Shining Stars and God's Presence

Jim:

Philippians 2:12-30
Verses 14 and 15 struck me this morning. “Do all things without murmuring and arguing, so that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, in which you shine like stars in the world.” I especially like the idea of the children of God shining “like stars in the world.” We use the word star to mean someone of notoriety. such as an actor or actress, a singer or performer, or an athlete. These individuals are said to shine in the world. But Paul calls on the children of God to shine in other ways, through what I’ve always heard described as “clean living.” Those whom the world calls stars shine for their fame and talent. But the children of God are called to shine through goodness and truth, humility and graciousness. And clearly, such actions do stand out by comparison to much of what goes on in the world.

The idea of shining “like stars in the world” also reminded me of the song “Instant Karma” by John Lennon. Lennon isn’t claiming the distinction for Christians alone, but he says that when we are caught up in goodness and in the needs of others: “We all shine on, like moon and the stars and the sun/ Yes, we all shine on, everyone…”

“Why are we here?” the song asks. “Surely not to live in pain and fear,” is the answer. Lennon is right, and when the children of God “shine like stars in the world” there is less pain and fear for all of us to deal with.

Matthew 2:13-23
What a heart-rending story Matthew tells of Herod, enraged by the thought of another king being born, has all the two-year-old children of Bethlehem murdered. The quote from Jeremiah is poignant. “A voice was heard in Ramah, wailing and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be consoled, because they are no more” (v.18). The footnotes of the Oxford Annotated Study Bible are helpful in giving some explanation to this verse. “Ramah, north of Jerusalem, was the scene of national grief (Jeremiah 40:1) inflicted by an enemy.” The footnotes also remind us that Rachel, wife of Jacob, died in childbirth and was buried near Bethlehem (Genesis 35:16-20). But I think of all those parents throughout history who have experienced the death of a child for whatever reason, whether through illness, or natural disaster, or murder, or drug or alcohol abuse. We say that parents are not intended to bury their children, that it’s not the “natural order of things.” That Jesus was born into just such a world and that his birth was accompanied, or marred, by this time of grief reminds us that God is with us at just such times, offering grace and peace to all who mourn. Jesus’ presence does not make all things good instantly, but Jesus is a source of strength and comfort at all times.