Transferred

Colossians 1:1-14
As a child living in Memphis, Tennessee, I never had the need to ride public transportation. But my mother thought getting around town by various means was an important skill to develop, so on at least one occasion we took a city bus from near our home in midtown to the downtown area. It was only a six-mile ride, but it afforded me an opportunity to see how the transit system worked and that even as a child, it was nothing for me to be afraid of. Our reading from Colossians today creates an impression for me of a trip of far greater significance, one that should be taken very seriously because of its far-reaching consequences.

Imagine yourself riding on a great cosmic bus, one that is taking you and everyone you know—perhaps all of creation—toward a dark and evil place. Whether you know it or not, this is not the direction you should be going. You, and everyone else, need to get off of this bus so you can board another one that will take you in the right direction. What you need is a transfer, a ticket that allows you to change from one bus to another so that you may reach the correct destination. The author of Colossians knew nothing about busses, of course, but he did know about the need for God’s people to travel in the right direction; he also knew that God had done what was necessary to achieve that very goal. “He has rescued us from the power of darkness,” we read, “and transferred us into the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins” (Colossians 1:13-14). In the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, God has provided us with a means to change directions, to arrive at the proper location, safe from the “power of darkness,” ensconced in the coming kingdom. Before we had even realized how dangerous our trip was God had already taken steps to save us from it.

This in no way implies that the struggles of life are behind us or that we will not face difficult decisions. Musician Tom Cochrane makes that clear with is song “Life Is a Highway.”

Life's like a road that you travel on
When there's one day here and the next day gone
Sometimes you bend and sometimes you stand
Sometimes you turn your head to the wind

As God’s people we still must learn to “endure everything with patience, while joyfully giving thanks to the Father…” (vv. 11-12). The good news is that we are engaged in a winning effort, not because of who we are, but because of who God is and what God is doing for us. The cosmic journey continues toward God’s coming kingdom.

Prayer: Lord, guide us in our journey of life, that we may live in faithful obedience to you and in service to one another. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

What Exactly Is the Good News?

Luke 4:38-44
The nature of God’s reign is inherently good. That’s one message we find in today’s gospel reading: “But [Jesus] said to them, ‘I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other cities also; for I was sent for this purpose.’ So he continued proclaiming the message in the synagogues of Judea” (Luke 4:43-44). But what constitutes “good news”? The definition we choose will go a long way in determining how we understand God’s work within human history and beyond. Actually, this term is used a number of times in Luke, from the appearance of the angel Gabriel to Zechariah announcing the “good news” of the birth of John (1:19), to the angel’s sharing “good news of great joy” with shepherds guarding their flocks near Bethlehem (2:10). Jesus himself quotes the prophet Isaiah in claiming that his ministry includes bringing “good news to the poor” (4:18), a theme he returns to in his conversation with the disciples of John (7:22). This “good news” then is bound up in the work of Jesus Christ and those, like John, who point toward him.

But as joyous and profound as this “good news” is, it can not be isolated from the reality of the world as we know it. After all, much of Jesus’ time was dedicated to healing illnesses and casting out demons, to calming fears and announcing God’s judgment, to feeding the hungry and restoring the lost. These conditions and needs existed within the created order, plaguing many and making life more difficult. But the hunger and illness and fear in no way preclude the goodness of what God is doing in and through Jesus Christ. To all such cases Jesus brings good news in the form of the coming reign of God. Like a beam of light that ejects all darkness before it, the validity of God’s new creation opens a passage forward. Now lives lived in turmoil have a chance at redemption. Now hurt and anger can be set aside and reconciliation claimed. Angry voices can now be tuned to praise and sharp words to the work of building community.

Jesus shared good news wherever he went. That same good news remains a potent, indeed, all-consuming force for goodness and mercy. When we accept what God is doing now and what God has promised in the future, we prepare ourselves to do our part in changing the world.

