Black Thursday?

 “How many never in their lives read through all the Scriptures? 

These have a sword but only to hang on the wall.” William Gouge

  So how did your Black Friday go? Did you know that long before there was a “Black Friday,” there was a “Black Thursday?” But it had nothing to do with Christmas shopping. Black Thursday was a riot back in 1901 over a new translation of the Gospel of Matthew. 
  Greece is largely considered the birthplace of democracy. Who would have thought that a new translation of the Gospel of Matthew would cause a major riot, but that’s what happened on November 8th, 1901. Translating Matthew into the common Greek vernacular led to bloody clashes in Athens. A newspaper called Akropolis published it in demotic Greek, the modern version of Greek. Greek has evolved from its ancient roots to the point that modern and ancient Greek sounded almost nothing alike. 

  The differences resulted in a “holy war.” On one side, ancient Greek proponents—particularly in the Greek Orthodox Church—believed that if they watered down their language, they might lose claim to their Byzantine landholdings. On the other end, demotic or common language Greek proponents said language isn’t as important as investments in artillery. So when the newspaper published Matthew in the common language—alongside a political editorial—violence broke out. Eight demonstrators died. Ultimately, proponents of the ancient language failed in their efforts to make it the preferred form of communication. Modern Greeks speak and write in the demotic form, but the Greek Orthodox Church continues to use ancient Greek as the liturgical language in its worship services.

  While in Greece they fought over versions, in modern-day China, the government is making access to the Bible more difficult. Though most Bibles are printed in China as they are the only ones with the special printing presses needed to print the thin paper, Chinese citizens with iPhones can no longer download the Olive Tree Bible app after Apple removed it from their app store at the request of the communist authorities. 

  The Bible software maker in the US was told it’d have to file special permits to comply with rules regarding “book or magazine content,” which censor religious literature. Those who have already downloaded the programs can continue to use them but can’t get updates. According to the human rights group, Amnesty International, Apple has consistently submitted to China’s censorship demands. But China is not alone in its censorship of Scripture. According to The Voice of the Martyrs, in over fifty countries it’s illegal to own a Bible.

  We’re so blessed in America! Yet, what’s tragic is not that we don’t have access to a Bible, but that so many Christians rarely read it.

  Would you please make this the year that you determine to habitually read the Bible? Many Christians when asked about their Bible reading say: “I’ve been really busy.” Many others who are extremely busy still read their Bibles. Those who claim busyness are up to date on the news, watch movies and sports, use social media, exercise, and a host of other things. Let’s be honest, none of us are truly too busy to read the Bible. So, why read the Bible?

  The Bible is God’s love letter to you. When Jane and I were dating, I was thrilled to receive a letter from her. I’d read, re-read, and re-read again those letters. I never could get enough of Jane! God’s Word is His love letter to you. Do you treasure it? How’s your relationship with God growing or stagnant? Reading our Bibles helps keep our relationship with our Heavenly Father fresh and growing.

  The Bible is the best resource for positive behavior modification. At the most basic level, we read the Bible so we know how to live. It guides us on how to behave as the people of God in a sin-contaminated world. But not as a rule book or as a list of things to do if we want to stay on God’s good side. As the people of God with His Spirit living in us to guide us, we’re motivated to live rightly. The Bible shows us what it means to live in a way that pleases the Lord. Sometimes it’s by direct commandments, but mostly it’s by principles and examples, leaving us to apply them and work out how to live it out in our own lives.

  If you’ve been a Christian very long, when it comes to what’s right and wrong, you probably know what God wants you to do 99% of the time. The difficult part is actually doing it or remembering to do it. God’s Word is a reminder for us on how we should live in a way that’s right.

  The Bible is the best resource for wise life investment. We read our Bibles to know what goals to set and to help determine what to pursue in life. Reading Scripture challenges us to not fritter away our lives. We need purpose, we need goals. Out of all the things I can do, what will I choose to do more of? It will be different for each of us because God has designed us uniquely and called us to different tasks.

  The Bible challenges us to ask life-directing questions: How will I spend my time? How will I spend my money? Which people group or subculture will I reach out to? The big story of the Bible is about investing in the real world, eternity. We must set life goals that make sense against that story.

  The Bible is the best tool to view this world. We read God’s Word to inform our worldview and see life the way that God sees it. Once you see the world as God sees it, the other things follow – how we behave, who we are, and where we’re heading. It’s why Paul prays "having the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in His holy people, and His incomparably great power for us who believe” (Eph 1:18-19). The Bible tells us how God sees life and that we’re part of His story. It tells us how God sees us and His perspective of our world.

  Consistently reading the Bible helps us grow to be more like Jesus. Do you want true life change? Commit to reading and studying God’s Word consistently. It will revolutionize your life!  

 Can we help you spiritually? Can we help you know Jesus better? Please check out more resources on our church's web page, Gracechurchwi.org. Or, call us at 262.763.3021. If you'd like to know more about how Jesus can change your life, I'd love to mail you a copy of how Jesus changed my life in "My Story." E-mail me at Carson@gracechurchwi.org to request a free copy. Please include your mailing address.