As I read through the first and Gospel lessons for this Sunday, I saw a common thread between the two of them. Very important characters in each of these stories exhibit the exact same emotion: fear.
In the first lesson, God finds Elijah in a cave. Why is Elijah there? He himself says, "I have been very zealous for the Lord, the God of hosts; for the Israelites have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they are seeking my life, to take it away." In other words, "Lord, there are folks looking to kill me. I don’t want to die. I am hiding because I am afraid." Fear leads Elijah to run and hide in a cave.
In the Gospel lesson, Jesus’ closest followers are heading across a lake. They are having a rough go of it because the wind is in their faces. The waves are battering the boat, and the disciples are not in too good of a mood. Early in the morning, as they are struggling to make headway, they see someone or something walking on the water toward them. Fear takes over. They believe it is a ghost. They cry out! Luckily for them, it is not a ghost intent upon sinking them or stealing their souls. It is the Lord, and He eases their minds, but the ordeal is not over.
Peter, perhaps because he’s trying to show he’s braver than the others sitting in that boat says, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water."
Jesus says, "Come."
So Peter climbs over the rail, and begins walking on the water! I can only imagine what was going on in his head at that moment. "Holy cow!" he probably thought to himself. "I’m actually doing this. I’m taking steps on water. This shouldn’t be happening. People don’t just walk on water."
And that’s when things turned serious. Peter, in the midst of walking on the water feels the wind. It’s very strong, and fear begins welling up inside him. It paralyzes him, and Peter begins to sink. Fear leads Peter toward certain death.
How many of us at some point and time have found ourselves like Elijah? How many times has fear led us to run and hide, to shut out the world, to seek safety and security above all else? How often have we looked at the economic indicators, the proliferation of weapons, the news stories of crazy people committing violence, the pollution which will destroy our planet and every living thing, the chemicals and cholesterol and saturated fats in our food, and all the other things which threaten our livelihood and well being, and because of their overwhelmingness, we have sought to shut everything out? To hide from it all? To find a place of absolute safety and security so that we no longer have to deal with it all?
Or, how many of us have found ourselves paralyzed with fear? How many of us have found ourselves in a toxic work environment where we are humiliated by bosses or coworkers and the stress is causing us mental, physical, emotional, and relational problems? And yet, we are afraid to do anything because at least we have a paycheck? And how many of us have found ourselves dealing with a major medical situation, either with ourselves or with a family member? The future is uncertain, bills are piling up, things need to be done, but the stress, the anxiety, the unknowing, the fear keeps us from doing anything and everything? And how many of us have been thrust into a conflict between coworkers or friends or family that we had no intention of entering? We see both sides of the issue, and we don’t want to hurt either side by taking sides, and so we are paralyzed wondering just what we should do because we fear that any action will be the wrong action?
Fear drives us to hiding. And fear paralyzes us. Both of these responses are evident in our Bible lessons this morning. Both of these are common to you and to me as we deal with fear, but do you see how God addresses each of these?
First, in our Old Testament lesson, God comes to Elijah. He doesn’t arrive in a great wind, or in an earthquake or in a great fire. God doesn’t arrive in mighty, attention getting ways, but in sheer silence, God comes to Elijah. And God speaks to Elijah. God tells him, "Get out of this cave. I have work for you to do. If you really want to know safety, if you really want to know security, just do what I tell you to do. I’ll take care of the rest." When Elijah wants to hide because of his fear, God comes to him, and kicks him out into the world to do God’s work.
Christ’s response is very different in our Gospel Lesson. Peter is sinking. His fear has paralyzed him. Without assistance, Peter will drown. Peter cries out, "Lord, save me!" And Jesus does just that. Jesus offers Peter His hand, lifts him out of the water, and takes him back to the boat. Jesus takes Peter from his place of fear, and leads him to the safety of the boat. And, for extra added measure, Jesus calms the wind. When Peter is in over his head, Jesus rescues him and leads him to the place he needs to be.
Think about both of those stories and hold them in your heart and mind for a few moments. Think of how God acts in each of these stories and what they tell us in this time and this place. Think of where you are at in the midst of your life and in the midst of your own fears. How do these stories hit you?
Are you like Elijah, seeking safety above all else? Are you worried that all the stuff happening in the world is too overwhelming and that all you want to do is get away? And do you, like Elijah need to seek God in utter silence? Do you need to turn off the television, the computer, your radio or MP3 player? Do you need to ask someone to take care of your children for a few hours or a day to sit in sheer silence to hear God’s call? Is God calling you to set aside your fear because He has a plan and a purpose for you? Is God calling you and saying, "I have work for you to do. Stop hiding. Stop trying to escape reality. Engage it. Cast your fears aside because I am with you."
