and that had healed well.

And I can imagine Joseph was more relaxed now! He had not been impressed when he learnt of Mary’s pregnancy. They were not married and there had been no sex.

He was sceptical that her pregnancy was a miracle—and justifiably upset. God—or Mary—had some explaining to do! And his explanation: God had become a foetus and would be born a baby. Now this baby Jesus was settled and feeding at Mary’s breast!

This is called the incarnation of God, a Latin expression meaning “God in the flesh”! It is one of the great mysteries of Christian faith, the belief that Jesus did not stop being God but became truly human: both human and God at the same time!4

What did it mean for Jesus?

And what does it mean for us?

helped gather olives and grapes. He got work as a builder, maybe in the nearby city of Sepphoris. Village life was tough.

He got tired, hungry and dirty. But, through suffering, He learnt to obey!7

WHAT DOES JESUS’ HUMANITY MEAN FOR US? Explaining the “reason” for Jesus sharing humanity, the author of Hebrews writes: Jesus had to be like us in “every way”—to experience death, to destroy the power and work of the devil, to be “a merciful and faithful high priest”, to “make atonement” for our sins, to save us and set us free!8 The news footage of Aussie Mick Fanning being attacked by a shark at the J-Bay Open Surfing Competition in South Africa in July this year was chilling. Fanning signalled danger to fellow competitor and mate Julian Wilson before punching the shark. But, instead of swimming for shore, Wilson headed toward Fanning. For both in the water, their first reactions were heroic—each trying to save the other!

But why did God think He needed to do this? Why become a foetus, a baby, a boy, grow through puberty, as a teenager learn and pursue a builder’s trade? What did it mean for Jesus? And what does it mean for us?

WHY DID GOD BECOME A BABY? If you Google “why Jesus became human”, you will discover a whole bunch of ideas.

Instead, I searched the New Testament and found two reasons:

ONE:

Jesus wanted to show what God is like, and

became truly like TWO: He us to save us!

God has been portrayed as fearful: domineering, dictatorial, angry, vengeful, judgmental and even selfish. Sometimes gods were depicted as immoral, spiteful— worse than human!

But Jesus came to display what God is actually like. He said, “This is the very reason I came”—to glorify my Father (John 12:27). During His trial, He said to Pontius Pilate: “For this reason I was born and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth”—to show what God is really like, so we are no longer in the dark (John 18:37).5 If you want to know what God is like, read the stories of Jesus in the Gospels. He’s God!

WHAT DID IT MEAN FOR JESUS? While Jesus was called “the holy one” (Luke 1:35), without even an inner bent toward evil, He was born into an ordinary unholy Jewish family.6 The village kids might have asked about His dad. If He had any recollection or growing awareness of what life was like before, it must have been weird. What did He experience for the first time? He would have cared for sheep and donkeys,

By His incarnation, Jesus chose to jump in with us—knowing it would cost His life!

It was a choice He made. He “came into the world to save” us, giving his life so we can have abundant life.9 And it began in that crowded village home in Bethlehem, a simple setting for a world-changing story worth remembering and celebrating.

The inn (katalyma) was a room for guests (Luke 2:7), while the Samaritan’s inn (pandocheion) was a rooming house (Luke 10:34).

2 Peter Walker, In the Steps of Jesus, Oxford, Lion Hudson, 2006, page 22.

3 Kenneth E Bailey, Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes: Cultural Studies in the Gospels, SPCK, 2008, pages 25–37.

4 In Jesus, God became human (see John 1:14). He was still God (see John 1:1, 14) but also truly human (see Hebrews 2:17).

5 Compare John 6:38 and 12:46.

6 He did no sin, knew no sin, and in him was no sin.

But he became “the same family” as those who are unholy (see Hebrews 2:11).

7 Hebrews 2:10.

8 Hebrews 2:9, 14-18, compare 1 John 3:8.

9 1 Timothy 1:15; Luke 19:10; Matthew 20:28; John 10:10.

1

(feature article) PLUGIN | 05

The incarnation: 100% God / 100% Man

by Joel Slade

Joel a m Slade is inis c Min try int urrent ly istry er Cen nship comple tre in at M tin New yHous g cas tle . e

1. God in the flesh

Read: John 1:1-3, 14 Have you ever held a newborn baby? For years, I was afraid of holding babies—I felt like their head was going to fall off when I held them. Their heads feel like they are just dangling there, barely attached. Some people find it cute but I find it disturbing. The image that you have in your mind right now of a newborn baby isn’t exactly the image that comes to mind when you think of God. But if we take the biblical account seriously, we come to the conclusion that at one point the Creator of the universe couldn’t even hold up His own head—and that God becoming a baby affects us personally.

2. God Understands me

Read: Hebrews 2:14-15, 18, 4:15 Recently, Australia’s (former) treasurer Joe Hockey gave his infamous advice on how easy it is for people to buy their first home. Mr Hockey said, “The starting point for a first-home buyer is to get a good job that pays good money.” This directly contrasts with the story of Jesus that we find in the Bible. Jesus didn’t come to the earth like Thor with a perfectly ripped body and a sweet hammer.

