Some stories are true, not just because they were true once, but because they happen more than once, each telling true in its own way.
There is an ancient story, told again and again. In one of its more recent tellings, this huge black man, John Coffey, is sent to a Louisiana prison for murder. The irony is that he was not the killer of the young victims, but one who sought to bring back to the living those who were dead. As those responsible for John’s keeping soon discover, he does have the power to bring back those recently dead, at least in the case of Mr. Jingles. His power of healing, though, is thoroughly amazing. As a part of the healing, John takes the sickness and pain into himself in order to free the sufferer.
In the end, though, the head guard, Paul, finds that he must “kill one of God’s true miracles” for a crime that he did not commit. Paul offers John escape, even though he realizes that this will cost him his job, and perhaps time in prison. Yet John declines. This simple man is weary from carrying the wickedness, the evil in the world that surrounds him. So he dies a horrible and public death, an innocent suffering for a crime that was not his.
Does this story sound familiar? It should. It was told hundreds of years before even Jesus was born:
Isaiah 53:4-12
Surely he has borne our infirmities and carried our diseases;
yet we accounted him stricken, struck down by God, and afflicted.
But he was wounded for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities;
upon him was the punishment that made us whole,
and by his bruises we are healed.
All we like sheep have gone astray;
we have all turned to our own way,
and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
He was oppressed, and he was afflicted,
yet he did not open his mouth;
like a lamb that is led to the slaughter,
and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent,
so he did not open his mouth.
By a perversion of justice he was taken away.
Who could have imagined his future?
For he was cut off from the land of the living,
stricken for the transgression of my people.
They made his grave with the wicked and his tomb with the rich,
although he had done no violence,
and there was no deceit in his mouth.
Yet it was the will of the LORD to crush him with pain.
When you make his life an offering for sin,
he shall see his offspring, and shall prolong his days;
through him the will of the LORD shall prosper.
Out of his anguish he shall see light;
he shall find satisfaction through his knowledge.
The righteous one, my servant, shall make many righteous,
and he shall bear their iniquities.
Therefore I will allot him a portion with the great,
and he shall divide the spoil with the strong;
because he poured out himself to death,
and was numbered with the transgressors;
yet he bore the sin of many,
and made intercession for the transgressors.
Before Jesus, who knew what this story meant? Did anyone struggle to believe that this could ever be true? Since Jesus, this story has credibility. Since Jesus this story has power even though it has been told more than once. It still rings true without being trite. Interestingly, the newer stories told in our lifetime tend to echo the story of Jesus. Is it coincidence, after all, that John Coffey’s initials are what they are?
Even though the story of the suffering servant has been told more than once, it is the story of Jesus that gives all of the other stories believability and meaning. Because God might choose to die for his people, it becomes believable that one person might choose to die for another. That kind of sacrifice is now plausible.
Yet must we die in order to live a sacrificial life? Or is that question an oxymoron?
Jesus said that one who would keep life would lose it, but that one who would lose life may keep it. If we stop for a moment and think about what we have learned about our faith, we realize that God calls us daily to sacrifice our wishes, our way, our will, and yes even our life for others. If we live the story of Jesus, we do this for our children. We do this for our family. We do this for those to whom we minister.
If we live the story of Jesus.
Blessings,
Ron
Showing posts with label suffering. Show all posts
Showing posts with label suffering. Show all posts
Monday, October 19, 2009
Friday, July 10, 2009
Power and suffering ...
Hear Paul speak to the Corinthians:
For instance, I know a man who, fourteen years ago, was seized by Christ and swept in ecstasy to the heights of heaven. I really don't know if this took place in the body or out of it; only God knows. I also know that this man was hijacked into paradise — again, whether in or out of the body, I don't know; God knows. There he heard the unspeakable spoken, but was forbidden to tell what he heard. This is the man I want to talk about. But about myself, I'm not saying another word apart from the humiliations.
If I had a mind to brag a little, I could probably do it without looking ridiculous, and I'd still be speaking plain truth all the way. But I'll spare you. I don't want anyone imagining me as anything other than the fool you'd encounter if you saw me on the street or heard me talk.
Because of the extravagance of those revelations, and so I wouldn't get a big head, I was given the gift of a handicap to keep me in constant touch with my limitations. Satan's angel did his best to get me down; what he in fact did was push me to my knees. No danger then of walking around high and mighty! At first I didn't think of it as a gift, and begged God to remove it. Three times I did that, and then he told me,
My grace is enough; it's all you need.
My strength comes into its own in your weakness.