Or, on this day do you find yourself in over your head? Do you find yourself sinking in the midst of the storms of life? Are the waves crashing? Is the wind blowing? Are you crying out to Jesus, "Lord, save me!"? And are you trusting that He is reaching out His mighty hand to you? Are you trusting that He will put you on solid footing? Are you trusting that He will lead you to the place where you are safe and that you can continue your journey in the sea of life? After all, Jesus didn’t take Peter to the safety and security of land–Jesus took him back to the boat which was still traveling. Yet, that doesn’t negate the fact that Jesus saw Peter through a very difficult situation–and He does the same for you and for me.
As we look at these stories we see that depending upon the particular need, God will either push us out or reel us in. God will let us know if we are seeking too much safety, or if we have wandered too far out and become overwhelmed with the circumstances. We have the assurance that God has been, is and will be with us throughout all of these things. Indeed this is good news for us all.
But, I must ask, is this good news just for those of us who live in a relationship with our Lord? Is this just good news for those who follow Jesus? Or do we believe we have a precious gift that must be shared? How many in the world need to know God meets them in silence and sends them into the world with confidence? How many need to know God rescues them from the wind and waves in life? Are we not called to overcome our fears and share this news with others?
As St. Paul writes in our second lesson, "14But how are they to call on one in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in one of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone to proclaim him? 15And how are they to proclaim him unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"
May you realize this day that God saves us from our fears, and now He sends us out to share this news with others. May your feet be considered beautiful. Amen.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
What Happened to Healing?
No, really.
I mean it.
What happened to the ability of the church to cure disease with prayer?
Benny Hinn and some of those other folks not withstanding.
What really happened to folks being able to lay hands on the sick, the lame, the deaf, the blind, and having all things restored?
I've been having this Q & A with Jesus recently about this situation. Many things have led up to it.
1. Reading and re-reading the Gospels (and the book of Acts), I am struck by how much of Jesus' ministry proclaiming the inbreaking of the Kingdom of God is also tied to His healing of the sick and the casting out of demons. Folks flocked from miles around to have Him touch them and cure their diseases. The evidence of the Kingdom was overwhelming and Jesus' proclamation was backed up by His actions.
2. Jesus also, in no uncertain terms gave this power to those who followed. Healings continued after He was taken up into heaven.
3. It seems the Church has abdicated authority in this arena. I am struck by how many times the Gospel writers wrote about Jesus' teaching with authority "and not like one of the scribes."
4. The reality of a hurting world that could use good news of the healing of diseases. I have gotten to that point in my ministry where my heart longs for such healings to take place. When I see the images in my head of a 12 year old girl who suffers from arrhythmia who has had a heart attack and died only to be brought back by defibulation...who is still hooked up to wires and hoses...whose parents sit in a state of shock and bewilderment...
When I see the picture in my head of a baby, four to six months old with a mask on his or her face crying and a mother desperately trying to comfort her child without being able to pick him or her up because of the wires and tubes...a mother whose eyes are filled with grief and agony...
When I think of a child in the community who at three suffered an attack on her brain which has rendered her incapable of controlling her movements or talking...but who has one of the most angelic smiles...and who should be running and jumping and playing...
When I think of two elderly gentlemen who are suffering with cancer...who I have eaten with...who I have worked beside...who I have had deep, meaningful conversations about faith and life with...who are undergoing the pains of chemotherapy and dealing with the uncertainty of what the future holds...
My heart longs and yearns to do as Jesus did...
To say, "Talitha cum," and have little girls rise.
To say, "Because of your faith, your child is healed."
To say, "Go, your faith has made you well."
I do not know why I have not seen such things happen. I don't know if my faith is insufficient. I don't know if such gifts are not imparted these days. I don't know if such things would only serve to raise up individuals instead of point to God the true Healer.
And please spare me the "God gives doctors the knowledge to heal these days" speech. Furthermore, don't give me the "Healing is more about wholeness than curing" business. Jesus didn't just make people have a sense of well being. He didn't just send folks to doctors and help doctors cure diseases. He healed folks. Touched them. Spat in their eyes. Rebuked evil spirits. Made illness flee.
And evidence of such things today is sparse. What has happened?
I just don't know.
And so I wonder.
What happened to healing?
I mean it.
What happened to the ability of the church to cure disease with prayer?
Benny Hinn and some of those other folks not withstanding.
What really happened to folks being able to lay hands on the sick, the lame, the deaf, the blind, and having all things restored?
I've been having this Q & A with Jesus recently about this situation. Many things have led up to it.
1. Reading and re-reading the Gospels (and the book of Acts), I am struck by how much of Jesus' ministry proclaiming the inbreaking of the Kingdom of God is also tied to His healing of the sick and the casting out of demons. Folks flocked from miles around to have Him touch them and cure their diseases. The evidence of the Kingdom was overwhelming and Jesus' proclamation was backed up by His actions.
2. Jesus also, in no uncertain terms gave this power to those who followed. Healings continued after He was taken up into heaven.