Prayer: Almighty God, may we live as messengers of good news and as agents of your gospel until your kingdom arrives in it fullness. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Heavenly Mandate

Luke 3:1-14
According to Luke’s account, John the Baptist gives clear guidance on what one does in order to live a righteous life. “And the crowds asked him, ‘What then should we do?’ In reply he said to them, ‘Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise.’ Even tax collectors came to be baptized, and they asked him, ‘Teacher, what should we do?’ He said to them, ‘Collect no more than the amount prescribed for you.’ Soldiers also asked him, ‘And we, what should we do?’ He said to them, ‘Do not extort money from anyone by threats or false accusation, and be satisfied with your wages’” (Luke 3:10-14). The underlying theme is community, caring for one another and living in right relationship. Those with plenty should care for those in need. Those in authority should be careful not to abuse their power. In fact, all that is required to live a godly life seems to be summed up in John’s admonition to the soldiers, “and be satisfied with your wages.” Those who seek more than they need—be it in terms of wealth or power––are at risk of God’s judgment. “God said it, I believe it, that settles it,” quipped the old-time preacher. Here, the faithful obedience for which God calls is straight-forward and clear-cut. If you have enough, be satisfied with it as you seek to care for those who are without.

What also strikes me about these words is the complete absence of any human mandate. All the generosity, hospitality, responsibility, restraint, and respect, that John’s words imply are to be established according to the will of God and not because of a governmental decree or social policy. Regardless of what legislatures or agencies may (or may not) decide, the role of the believer is obvious: care for one another in obedience to God. As Paul says of the fruit of the Spirit, “There is no law against such things” (Galatians 5:23b).

How might John’s words inform our living today? For one thing, the people of God must demonstrate the human capacity for generosity and compassion instead of waiting for or demanding it of others. Governments serve a vital purpose and can do many good and essential things. But caring for others and sharing with those in need is too important to be relegated to elected officials. Likewise, while there are many points of disagreement between people of faith, there should be something close to unanimity when it comes to caring for the lost, the lonely, the poor, and the outcast. There are many ways to address the needs of the world, but only one Spirit necessary to motivate our actions.

John lays down an indelible pathway toward the coming kingdom with his challenge to “be satisfied” with what we are given as we work to mend the brokenness of our neighbors. As the old-time preacher reminds us, “God said it, I believe it, that settles it.”

Prayer: Gracious God, help us to live with love and compassion for those around us, meeting needs and mending wounds, and so to live as an example to the world of what it means to follow you

Who’s Making All That Noise?

Isaiah 52:1-12
It isn’t always easy to perceive the work of God in our midst. God’s grace, God’s love, God’s mercy all take interesting forms and can come at us from surprising directions. But one thing of which we can be sure is that God does remain active transforming lives and restoring creation. This is, after all, the message that lies at the very heart of the gospel. In Jesus Christ, God was – and is – reconciling the world to God’s self. The prophet Isaiah looked forward to a time when the message of God’s salvation would ring loudly and clearly throughout the land. “Listen! Your sentinels lift up their voices, together they sing for joy; for in plain sight they see 
the return of the Lord to Zion” (Isaiah 52:8). To me the most obvious modern version of these particular sentinels is the church, and it seems appropriate that the people of God, called to be the body of Christ at work in the world, should lift their voices with exultation in order to proclaim God’s presence so that all the world may know and rejoice.

The key, I believe, is Isaiah’s call to “sing for joy.” Normally this would be a funny thing for sentinels to do. It brings to mind images of the knights of Camelot performing their wacky dance number in Monty Python and the Holy Grail. But true joy has that affect, it causes us to dance and sing and become giddy with delight until others begin to wonder why and perhaps even to join in. The church, then, is a sentinel called to scan the horizon, not in dread of what may be coming, nor in gleeful anticipation of God’s fiery condemnation of “everyone else,” but with expectation and hope, knowing that God comes with power and might – yes – but also with love and justice. And when we see signs of God’s activity, when we glimpse grace unfolding in our midst “in plain sight,” we most certainly should “lift up (our) voices, (and) together sing for joy” in response.

Worshipping with a local congregation, serving in the wider community, offering prayers, reflecting on scripture, accepting others as God’s creatures as we strive to find common cause, giving generously of our time and talents: these are all appropriate ways to “sing for joy,” to make known that the Lord is near and that the kingdom of God has dawned. As the people of God let us rejoice at what the Lord is doing and let the good news be shared.