Once I heard that, I was glad to let it happen. I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift. It was a case of Christ's strength moving in on my weakness. Now I take limitations in stride, and with good cheer, these limitations that cut me down to size — abuse, accidents, opposition, bad breaks. I just let Christ take over! And so the weaker I get, the stronger I become.
Well, now I've done it! I've made a complete fool of myself by going on like this. But it's not all my fault; you put me up to it. You should have been doing this for me, sticking up for me and commending me instead of making me do it for myself. You know from personal experience that even if I'm a nobody, a nothing, I wasn't second-rate compared to those big-shot apostles you're so taken with. All the signs that mark a true apostle were in evidence while I was with you through both good times and bad: signs of portent, signs of wonder, signs of power.
Over time, I’ve come to believe that Paul was not alone in his life of great giftedness and great suffering. As I get to know more of God’s people, the clearer my understanding that so often, great strength emerges on the other side of unspeakable difficulty. If we can imagine a great warrior, gifted in that horrible art, we can only guess the hardships, the pain, the loss, the separation that such a life might require. Or, if we considered a great athlete, would we see only her grace, her skill, the moves honed to a beauty, precision, and speed that no machine can imitate? Or would we imagine the disciplined suffering through which she took her body in order to be able to experience this kind of power and performance?
Why do we disrespect greatness? Often we are distracted by the new, the exciting, or the well-marketed without considering, “What is the fruit of this?” The fruit of Paul’s life was immeasurably beyond that of the ”super apostles.” The super apostles were just better at singing their own praises (and can’t we tell that it provoked Paul to sarcasm to have to respond in like kind?).
The reality is that greatness is around us all of the time. We fail to see it, to praise it, to thank God for it, but that does not change the reality of its presence. Every human being bears the image of God. Every human being has the potential to help us see and understand God in some way that is unique to them, even if they deny that gift. Yet every human being also has a struggle, often directly proportionate to their potential to become a great instrument in the hand of God.
Let’s show a little respect and love for each other, and for the mixed bag of giftedness and suffering that each one of us represents.
Grace and peace,
Ron
2 Co 12:2-12 - THE MESSAGE
For instance, I know a man who, fourteen years ago, was seized by Christ and swept in ecstasy to the heights of heaven. I really don't know if this took place in the body or out of it; only God knows. I also know that this man was hijacked into paradise — again, whether in or out of the body, I don't know; God knows. There he heard the unspeakable spoken, but was forbidden to tell what he heard. This is the man I want to talk about. But about myself, I'm not saying another word apart from the humiliations.
If I had a mind to brag a little, I could probably do it without looking ridiculous, and I'd still be speaking plain truth all the way. But I'll spare you. I don't want anyone imagining me as anything other than the fool you'd encounter if you saw me on the street or heard me talk.
Because of the extravagance of those revelations, and so I wouldn't get a big head, I was given the gift of a handicap to keep me in constant touch with my limitations. Satan's angel did his best to get me down; what he in fact did was push me to my knees. No danger then of walking around high and mighty! At first I didn't think of it as a gift, and begged God to remove it. Three times I did that, and then he told me,
My grace is enough; it's all you need.
My strength comes into its own in your weakness.
Once I heard that, I was glad to let it happen. I quit focusing on the handicap and began appreciating the gift. It was a case of Christ's strength moving in on my weakness. Now I take limitations in stride, and with good cheer, these limitations that cut me down to size — abuse, accidents, opposition, bad breaks. I just let Christ take over! And so the weaker I get, the stronger I become.
Well, now I've done it! I've made a complete fool of myself by going on like this. But it's not all my fault; you put me up to it. You should have been doing this for me, sticking up for me and commending me instead of making me do it for myself. You know from personal experience that even if I'm a nobody, a nothing, I wasn't second-rate compared to those big-shot apostles you're so taken with. All the signs that mark a true apostle were in evidence while I was with you through both good times and bad: signs of portent, signs of wonder, signs of power.
Over time, I’ve come to believe that Paul was not alone in his life of great giftedness and great suffering. As I get to know more of God’s people, the clearer my understanding that so often, great strength emerges on the other side of unspeakable difficulty. If we can imagine a great warrior, gifted in that horrible art, we can only guess the hardships, the pain, the loss, the separation that such a life might require. Or, if we considered a great athlete, would we see only her grace, her skill, the moves honed to a beauty, precision, and speed that no machine can imitate? Or would we imagine the disciplined suffering through which she took her body in order to be able to experience this kind of power and performance?