3. It seems the Church has abdicated authority in this arena. I am struck by how many times the Gospel writers wrote about Jesus' teaching with authority "and not like one of the scribes."
4. The reality of a hurting world that could use good news of the healing of diseases. I have gotten to that point in my ministry where my heart longs for such healings to take place. When I see the images in my head of a 12 year old girl who suffers from arrhythmia who has had a heart attack and died only to be brought back by defibulation...who is still hooked up to wires and hoses...whose parents sit in a state of shock and bewilderment...
When I see the picture in my head of a baby, four to six months old with a mask on his or her face crying and a mother desperately trying to comfort her child without being able to pick him or her up because of the wires and tubes...a mother whose eyes are filled with grief and agony...
When I think of a child in the community who at three suffered an attack on her brain which has rendered her incapable of controlling her movements or talking...but who has one of the most angelic smiles...and who should be running and jumping and playing...
When I think of two elderly gentlemen who are suffering with cancer...who I have eaten with...who I have worked beside...who I have had deep, meaningful conversations about faith and life with...who are undergoing the pains of chemotherapy and dealing with the uncertainty of what the future holds...
My heart longs and yearns to do as Jesus did...
To say, "Talitha cum," and have little girls rise.
To say, "Because of your faith, your child is healed."
To say, "Go, your faith has made you well."
I do not know why I have not seen such things happen. I don't know if my faith is insufficient. I don't know if such gifts are not imparted these days. I don't know if such things would only serve to raise up individuals instead of point to God the true Healer.
And please spare me the "God gives doctors the knowledge to heal these days" speech. Furthermore, don't give me the "Healing is more about wholeness than curing" business. Jesus didn't just make people have a sense of well being. He didn't just send folks to doctors and help doctors cure diseases. He healed folks. Touched them. Spat in their eyes. Rebuked evil spirits. Made illness flee.
And evidence of such things today is sparse. What has happened?
I just don't know.
And so I wonder.
What happened to healing?
Monday, August 8, 2011
A Quote that Resonates with Me
From Richard John Neuhaus' book American Babylon:
...the churches that had been a primary bearer of the American story have been of little help in restoring a politics of democratic deliberation about how we ought to order our life together. Those Protestant churches that were once called mainline, and are not viewed as oldline or even sideline, have in recent decades planted the banner "Thus Saith the Lord" on the cultural and political platform of the left. The evangelical Protestant insurgency has planted the same banner on the cultural and political platform of the right. It matters little that those on the right have greater political potency. With notable exceptions, both undermine a religiosly informed public philosophy for the American experiment; both contribute to the political corruption of authentic politics; both have forgotten that, as it is said in the Letter to the Hebrews, we have here no abiding city. p. 54I am chewing on this one because it is offering some pretty substantial meat.
Thursday, August 4, 2011
Is it a God Thing?
Can God's hand be discerned in something as mundane as the repair on a vehicle?
Nearly a month ago, I took my prized Ford Mustang GT to the shop for regularly scheduled maintenance. These days, if you slap a warranty on one of those boogers, you are required to get the maintenance done, or you'll invalidate your warranty. I wouldn't have taken it in otherwise, but the 48,000 mile stuff was due.
I took it in the Friday morning before my family and I were scheduled to leave for vacation. The fuel filter was on the to do list as was a 15 point inspection. I also informed the guy a the counter, Brad, that the speedometer had been acting up on me. I hoped they'd check it out. Unfortunately, I was told that unless it was doing it currently, there was nothing they could do. (I think that's how some of these auto companies try to get out of stuff covered by warranty, but that's beside the point.)
That afternoon, I received a call from the dealership. Nearly everything had checked out O.K. except the tires. I knew they were going to be a problem before too long when I bought the vehicle. I could tell they were pretty worn, but I was trying to stretch it a while. No such luck. They were beginning to dry rot. Four new wheels were suddenly on the agenda. However, the tires I needed were not in stock. They had to order them, and they wouldn't be in until sometime early the next week.
I said, "I'm going on vacation, so it will be at least a week before I can pick it up. Is it O.K. to leave it there while I'm on vacation?"
I was assured there was no problem.
After a week of vacationing at my parents', we stopped at home for one night to pick up our dogs and do some fast housework before heading to my in-laws. Since my car was ready (and so were a pair of new eyeglasses), I decided to postpone our leaving until a little later Monday morning so that I could pick up these things.
I had my wife drop me off at the dealership, and thinking everything would be O.K., I had her head back home to finish up travel prep. I went it, settled my account, received my key, and headed out to the car. I unlocked my baby, and climbed in. I looked over at the passenger door and said, "Uh oh!"
There is a vinyl panel on both the driver side and passenger side door. Assuming it was because the car sat in the hotter that hell heat for a week, that panel had peeled off on the passenger door and was peeling off some on the driver side door. I marched back inside the office, asked Brad to come with me, and showed him the problem. "It wasn't that way when I dropped it off," I said.