Prayer: Lord God, give us voices to praise you and the willingness to serve you in all we do. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Turns Out, the Older Brother Was Right

Luke 17:1-10
Remember the older brother in the parable of the prodigal son? Remember how, when his younger brother had come crawling back from a life of dissipation, their father threw the young man a party? The older brother was furious. “Listen!” he told his father. “For all these years I have been working like a slave for you, and I have never disobeyed your command; yet you have never given me even a young goat so that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came back, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fatted calf for him!” (Luke 15:29-30). If, like me, you have always felt a sense of solidarity with the older brother, then you will probably be challenged by Jesus’ words from today’s gospel reading. “Do you thank the slave for doing what was commanded? So you also, when you have done all that you were ordered to do, say, 'We are worthless slaves; we have done only what we ought to have done!'" (17:9-10). To me this sounds a lot like what was expected of the older brother. And this is where the gospel––good news that it is––becomes very difficult for some people––even Christians––to accept.

When have we done enough? Is doing what we are told the limit of God’s expectations for us? Well, as the people of God we are told to go the extra mile, turn the other cheek, give up our coats as well as our shirts (Matthew 5:38-41). The older brother may have worked like a slave, but that was his job description. And it is ours as well. To live lives of faithful obedience as disciples of Jesus Christ is to put all we are into doing the work of the kingdom, is to recognize that everything we have belongs God and to God’s purpose for it, is to accept the challenge of doing for others regardless of the personal cost. In short, it is hard work. But it is what Jesus did, and it is what our Lord challenges us to do as we follow him. Why would anyone accept such conditions? The simple answer is that we have been called to serve and set aside by God to do things that not everyone can or will do. We’d love to have the party, but it waits for another day. Now our joy comes from realizing that what we do serves the greatest purpose imaginable. We are agents of God’s word set to work in a world that desperately needs good news. We might think of it in terms of slavery, but we might also see ourselves as doing God’s work simply because it needs to be done.

The older brother was right in what he said to his father. But the father spoke a greater truth, one to which Jesus returns later in Luke. If we are to serve God faithfully, we must find our joy in that work. For that work itself produces greater joy than we could ever find on our own.

Prayer: Lord, give us the strength we need to serve you all the days of our lives with everything we are and everything that we have. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Another Kind of Election

Luke 14:12-24
Jesus told a story about a great dinner to which many had been invited. When the time came, however, the guests made excuses for not attending. “Then the owner of the house became angry and said to his slave, 'Go out at once into the streets and lanes of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame.' And the slave said, 'Sir, what you ordered has been done, and there is still room." Then the master said to the slave, 'Go out into the roads and lanes, and compel people to come in, so that my house may be filled. For I tell you, none of those who were invited will taste my dinner'" (Luke 14:21b-24). The fascinating dynamic at work here is the way the original invitees are excluded while others, many of whom are what we might call “street people,” are “compelled” to attend. It would appear that in some cases being one of God’s elect is not even a choice we could make if we wanted to.

When reading the full passage, note the stark contrast between those who attend the dinner––what we are to understand as the coming reign of God––and those who don’t. Those who had been invited originally have all found other things to do, other objects of devotion. Land, livestock, a family; none of these are bad things in and of themselves. But when they keep us from responding wholeheartedly to God’s claim on our lives they become idols. Those who do attend the banquet have nothing to distract them, no idols, no ideologies, no prejudices. Nothing deters them from hearing and responding to the good news. Nothing stands in the way of their inclusion into God’s household. While some have turned down the generous offer of salvation, others really are given no choice. They are compelled to come.

It is, I think, an understanding of the doctrine of election that deserves our careful attention. Should we allow ourselves to be blinded by our own possessions or our own perspectives we may find ourselves left out, not by God but by our own doing. Meanwhile, God will fill the coming reign with those who are able to appreciate the joy and the grace it offers.

Prayer: Lord, give us the wisdom to receive your gracious offer of salvation and to live toward your coming reign. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Getting to the Point

Matthew 4:12-17

If we were to boil down the essence of Jesus’ ministry, the purpose for all he did and said, the focal point of his work, we could find no better verse than this one from today’s gospel reading. “From that time,” we read, “Jesus began to proclaim, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near’" (Matthew 4:17). Note the sense of urgency. This is not some far-reaching prophetic message, this is a timely word of truth for the world. Note also that it begins with a call for action. Jesus would have his listeners get their lives in order now because God’s will and purpose for humanity is upon them. Jesus, of course, is the embodiment of that will and purpose. Jesus is God’s good news for the world and even when he was rejected and put to death he remained that good news, that word of hope, for in him death was defeated and sin was set aside.

