Truth is Love

1 John 1:1-2:2

This world is dominated by death.  It is evident in how plants turn to the sunlight, sometimes crowding out others.  It is evident in the speed of rabbits and the speed of foxes.  Humans are not as cut and dry.  It is not the smartest or strongest that inherently succeeds, for socialization adds more nuances to how we are affected by the shadow, the darkness, of death.  It is not all bad, as it is why we generally stop at stop signs, but it plays out through rivalry and violence, both physical and emotional.  This is done both via individuals and groups. It is the darkness.

God has no darkness at all.  Jesus went to the cross not because of death but because of the light; life not the opposite of death, but life of God totally other than life and death.  As the writer of Hebrews shares:

looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God. (12:2)

It was not that he knew he would be raised, it was because of the Divine Light; life that knows no death.  Even our early martyrs would be kidding themselves if their death was not in part motivated by pride.  As those that bowed to Caesar and hid the church, were scared of death, the martyrs too were motivated by the darkness in part (just as those that kept the church going in secret were motivated in keeping the knowledge of the Light alive).  It is impossible for humans to completely leave the shadow and darkness of earthly death, yet we are called to bring the light forward. 

Light that does not require violence, for God does not require the sacrifice.  It is humans that do.  The Old Testament seems to have God wanting sacrifices, but truly it is actually the people who do.  Take Genesis 22 when Abraham is to sacrifice is only legitimate son.  God provides the ram instead.  The sacrifices are the people's ritualized way to demonstrate love to the God that saved them and provides everything for them.  Thus in Jerusalem God provides His only Son as the sacrifice  to our violence.  God only has love, so much so He gives Jesus.

This act on the cross is what creates the eighth day.  That is it finishes creation.  If we think of creation as only the beginning of time, we ignore the scriptures that say Jesus was there in the beginning.  This Christian idea of Jesus being part of creation is why Creation is completed at the resurrection, opening up the Light of the world so we know about this Light without any darkness that has taken away the sting of death.  We are still affected by the darkness but we have a way to follow to avoid rivalry, war, violence, and all the darkness, for we know of the greatest love of all, that God gave his only son into our darkness to give us light and salvation.

 

 

 

 

*Note this sermon was a review for the congregation of themes I was working on.  It was an attempt to weave together God as Ultimate Other, Love, atonement and creation.  Must admit it was preached better than written. 

God’s Mirror

Psalm 8; Matthew 28:16-20

The Great Commission is one of the most essential scripture of our faith, and today I want to explore Jesus’ triune statement.  It is one of the clearest places in the Bible where the Trinity is clear.  “…in the name of the Father and of the Son and the Holy Spirit…”  Jesus is clearly stating that they are one and yet unique.  The Trinity is not clearly defined by our Bible, but it is an important tradition of the church.  It allows us to know God by three “faces” and know God as one.  While it is not defined directly it is certainly Biblical.  There are a few verses in the Chapter 15 of the Gospel of John, that point to the meaning of the mystery of the Trinity.  I share them below:

I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine-grower. (1)

‘This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father. You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name. I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another. (12-17)

 

‘When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who comes from the Father, he will testify on my behalf. (26)

Each of these scriptures show that there are distinct manifestations of the Divine, yet what is clear is they work together in relationship.  We understand God as unified as One, yet demonstrates that God is in relationship with Godself.  It is not clear cut as it is a great mystery, but I will explore why this is an important tradition.

While I prayed about these scriptures in preparation, and realizing this Sunday was also Father’s day, I thought about my own father.  I had a great childhood, and I have a great relationship with my father today.  However, he was not as present as I would have liked, but when I reflected on the times I remembered my father as dad, that is positively and with parental love, there were a number of memories to pick from, but the three that kept coming to mind were three that happened in front of the bathroom sink.

I remember my father shaving in the hall bathroom and I created my own “razor” out of Legos.  I recall how he demonstrated the art of shaving and put some shaving cream on my hairless face so I could attempt to shave. 

I remember that my mom would tie my ties from standing in front of me, but one day she asked my dad to do it.  He attempted to the first time as she would have, but realized that he needed to do it from behind me and looking into a mirror.  Not only did he succeed in tying the tie, he also taught me how to do it myself. 

I remember cutting my finger in the woods and realizing it needed attention.  My dad was home and he carefully attended to it at the sink.  I recall seeing him in the mirror carefully and lovingly stopping the bleeding.

These three memories are understood greater by my recent time with my son in a mirror.  AJ is a child that we are trying to encourage more eye contact (and he continues to improve), so when we look into a mirror and he looks into my eyes in the mirror and then turns to look at me, I realized that what we see in the mirror is not simply the physical image, but rather the relationship.  It is why we treasure pictures of us with people, even if it is not the most flattering.  We see the relationship.

