Convocation service inaugurates new semester at Midwestern

posted on Aug 29, 2011 by T. Patrick Hudson

     Although the feeling of fall wasn’t filling the air in Kansas City, a renewed sense of excitement and anticipation permeated through the capacity crowd in Midwestern Seminary’s chapel auditorium during the annual Fall Convocation service on Aug. 23.

     A scene of tradition and pomp pervaded the room as faculty, robed in their full regalia, processed into place, traditional hymns resounded, and new as well as existing students were welcomed to campus by MBTS President, Dr. Phil Roberts.

     The reference for “convocation,” according to the Easton Bible Dictionary, relates back to Old Testament religious meetings that were generally held to deal with political and legal matters. Biblical examples show that convocations occurred on the Sabbath (Leviticus 23:2-3), the Passover (Exodus 12:16), Pentecost (Lev. 23:21), at feasts (Numbers 28:26); and during the great fast -- the annual day of atonement -- “the holy convocation” was held (Lev. 23:27 and Num. 29:7).

     While the Seminary’s convocation didn’t focus on political or legal matters, the emphasis of the service clearly concentrated on God’s Word from Matthew 5:17-20.  In delivering the service’s message, Roberts painted a picture of Jesus speaking to the attendees of the “Sermon on the Mount” about their obedience to the law and how that pertained to entering God’s Kingdom. 

     Up until the time of Christ, Roberts said, the Jewish people’s earthly role models were their religious leaders. And when Jesus said, “Unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven,” this struck a serious chord with His audience.  “In Jesus’ day, that was a dynamic, powerful concept because if any group would make it to heaven, it would be the scribes and Pharisees,” he noted.

     In comparing the religious observances, devotion and commitment of the Pharisees to churchgoers today, the Seminary’s leader touched on topics such as tithing, church attendance, observance of the Sabbath, Scripture reading and moral scruples.  In each of these areas, he said the scribes and Pharisees were quite faithful. 

     However, turning the audience’s thoughts to modern times, the Seminary’s president noted how many people, even believers, today submit to a works-based philosophy.  He said many people have a mental checklist of all the good things they’ve done and all the bad things they’ve done, then they hope that in the end to get into heaven that the good outweighs the bad.  However, if the audience was to check their lives against the standards of the scribes and Pharisees, “How would you be doing?” he asked.

     Jesus said a person’s righteousness shouldn’t just match that of these ancient religious leaders, Roberts noted, but that one must surpass it.  And Jesus explained to the audience what he meant by that statement in verses 21-48.  “Jesus is saying it’s not just a matter of the outward conformity, but ‘I’ve got a standard I want to raise for you as well,’” he said.

     The president described how Jesus raised the bar on subjects including not just refraining from murder, but rather to refrain from even being angry with someone; not just refraining from committing adultery, but rather to not even look at a woman to lust for her; and not just loving your neighbor and hating your enemy, but rather to love your enemies as well.

     “The whole point is, so ‘you’re doing alright in keeping up with what the scribes and Pharisees are doing outwardly.’”  Roberts said.  “Well, now let’s come up to Jesus’ standards.  Let’s understand that unless our righteousness exceeds these standards, then none will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. 

     “Just in case you’re wondering exactly what Jesus expects of you and me -- Jesus wants you to be perfect!” he added. “But you might be thinking, ‘Are you kidding?  After all, I’m only human!’ That’s the point -- you are human, and by the way, that’s the condemnation, isn’t it?”

     Although a person’s situation as a sinner is hopeless, the MBTS leader didn’t leave the audience without a solution.  Even though there is no man who can attain the perfection God expects, there was One who was perfect.  “He was just as human as us, and He is One who was tempted in every way, like you and I are, yet without sin,” Roberts said.  “We’re talking about the Lord, Jesus Christ.  This is how that perfection is passed on!”

     Roberts said that the way to get into heaven, to rise up above the level of the scribes and Pharisees and to achieve the standard that Jesus set is only through Christ’s substitution -- He bore the burden of man’s sins and exchanged his sinful lives for His perfect life.  “You can stand in your place at the judgment seat or He can stand for you, and all that He has done both in His saving death and His saving life will be applied to you,” he added.

     In addition to the morning’s message, other moments included a time of prayer for Dr. and Mrs. Alan Branch, Midwestern’s assistant professor of Christian Ethics, who will deploy as an Army Reserve chaplain for a year in the Middle East.  Also two new professors were welcomed to the faculty, Dr. Matthew Arbo, who will serve as associate professor of Christian Ethics, and Mr. Robert Matz, who will be an assistant professor of Theology and Preaching.