He came as a baby! Meaning that He had to learn to walk and talk just like you and me. Even more so, He had to learn to depend on His Father for everything. Unlike Joe Hockey and Thor, Jesus actually understands the struggles we are going through. He understands what it feels like to want to fit in or take the easy road. He understands what it is like to be mocked and ridiculed. In Jesus, God can relate to the challenges that you and I face on a daily basis.

3. God Loves me Read: Philippians 2:5-8 The Greek word translated “made” in the phrase “made Himself of no reputation” is Kenosis.

It highlights the fact that Jesus didn’t trade His divinity for humanity. Instead, through Kenosis, He chose not to use His divinity. If that isn’t self-control, I don’t know what is! Jesus was willing to put Himself aside, literally choosing not to use His divinity, in order to come and be a human being. Some assume that the only sacrifice Jesus made was on the cross, but His entire life was a sacrifice. This is one of the things that I love about the Gospel because God never expects anything of us that He doesn’t do Himself. He doesn’t ask us to give up everything we have in order to follow Him without first giving up everything He has in order to save us.

4. God gave everything for me

Read: Romans 8:32 When we look at the life of Jesus, we see that God put everything on the line. This makes me feel really stupid sometimes when I pray. An example of this is when I ask God to give me a good day.

Then I think to myself, Hang on, God died so that I could have a good eternity! This doesn’t mean we shouldn’t pray these prayers, but it does mean we should think about how much God gave so that we could have eternity. It’s crazy to think that thousands of years ago when Adam and Eve sinned, God’s plan to rectify the situation was to become a baby and ultimately die in the place of the human race. But understanding this can make a profound difference in the way we relate to God. God isn’t some divine being that no-one knows. God is a man and His name is Jesus Christ and we can read about the way He went through life in the Bible.

Challenge:

Read the Bible not as a storybook but with the knowledge that God became a human—first a baby, then eventually a man—and dwelt among us. As you read, use your creative license to imagine the setting, the sights, sounds and the smells. Not all of us have the means to travel to Israel and see the sights, however allowing your imagination to recreate the setting can have the same outcome. Recently I did get to go to Israel and I was overwhelmed with how normal everything seemed. There was nothing special about the town of Bethlehem, either today or 2000 years ago, but that’s the point. Jesus came and lived in the same conditions as everyone else, but Jesus’ life here on this earth continues to have an impact for eternity.

Don’t allow Jesus to be reduced to words on a page. Read with the intent to recreate the story in your mind. And then respond, not to the words on the page, but to the God who became flesh and dwells among us.

06 | RECHARGE (Bible study)

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SYNC: Incarnation

by Nathan Brown

MEANING HUNTER How would you explain to a friend, who doesn’t have any knowledge of the Bible, why Jesus—the Son of God—became human and why this was necessary?

What could “incarnational ministry” look like in your community?

Sea of Galilee.

Photo taken by Nathan Brown.

CONVERSATION SPARKS Ask your family and friends for their responses to these questions, and share and compare them with your answers.

Which Bible character do you most identify with in their attempts to understand who Jesus was?

Is it harder for you to understand Jesus as fully God or fully human? Or is the concept of combining the two most difficult?

After reading “A Baby Was Born!” (on page 4), what does it mean to you that many of our assumptions about “the Christmas story”—which is unlikely to have happened in December—are probably not historically accurate?

What does it mean to you that Nazareth—the town in which Jesus grew up—now has a KFC and a McDonalds?

Why do you think Jesus remains interesting—even intriguing—to many people who might not consider themselves Christians?

Quotable “Many feel that it would be a great privilege to visit the scenes of Christ’s life on earth, to walk where He trod, to look upon the lake beside which He loved to teach, and the hills and valleys on which His eyes so often rested.

But we need not go to Nazareth, to Capernaum, or to Bethany in order to walk in the steps of Jesus.

We shall find His footprints beside the sickbed, in the hovels of poverty, in the crowded alleys of the great city, and in every place where there are human hearts in need of consolation. In doing as Jesus did when on earth, we shall walk in His steps” —Ellen White, The Desire of Ages, page 640.

Looking down at Old Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives.

The key to understanding Jesus is the history—that these things happened in real times and real places.

What is your favourite story about Jesus? Is this different to what you would have said your favourite story was when you were younger? What questions bother you about the story of Jesus? What is one way in which you would like to grow to be more like Jesus? What does it mean to you to be a “follower” of Jesus?

In your life and faith experiences, when has Jesus seemed most real to you? What story in the gospels do you most appreciate as a picture of Jesus you can relate to? What questions bother you about the story of Jesus? What changes have you seen the decision to follow Jesus make in your own life or in someone else’s life?