The folks at Ryan Ford in Sealy graciously made amends and said they would fix it, much to my happiness. But here's where things get even more interesting. While in San Antonio, I received a call informing me the lady who does such things would fix the car on Friday.
Friday rolls around, and I receive another call. The lady can't make it. She'll hopefully be there Saturday.
No call Saturday.
At the office on Monday, I call the dealership and check the status. I ask if the lady made it in. The response was in the negative, so Brad then informs me they will send the car to Katy to have the upholstery taken care of down there. He tells me it should be done on Thursday. No problem, I assure him.
More waiting.
Thursday rolls around. I call to check status once again.
Brad says, "Yes, the upholstery is done, but on the way back from Katy, my tech told me the speedometer was really acting up on him and there is something wrong with it. Do you want us to check it out?"
"Praise God!" I thought. "I am so glad it acted up on you," I replied. "Get 'er done!"
I had to wait another week for parts and stuff to get in, but now the car is ship-shape with a new set of tires, a new fuel filter, and a new console that doesn't go goofy on me at certain times. And thanks to the warranty, I'm only out $50 on a console that normally cost close to $700.
So, the question, seeing all the "coincidences" that led to the speedometer finally acting up and being replaced, is it a God thing or something else?
Nearly a month ago, I took my prized Ford Mustang GT to the shop for regularly scheduled maintenance. These days, if you slap a warranty on one of those boogers, you are required to get the maintenance done, or you'll invalidate your warranty. I wouldn't have taken it in otherwise, but the 48,000 mile stuff was due.
I took it in the Friday morning before my family and I were scheduled to leave for vacation. The fuel filter was on the to do list as was a 15 point inspection. I also informed the guy a the counter, Brad, that the speedometer had been acting up on me. I hoped they'd check it out. Unfortunately, I was told that unless it was doing it currently, there was nothing they could do. (I think that's how some of these auto companies try to get out of stuff covered by warranty, but that's beside the point.)
That afternoon, I received a call from the dealership. Nearly everything had checked out O.K. except the tires. I knew they were going to be a problem before too long when I bought the vehicle. I could tell they were pretty worn, but I was trying to stretch it a while. No such luck. They were beginning to dry rot. Four new wheels were suddenly on the agenda. However, the tires I needed were not in stock. They had to order them, and they wouldn't be in until sometime early the next week.
I said, "I'm going on vacation, so it will be at least a week before I can pick it up. Is it O.K. to leave it there while I'm on vacation?"
I was assured there was no problem.
After a week of vacationing at my parents', we stopped at home for one night to pick up our dogs and do some fast housework before heading to my in-laws. Since my car was ready (and so were a pair of new eyeglasses), I decided to postpone our leaving until a little later Monday morning so that I could pick up these things.
I had my wife drop me off at the dealership, and thinking everything would be O.K., I had her head back home to finish up travel prep. I went it, settled my account, received my key, and headed out to the car. I unlocked my baby, and climbed in. I looked over at the passenger door and said, "Uh oh!"
There is a vinyl panel on both the driver side and passenger side door. Assuming it was because the car sat in the hotter that hell heat for a week, that panel had peeled off on the passenger door and was peeling off some on the driver side door. I marched back inside the office, asked Brad to come with me, and showed him the problem. "It wasn't that way when I dropped it off," I said.
The folks at Ryan Ford in Sealy graciously made amends and said they would fix it, much to my happiness. But here's where things get even more interesting. While in San Antonio, I received a call informing me the lady who does such things would fix the car on Friday.
Friday rolls around, and I receive another call. The lady can't make it. She'll hopefully be there Saturday.
No call Saturday.
At the office on Monday, I call the dealership and check the status. I ask if the lady made it in. The response was in the negative, so Brad then informs me they will send the car to Katy to have the upholstery taken care of down there. He tells me it should be done on Thursday. No problem, I assure him.
More waiting.
Thursday rolls around. I call to check status once again.
Brad says, "Yes, the upholstery is done, but on the way back from Katy, my tech told me the speedometer was really acting up on him and there is something wrong with it. Do you want us to check it out?"
"Praise God!" I thought. "I am so glad it acted up on you," I replied. "Get 'er done!"
I had to wait another week for parts and stuff to get in, but now the car is ship-shape with a new set of tires, a new fuel filter, and a new console that doesn't go goofy on me at certain times. And thanks to the warranty, I'm only out $50 on a console that normally cost close to $700.
So, the question, seeing all the "coincidences" that led to the speedometer finally acting up and being replaced, is it a God thing or something else?
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Disappearing Women
Article here:
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/07/31/IND91KEHAD.DTL
In my opinion, this is the result of rapidly advancing technology without the moral framework in place to deal with said technology.
At the risk of sounding chauvinistic, uncouth, and ultra-conservative, the world has an ethics problem when it comes to the sanctity of life--born and unborn.