Why do we disrespect greatness? Often we are distracted by the new, the exciting, or the well-marketed without considering, “What is the fruit of this?” The fruit of Paul’s life was immeasurably beyond that of the ”super apostles.” The super apostles were just better at singing their own praises (and can’t we tell that it provoked Paul to sarcasm to have to respond in like kind?).
The reality is that greatness is around us all of the time. We fail to see it, to praise it, to thank God for it, but that does not change the reality of its presence. Every human being bears the image of God. Every human being has the potential to help us see and understand God in some way that is unique to them, even if they deny that gift. Yet every human being also has a struggle, often directly proportionate to their potential to become a great instrument in the hand of God.
Let’s show a little respect and love for each other, and for the mixed bag of giftedness and suffering that each one of us represents.
Grace and peace,
Ron
2 Co 12:2-12 - THE MESSAGE
Thursday, June 25, 2009
From the gates of death ...
Hear the words of the psalmist;
read closely and meditate on these words:
The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed,
a stronghold in times of trouble.
And those who know your name put their trust in you,
for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you.
Sing praises to the Lord, who dwells in Zion.
Declare his deeds among the peoples.
For he who avenges blood is mindful of them;
he does not forget the cry of the afflicted.
Be gracious to me, O Lord.
See what I suffer from those who hate me;
you are the one who lifts me up from the gates of death,
so that I may recount all your praises,
and, in the gates of daughter Zion,
rejoice in your deliverance.
The nations have sunk in the pit that they made;
in the net that they hid has their own foot been caught.
The Lord has made himself known, he has executed judgment;
the wicked are snared in the work of their own hands.
Higgaion. Selah
The wicked shall depart to Sheol,
all the nations that forget God.
For the needy shall not always be forgotten,
nor the hope of the poor perish forever.
Rise up, O Lord! Do not let mortals prevail;
let the nations be judged before you.
Put them in fear, O Lord;
let the nations know that they are only human.
As we meditate on these words, let us consider:
How is the Lord a stronghold in our life?
Since we know God’s name, how are we called
to trust him today?
How can our lives “sing praises to the Lord ” today?
What does it mean to me for God to be “the one
who lifts me up from the gates of death?”
Consider the ways in which we might plead
for the Lord to “rise up” in our lives today.
Grace and peace,
Ron
Psalm 9:9-20 – NRSV
read closely and meditate on these words:
The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed,
a stronghold in times of trouble.
And those who know your name put their trust in you,
for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you.
Sing praises to the Lord, who dwells in Zion.
Declare his deeds among the peoples.
For he who avenges blood is mindful of them;
he does not forget the cry of the afflicted.
Be gracious to me, O Lord.
See what I suffer from those who hate me;
you are the one who lifts me up from the gates of death,
so that I may recount all your praises,
and, in the gates of daughter Zion,
rejoice in your deliverance.
The nations have sunk in the pit that they made;
in the net that they hid has their own foot been caught.
The Lord has made himself known, he has executed judgment;
the wicked are snared in the work of their own hands.
Higgaion. Selah
The wicked shall depart to Sheol,
all the nations that forget God.
For the needy shall not always be forgotten,
nor the hope of the poor perish forever.
Rise up, O Lord! Do not let mortals prevail;
let the nations be judged before you.
Put them in fear, O Lord;
let the nations know that they are only human.
As we meditate on these words, let us consider:
How is the Lord a stronghold in our life?
Since we know God’s name, how are we called
to trust him today?
How can our lives “sing praises to the Lord ” today?
What does it mean to me for God to be “the one
who lifts me up from the gates of death?”
Consider the ways in which we might plead
for the Lord to “rise up” in our lives today.
Grace and peace,
Ron
Psalm 9:9-20 – NRSV
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Don't be surprised ...
Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.
(1 Pet 4:12-14, NIV)
The language here is so vivid we almost feel as though it is a little overdramatic in relation to our own circumstances. But look again. Although we may not be persecuted for wearing the name "Christian," the way of Jesus is almost always at odds with the way of the world at some points. When we cross those boundaries as servants of Christ, we are sure to bear stigma and the exhaustion that comes from working thanklessly for the good of others. Maybe the grandiose language can make a point that connects quite readily with our experience.
The most stilting part of this passage is the straightforward way that Peter says we shouldn't be surprised when bad things happen. "It's not as if something strange is happening to you," he says, "you are only sharing in the suffering of Christ." In 1 Peter, slaves and others at the bottom of the social spectrum are exhorted to hold on the faith and way of life modeled by Jesus because they know that God's spirit is present in the midst of strife. So at the times when it seems the most like God has abandoned us, it is at precisely those times that the Spirit is near us.
