The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Pastor Lorne Moorhead Northern Fellowship Chapel "When the fullness of the time was come God sent forth His Son..." What were the times like when Jesus was born? The Roman Empire had extended its influence over most of the known world by conquest. Armies were stationed in major cities in Europe, the Middle East and Northern Africa to keep the peace. The seat of the Empire was the city of Rome but all was not well at home. Anarchy threatened the city as armed gangs roamed the streets. Julius Caesar was made dictator for life in order to deal with the unrest. The next emperor had absolute power and was head of the state religion. Caesar was to be recognized as a god. The common people lost faith in their gods and became skeptical of the Caesar's divinity. There was a loss of moral values, sexual expression became crude and exaggerated. Music was loud and vulgar. There was a thirst for gratification and for spectacular events. Down at the Forum crowds cried out for gladiators to fight to the death, they wanted to see blood. The pagan religion did not satisfy the deep need of the hearts of the people. They despaired of finding true religion, despaired of life itself. Into this desperate situation "in the fullness of time" Jesus was born. In the Jewish world of that day life was being crushed out of religion. The religious leaders lay burdens of rules and regulations upon the people. It was a matter of following ritual, strict morality and legalism. Four hundred years had passed since God had spoken to Israel through the prophet Malachi. Now near the end of that period religion was a burden to be endured. Jesus spoke to this situation later when He gave the great invitation. "Come unto Me all you who labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." Jesus came in the fullness of the time when spiritual darkness covered the earth, to bring life and light and hope and rest for the needy people like us today.