So here we are in April 2012 with a world full of anger and of violence, a world consumed by greed and by apathy. Was Jesus lying to his followers? Was there really no urgency to his words? The answer to these questions remains before us in the person of Jesus Christ. When we believe in God through Jesus we begin to see things very differently. Faith is a lens through which we perceive grace where others see only the ordinary. God is all around us, the kingdom of heaven is as near as the air and just as necessary to our wellbeing. The urgency with which Jesus spoke is still present. The need to get our lives in order remains. When we who would follow Jesus as disciples accept this challenge to live as he lived and to love as he loved we bear witness to the grace of God flowing all around us and filling the world.

The essence of Jesus’ ministry is good news for all people and a very present reality. God is at work and we have the opportunity to join in that work. Thanks be to God.

Prayer: Lord, give us the eyes with which to see your presence, and the will to live as your people. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

It’s Not What You Know…

Mark 4:21-34

Much has been learned about agriculture in the centuries since Jesus taught about the kingdom of God, but the value of Jesus’ parables has in no way diminished. "The kingdom of God is as if someone would scatter seed on the ground,” Jesus said, “and would sleep and rise night and day, and the seed would sprout and grow, he does not know how. The earth produces of itself, first the stalk, then the head, then the full grain in the head. But when the grain is ripe, at once he goes in with his sickle, because the harvest has come” (Mark 4:26-29). The farmer in Jesus’ parable had no idea how seeds become plants. All he knew was that there was a time of growth and development at the end of which the crops would appear and need to be gathered. Nowadays it is not uncommon for elementary school students to study the growth of plants or for science fair participants to demonstrate how various factors affect the process. To say that we do not know how the seeds sprout and grow would not be truthful.

But what we know or don’t know is not really the point of the story. Jesus’ parable is really about trust and patience. To plant a seed is to anticipate that which is to happen at some point further on. While there are things to be done while the plant is growing the process is ultimately dependent on the work of God in creation. So it is with the kingdom. To look forward to God’s reign in its fullness is to anticipate a future event. There are things to be done in the meantime, work to which we are called, but ultimately the process is dependent on God alone. Indeed, the more we learn about growth and development in nature the more we marvel at the intricacy of the process. And the more we attend to Jesus’ words about the kingdom the more active we become in our waiting.

The beauty of Jesus’ parables is that they remain vivid as they continue to offer guidance for our living.

Prayer: Lord, we depend on your grace alone, for which we give you thanks. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Until Then

Revelation 21:22-27

The old joke says that sin keeps ministers in business. That is only a joke (and not a very good one at that). The truth is that the church as the body of Christ exists to faithfully serve its Lord and Savior; clergy and laity alike share this responsibility (see my blog post from January 5, 2012 for more on that subject). The time is coming when there will be no need for the church as an institution for we will all dwell in the presence of the living God. We find such an assurance in our reading from Revelation for today. “I saw no temple in the city,” we read, “for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb. And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God is its light, and its lamp is the Lamb” (Revelation 21:22-23).

Years ago John Lennon challenged his listeners to “Imagine” a world without boundaries or institutions. John, the writer of Revelation, is making essentially the same observation. In the coming reign of God there will be no need for religion as we know it, no place for governments or socio-economic classes. Even the elements of nature that we consider essential for life will become superfluous, all replaced by the glory of God and of the Lamb.

So, yes, I look forward to the day when the church is rendered obsolete, when symbols of earthly power and authority cease to have meaning. When that day comes God will stand alone in undiluted majesty and we will know life as it is intended to be.