We live in a day and age defined by the relativization of truth. Some believe all truth is relative, but that suggestion is a cop out and a refusal to deal with the reality of right and wrong. If one says truth is relative, one is making a statement of truth which is automatically relativized. It simply does not follow.
Secondly, those who believe truth is relative, I believe, have no experience of evil. If you have ever dealt with parents who have had their child kidnapped or murdered, you know evil exists. Six million people dying at the hands of a madman and those who followed him prove evil exist. If everything was relative, we could not make a moral judgment upon such issues. Kidnapping a child, murdering a child, murdering another human being, taking that which does not belong to you, all such things are wrong. Plain and simple.
Somewhere in the grand scheme of things, real truth does exist, and it demands a response and accountability from us as people.
Oh, yeah, I know the argument: I probably would not be saying such things had I been raised in another form or fashion or culture which felt differently. Granted. I agree with such a statement. But would that make such actions right? If I were a part of a culture that practiced human sacrifice and was raised to believe such sacrifice was necessary, would that still make it right? Only in my mind, but not in reality.
The selective act of aborting females to ensure a couple has a male child is wrong. Morally, ethically, and otherwise, it's wrong.
From a Christian standpoint, I cannot imagine Jesus condoning such behavior. His teachings on children were revolutionary for their time. Children then were considered property. Their lives were meaningless to the vast majority of people. They were expendable because unless they could contribute and work, they were simply one more mouth to feed--with resources that were already stretched thin.
But Jesus said, "Unless you accept the kingdom of heaven as you accept a little child..."
(You can take that a couple of ways. You can understand this to have a childlike faith, or you can understand it as literally accepting the kingdom of God as you would accept someone who was considered expendable. Of course, I am accentuating the latter.)
Astounding the number of children who have been aborted in this piece for no other reason than they did not have a penis and a set of testicles.
Hello, where is the moral outrage?
We've finally reached a point in history where most folks consider it an abomination that a person could be killed or discriminated against because of the color of his or her skin. We have made massive headway in conferring equal rights because of gender. But if the unborn is not the correct gender...
Does this make any sense what-so-ever?
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/07/31/IND91KEHAD.DTL
In my opinion, this is the result of rapidly advancing technology without the moral framework in place to deal with said technology.
At the risk of sounding chauvinistic, uncouth, and ultra-conservative, the world has an ethics problem when it comes to the sanctity of life--born and unborn.
We live in a day and age defined by the relativization of truth. Some believe all truth is relative, but that suggestion is a cop out and a refusal to deal with the reality of right and wrong. If one says truth is relative, one is making a statement of truth which is automatically relativized. It simply does not follow.
Secondly, those who believe truth is relative, I believe, have no experience of evil. If you have ever dealt with parents who have had their child kidnapped or murdered, you know evil exists. Six million people dying at the hands of a madman and those who followed him prove evil exist. If everything was relative, we could not make a moral judgment upon such issues. Kidnapping a child, murdering a child, murdering another human being, taking that which does not belong to you, all such things are wrong. Plain and simple.
Somewhere in the grand scheme of things, real truth does exist, and it demands a response and accountability from us as people.
Oh, yeah, I know the argument: I probably would not be saying such things had I been raised in another form or fashion or culture which felt differently. Granted. I agree with such a statement. But would that make such actions right? If I were a part of a culture that practiced human sacrifice and was raised to believe such sacrifice was necessary, would that still make it right? Only in my mind, but not in reality.
The selective act of aborting females to ensure a couple has a male child is wrong. Morally, ethically, and otherwise, it's wrong.
From a Christian standpoint, I cannot imagine Jesus condoning such behavior. His teachings on children were revolutionary for their time. Children then were considered property. Their lives were meaningless to the vast majority of people. They were expendable because unless they could contribute and work, they were simply one more mouth to feed--with resources that were already stretched thin.
But Jesus said, "Unless you accept the kingdom of heaven as you accept a little child..."
(You can take that a couple of ways. You can understand this to have a childlike faith, or you can understand it as literally accepting the kingdom of God as you would accept someone who was considered expendable. Of course, I am accentuating the latter.)
Astounding the number of children who have been aborted in this piece for no other reason than they did not have a penis and a set of testicles.
Hello, where is the moral outrage?
We've finally reached a point in history where most folks consider it an abomination that a person could be killed or discriminated against because of the color of his or her skin. We have made massive headway in conferring equal rights because of gender. But if the unborn is not the correct gender...
Does this make any sense what-so-ever?
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
The Problem of Suffering?
As I was walking yesterday, my thoughts turned to the problem of suffering--you know, that long standing rebuttal against the existence of God which goes:
If God is all-powerful, and
If God is all-good, then
why does suffering/evil exist?
It stands to reason that an all-powerful, all-good God would eliminate suffering and evil from our midst.
But is there an assumption being made by this argument?