Psalm 8 reminds us that we are different from all other animals we are as it says in Genesis, made in God’s image.  We are set a little lower than God, so we can be a mirror of God.  We reflect the God, the Divine Light, which is itself a relationship.  Thus we are to reflect relationship through relationships. 

Sovereign Grace

John 17:1-26

Today’s scripture is part of Jesus’ farewell dialogue.  It is however, not to us, it is a pray to His Father.  We are privy to this very personal prayer on behalf of the disciples, and for those that would believe because of their witness, thus ourselves.  There is a great intimacy evident by this prayer.  It is also very pastoral for us as there is a petition to the Father God that we see His glory, we make it to heaven.  This is to happen because Jesus asks the Father God to protect the believers who are no longer of the world and to keep them united. 

This reminded me of a wonderful illustration.  There was an Admiral who decided to take the control room from the Captain of the USS Oklahoma.  The sailors in the control room all had their respective jobs.  One was on the helm, radio, radar, maps, etc.  They knew their jobs and even knew the way to their safe harbor. 

The night was foggy and dark, but the sea was not too choppy.  The ship headed their normal direction.  The admiral saw a light in the distance, and commanded the radio man to send a message that the ship change course.  The report back was that we are requested to change course.  This went back and forth a few times, when the admiral got up and grabbed the radio and barked into it, “This is the admiral of the fleet, I command you to move.”  A second later, the response was, “Sir, I humbly ask you again to change your course, as the lighthouse keeper for two months and I have not figured out how to move.”  The men and women in the control room held back their laughter as best they could.

See the ship represents the church, and it is important for everyone to be in the proper position.  Just as Paul pointed out in 1 Corinthians 12:4-7:

Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone.To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.

It is true that the admiral did not depend on the people that knew the way, but neither did they speak up when they knew what the light was.  It is important for the church to be together and to have us working together as our gifts are given.  It is certainly much easier to navigate the sea of the world together then alone in a small dingy.

The lighthouse is the grace of God that shines out on everyone, but it is important we recognize it as Grace.  The ship could have ran aground if the reality that the lighthouse was warning them was not realized.  Grace directs us and protects us from the “evil one.”  The lighthouse keeps us from hitting the rocky coast, it is the answer to Jesus’ pray to His father, that we be protected and unified.  The lighthouse and the ship.

The ship may move with our help, but it is truly the lighthouse that should direct its every move.  God is truly in charge, God’s Grace is Sovereign.

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God— not the result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life. (Ephesians 2:8-10)

Paul sums it up well here.  It is Grace that saves us and directs us, and we respond by good work of the church.

The Light to See

Luke 24:13-35

Where is Emmaus?  It is seven miles from Jerusalem according to Luke, but it must not have been an incorporated town, for there is no hard evidence for its position.  Luke is however not concerned with the town but rather that these two have left the scene of the day.  The reality of the past three days had gotten to these two disciples.  They needed out and it seems that the woman’s witness was the last straw, for they can share the story up to that point and they left for Emmaus.  Did they have to be there for a reason?  Perhaps, but it seems more likely that even if there was a reason it was a weak excuse to get away from the reality.  Emmaus for all intention is a place of escape. 

For us it may be a movie, a book, a vacation, it can even be church.  It is the place or mindset to escape the harsh reality of the world.  A harsh reality where we are not able to see the resurrected Jesus.  These two could not see Jesus right in front of them and please note that Jesus does not rebuke them about their journey to Emmaus, rather their understanding of the prophecy.  Jesus does not tell them to go back but it is the obvious reaction when they experience the revelation of Jesus at the table.

The table is the pivotal point of this scripture.  They know the New Testament Gospel in that they experienced it, and even heard of the resurrection from the women.   They couldn't handle it but when they met this “stranger” they shared the story.  Yet they did not come to believe when the Hebrew Prophesies were revealed to them by Jesus, Himself. 

The Lord’s Table set for us each Sunday has us remember Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection.  We know the name of this Table as the Lord’s Table (as I referred to it above), which makes sense since it is Jesus our Lord who invites us to this table.  We will also here it called communion table, and it is true we are in communion with God at this table but also with each other. 

The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? 1 Cor. 10:16 KJV

I believe this idea of coming together around the table for to remember and find the revelation of Jesus is perfect.  Of course Jesus would leave the perfect rite to remember and know Him.

Think about what the everyday table is to you.  Who do you eat with?  We know the criticism of Jesus was often included stating who He ate with. 

