Monday, January 7, 2008

Remembering the Word

Jim:

Deuteronomy 8:1-3
Verse 2 challenges God’s people to “Remember the long way that the Lord our God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, in order to humble you, testing you to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commandments.” It is easier to remember all the happy stories from scripture than to remember the tough lessons. We would like to focus on the birth of Jesus and his resurrection but aren’t always as keen on Jesus’ passion and crucifixion. We enjoy thinking about the exodus from bondage in Egypt but like to forget the trials and tribulations the people went through and the frustrations that Moses dealt with along the way. The writer of Deuteronomy wants the people to remember everything, even that God had led them through the wilderness for 40 years as a way to humble them. This is important. It is part of the story, part of our story, and we need to know and to reflect on the implications that come with being the people of God.

Colossians 1:1-14
Paul wants his readers to remember as well. In verses 5b-6 Paul reminds the Colossians of how, “You have heard of this hope (laid up for you in heaven) before in the word of the truth, the gospel that has come to you. Just as it is bearing fruit and growing in the whole world, so it has been bearing fruit among yourselves from the day you heard it and truly comprehended the grace of God.” Remember the good news, Paul is saying. Remember the reason you came to faith in the first place. That good news, of Jesus Christ, is doing great things in your midst and around the world.

John 6:30-33, 48-51
The reading from John really ties the other two reading together nicely. In verses 49 and 50 Jesus says, “Your ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die.” Jesus is building on the memories, the stories that the community of faith carries with it and is recasting them in the light of the gospel, the new thing that God is doing. The struggles and frustrations that the people faced in the wilderness included God’s gift of manna. Now, in the person of Jesus, the bread of life has come into their midst. Struggles continue, but by grace God also continues to offer resources and hope to the people so that they—and we—may rise above the challenges and give glory to God.

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