Prayer: Lord, give us patience to await the day of your coming and the love we need to care for one another in the meantime. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Let It Go, Let It All Go

Matthew 13:44-52

What would you give everything to own? What is of such value to you that you would gladly do without everything else in your life if you could possess it? Jesus said, “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which someone found and hid; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls; on finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it” (Matthew 13:44-46). Jesus wants us to understand that the coming reign of God is just that valuable, that to be a part of it, to be counted among those who experience it, it worth any price we could pay. It is the hidden treasure, the pearl of great value, and so much more.

Too often I think we set our sights low. We settle for that which is of little worth. It may seem valuable at the time, but in the long run it is not. “Let it go,’ Jesus is saying, “let it all go, and take hold of the one thing that is of lasting importance.” Easier said than done, of course. The baubles that distract us are compelling. They shine and they glisten. No matter, Jesus is telling us. “Let it go, let it all go.” The one thing we need is worth everything else, and that is the kingdom, the eternal home, the new thing that God is doing.

So what would you give everything to own? It’s a question worth thinking about.

Prayer: Lord, you offer us the one thing that we really need. Help us to accept your gift with thanksgiving. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Now Where?

Matthew 10:16-23

A verse from Matthew’s gospel is giving me particular trouble today. I thought I’d share it. “When they persecute you in one town,” Jesus said, “flee to the next; for truly I tell you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes” (Matthew 10:23). What did Jesus mean? Was he saying that his return would be prompt? If so, was he actually wrong? Or is there another meaning to what he was saying? How far should we go in trying to understand it?

I’d rather not get caught up in concerns of that nature. What I take from this passage is the reality of movement, of motion, both of believers and of our Lord. Events unfold, lives change, circumstances are altered. We know this, and Jesus does not deny it. But through it all the hope and the promise remain because Jesus, too, is in motion and in due time he will return and all will be set right according to God’s will. This is certain. Lives that are inherently active are watched over by a Savior who is active as well.

Perhaps Jesus was speaking in metaphors in Matthew, or perhaps his words contain some far more significant message. Whatever the case, the kingdom of God is moving inexorably toward us. Meanwhile, as active as we are we cannot outrun God or God’s will.

Prayer: Lord, all the world is in motion. Help us to see that you are in motion as well, moving in and through and above us and blessing our efforts to your glory. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Has Anyone Seen the Kingdom?

Mark 8:34-9:1

To borrow a line from my friend Nancy Taylor’s blog, “Hmmm…” (http://hmmm-revnancy.blogspot.com/). Here’s what Jesus says in our gospel reading for today. “And he said to them, ‘Truly I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see that the kingdom of God has come with power’” (Mark 9:1). Really? Hmmm… The world is in as big a mess now as ever. So where the heck is the kingdom?

Of course, it’s a trick question. The kingdom of God is right where it has been since Jesus’ ministry began: here in our midst. As is so often the case with issues of faith, it’s all in your perspective. Has the kingdom of God reached it’s full extent? No, of course not. Is it already taking shape? Yes, in a multitude of significant ways, all of which may be the size of a mustard seed (however big that is), but which are life changing nonetheless. It is not always appropriate to mix gospels references but in this case I think it is helpful to turn to John 1:5. “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.” Indeed, a small glimmer of light can push back all darkness, for where there is any light, darkness ceases to be. So it is with grace, or with God’s will. In the light of Jesus Christ the darkness of evil has been overcome once and for all. And the light will continue to grow, slowly but steadily.

As I write these words I keep in mind the many people from other parts of the world who have read this blog. As a North American I realize that I live in circumstances that affect my worldview. For me to say that grace abounds is perhaps of less significance than it would be for many of you. Perhaps some of you will respond to this posting with your own perspective. But I wish to affirm my faith in the work that God is doing throughout the world, wherever the darkness is receding and the light is dawning, wherever the hungry are fed, wherever the weak are tended to, wherever the poor are provided for, wherever the disheartened are encouraged. It is in these places where the kingdom of God has become most visible, most powerful, most active.

Has anyone seen the kingdom? Yes. I have seen it and felt it. And so have many of you. It is what pushes us forward and allows us to stand, even in the face of hardship or distress.