Think about who taught you your table manners.  If you are like me many of your table manners were taught to you by your mother.  My mom taught me what side the silverware goes on, that elbows were not allowed on the table, don’t talk with your mouth full, and many other important rules.  Those rules I named fulfill etiquette, which are very important, but etiquette is simply  cultural rules.  Rules that change over time and geography.  For example the fork as a utensil did not start making it to the table in Europe about a thousand years after the Last Supper. 

Etiquette is important, but ethics is even greater.  I believe there are ethics to table fellowship that really has never changed.  My mom taught me gathering for a meal is not simply to eat, but to enjoy each other’s company and to share with everyone in the experience.  This was emphasized by many things, especially the conversations and the laughter, but also the etiquette that we had to be dismissed. 

Another ethic value was that everyone should have enough or a fair share of what was presented.  The exception would be if there were guests.  Leading me to share the third ethical value of table fellowship and that is hospitality.  That sharing a meal is the greatest sign of hospitality.  What I learned from my mother that it wasn’t only when we planned to have special dinner party, but even when one of my friends stopped by unannounced.  Always the table was open.

Those three values have been the ethics of table fellowship.  It is not just about the food, but about the fellowship, everyone should get what they need, and it also the greatest sign is hospitality. The Lord’s Table is no exception, and it upholds the three key ethics greatly.  The table is not simply about food but is a communal relational experience between people and the Divine.  Grace goes equally to all as they accept it at the table.  Everyone is invited and we need to keep inviting people to His Table.

This is why they see Jesus at the Table.  They demonstrated great hospitality and were in communion with each other and of course God.  Of course, Grace is given equally and they see Jesus.  But only for an instant, for Luke is making it clear that when we see Jesus we must act as those two did.  They were on an escapist path when they went to Emmaus but as soon as they saw Jesus again in the breaking of the bread, they were back, within the hour, to evangelize. 

All off us need a chance to get away from the world, but once we experience Jesus at the table (or wherever) we realize that Jesus is in control and we are to follow Him.

Light of the World

John 9

July 7, 1974 a woman pregnant with her second child had a vivid dream she would not be able to find her husband when she gave birth and that the child would be born with a heart problem, which there was no reason for her to believe.  On July 8th she did go into labor and as you might have guessed, by the fact that I shared this story, her husband was not found.  Thus when she was told by the doctors that her newborn girl would need heart surgery, her comfort came from that dream, that vision.  God was with her during such a hard time.

In this chapter, Jesus, is asked about the man born blind, if it was the man’s parents or his sin that caused him to be born blind.  Jesus clearly answers them “Neither.” Which is also confirmed by his statement in Luke 13:2-3:

He asked them, ‘Do you think that because these Galileans suffered in this way they were worse sinners than all other Galileans? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all perish as they did.

Jesus is clear that an ailment or suffering is necessarily connected to sin of a individual or their family.  I could not imagine my God would punish children because of their parents or grandparents, nor can I believe newborn know sin.  Yet within the Old Testament there are many times that the writers did attribute a military loss or the exile as a punishment from God.  Thus they seemed to believe that sins could cause punishment for others. 

Many of the prophets do talk about punishment for the entire chosen people for living in sin, however they do begin to understand that it is not about passing sin, but an individual.  A great example of this is when Ezekiel is warning that a punishment is coming and he says (14:14) “even if Noah, Daniel, and Job, these three, were in it, they would save only their own lives by their righteousness, says the Lord God.”  Showing that only an individual can save themselves, and Jeremiah goes on in chapter 31 to talk of a new covenant that will be on our individual hearts. 

The Pharisees don’t interpret sin as Ezekiel and Jeremiah are trying to demonstrate.  Their interpretation is rule oriented.  They call Jesus a sinner, because He healed on the Sabbath, not because of the miracle or even his identity claims.  They are concerned only about the rules for to them it is about the societal order not the relationship with God.  When Moses brought the covenant down to the people it was in response to their liberation that the people would follow the covenant with God.  Once powers and principalities got involved it became follow the rules to prove your in relationship with God.

One could follow exacting directions to get through a pitch black room or field, but it is much easier with light.  Jesus defines sin as not having a relationship with the one “who sent me.”  And that while it is day Jesus is the light of the world.  Jesus made it clear that ailments and suffering are not directly because of sin, but rather allow God’s work and glory may be known in the healing and comfort God provides.  For my mom in 1974 with that vision that comforted her and the miracle of the surgeons working on my sister with Jesus’ guidance and the miracle of the man being able to see because of Jesus opening his eyes, are signs of Jesus as the light.  If you are in relationship with Jesus you will be able to see the righteous path (no creed or rules as the only compass) but using only the rules of the power and principalities as your light one may say “we see,” and Jesus says “your sin remains” (v. 41). 

We need Jesus as our Vision, our Dream!