PARENT

vs

The key to understanding Jesus is the stories—and the spiritual and moral lessons they contain.

young person

Duelling Ideas

FAMILY Dynamics

(discussion q&a) SYNC | 07

Jesus left Heaven to Come To Earth to ‘seek and save the lost.’ (Luke 19:10) Jesus didn’t build ministry around the temple— He went to the people.

Jesus was a

friend

of sinners.

(Matt 11:19)

Jesus loved people enough to go to them.

WW-U-D? W

WJD? WE ALL KNOW THIS ACRONYM. We’ve probably seen it on wristbands, Ttshirts, even the odd hat.

It seems that sometimes when we see things a lot, they tend to lose their impact.

It becomes another saying or catch phrase but with no real purpose or meaning. And yet, it is at the very heart of what we, as Christ followers, are trying to achieve.

There’s another phrase that many of you may be familiar with and some, like me, will pretend they do when it’s brought up in conversation, then secretly google it on their phone. The phrase is “incarnational ministry.” For those of you who are as clueless with theological terms as I am, it really is about living the WWJD life.

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08 | BUMP (discipleship)

We think we’ve got it right when we go to church each week, pay our tithe and

by Julie Catton

live a good Christian life. But Jesus did so much more for us and expects so much more from us. He didn’t build His ministry around the temple but among the people.

In fact, half the time Jesus was in the temple it did not go well (at least for the priests, anyway). His ministry was about intentionally going to where the need was; meeting people where they were at.

He was not afraid to get alongside the rejected, hurting and outcast of the world.

But how do we, in the busy life that we lead, find the time to do that?

There’s the ad on TV at the moment targeting zero road deaths. During a short interview, a man is asked how many road deaths would be acceptable during a year.

He decides 70—and then his family come around the corner visually showing what 70 looks like. It quickly gets very real and emotional, and he amends his number to “0”. That got me thinking—what is an acceptable number of people who should be hurting? How many people should be feeling unloved or rejected? What is an acceptable number of people not to reach out to? I can’t help but think if we truly have Jesus’ love inside us, we couldn’t help but be His hands

and feet. It won’t be “Oh . . . it’s just too hard to get started,” but “How could I ever stop?”

Sometimes, if we’re honest with ourselves, our lack of reaching out to other people stems from a small (or large) superiority complex. We have this idea that people who are homeless, destitute or in real trouble have somehow done this to themselves. We, however, are not in that situation because we have made good choices and have been appropriately blessed because of it.

Jesus came down to this Earth—from Heaven, no less—to reach all of us. Did you catch that? Jesus came from Heaven, where angels were worshipping and adoring Him. A perfect place beyond our wildest imaginations. And came to this sin-filled, hateful Earth. And to top that, He came to spend time with people considered to be the low-life scum of this world. He came to “seek and save the lost” (Luke 19:10). Any superiority complex we might have will quickly evaporate if we are going to follow in those footsteps.

The bottom line is this: people want to be loved, for real. That’s what Jesus came to offer us, and that’s what we can offer too.

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Give it time.

by Ellesha Knight

I

BUMPED INTO A FRIEND THE OTHER day and we had one of those “what’s happened in the last 10 years” conversations. She mentioned she was doing some work at a local charity centre twice a week, which I thought was pretty cool. Then something she said really shocked me. I asked the question of whether she finds it difficult volunteering twice a week along with working and raising a family. She responded with, “Oh no, I get paid for it. Nobody volunteers anymore, it’s a waste of time.”

This conversation was one of those moments that, for me, slightly changed how I see the world. As Christians, volunteering is a huge part of what we do. It’s almost a given that as a Christian you’ve done something for someone at some point in time, without receiving anything in return. We don’t tend to see volunteering as an inconvenience because we have experienced that strange gratification that comes from giving of ourselves to help others. So what about the people who haven’t experienced that feeling? Doing something for nothing might sound a little crazy, but is it really a waste of time?

People will quite often tell you that your parents are usually right. Well, mine are always right. Except for that one time they told my sister and I that the fish wouldn’t eat our baby toes, then left us for dead in the rock pool. Ever since then though, they’ve been pretty much on the money.

When I hit a wall during study or stress myself out at work, usually the advice they

The simple act of volunteering has been proven to add between 5-10 years to the average person’s lifespan.

give me is to have a break and come back later, which I can safely say works every time. Mental health plays a massive role in our wellbeing, and the power of the mind is something we widely underestimate.

When you come to a halt, it’s your brain’s way of telling you to step back, refocus and try again later.

Life is hard—nobody will tell you otherwise.

But it’s harder when we’re not in the right headspace. When we are healthy, happy and free from worry we are able to live life to the fullest. But when depression, anxiety and stressors hit, it can change everything. To give ourselves a fighting chance, we need to do all we can to create a healthy mindset and continue radiating positivity through the heavy times.

of volunteering has been proven to add five to 10 years to the average person’s lifespan. That’s fairly worth it for an hour or two right now!