In fact, suffering for doing good and patiently enduring our hardships mark us out as followers of Christ. In this, we are made witness to all that the power of God is revealed in weakness, and that the evil this world works is not final or binding.
Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
(Matt 5:11-12)
It is so difficult for us to understand the idea of rejoicing in suffering. Let this prayer guide your understanding of Jesus' and Peter's admonition.
Lord, make possible for me by grace what is impossible to me by nature. You know that I am not able to endure very much, and that I am downcast with the slightest difficulty. Grant that for your sake I may come to love and desire any hardship that puts me to the test, for your salvation is brought to my soul when I undergo suffering and trouble for you.
-Thomas a Kempis
Peace,
Greg and Tiffany
(1 Pet 4:12-14, NIV)
The language here is so vivid we almost feel as though it is a little overdramatic in relation to our own circumstances. But look again. Although we may not be persecuted for wearing the name "Christian," the way of Jesus is almost always at odds with the way of the world at some points. When we cross those boundaries as servants of Christ, we are sure to bear stigma and the exhaustion that comes from working thanklessly for the good of others. Maybe the grandiose language can make a point that connects quite readily with our experience.
The most stilting part of this passage is the straightforward way that Peter says we shouldn't be surprised when bad things happen. "It's not as if something strange is happening to you," he says, "you are only sharing in the suffering of Christ." In 1 Peter, slaves and others at the bottom of the social spectrum are exhorted to hold on the faith and way of life modeled by Jesus because they know that God's spirit is present in the midst of strife. So at the times when it seems the most like God has abandoned us, it is at precisely those times that the Spirit is near us.
In fact, suffering for doing good and patiently enduring our hardships mark us out as followers of Christ. In this, we are made witness to all that the power of God is revealed in weakness, and that the evil this world works is not final or binding.
Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
(Matt 5:11-12)
It is so difficult for us to understand the idea of rejoicing in suffering. Let this prayer guide your understanding of Jesus' and Peter's admonition.
Lord, make possible for me by grace what is impossible to me by nature. You know that I am not able to endure very much, and that I am downcast with the slightest difficulty. Grant that for your sake I may come to love and desire any hardship that puts me to the test, for your salvation is brought to my soul when I undergo suffering and trouble for you.
-Thomas a Kempis
Peace,
Greg and Tiffany
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Bearing up under ...
Slaves, submit yourselves to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. For it is commendable if a man bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God. But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. "He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth." When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
(1 Pet. 2:18-25, NIV)
It doesn't get much more depressing than being a slave. Hard manual labor, second-class status, not much opportunity for career advancement, and consistent abuse. Slaves would have to endure just and unjust suffering, and most people didn't think there was any difference with regard to slaves. A slave was someone to whom it was impossible to do an injustice.
A slave has no choice but to endure, speaking practically. The slave cannot prevent him or herself from suffering abuse. The slave can, however, control the occasion for their suffering, and they can control how they bear that suffering. There is a big difference between suffering for doing evil and suffering for doing good, according to Peter. Suffering for doing good is the true grace of God.
In fact, Jesus suffered unjustly as God's servant. He did nothing wrong, and he didn't even retaliate when he was abused (Notice that the second and third phrases describing Jesus' passion both relate to his refusal to respond to the abuse of power with violence - he did not retaliate to the insults, and he made no threats when he suffered). Here's the point - Jesus is an example for us because he entrusted any vengeance and vindication to God, rather than exacting it himself.
How quick we are to strike back, even if only with words. But again a writer of the New Testament, this one addressing slaves, urges that his readers endure hardship and affliction, burnout and abuse. In fact, Peter explains that we can do just that if we follow Jesus' footsteps. We don't have to keep fighting against others to hang on, we only have to hold fast to "him who judges justly."
This address is different than the others we have contemplated recently, though, because it calls people to endure who do not have the option of letting go. A slave has to hang on, as opposed to the Christians addressed in Hebrews who could turn away from their faith and return to normal. A slave can't give up being a slave. Still, the manner in which slaves endure matters, and the reason for their suffering also matters. Slaves should suffer for doing good, like the suffering servant Jesus did. Slaves should also endure suffering patiently, just as Jesus did.
Here is our prayer this morning:
May Jesus Christ, the King of glory, help us to make the right use of all the suffering that comes to us and to offer him the incense of a patient and trustful heart; for his name's sake. Amen.
Peace,
Greg and Tiffany
(1 Pet. 2:18-25, NIV)
It doesn't get much more depressing than being a slave. Hard manual labor, second-class status, not much opportunity for career advancement, and consistent abuse. Slaves would have to endure just and unjust suffering, and most people didn't think there was any difference with regard to slaves. A slave was someone to whom it was impossible to do an injustice.