Is there an assumption that suffering/evil shouldn't happen in the world or to us? Is there an assumption that evil/suffering is outside the norm of reality, something to be controlled, lessened, or eliminated altogether?
One of the recent books I read (wish I could remember exactly) says something to the effect of those who believe they shouldn't suffer in life are living at the height of arrogance. They believe they are above such matters. "Everything I experience should be good," they seem to say.
Really?
Is anyone truly above suffering or the reality of evil? Perhaps if you believe you shouldn't suffer, then suffering truly is a problem. Yet, if you believe suffering is a part of our existence here on the planet earth, it is not a demonstrable problem.
Especially for a Christian.
Christians know we suffer. We know we are not above this reality of life. We know so because of who our God is.
For one of the scandals of the cross is knowing our God suffered too. Our God experienced evil too. Our God was unjustly condemned, beaten, tried in a kangaroo court, humiliated, and suffered death on a cross. Name me one other faith tradition where God suffers in such a manner.
It is one thing to believe that God is above suffering and that He should do something about it. It is quite another thing when God suffers as well. And if God is a suffering God, one who deeply understands the plight of humanity and has promised to bring about positive results from suffering (check out the resurrection on that one), then is suffering really a problem?
If God is all-powerful, and
If God is all-good, then
why does suffering/evil exist?
It stands to reason that an all-powerful, all-good God would eliminate suffering and evil from our midst.
But is there an assumption being made by this argument?
Is there an assumption that suffering/evil shouldn't happen in the world or to us? Is there an assumption that evil/suffering is outside the norm of reality, something to be controlled, lessened, or eliminated altogether?
One of the recent books I read (wish I could remember exactly) says something to the effect of those who believe they shouldn't suffer in life are living at the height of arrogance. They believe they are above such matters. "Everything I experience should be good," they seem to say.
Really?
Is anyone truly above suffering or the reality of evil? Perhaps if you believe you shouldn't suffer, then suffering truly is a problem. Yet, if you believe suffering is a part of our existence here on the planet earth, it is not a demonstrable problem.
Especially for a Christian.
Christians know we suffer. We know we are not above this reality of life. We know so because of who our God is.
For one of the scandals of the cross is knowing our God suffered too. Our God experienced evil too. Our God was unjustly condemned, beaten, tried in a kangaroo court, humiliated, and suffered death on a cross. Name me one other faith tradition where God suffers in such a manner.
It is one thing to believe that God is above suffering and that He should do something about it. It is quite another thing when God suffers as well. And if God is a suffering God, one who deeply understands the plight of humanity and has promised to bring about positive results from suffering (check out the resurrection on that one), then is suffering really a problem?
Monday, August 1, 2011
Give Them Something to Eat: Sermon Delivered July 31, 2011
2000 years ago, a man was informed about his cousin’s death. He was grieved by the news. He wanted to spend a little bit of time in reflection, a little bit of time in mourning, so he boarded a fishing boat and headed across a lake so that he might slip away to a deserted place. He had been spending quite a bit of time in the spotlight, and people were coming miles to see and hear him speak. But now, he needed a little bit of time. He needed some time alone just to be.
However, his time alone was short lived. When you heal the sick, cast out demons, and give hope to the hopeless, you are much in demand. A rumor had spread as to where this man was headed, so the crowd went by land to seek him out. And they found him. As he exited the boat, through his grief, through his weariness, he observed the crowd. He saw the pain they had been bearing, and he saw the hopeful expectation in their eyes. He knew he had given that hope to them. He knew his words and teachings were having an impact. He knew they looked to him for a word from God. They needed more. And he was the only one who could give it to them. Compassion filled his heart, and he moved about them healing them and curing their sick.
This was the outcome of the vision and teaching he had given them months ago. He had stood on the top of a hill and said these words:
3"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4"Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5"Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. 6"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. 7"Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. 8"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. 9"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. 10"Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11"Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. These words had challenged the very assumptions of the religious order of the day. Everyone knew that God loved those who were rich, wealthy, and had status and friends in high places. Everyone knew if you didn’t have such things, God was punishing you for your sins. But this man had dared challenge those thoughts. This man had dared to say, "God loves you and you are blessed when you are poor, when you mourn, when you hunger and thirst, and when you are persecuted." Those who heard those words marveled at them for they were poor. They hungered. They thirsted. They were persecuted. And they felt lower than dirt because of it. They felt like God had abandoned them. But this man dared to tell them that God had not abandoned them. Far from it, God had actually blessed them.
And this man had backed up his words. He not only told them God loved them, but he performed great signs and wonders that affirmed his teachings. This man said the Kingdom of God was coming into the world and it would reach into their very lives. And it did. Their sick were cured. The lame walked. The blind saw. The deaf heard. And hope grew.
But in that deserted place, hunger was growing. The crowd had traveled long distances to come to Jesus. They had traveled fast and light. The day was ending, and their stomachs pained. "Blessed are you when you hunger and thirst for righteousness," Jesus had said. And now, they hungered for bread. Bread the disciples thought was not available.