Prayer: Thanks be to you, O Lord, for all you do in our midst, and for the dawning of your kingdom which brings grace to bear in our world. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Lining Up the Dominos

Deuteronomy 4:25-31

Matthew 6:24-34

Have you ever seen an array of dominos, stood on end, one after another in a long line? If they are set up correctly and the spacing is precise, when the first is tipped It will knock over the next one and so forth. Someone with a great deal of time and patience can create elaborate designs and patterns among the tipping objects. It is something to see. Life has it’s own set of dominos, issues that cause us concern, worry, anxiety. What will we eat? Where will we live? What can we wear? And while these are important questions, none of these ranks as the “first domino.” There is one that should always come first, and that is the will of God.

“But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness,” says Jesus, “and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:33). To put any “domino” ahead of the kingdom of God is to fall into the trap that we read about in Deuteronomy. There God warns the people to avoid idolatry at all costs. “…(I)f you act corruptly by making an idol in the form of anything…you will soon utterly perish from the land that you are crossing the Jordan to occupy…” (Deuteronomy 4:25-26). To make anything other than God and God’s will the “first domino” is false worship which leads only to hardship and struggle But if God is our primary focus, the “first domino” in our array, then the other issues can and will be sorted out for us.

Don’t worry about what you will eat or wear, worry about who you will worship, said Jesus. Do not make an idol out of anything, God tells the people through Moses, or you will not survive long. It all makes sense. When we are lining up the dominos of life, we should be sure that our devotion to God is first and not somewhere down the life. Then we may begin to live worry-free.

Prayer: Lord help us to get our priorities straight, that we may live according to your will and be freed from the worries of daily live. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Everybody's Invited

Isaiah 25:1-9

Our reading for today from the prophet Isaiah discusses what the Lord will do in days to come. One particular verse caught my eye because of its relevance for the contemporary church. “On this mountain,” says the prophet, “the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples a feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wines, of rich food filled with marrow…” (Isaiah 25:6). This is one of the passages in Isaiah that has come to represent the Messianic hope which the church associates with Jesus Christ. In fact, in Luke we read very similar words: “People will come from east and west, north and south, and will eat in the kingdom of God” (Luke 13:29).

The first thing to catch the readers eye may be the quality of the food that is promised, “a feast of rich food…filled with marrow.” This is no fast food or carry-out, this is good stuff, the kind of meal that one associates with a full life. But I think we should also notice who it is that will be invited to this feast. The Lord will prepare this sumptuous dinner “for all peoples.” The Hebrew word used here for “peoples” usually means “all humankind.” The promise then, seems to be without distinction. Everyone will have the opportunity to share in the feast, to be a part of what God is doing.

On the one hand this may lead us to images of workers hired late in the day and paid for a full day’s labor, or of prodigal sons welcomed home, or of fights over who reclines where at a meal. But the image is certainly intended to be one of a joyous family reunion, tables heaped high with tasty dishes which we share with relatives we may never have met. So we look forward with great hope to that day when all the earth will see and understand the glory of God and life will be what it was always intended to be.

Prayer: God of hosts, give us patience as we await the coming of your kingdom and help us to welcome others in the meantime as we prepare for that day. Amen.

Redeemed By Justice

Isaiah 1:21-31

1 Thessalonians 2:1-12

I find the ideas contained in Isaiah’s words, “Zion shall be redeemed by justice…” (Isaiah 1:27) to be deeply moving for a number of reasons, and especially apt for this time of year. First of all the prophet affirms that God remains at work in the life of the people. There is an ongoing relationship, a conversation if you will, that God maintains. Advent is a time of waiting and anticipation. But we do not wait in isolation, we literally wait with God to see what God will do.

For another thing, redemption and justice help to define one another. To be redeemed by God is not the same thing as a “Get Out Of Jail Free” card in the game Monopoly. Redemption, though not dependant on our works, nonetheless presupposes our participation in God’s purposes. Meanwhile, God’s justice, when shared with the world, works to spread the grace and mercy upon which all community must be built if it is to survive. God’s redemption leads us to acts of justice, which in turn push the boundaries of community outward and help to make God’s redeeming work known to others.

Finally, Isaiah’s words resonate well with those of 1 Thessalonians where we read, “(We are) urging and encouraging you and pleading that you lead a life worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory” (1 Thessalonians 2:12). God’s call has already been placed. The kingdom is already at hand. Redemption is a reality. Now all people are urged and encouraged and plead with to “lead a life worthy” of what God is doing, to enter wholeheartedly into the cycle of redemption and justice because that is what God’s people do.