A slave has no choice but to endure, speaking practically. The slave cannot prevent him or herself from suffering abuse. The slave can, however, control the occasion for their suffering, and they can control how they bear that suffering. There is a big difference between suffering for doing evil and suffering for doing good, according to Peter. Suffering for doing good is the true grace of God.
In fact, Jesus suffered unjustly as God's servant. He did nothing wrong, and he didn't even retaliate when he was abused (Notice that the second and third phrases describing Jesus' passion both relate to his refusal to respond to the abuse of power with violence - he did not retaliate to the insults, and he made no threats when he suffered). Here's the point - Jesus is an example for us because he entrusted any vengeance and vindication to God, rather than exacting it himself.
How quick we are to strike back, even if only with words. But again a writer of the New Testament, this one addressing slaves, urges that his readers endure hardship and affliction, burnout and abuse. In fact, Peter explains that we can do just that if we follow Jesus' footsteps. We don't have to keep fighting against others to hang on, we only have to hold fast to "him who judges justly."
This address is different than the others we have contemplated recently, though, because it calls people to endure who do not have the option of letting go. A slave has to hang on, as opposed to the Christians addressed in Hebrews who could turn away from their faith and return to normal. A slave can't give up being a slave. Still, the manner in which slaves endure matters, and the reason for their suffering also matters. Slaves should suffer for doing good, like the suffering servant Jesus did. Slaves should also endure suffering patiently, just as Jesus did.
Here is our prayer this morning:
May Jesus Christ, the King of glory, help us to make the right use of all the suffering that comes to us and to offer him the incense of a patient and trustful heart; for his name's sake. Amen.
Peace,
Greg and Tiffany
Monday, June 1, 2009
We have hope yet ...
Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
(Heb. 4:14-16, NIV)
Our lives and our work here with the boys are filled with reasons to give up, reasons to let go. Physical fatigue, mental exhaustion, spiritual emptiness, and many more distractions crowd into our hearts, especially during times like the beginning of the summer. The recipients of Hebrews have plenty of temptation to give up as well. They have faced persecution, losing home, family, and monetary and stability because of their commitment to Christ.
Perhaps the most draining aspect of our work and Christian life in general is failure. The demoralizing nature of our mistakes (real or perceived) works against our intent to endure. In fact, we sometimes beat ourselves up so ferociously for our mistakes that we incapacitate ourselves, siphoning the very energy which we would be using to help the boys and, instead of dedicating it to them, punishing ourselves for our mistakes. When our sense of failure mounts like this, it is all the more tempting to give up.
But what the author of Hebrews goes to great lengths to demonstrate is that Jesus has proved himself greater than sin, and greater than the Old Testament covenant, which could not put an end to sin. Rather, we have a high priest who offered himself as a sacrifice, once for good and once for all. That priest is Christ. Having such a priest, the author exhorts us to "hold fast to the faith we profess." The presence of sin, exhaustion, and failure are not the period at the end of the sentence - Jesus serves as our priest so that we can hold on.
Moreover, our priest, Jesus, can identify with our weakness. Not only has Jesus made atonement for us, but he can sympathize with us. He can feel our fatigue in his bones, he can feel our pain in his heart, and he can feel the aches in our muscles. And that empathy means that we have a lifeline. We can approach the throne of grace with boldness because we approach it behind Christ. Even though it feels like we are drowning, we have a lighthouse on the shore because Jesus has felt the water rush over his head before as well.
It is also worth noting that the writer exhorts us to "draw near" to God's throne, not because of what we can do or have done, but because we have a high priest who can sympathize with us. Drawing near to God in worship is always possible, even when we are frazzled and worn out, because it is our priest Jesus who leads us toward God. Our approach is dependent, not our merit, but on Jesus' priesthood.
Our great high priest, Jesus, has been through suffering and has passed through the heavens, so that he is now seated with God. Because of his journey, we are not lost - we have hope yet. This hope is specifically for the "drowning times" and the "exhausted times," so that, as the Scripture says, we that might "receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." As we wade through the overwhelming parts of life, don't forget that our high priest stands as a lighthouse at God's side.
Blessings,
Greg and Tiffany
(Heb. 4:14-16, NIV)
Our lives and our work here with the boys are filled with reasons to give up, reasons to let go. Physical fatigue, mental exhaustion, spiritual emptiness, and many more distractions crowd into our hearts, especially during times like the beginning of the summer. The recipients of Hebrews have plenty of temptation to give up as well. They have faced persecution, losing home, family, and monetary and stability because of their commitment to Christ.