"Send the people home," they told Jesus.
"You give them something to eat," He replied.
"We have only five loaves and two fish," they said.
"It is enough."
And Jesus broke the bread and blessed the fish and there was enough to feed the multitude. There was an abundance. Jesus showed the Kingdom indeed was breaking into the world. Hope flowed in even more abundance as Jesus’ words came true, "You will be filled." In the Kingdom of God, you will be filled.
This text this week has taken on special significance for me following the past two weeks of vacation. For in this past vacation, I did something I hadn’t done in the past eleven years since I was ordained. I took a half a dozen books written by Christian authors with me.
Nearly every day, I found myself immersed in their writings. I devoured their insights into the faith. I found my toes being stepped on repeatedly as they exposed to me some of my shortcomings as a pastor and as a follower of Jesus Christ. Some of their commentary literally brought me to my knees. And even though there was pain involved, I kept reading. I kept delving into these books because I realized something as I read. I was being fed. Yes, there was confrontation, but there was also forgiveness. There was also affirmation. There was grace, and such grace nourished my soul which was longing for this spiritual food.
Those of you who follow my blog and who sit on council know that I have spoken of a dryness in my spirit. I felt fatigued. It felt a little like burn out as well as depression. Something within me wasn’t right, and I knew it. But little did I know what the problem really was until I began delving once more into the study of God’s Word and it’s application to my life as a pastor and as a follower of Jesus. For you see, I had neglected to dine on Jesus’ word. I had neglected to take time to be fed by Jesus himself. I had neglected my own spirit, and it needed to be filled.
When Satan was tempting Jesus after Jesus had fasted for 40 days and nights, Satan said, "Use your power and turn these stones into bread."
But Jesus replied, "Man does not live by bread alone but by every word that comes from the mouth of God."
I was not hungering for lack of bread, but I was hungering for God’s Word. I had not been spending sufficient time in that Word. Some of you might be surprised at that comment since I preach every week, and every week I wrestle with and read three Biblical texts. Yes, I do this, but it wasn’t enough. Little did I know but my spirit needed more. Why?
Because Jesus says, "You give them something to eat."
In our particular situation, there are not many here who are physically hungry. Most have enough to eat. Most are not like that crowd gathered on that hillside whose tummy’s were rumbling and churning. Most have plenty to eat even if they have a few cravings from time to time. So, the hunger I am called to address in my profession is a little different. It is the spiritual hunger–the longing for meaning–the longing for hope– the longing for purpose–the longings that can only be satisfied by walking with Jesus Christ, by dining on the Word of God.
I had been trying to give folks something to eat, but I found out this past vacation, that I wasn’t eating enough myself. I couldn’t give what I wasn’t receiving. It was burning me out. It was dragging me down. I was losing energy and vision, and so I have discovered that I must eat on a more regular basis. If I am to "give them something to eat," I must be willing to dine as well.
Oh, and did I mention to all of you who are gathered here this morning, this isn’t just Pastor Haug’s calling? Did I mention to you that you are disciples of Jesus Christ as well? Did I mention to you that you are called to "give them something to eat" as well? Yes, this is a shared calling that Christians across the globe have, and I must ask each and every one of us here this morning, are we taking the time to live on every word that comes from the mouth of God? Are we taking the time to dine with Him so that our spirits are fed and we can feed others? Are we growing in faith so that we have the strength, the energy, the purposefulness, and the power to offer this food to a world that is hungering deeply for it?
Think about that for a moment as you consider your life of prayer, of worship, of study, of silence, and of solitude. Do you make time in your daily life to dine?
"But, Pastor," you may say, "I come to church at least once a month."
Do me a favor. Next month, pick one day in the entire month. You can eat as much as you want for one hour during that day, but then you cannot eat the rest of the month. Would you have the strength to accomplish what you needed to do?
Oh, and if you like, you could try that for a week as well. Pick one day during the week, and you can eat for an hour all you like. Would you be able to accomplish your tasks?
Jesus says, "Give them something to eat." It’s our calling as a church and as disciples of Jesus. But how can we give others something to eat if we are not feeding on the richness and abundance of God that is poured out for us on a daily basis? Unfortunately, I found out the hard way that I couldn’t. I now am making time to dine more often. Will you join me? Amen.
However, his time alone was short lived. When you heal the sick, cast out demons, and give hope to the hopeless, you are much in demand. A rumor had spread as to where this man was headed, so the crowd went by land to seek him out. And they found him. As he exited the boat, through his grief, through his weariness, he observed the crowd. He saw the pain they had been bearing, and he saw the hopeful expectation in their eyes. He knew he had given that hope to them. He knew his words and teachings were having an impact. He knew they looked to him for a word from God. They needed more. And he was the only one who could give it to them. Compassion filled his heart, and he moved about them healing them and curing their sick.