What would God’s justice look like? How will we know when it arrives? These are not easy questions and good people with good intentions can argue long and hard about them without consensus. But it is a conversation that we must have at all times and it is a process that must allow and accept God’s word to stand supreme in our midst, during Advent and beyond. Part of our excitement at Advent should come from knowing that someday, in God’s time, the answers will become clear and the kingdom will arrive in its fullness, and that is something worth working for and living towards!

Prayer: O God, as we await your coming may we do so with justice for others and with thanks for your redeeming love in Jesus Christ, in whose name we pray. Amen.

Are We Resting On the Dregs?

Zephaniah 1:7-13
Revelation 14:1-13
Luke 12:49-59
The prophet Zephaniah uses an interesting turn of phrase in today’s reading. “…I will punish the people who rest complacently on their dregs, those who say in their hearts, ‘The Lord will not do good, nor will he do harm’” (Zephaniah 1:12). According to Elizabeth Achtemeier the expression, “to rest on one’s dregs,” comes from the process of making wine. New wine that is left to sit too long will become “thick and syrupy and too sweet and subject to mold” (Achtemeier, Nahum—Malachi, John Knox Press, 1986, p. 69.). In other words, such wine becomes good for nothing, as do the people who produce it. The prophet condemns this apathy among God’s people as growing out of the belief that “The Lord will not do good, nor will he do harm” (Zephaniah 1:12), or that God is apathetic, inactive, and “good for nothing” as well.

But our other two readings today give us a much different view of God. “Fear God and give him glory,” says the writer of Revelation, “for the hour of his judgment has come…” (Revelation 14:7). Jesus says, “I came to bring fire to the earth.…Do you think that I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division!” (Luke 12:49, 51). God is anything put apathetic. God is anything but inactive. God is anything but worthless. We may be tempted to “rest on our dregs” with complacency, but God’s will is that we get up and get to work preparing for the coming kingdom, meeting the needs of the world, reaching out in God’s name to cure and to comfort and to console. God is holding us accountable so there is no time to waste.

What can we do today that will demonstrate active participation in the will of God? We can care for the hurting, we can give to the poor, we can share the good news with those who sit in darkness. We can pray for the church and for one another. In these ways we produce good fruit, wine suitable for its purpose, lives in tune with the will of God.

Prayer: Lord, help us to remain active in service to you and to others. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Last Words

Jonah 3:1-4:11
Revelation 11:14-19
Luke 11:27-36
The connection between our readings from Luke and Johan is obvious. In Luke Jesus compares and contrasts his ministry to that of the prophet and points to the impact Jonah had on Nineveh as opposed to the response Jesus receives from his own people. But I find a very compelling point of reference between the reading in Jonah and that in Revelation, because in each case God’s word is final.

In fact, the final verses of Jonah come to an abrupt end with God making an emphatic point and leaving the prophet no opportunity to reply (Jonah 4:10-11). That’s the way it is, Jonah, says God, and that’s that. The finality of God’s word in our reading from Revelation is less implied than that in Jonah. “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah, and he will reign forever and ever,” we read (Revelation 11:15). Not only has God put an end to the discussion, God has brought the kingdom to consummation. There are still plenty of visions for John to relate to us, but already we know how the story will end. God will reign “forever and ever” over the “kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah.” From now on this is how it will be. And that’s that.

There is a joke about how American Civil War movies always end the same way. The North wins every time. Of course that’s history, a look back. Revelation is a look ahead, but the effect is the same. No matter how many times we read the Bible it always ends the same way, even if that end is sometime in the future. As with John of Patmos, there are still plenty of visions for us to see, a lot of situations for us to experience, ample opportunities for us to choose between the kingdoms of the world or the kingdom of God. But already we know how the story will end. When creation reaches its “final verse” God will make the last emphatic point and that will be that. It will all be over except for the joy and the peace of God’s endless reign.

Prayer: Almighty God, may our prayers of praise and adoration rise before you as we await the final coming of your kingdom. Guide our feet that we may walk in the paths of righteousness until that day dawns with the light of your glory. Amen.