A healthy mind is just as important as a healthy body, and there is no better way to boost both than doing something nice for someone else. Good works never go unnoticed by our Creator, and giving a little bit of your time now will be abundantly rewarded when the time comes. So if anyone ever suggests to you that volunteering is a waste of time, you could have an extra 10 years to ponder how misinformed they were.

A recent study conducted by the University of Exeter Medical School (United Kingdom) discovered that regular acts of service produced a 22 per cent reduction in the risk of death, and promoted almost double the health benefits of individuals who did not volunteer. This was put down to the chemical release of dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin and endorphins by the body when doing something rewarding. These happy hormones are the same hormones that are released through smiling, exercise and the consumption of chocolate (you’re welcome), and are basically the body’s way of saying thank you. But the most interesting part about this study, was that the health benefits of volunteering only seemed to apply to those volunteering for the sole purpose of helping others.

Those who were volunteering for their own personal gain were seen to have no significant health improvements. So if you volunteer to benefit yourself, you won’t—if you know what I mean.

In terms of statistics, Australia is close to the lead with 36 per cent of Aussies regularly giving back to others. We also come in at equal second on the life expectancy chart, which is a pretty high achievement considering we are compared with more than 200 other countries. In a nutshell, the simple act Photo taken by Tiffany Murchison, and modelled

by Bethany Hobson, on the Central Coast, NSW.

HEALTHY HEALTHY LIVING LIVING || 09 09

Postcards

...How the journey changed their understanding of the Bible and the reality of Jesus.

From Israel I

N JUNE THIS YEAR, A GROUP OF 42 Australians and Americans visited Jordan and Israel, particularly visiting the places from the life of Jesus. Among this group were a number of MyEDGEmag readers (see also pages 6 and 15 for other reflections on this trip), who shared some of the highlights of how the journey changed their understanding of the Bible and the reality of Jesus.

LESLEIGH |

Lesleigh Bower is a member of the North Perth church in Western Australia

Visiting Israel was a watershed experience for me. As a visual learner, the opportunity to see, smell and meander through biblical sites was a priceless opportunity that has forever changed the way that I read and understand the Bible. It was liberating to finally be able to picture biblical stories as real-life occurrences, rather than the familiar but child-like depictions in my mind’s eye. .

Garden Tomb

Before entering the tomb, our group enjoyed a simple but unforgettable worship service, during which we loudly sang hymns—as became our custom— and listened to Dr Bill Johnsson speak passionately about Jesus’ resurrection and His appearance to the women at the tomb. To finally enter the tomb and see its emptiness filled me with an unexpected sense of joy and relief. The wooden sign on the door simply read, “He is not here, for He is risen.” Like the women mentioned in Luke 24, I am now also an eyewitness to the resurrection of the Christ. I’m glad to report that it really is finished. The victory is ours in Jesus.

BEN |

r.

Lesleigh Bowe

10 | LIFE IN HD (interview)

Western W all, Old City of Jerusale m.

Ben Beaden is a member of the Landsborough church on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast.

On our first full day after arriving in Jordan—a total contrast to the lush Sunshine Coast hinterland—we stopped at Mt Nebo. The reality of where we were in the world started to hit as we looked out over the plains around—like Moses did thousands of years ago—pointing out places such as Bethlehem, Jerusalem and Jericho.

From the land to the sea, Galilee was another special place for me. It was surreal sitting on the shore, sailing on an old wooden boat, and visiting places around it as Jesus did. I loved standing at the rolling hill where Jesus fed five thousand (plus!) from a young boy’s lunch—a story I’ve always loved.

The site most significant to me was the Garden Tomb, located just beyond the walls of the Old City in Jerusalem. Though there is uncertainty among scholars and historians as to whether this is the actual site of Jesus’ burial and resurrection, the well-maintained, lush and peaceful surroundings within which the tomb is located make the proposal more believable than not.

Mt Nebo.

Then to the bustling Old City of Jerusalem.

This part of Israel is truly a melting pot of religion and culture, with so many significant sites in such a small area. We arrived late Friday afternoon and joined the crowds hurrying toward the Western Wall for the start of Shabbat. We joined the lines through the ever-present security checks and were immersed in the crowds of joyous Jews welcoming the Sabbath. There was

such a diversity there, with some sitting, standing—all facing the wall—in personal worship. Many others had prayer books in hand and were worshipping together, singing songs and Psalms, dancing in circles. Men from all walks of life—women on the other side of the fence—were there.

Military personnel joined in, too, with their comrades. It was amazing to see. That Sabbath in Jerusalem is one I’ll never forget and has helped me appreciate Sabbath in new ways. I hope we share the same joy about this special time God has gifted to us each week, enjoying time spent with Him and those around us!

KYM |

Kym Jackson is a member of the Lilydale church in Melbourne, Victoria.

Going to Israel helped to put some of the Bible verses and landscape into context.

Israel is a lot smaller than I’d imagined.

Having travelled around Australia, I

Site of Sermon on the Mount, overlooking the Sea of Galilee.

imagined that everything was spaced out and far apart. But that’s not the case.

