All In This Together

Jeremiah 5:1-9
Living as we do in an age of divisiveness, perhaps it is helpful to be reminded by the prophet that sometimes we are more united than we realize, and that it isn’t always a good thing. “Then I said, ‘These are only the poor, they have no sense; for they do not know the way of the Lord, the law of their God. Let me go to the rich and speak to them; surely they know the way of the Lord, the law of their God.’ But they all alike had broken the yoke, they had burst the bonds” (Jeremiah 5:4-5). Sin is sin. Disregard for the Lord is a problem no matter where it happens or by whom it is perpetrated. Jeremiah surveyed the people of his day and found that no matter their place in the social spectrum, no matter their level of achievement, no matter how well-educated or politically connected they might be, they still fell short of God’s intentions. Interestingly, the fact that Jeremiah assumes that the poor might be less righteous based on their place in society is unusual in scripture where God continually shows great compassion for the oppressed and impoverished. Of course, the prophet quickly finds that there is no status in life where God’s will is followed consistently.

Finger pointing, it would seem, will get us nowhere. What we need is not more accusations against others, but a thorough self-examination to remind us that we, too, have fallen short of God’s will for our lives and that we, too, whoever we may be, whatever our station in life, must allow God to work in and through us to bring us to righteousness. As Paul reminds us in our epistle lesson today, “There is no one who is righteous, not even one” (Romans 3:10). Driving in the car earlier today I experienced a modern interpretation of Paul’s words as I passed cars festooned with stickers in support of one cause or another. I applaud these folks for standing up for their beliefs, but I also hope that in their zeal for a particular cause they do not lose sight of the fact that they, too, need the mercy and forgiveness of God as found in Jesus Christ if they are to walk in paths of faithful obedience and true discipleship.

Perhaps with the realization that sin is a part of every life we may discover a sense of unity and fellowship with others. There is no one who is without sin. No one. And here, if nowhere else, we stand united. It isn’t much, but at least it’s something.

Prayer: Forgive us when we sin against you and against one another, and help us to recognize our need for the entire community of faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Divided By Jesus

John 9:1-17

The idea that Jesus would heal on the sabbath day caused quite a stir among the religious establishment. "Some of the Pharisees said, 'This man is not from God, for he does not observe the sabbath.' But others said, 'How can a man who is a sinner perform such signs?' And they were divided" (John 9:16). Normally, of course, we like to think of Jesus as the healer that he was, not in terms of the controversies he could cause. But John makes it impossible to ignore: there have always been those who would rather quibble over who Jesus really is than to simply accept the grace he offers. To this very day Jesus remains at the center of much debate even among those who profess faith in him as the Word of God incarnate.

A close look at the contemporary church reveals splits, schisms, divisions, denominations sometimes caused by the most obscure of theological issues. Even matters of some general acceptance can cause fraction. What is the "proper" way by which to administer the sacrament of baptism? Who is qualified to proclaim the good news in an "official" capacity? Is it appropriate to use musical instruments in Christian worship? And if so, which ones? Keep in mind that baptism, proclamation, and worship are shared by all Christians and are considered to be positive and affirming activities. And yet over and over again these very concepts send people of faith running to the trenches for more of what has become a protracted battle. It is truly a shame that the one who healed the blind, fed the hungry, welcomed the outcast, and pointed the way to God's coming reign should so often be overshadowed by conflict.

Personally, I look forward to the day when all people will come to know the truth of God's love as revealed in Jesus Christ. But until then I pray that our brokenness may be healed and our focus be restored.

Prayer: Gracious God, forgive the way your people squander the gospel with which we have been entrusted. Restore our unity and guide our living. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Make Up Your Mind Already!

Matthew 11:16-24

Jesus’ frustration is obvious on a number of occasions in scripture. Our reading from the gospel today is one example. Jesus said, “For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon’; the Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’” (Matthew 11:18-19). How slow we are to accept that which does not fit our own view of things! As I look at the church today, including my own denomination, I see conflict and confrontation on all sides. It is not enough to acknowledge “One Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all…” (Ephesians 4:5-6). Even a cool form of civility would be better than the disdain we have for one another.

“What do you want?” Jesus wonders. “What more can God do to earn your faithful obedience? You said that John the Baptist was crazy, but then you say that I am promiscuous. Make up your minds! Which way is it going to be?”

When I read Jesus’ words I am convicted: I am more a part of the problem than the solution. I carry grudges, assign blame, make excuses, and find ways to avoid God’s call for unity. May God both forgive me and lead me to change. In the mean time I feel a strong sense of call in my ministry to hold myself and others accountable for the blessings we have received, for the responsibilities that we share, and for the unity that God—what’s a good word here?—demands. If you feel that there is far too much finger pointing and too little responsibility-taking, if you feel that it has become too popular to break covenant with one another instead of praying with and learning from each other, if you feel that Jesus’ lament has been too long ignored, then you and I, whoever you are, must acknowledge that we have something in common. Then we must listen seriously to Jesus’ words again and again and again until it all sinks in.

Faith really isn’t about what we want! It is about what God wants!

Prayer: Lord, forgive me when I fail you by failing your people. Help me learn to obey your will. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

And the Walls Came a Tumblin' Down

Micah 5:1-4, 10-15
Luke 10:25-37
I don’t think it’s too far a stretch to view the wall that Micah describes in 5:1 as one that we have built ourselves through our sinfulness and our selfishness. In the same way the siege “laid against us” (v. 1), the one that keeps us boxed in, trapped, divided from one another, can be seen as anything that we allow to come between us and God or one another. If you accept this interpretation, then consider the Good Samaritan of Luke 10 to be a “siege buster,” for his actions serve to break down walls of enmity and sinfulness and to set us free to live in faithful obedience to God.

“Which of these…was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers,” Jesus asked a lawyer (Luke 10:36). “He said, ‘The one who showed him mercy.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Go and do likewise’” (v.37). Frankly we can always find reasons to distance ourselves from one another, to divide ourselves into groups or cliques. The question should be who is willing to build up community instead of tearing it down? Who is willing to be the “siege buster,” in day to day life? Who is willing to go and do as the Samaritan did? I think about the stereotypical junior high school dance, with the boys lined up on one side of the gym and the girls on the other. The music is playing, but until one boy or girl has the courage to cross the room and invite another to dance there will be only division and separation. Once someone has started the process others may feel free to join in until a community takes shape in the middle of the gym, boys and girls having a good time together.

Politics, social standing, economics, nationality, and sadly, even religion, often act as cleavers in our world, cutting God’s creation into ever smaller pieces. What we need is hearts of compassion and mercy that will allow us to grow together, into a trusting, loving, nurturing whole. Then the walls will come tumblin’ down and life—the way God intends it—can take root in our midst. In his death and resurrection Jesus “crossed the room” and has invited us to dance to the joyous music of the coming reign of God. Will we?

Prayer: Lord, help us to come together in love, mutual respect, and community, and to cast off the sins and idolatries that keep us so deeply divided. In Jesus’ name. Amen.