But, my perspective is they are ignorant of what our anthem and flag stand for. Their symbolism goes beyond American pride; the flag represents the Americans who sacrificed much for our country (John 15:13). Isn’t that what Christmas is all about? It’s why I can’t wait for Christmas.
That’s why the families receive a flag at the funerals of serviceman. And why I travel to my mentor’s around Veterans Day, to help put out crosses and flags for the fallen.
It’s the least I could do for those who’ve given so much. Maybe the fame and boasting have gone to the heads of athletes or maybe they’re just clueless.
CLUELESS?
Clueless is a nice way of saying ignorant. Ignorance is, “The lack of knowledge or awareness.” Everyone is ignorant of something (1 Peter 1:14). Most people are unaware of the sacredness of Old Glory.
Then there are those who possess great knowledge, yet are unable to put things together; they spend time acquiring knowledge to be great and little time applying it.
Knowledge isn’t bad; it’s powerless if not used. The prophets wrote the Old Testament so we could learn from it (Exodus 17:14, 34:1; Deut. 27:3; Jer. 30:2). Israel’s hearts were hardened and they became stiff-necked (Exodus 32:9, Exodus 33:3-5, Deuteronomy 9:13).
The Pharisees were experts in the law; they studied the Old Testament from childhood into adulthood and cited it by memory.
The Pharisees were experts on the Messiah. They knew everything God promised David, yet understood nothing. They could quote Isaiah about God’s ways (Isaiah 55:8).
However, when Jesus was born in a lowly manger on that first noel, He wasn’t the great savior they’d dreamed. He wasn’t swass enough for them. They were knowledgeable and still clueless how God worked. No wonder Jesus said they did the works of their father (John 8:44).
Jesus left perfection to be God with us. He brought joy to the world, not just God’s people who say they adore Him.
The Pharisees believed the Messiah would conquer the world and help the Jews rule it. They had no idea God would make a way to bring us all together as one glorious family (Rev. 7:9); it denies the logic of the Pharisees.
PHARISEES?
Although the Christmas baby arrived on time on that Oh Holy night to answer the cry of Israel (Galatians 4:4,) the Pharisees rejected Him. The Pharisees added more to the law, they turned blessings into curses.
They followed in the footsteps of false prophets God spoke against in the Old Testament, they told lies about God and how He works.
Some promised earthly riches and fame, they encouraged God’s people to chase their dreams and God rebuked Israel through Jeremiah (Jeremiah 29:8–9).
Unfortunately, like the Pharisees, the church is following suit too. I’m not just talking about the prosperity tweakers preachers who cherry-pick scripture to deceive believers, there’s a whole generation who’ve been taught God wants to give them all of their dreams. Dream theology says you can never have enough, keep dreaming.
I hate to let you down, the truth of the gospel is God is enough. It’s not complicated; real love is loving someone for who they are, not what we can get from them. We need to remember this during the holidays—this Christmas shouldn’t be wasted on what you want.
God wants to give us a new heart, not our selfish desires (Ezekiel 36:26); because the heart of man is wicked and makes us clueless (Jeremiah 17:9)!