I particularly remember standing on the hillside where the Sermon on the Mount was possibly given and not far from the likely site where the 5000 were fed, looking south from the north-west side of the Sea of Galilee.

The lake is small enough to see right around from the shore line. And if you wanted to, you could walk around it in a day.

In fact, Mark 6:32–34 describes people doing this. After Jesus and the disciples set out in a boat, “many who saw them leaving recognised them and ran on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them.

When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.”

As I stood on that hillside, I realised that the people of Jesus’ day would have come to recognise Him and the disciples travelling around the countryside, so they would have spotted Him and followed, if they were looking for Him.

BARBARA |

Barbara White is a member of the Burwood church in Melbourne, Victoria.

Have you ever wondered why the Israelites were less than thrilled about the manna that God miraculously provided while they were wandering the desert? I did. But that was before I journeyed through the Middle East and witnessed the most extraordinary desert wilderness. Contrast this with the fertile lands of the Promised Land and the positively delicious fare that is produced there. Oranges, pomegranates, figs, dates, honey, halva and hummus. Meandering throughout Jerusalem marketplaces was an indulgent treat for the senses!

arketplace.

Jerusalem m

ANNA |

Anna Beaden is a student at Avondale College of Higher Education in Cooranbong, New South Wales.

I’ve always liked beards, but Israel was the next level. This place blew me away. I’m not sure what I was expecting, but whatever happened in those couple of weeks was a culmination of happiness, epiphanies, buffets, falafels, hummus, religious diversity, social interaction, group bonding, tears, laughter, deserts and desserts. But specific moments with people really stand out in my mind. These include: Overlooking Jerusalem.

• Dancing with my new-found Jewish friend at the Western wall that suddenly turned into a myriad of questions like “Can you use technology on your Sabbath?” and “If you believe Jesus was a Jew and you claim to follow Jesus, why aren’t you Jewish?”

The rock where Jesus was crucified, in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

Like the women in Luke 24, I am now also an eyewitness to the resurrection of the christ.

• Our group gathering humbly together and hearing the glorious resounding of the most amazing acoustic churches as our praises were raised to God. • Watching a crowd of people wait in a 20-minute line surrounded with golden images, paintings and ornaments to touch the rock where Jesus was supposedly crucified and trying to make sense of the conflicting notions of extreme luxury and glorification versus my humble Saviour.

• Bill Johnsson victoriously raising his hands exclaiming, “He is risen” as he emerged from the empty tomb.

Dome of th e Mount Mor Rock, iah.

• Sitting on the roof of our hotel overlooking the city of Jerusalem and contemplating the bigger picture of life.

• Talking openly and honestly with a Muslim brother at the Dome of the Rock about Mohammed and Jesus and the Jewish people and if he ate dates before the sun rises during Ramadan—or weight-loss month, as he called it—so he would have energy to survive the day. (interview) LIFE IN HD | 11

Christmas UNWRAPPED Originally published under the title “Angels We Have Heard On High” in Stories That Sneak Up On You by John Duckworth (Fleming H Revell Co, 1994, pages. 154-58). Permission sought Baker Book Group (pending).

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OUNG PASTOR TORGENSON, resplendent in the new three-piece, charcoal-gray suit his wife had given him especially for this Christmas Eve service, mounted the platform. An ocean of faces looked back at him—the faces of the Red Ridge Community Church, holiday-excited and ruddy from the cold outside.

The pastor smiled for a second at his wife, who beamed from the first row; then he began. “Before the choir sings our anthem, ‘Angels We Have Heard on High,’ he said, “let me remind you of a Scripture passage about angels. Turn with me to Hebrews 13:2, if you will . . .”

A tissue-thin shuffle of Bible pages went through the sanctuary like a rushing wind. Then it stopped, and as the pastor was about to read Hebrews 13:2 a murmur rose in the rear pews near the door.

To the consternation of several older members, a shocking pair of visitors had entered. The man was tall, blond, bushy bearded—a near skeleton in a grimy navy coat.

The girl was very, very pregnant,

‘Entertained angels without knowing it?’

Well, one never knew . . .

swathed in a shapeless beige peasant dress and tattered sweater. A kerchief failed to conceal her stringy black hair.

“Wonder if they’re married?” whispered a woman in the back row.

“I never saw the like, not in this church,” grumbled a man. From her usual seat, old Mizzie Everett just squinted at the strangers, apparently as confused as ever.

Pastor Torgenson paused, smelling trouble.

Another battle of the old and the new, he sighed to himself. Would it never end?

“Welcome,” he finally called out to the bedraggled strangers. “We’re glad you’re here. Sit right down.”

But it was easier said than done. The young couple had to wind their way to the front to find the only vacant seats. A few hundred curious eyes watched.

“Now, as I was saying,” the young preacher continued, “Hebrews 13:2.”

He cleared his throat. “Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.”

