If we are pessimists and think we are capable of doing nothing in society today, I venture to say that we are theologically extremely unbalanced, if not heretical and harmful. It’s ludicrous to say Christianity can have no influence in society.

John R. W. Stott, Salt and Light: Four ways Christians can influence the world, Christianity Today, October 2011

A Slice of Fresh Bread

[This is Advent, so for the next four weeks, Fresh Bread will look at what the four gospel writers had to say about why Jesus came to earth.]  

Matthew was a tax-collector.  Even though this was a get-rich occupation, it had two drawbacks.  First, many Jews saw tax-collectors as traitors aligning with the Roman occupiers. Second, they were seen as morally bankrupt, doing whatever they could to gouge their countrymen. Tax-collectors were wealthy but not well liked.

But Jesus entered Matthew’s world.  The story is very limited; apparently Jesus simply said, Follow me, and Matthew left his lucrative career and became one of Jesus’ twelve disciples.  (Matthew 9:9)

Matthew’s background gave him a unique and powerful vantage point from which to observe Jesus for the next three years.  Later, as he penned his Gospel, he recalled a comment that none of the other gospel writers included.  He records Jesus’ words, For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.  (Matthew 9:13)

Matthew never forgot his sinful background, he never forgot why Jesus came into this world, and he never stopped sharing that message of love and forgiveness with the people he encountered. 

Matthew’s pattern is a wonderful reminder for all of us as we enter this Christmas season and as we serve him every day of the year.
 

Prayer Requests

Weep with those who weep - Alice Whitelock, (USA) passed away last Thursday, Thanksgiving Day.  Bert Van Weegal (Australia) passed away on November 27^th.  Please pray for their families and friends during this time of grief.  

CCCA (USA) will hold its annual conference next week at Ridgecrest Conference Center near Asheville, North Carolina.  Please pray for good attendance, effective training, and supportive networking.

CCI-Korea will hold its General Meeting December 9-10. Please pray for planning, preparation, and promotion for this event.

In January CCI-UK holds its Management Conference (16-18), CCI-Spain holds its National Conference (19-22), and CCI-Russia holds its Christian Camping Leaders Conference (29-February 2). Please pray for the planning and promotion of these important events.

In just over six months (April 19-24, 2012) participants from around the world will meet at Pinos Reales, a Christian camp near Madrid, for the CCI-Worldwide Summit.  Please pray for the preparations and funding for this major training and planning event.