Perhaps the most draining aspect of our work and Christian life in general is failure. The demoralizing nature of our mistakes (real or perceived) works against our intent to endure. In fact, we sometimes beat ourselves up so ferociously for our mistakes that we incapacitate ourselves, siphoning the very energy which we would be using to help the boys and, instead of dedicating it to them, punishing ourselves for our mistakes. When our sense of failure mounts like this, it is all the more tempting to give up.
But what the author of Hebrews goes to great lengths to demonstrate is that Jesus has proved himself greater than sin, and greater than the Old Testament covenant, which could not put an end to sin. Rather, we have a high priest who offered himself as a sacrifice, once for good and once for all. That priest is Christ. Having such a priest, the author exhorts us to "hold fast to the faith we profess." The presence of sin, exhaustion, and failure are not the period at the end of the sentence - Jesus serves as our priest so that we can hold on.
Moreover, our priest, Jesus, can identify with our weakness. Not only has Jesus made atonement for us, but he can sympathize with us. He can feel our fatigue in his bones, he can feel our pain in his heart, and he can feel the aches in our muscles. And that empathy means that we have a lifeline. We can approach the throne of grace with boldness because we approach it behind Christ. Even though it feels like we are drowning, we have a lighthouse on the shore because Jesus has felt the water rush over his head before as well.
It is also worth noting that the writer exhorts us to "draw near" to God's throne, not because of what we can do or have done, but because we have a high priest who can sympathize with us. Drawing near to God in worship is always possible, even when we are frazzled and worn out, because it is our priest Jesus who leads us toward God. Our approach is dependent, not our merit, but on Jesus' priesthood.
Our great high priest, Jesus, has been through suffering and has passed through the heavens, so that he is now seated with God. Because of his journey, we are not lost - we have hope yet. This hope is specifically for the "drowning times" and the "exhausted times," so that, as the Scripture says, we that might "receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." As we wade through the overwhelming parts of life, don't forget that our high priest stands as a lighthouse at God's side.
Blessings,
Greg and Tiffany
At present we do not see ...
It is not to angels that he has subjected the world to come, about which we are speaking. But there is a place where someone has testified: "What is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him? You made him a little lower than the angels; you crowned him with glory and honor and put everything under his feet."
(Heb 2:5-8, NIV)
The writer quotes a familiar psalm to prove the superiority of Jesus. It was not to angels that God has subjected the eternal world, but to Jesus. This "Son of Man" has been crowned and exalted as lord of the universe.
In putting everything under him, God left nothing that is not subject to him. Yet at present we do not see everything subject to him. But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.
(Heb 2:8b-9)
The subjection of all reality to the authority of Jesus is total. What is the Son of Man? He is everything; there is nothing that is not subject to him. Yet, the author notes, at present we do not see everything subject to him. The day to day experiences of the community reading this book contradict the belief that the Son of Man has been made Lord of all. The community bears the burden of disgrace and thankless, painful labor everyday, and Christ does not seem to be Lord. When their backs and hearts break with all the sufferings these people face, it seems that there is much which is not in subjection to him.
One of the fundamental divisions of reality for the author of Hebrews is between what we can see and what we cannot see. Here, as is often the case, what is unseen is more real than what is seen. Although we do not see everything in subjection to Jesus, we do see Jesus, the same Son of Man who was "crowned with glory and honor" (vv. 7, 9). We see that he was crowned because he suffered death, in order to suffer for others. The sufferings of the readers take on a new light. Their own struggle is a proclamation that the world is subject to Jesus. Everything was subjected to Jesus because of his death, and so the willingness of his followers to suffer for others is a pronouncement that Christ's victory is won.
This is a completely different view on endurance and perseverance. I don't know about you, but I have a hard time swallowing the "go to church and keep on trucking" mantra sometimes. When you're bone-tired, feeling depleted and unappreciated, you need something else to pull you through, because at some point you can't simply pull yourself up by your boot straps anymore.
What if we recast our weariness as an announcement to the world that Jesus suffered and the world has therefore been placed under his authority? What if when we are in danger of loosing our grip, we had someone who has been there to hold onto? Most importantly, what if we looked beyond the lack of subjection that we see and simply saw Jesus - Jesus who was crowned because he suffered? Jesus has been there, and so we go through pain and fatigue and loss with him. Now that's a reason to keep on going.