He gulped, surprised at the verse’s sudden aptness. “Well. Uh, perhaps you’ve read stories about Christmas visitations by angels. Many have been written, most of them pure fiction. But let’s remember tonight that our Lord Himself was not recognised for whom He was. And let’s make sure there’s room at our inn tonight.” A nod to the choir and he sat down by the pulpit.

The music billowed behind him. He tried not to stare at the young couple, but couldn’t help it. Who were they? Why were they here?

12 | SPECIAL

All at once it hit him. On Christmas Eve, a bearded young man and a pregnant young woman seeking shelter? Did they have a donkey parked outside, too?

He smiled to himself. “Entertained angels without knowing it”? Well, one never knew. . .

The choir’s last “Gloria in excelsis deo” faded, and the pastor jumped to his feet.

He had an idea.

“In our bulletin, the order of service calls next for a pastoral prayer. But before I lead us, let’s find out what we have to pray about on this Christmas Eve. Jack . . . ”—he motioned to an usher—“if you’ll get the movable microphone, we can have a brief time of sharing our needs.”

Again the pastor tried not to gaze at the young strangers, but hoped they’d share their obvious needs. After all, this was a unique chance for the church to show hospitality, he thought.

“Just a brief time,” he repeated, unconsciously nodding at old Mizzie Everett in the back. “Poor old Mizzie,” they called her. She loved sharing times.

At the first click of the microphone, she’d jump up as quickly as her arthritis allowed, only to ramble on and on about some long-forgotten event or person.

The whole congregation would look at the floor, embarrassed, as Mizzie tried to remember a Bible verse or sing a song in her rusty squeal of a voice. It was starting to put a damper on services, some people said.

The pastor’s hopes rose as the bearded young man started to get to his feet. But Mizzie was up first, and she took the microphone from the reluctant usher.

An almost audible groan went up from the congregation.

“Uh, thank you, Mizzie,” the pastor said after a minute of the old woman’s rambling. But she droned on.

I wish she’d take a hint, the pastor thought.

Poor old Mizzie—her mind’s starting to go, and she still pedals that three-wheeled bicycle all over town, making a spectacle of herself. Even the older members shook their heads about it.

After all, this was a unique chance for the church to show hospitality, he thought.

Finally she surrendered the microphone.

“We’ll be sure to pray about that, Mizzie,” the pastor said and then looked at the young couple. This time the skinny fellow made it all the way to his feet.

“I—I don’t know anything about talkin’ in church,” he began shakily. “But my old lady . . .” —he indicated the girl at his side— “I mean, my, uh, wife and I really need a place to stay tonight. We saw the lights and came in.”

The pastor watched the young man speak, touched by his need. “We’re glad you did,” the pastor said, “and I’m sure we can find you a place to stay. By the way, what’s your name?”

The young man looked away shyly. “I’m Joe,” he said, “and this is Mary.”

A startled murmur was heard. “Joseph and Mary?” the pastor asked incredulously.

“Yeah, I know how it sounds,” the young man said, growing red faced. “But it’s true, really.”

The pastor couldn’t hold back a chuckle of wonderment. “Indeed it is,” he said and quoted Hebrews 13:2 again. In­ spired, he thanked the young man and prayed fervently for the couple’s needs, the families gathered there, and the warweary world’s longing for peace on earth.

There was no doubt about it—the choir sounded sweeter than ever that night.

The ancient story from Luke was never better read nor more poignant. Even the atmosphere seemed rare, closer to heaven, with the young couple sitting there in the front. When the time had come for the benediction, Pastor Torgenson looked out on the Christmas Eve faces and spoke from his heart.

“Let there be room in our inn tonight,” he said. “Let us reach out to the Lord of Christmas and to one another. We may be different; but because He came, we can be one.”

Downstairs, where the church ladies had prepared punch, coffee and cookies, the congregation streamed in for a bit of fellowship. The pastor and his wife brought cups of coffee to the young man and woman, only to discover that several parishioners had already done the same.

strangers. Pastor Torgenson, smiling broadly, hugged his wife.

Over in the corner by the coffee percolator, old Mizzie Everett sat alone, with both hands around a cup of punch.

She squinted at the sea of people, seeming confused by the noise.

Suddenly she put down her punch and looked at her watch. As if on schedule, she picked up her purse and made her way to the door along the crowd’s edge.

Nobody noticed her leave.

The night was cold. Setting her jaw determinedly, Mizzie struggled against her arthritis to mount her three-wheeled bicycle.

So frail, these mortal bodies, she thought, dumping her purse in the bike’s basket. Her legs strained, pumping the pedals. Iced puddles cracked under her wheels all the way out of town.

The city-limits sign flashed past.

Wheezing, she knew she could go no further. Finally she slowed and parked by the side of the road.

The highway was deserted. Only the stars and heaven watched as she climbed the sloping field by the road, her breath coming in hoarse gasps. A dog barked in the distance.

Christmas Eve, she thought, looking at the sky. Just like that first Christmas Eve, when she had sung with the others. Oh, but that had been easy compared with this assignment. This time she’d had to take on a body for such a long time. Not like the Sodom and Gomorrah visit or the rest.