This was the outcome of the vision and teaching he had given them months ago. He had stood on the top of a hill and said these words:
And this man had backed up his words. He not only told them God loved them, but he performed great signs and wonders that affirmed his teachings. This man said the Kingdom of God was coming into the world and it would reach into their very lives. And it did. Their sick were cured. The lame walked. The blind saw. The deaf heard. And hope grew.
But in that deserted place, hunger was growing. The crowd had traveled long distances to come to Jesus. They had traveled fast and light. The day was ending, and their stomachs pained. "Blessed are you when you hunger and thirst for righteousness," Jesus had said. And now, they hungered for bread. Bread the disciples thought was not available.
"Send the people home," they told Jesus.
"You give them something to eat," He replied.
"We have only five loaves and two fish," they said.
"It is enough."
And Jesus broke the bread and blessed the fish and there was enough to feed the multitude. There was an abundance. Jesus showed the Kingdom indeed was breaking into the world. Hope flowed in even more abundance as Jesus’ words came true, "You will be filled." In the Kingdom of God, you will be filled.
This text this week has taken on special significance for me following the past two weeks of vacation. For in this past vacation, I did something I hadn’t done in the past eleven years since I was ordained. I took a half a dozen books written by Christian authors with me.
Nearly every day, I found myself immersed in their writings. I devoured their insights into the faith. I found my toes being stepped on repeatedly as they exposed to me some of my shortcomings as a pastor and as a follower of Jesus Christ. Some of their commentary literally brought me to my knees. And even though there was pain involved, I kept reading. I kept delving into these books because I realized something as I read. I was being fed. Yes, there was confrontation, but there was also forgiveness. There was also affirmation. There was grace, and such grace nourished my soul which was longing for this spiritual food.
Those of you who follow my blog and who sit on council know that I have spoken of a dryness in my spirit. I felt fatigued. It felt a little like burn out as well as depression. Something within me wasn’t right, and I knew it. But little did I know what the problem really was until I began delving once more into the study of God’s Word and it’s application to my life as a pastor and as a follower of Jesus. For you see, I had neglected to dine on Jesus’ word. I had neglected to take time to be fed by Jesus himself. I had neglected my own spirit, and it needed to be filled.
When Satan was tempting Jesus after Jesus had fasted for 40 days and nights, Satan said, "Use your power and turn these stones into bread."
But Jesus replied, "Man does not live by bread alone but by every word that comes from the mouth of God."
I was not hungering for lack of bread, but I was hungering for God’s Word. I had not been spending sufficient time in that Word. Some of you might be surprised at that comment since I preach every week, and every week I wrestle with and read three Biblical texts. Yes, I do this, but it wasn’t enough. Little did I know but my spirit needed more. Why?
Because Jesus says, "You give them something to eat."
In our particular situation, there are not many here who are physically hungry. Most have enough to eat. Most are not like that crowd gathered on that hillside whose tummy’s were rumbling and churning. Most have plenty to eat even if they have a few cravings from time to time. So, the hunger I am called to address in my profession is a little different. It is the spiritual hunger–the longing for meaning–the longing for hope– the longing for purpose–the longings that can only be satisfied by walking with Jesus Christ, by dining on the Word of God.
I had been trying to give folks something to eat, but I found out this past vacation, that I wasn’t eating enough myself. I couldn’t give what I wasn’t receiving. It was burning me out. It was dragging me down. I was losing energy and vision, and so I have discovered that I must eat on a more regular basis. If I am to "give them something to eat," I must be willing to dine as well.
Oh, and did I mention to all of you who are gathered here this morning, this isn’t just Pastor Haug’s calling? Did I mention to you that you are disciples of Jesus Christ as well? Did I mention to you that you are called to "give them something to eat" as well? Yes, this is a shared calling that Christians across the globe have, and I must ask each and every one of us here this morning, are we taking the time to live on every word that comes from the mouth of God? Are we taking the time to dine with Him so that our spirits are fed and we can feed others? Are we growing in faith so that we have the strength, the energy, the purposefulness, and the power to offer this food to a world that is hungering deeply for it?
Think about that for a moment as you consider your life of prayer, of worship, of study, of silence, and of solitude. Do you make time in your daily life to dine?
"But, Pastor," you may say, "I come to church at least once a month."
Do me a favor. Next month, pick one day in the entire month. You can eat as much as you want for one hour during that day, but then you cannot eat the rest of the month. Would you have the strength to accomplish what you needed to do?
Oh, and if you like, you could try that for a week as well. Pick one day during the week, and you can eat for an hour all you like. Would you be able to accomplish your tasks?
Jesus says, "Give them something to eat." It’s our calling as a church and as disciples of Jesus. But how can we give others something to eat if we are not feeding on the richness and abundance of God that is poured out for us on a daily basis? Unfortunately, I found out the hard way that I couldn’t. I now am making time to dine more often. Will you join me? Amen.
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