Blessings,
Greg and Tiffany
(Heb 2:5-8, NIV)
The writer quotes a familiar psalm to prove the superiority of Jesus. It was not to angels that God has subjected the eternal world, but to Jesus. This "Son of Man" has been crowned and exalted as lord of the universe.
In putting everything under him, God left nothing that is not subject to him. Yet at present we do not see everything subject to him. But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.
(Heb 2:8b-9)
The subjection of all reality to the authority of Jesus is total. What is the Son of Man? He is everything; there is nothing that is not subject to him. Yet, the author notes, at present we do not see everything subject to him. The day to day experiences of the community reading this book contradict the belief that the Son of Man has been made Lord of all. The community bears the burden of disgrace and thankless, painful labor everyday, and Christ does not seem to be Lord. When their backs and hearts break with all the sufferings these people face, it seems that there is much which is not in subjection to him.
One of the fundamental divisions of reality for the author of Hebrews is between what we can see and what we cannot see. Here, as is often the case, what is unseen is more real than what is seen. Although we do not see everything in subjection to Jesus, we do see Jesus, the same Son of Man who was "crowned with glory and honor" (vv. 7, 9). We see that he was crowned because he suffered death, in order to suffer for others. The sufferings of the readers take on a new light. Their own struggle is a proclamation that the world is subject to Jesus. Everything was subjected to Jesus because of his death, and so the willingness of his followers to suffer for others is a pronouncement that Christ's victory is won.
This is a completely different view on endurance and perseverance. I don't know about you, but I have a hard time swallowing the "go to church and keep on trucking" mantra sometimes. When you're bone-tired, feeling depleted and unappreciated, you need something else to pull you through, because at some point you can't simply pull yourself up by your boot straps anymore.
What if we recast our weariness as an announcement to the world that Jesus suffered and the world has therefore been placed under his authority? What if when we are in danger of loosing our grip, we had someone who has been there to hold onto? Most importantly, what if we looked beyond the lack of subjection that we see and simply saw Jesus - Jesus who was crowned because he suffered? Jesus has been there, and so we go through pain and fatigue and loss with him. Now that's a reason to keep on going.
Blessings,
Greg and Tiffany
Monday, January 26, 2009
Waiting for adoption ...
Hear the word of God:
Romans 8:18-39
I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God; for the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and will obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labor pains until now; and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what is seen? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn within a large family. And those whom he predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified; and those whom he justified he also glorified.
What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not withhold his own Son, but gave him up for all of us, will he not with him also give us everything else? Who will bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? It is Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us. Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written,
"For your sake we are being killed all day long;
we are accounted as sheep to be slaughtered."
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
NRSV
Grace and peace,
Ron
Romans 8:18-39
I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God; for the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and will obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labor pains until now; and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what is seen? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn within a large family. And those whom he predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified; and those whom he justified he also glorified.
What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not withhold his own Son, but gave him up for all of us, will he not with him also give us everything else? Who will bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? It is Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us. Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written,
"For your sake we are being killed all day long;
we are accounted as sheep to be slaughtered."
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
NRSV
Grace and peace,
Ron
Friday, October 17, 2008
Sharing: living a realistic life
Frank was a lovely man: wonderful in spirit and disposition. He was the third husband of Ann’s paternal grandmother, Nano. Her previous two husbands had died in the due course of time, and Nano could not stand to be alone. She loved to talk, yet there was no one with whom to share conversation. She loved to travel, and there was no one to share her experiences. Besides, Nano had never learned to drive. Frank was the man who offered the care and the companionship, the traveling partner, that she so desperately wanted.
But the journey did not begin well. As Frank was moving his things into the home they would share, he also moved a couple of his guns. Somehow, although we’re not really sure how, while handling his 22 caliber pistol, Frank shot himself in the foot. Only Frank and Nano were in the house. Nano couldn’t drive. Frank didn’t want to call anyone to come take him to the hospital because, to say the least, the idea embarrassed him. He anticipated the questions: “How did this happen, Frank?” “Did Nano miss, Frank?” So Frank rationalized: "It’s not that far to the hospital; ambulances are so expensive, aren’t they?" He bundled Nano up in the car, hopped into the driver’s seat, and headed out to the emergency room.
Which went well for a while. You might remember from your last first aid class that it is preferable to hold a bleeding wound above your head. Now, it is difficult to drive a Ford sedan while keeping a foot with a bullet hole in it above your head. Consequently, en route to the hospital, Frank passed out while driving. By the grace of God, Frank hit a tree instead of another vehicle. It was a big tree. The tree shuddered, but then settled back down to being a tree. The car shuddered, too, but then ceased to be useful transportation. Fortunately, a nearby witness promptly called for the ambulance that was not going to be avoided.