She stretched and felt a pain. It was good to be going home.

Smiling, she closed her eyes and reached heavenward.

Slowly the creases in her face vanished, and the twisted hands unfurled. Going home, she thought.

Brighter and brighter her face glowed, her old coat transformed into a robe the color of the sun. It was an angel’s robe.

At last, she thought, at last. There was a silent flash in the night, and Mizzie Everett was gone.

“We’d be happy to have you stay at our house tonight, Joe and Mary,” volunteered a middle-aged couple.

“We were going to say the same thing,” said two others. A group of high schoolers brought cookies and punch to the SPECIAL | 13

What does

Jesus, with us, mean to you?

14 | WORLD CHANGER

GOD KNOWS WHAT IT MEANS TO BE ME.

TORI AKLAND Sydney, NSW

CHELSEA FABIJAN

Now I don’t know about you, but I look around me and I see humans, but a degraded humanity. This planet is beautiful, God is an amazing artist; but the cracks are being filled with sin and they just keep getting bigger. The reality that Jesus chose to come and walk this earth, because of how great His love is, is something I can’t wrap my head around.

I mean, am I really worth it? Well, God seems to think so, and that gives me hope to last a lifetime. If Jesus can leave His perfect, sinless throne and walk in my dirty, stained Chucks, and survive; then, as one of His creations, I am capable of waking up every day, smiling an honest smile, and showing my peers that there is someone who actually cares, and will give up literally everything for them in return for their love.

I believe in God the Father, but Jesus having lived on earth in human form makes Him easier for me to envision. I can imagine Him working His miracles and teaching the crowds. Jesus spent His time on earth preparing for His ministry, and when that began He poured His energy into preparing His people for a life with Him. Jesus faced so many difficulties that I will never have to face, but He showed compassion and love to all those who persecuted Him. He sets the best example that I want to live my life by—teaching others about Him and showing His love to everyone I meet.

Jesus had so many reasons for coming to earth in human form, but the fact that He knowingly came down to sacrifice Himself for us is an overwhelmingly beautiful truth. Why would I waste this sacrifice He has made by not living for Him?

Adelaide, SA

CHRISTOS SPERO Townsville, QLD To know that Jesus left the majesty and worship of heaven to walk in my shoes gives me the assurance that God knows what it means to be me. If Jesus didn’t come to be with us as we are, then perhaps the Greeks got it right in their description of the gods being distant from any human experience (hence all the lighting strikes!). But because Jesus has walked in my shoes and understands my failures, joys and sorrows, He is able to sympathise with me through first-hand experience (Hebrews 4:15). In fact, His experience as “one of us” will continue for eternity—because He is still in human form, forever bound to the human race!

This changes my life because I can begin to experience who Jesus is in a real and intimate way! To know Jesus, who came to be with us! Will you, too, get to know the One who knows what it means to be you?

WORLD CHANGER | 15

Jesus gave up much more than his life.

JESS BINET

Sydney, NSW

In leaving heaven to be with us, Jesus gave up much more than His life. He gave up His dignity. In heaven, He was respected by the angels, renowned throughout the kingdom and worshipped as the God that He is. Yet, on earth, Jesus was mocked, beaten and crucified.

He was made a laughing stock and yet some of His last words were “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” Jesus has walked in my shoes, experienced the hurt that humanity can cause and yet still shows mercy and forgiveness toward them. Seeing this example, I want to live my life in a way that reflects it. I want to be brave enough to be mocked for my faith if it means that people can see the love of Christ. I want to be able to love and forgive those who have hurt and afflicted me. I want to be able to give up my dignity to show others the ultimate love in Jesus Christ.

LACHLAN HARDERS

Perth, NSW

The realisation that the Creator of the universe walked among man is incredibly daunting, yet very insightful to the character of Jesus. How humble one must be to voluntarily enter the world that He created, only to dwell among the least of His creation. Jesus sets the ultimate example of how we should live our lives in that no matter how great or powerful we become, our role is to put the needs of others before ourselves and lead a life of service. This is because all glory and success that we experience are gifts from Jesus. We are indeed luckier than 20 per cent of the world to even have the ability to read this article. The fact that Jesus has placed you in a such a position means that He is challenging you to be humble and sacrifice what you have for the benefit of those less fortunate.

SHELLEY POOLE

Sydney, NSW

I know Jesus “gets it.” Those haunting memories, the pain of loneliness, the charm and flaws of imperfection—in other words, the daily joy and hell of being human—He gets it. Despite humanity’s chronic track record, His particular brand of love has proven persistent and empathetic. Therefore, I believe I can trust Him with my whole self—including the haggard, gross and displeasing parts— knowing He’s still keen to hang out: “Oh, the comfort—the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person—having neither to weigh thoughts nor measure words, but pouring them all right out, just as they are, chaff and grain together; certain that a faithful hand will take and sift them, keep what is worth keeping, and then with the breath of kindness blow the rest away.” —Dinah Craik, from her novel, A Life for a Life (1859) and her poem, “Friendship” (1936)

What does

Jesus, with us, mean to you?

is

Baptism Relevant today?

by Natalia Carter

S

EVEN YEARS AGO I WENT THROUGH Bible studies in preparation for baptism, but never took the final step. I felt pressured into making a choice I was not yet ready for and wasn’t comfortable with a fuss being made at a public baptism at church. The subject was left in the background and I didn’t think too much more about it.

