Days of Flesh

Hebrews 5:7-14

John 3:16-21

What a wonderful expression the writer of Hebrews uses to describe the incarnation of Christ: "In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to the one who was able to save him from death..." (Hebrews 5:7). "The days of his flesh" is a profound way to think about Jesus' presence in our midst. As we know Jesus was truly human in every way save for sin. That's the "flesh" part of the equation. But Jesus also took human form, was enfleshed if you will, at a specific time in human history, and in a specific place. There were "days" during which Jesus ministered, what we would call Mondays and Thursdays, sunny days and ones when the rain poured, exciting days and dull, drab days. Sound familiar? It should, because this is what being flesh is all about. It is about oversleeping and losing car keys, about worrying when the kids get home late or the iron gets left on. Life is about, well, life. It is messy and contentious and full of uncertainties that turn out fine and certainties that go by the wayside. There is always lots for us to stew over, but we should rejoice because that very stewing was sanctified by Jesus in the "days of his flesh."

Another of our readings for today is far more familiar. It comes from the gospel of John. "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life" (John 3:16). This is really what the "days of Jesus' flesh" were all about, and none of the messiness, none of the contentiousness, none of the disappointments can in any way put a dent in God's intentions. Do we believe that? Then let us join hands -- greasy, sticky, calloused, sweaty, rough but flesh-covered hands -- and celebrate the lives we have been given. They are a chance for us to live to God's glory. For as messy as they are, our lives are God's gift to us.

Prayer: Lord, bless us this day with the opportunity to serve you with all we have, as imperfectly as it may be, and to love one another as you love us. In Jesus' name. Amen.

We Know You

Matthew 13:53-58

Perhaps familiarity does breed contempt. That certainly seems to have been the case for Jesus. Visiting his hometown he was confronted with a stubborn disbelief. "Is not this the carpenter’ son?" the locals asked each other. "Is not his mother called Mary? And are not his brothers James and Joseph and Simon and Judas? And are not all his sisters with us?" (Matthew 13:55-56). It was as if Jesus' roots in the community nullified his ministry. "He can't be special," folks were saying. "He's one of us."

But that's just the point, isn't it? Jesus was and is "one of us" in a very real way. Jesus, the fullest expression of God's love, shared our lives at a real time and a real place. He faced real pain, cried real tears, ate real food, experienced real joy and wonder, and offered real grace and truth. He could have accomplished so much if the home folks had only believed in him. The good news is that he still can.

Prayer: Lord of life, give us the faith we need to accept your gracious presence in our lives. Amen.