June 2015 changed all that. After my travel plans for a USA summer camp fell through, a last-minute decision to join my cousins on a Bible lands tour found me walking where Jesus walked 2000 years ago. I wasn’t too sure what to expect from the trip at first but just hoped it would make the Bible seem more real to me.

I had known there would be an opportunity to get baptised when we travelled to the Jordan River, and I’d discussed baptism with my cousin asking questions like “Is baptism really relevant today?” and “Am I really ready for this?” As the tour began, I appreciated getting to know Bill Johnsson and his wife Noelene, retired church leaders, Australians now living in California. They both took the time to get to know me over meals and as we travelled, Dr Johnsson’s knowledge of the Bible and the way he brought the Bible to life made a real impression on me.

While on a boat on the Sea of Galilee, I had the overwhelming sense that God is real. Not that I had ever truly doubted this, but there is something about being where Jesus actually preached and healed people that had a profound effect on my relationship with Him.

I had the overwhelming sense that God is real.

The journey to that point had made me realise that I did not know my Bible as well as I could. Sitting there on the lake, with the waves gently lapping against the side of the boat and singing hymns with the group, created the perfect atmosphere for reflecting on life and what is truly important. It was then that I decided wholeheartedly to make a public commitment. I came to the conclusion that having faith in God and making this public statement was truly an important step in my relationship with God and accepting His offer to walk with me daily through life’s challenges.

And now what are you waiting for?

That afternoon we went to the Jordan River, which—to be honest—seemed pretty dirty, even to the point of having a greenish tinge. But those of us who had decided to be baptised (or re-baptised) walked into the river where Jesus Himself was baptised!

It was an unforgettable experience in an area of such spiritual significance.

“And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptised and wash your sins away, call on his name” (Acts 22:16).

Natalia Carter is studying Marketing at APM College of Business and Communications. Originally from New Zealand, she now lives on the Sunshine Coast (QLD) where she works at an organic food store.

OPINION | 15

Bowral Youth Group

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HAT DOES A SMALL CHURCH YOUTH group of 15 teens and young people do to make an impact on planet earth?

Well, Bowral (South NSW Conference) youth group decided that they were not going to sit around and be idle.

After checking out many options, they decided on an ADRA Connections trip to Nepal to help a school with a maintenance and improvement program. But there was one small problem. They had to raise $34,000 for the project and much more on top of that in airfares. The entire group suggested fundraising ideas, which they took on with great enthusiasm.

Fundraising included car washes, cafes, bake sales, delivering junk mail, selling chocolates, cleaning people’s homes and gardening.

year. It was a huge culture shock at first but the team soon found their feet and moved into action working closely with ADRA and the school to make a huge difference.

the youth group went back to action raising money to help the affected people.

So after two years of fund-raising Bowral youth group made it to Nepal in April this 18 | STATUS UPDATE (youth group)

The team were involved in repairing toilets, installing new drinking water taps, painting, and making a better driveway for the school. Various other ADRA projects kept them busy as well.

When asked how the trip to Nepal had impacted Bowral youth group they replied: “We were amazed at how content the local Nepalese people are living with so little”; “The generosity of these people is beyond belief”; “We began to understand the cultural and religious differences as we lived in their world for three weeks”. Another said, “We learned to work as a team and support each other over the time in Nepal.”

A few days after arriving home, a very destructive earthquake hit Nepal and killed many thousands of people. Upon realising that many in the region that

they visited were hurt and had damaged homes, the youth group went back into action, raising money to help the affected people. Within a few days, another $1400 was raised to send to those affected in the area they had worked in.

“While this was the highlight of our year” says local pastor Owen Ellis, “our youth and teen group are involved in Pathfinders, running Friday night meetings, and supporting conference youth events.” Bowral youth are not content sitting down and do nothing.

“They are willing to stand up and make a difference for the cause of Jesus.”

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Western Region Youth Camp 11-13 December, 2015

www.youth.adventistconnect.org 02 9847 3221

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Summer Camps 12-24 January , 2016

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Move With The Power IV 9-13 August, 2016

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Summer Camps 11-24 January, 2016

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Summer Camps 12-24 January, 2016

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Envision 4-6 December, 2015

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Youth Rally 28 November, 2015

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Converge, 18+ Camp 12-15 February, 2016

THE WALL | 19

Hang out with Jesus & your Mates Australia-Wide 18+ Festival

12-15 February 2016, Stuart’s point, NSW www.aucyouth.com