Frank lived, but he never lived this story down. It is the record of one of the few weak moments in the life of a kind and wise person. The desire to be independent and to keep to ourselves our trials, our tribulations, our embarrassments, and our troubles often causes humans to behave in odd and anti-social ways. Frank would not have dreamed of hurting a flea, but because he wouldn’t think of sharing his dilemma, he could have hurt a neighbor, another driver, or even his beloved.
The word for the day is share. Now most of us are willing to share the good things that God give us. But how willing are we to share the troubles that life puts in our path? The scriptures are very clear about the kinds of things that we are to share with our brothers and sisters:
2 Corinthians 1:7 – share in sufferings and consolation
Ephesians 4:28 – share with the needy
Philippians 4:14 – share in distress
2 Timothy 2:3 – share in suffering
Hebrews 11:25 – share ill-treatment with the people of God
Hebrews 12:8 – share discipline with the other children
Revelation 1:9 – share persecution
When we share our troubles, it means that we are truly able to share the good things in the life of faith as well:
Galatians 6:6 – share in good things with your teacher
Philippians 1:26 – share in boasting about God’s grace
Philippians 1:7 – share in God’s grace
Colossians 1:12 – share in the inheritance of the saints of light
1 Thessalonians 2:8 – share the gospel and ourselves
Titus 1:4 – share faith
Hebrews 13:16 – share what we have
Jude 3 – share salvation
Revelation 20:6 – share in the first resurrection
Revelation 22:19 – share in the tree of life and in the holy city
The other advantage of sharing the good and the bad in this world is that this openness makes us a believable person. People who expect to live without trouble in their lives live in a fantasy world. People who allow others to share the troubles in their lives avoid fantasy and engage in reality. At the same time, how do we balance that openness where we don’t whine about every problem, tell the secrets of other people, or overburden our friends? That’s where wisdom comes into the picture.
Be open, be wise today. Share.
Blessings,
Ron
But the journey did not begin well. As Frank was moving his things into the home they would share, he also moved a couple of his guns. Somehow, although we’re not really sure how, while handling his 22 caliber pistol, Frank shot himself in the foot. Only Frank and Nano were in the house. Nano couldn’t drive. Frank didn’t want to call anyone to come take him to the hospital because, to say the least, the idea embarrassed him. He anticipated the questions: “How did this happen, Frank?” “Did Nano miss, Frank?” So Frank rationalized: "It’s not that far to the hospital; ambulances are so expensive, aren’t they?" He bundled Nano up in the car, hopped into the driver’s seat, and headed out to the emergency room.
Which went well for a while. You might remember from your last first aid class that it is preferable to hold a bleeding wound above your head. Now, it is difficult to drive a Ford sedan while keeping a foot with a bullet hole in it above your head. Consequently, en route to the hospital, Frank passed out while driving. By the grace of God, Frank hit a tree instead of another vehicle. It was a big tree. The tree shuddered, but then settled back down to being a tree. The car shuddered, too, but then ceased to be useful transportation. Fortunately, a nearby witness promptly called for the ambulance that was not going to be avoided.
Frank lived, but he never lived this story down. It is the record of one of the few weak moments in the life of a kind and wise person. The desire to be independent and to keep to ourselves our trials, our tribulations, our embarrassments, and our troubles often causes humans to behave in odd and anti-social ways. Frank would not have dreamed of hurting a flea, but because he wouldn’t think of sharing his dilemma, he could have hurt a neighbor, another driver, or even his beloved.
The word for the day is share. Now most of us are willing to share the good things that God give us. But how willing are we to share the troubles that life puts in our path? The scriptures are very clear about the kinds of things that we are to share with our brothers and sisters:
2 Corinthians 1:7 – share in sufferings and consolation
Ephesians 4:28 – share with the needy
Philippians 4:14 – share in distress
2 Timothy 2:3 – share in suffering
Hebrews 11:25 – share ill-treatment with the people of God
Hebrews 12:8 – share discipline with the other children
Revelation 1:9 – share persecution
When we share our troubles, it means that we are truly able to share the good things in the life of faith as well:
Galatians 6:6 – share in good things with your teacher
Philippians 1:26 – share in boasting about God’s grace
Philippians 1:7 – share in God’s grace
Colossians 1:12 – share in the inheritance of the saints of light
1 Thessalonians 2:8 – share the gospel and ourselves
Titus 1:4 – share faith
Hebrews 13:16 – share what we have
Jude 3 – share salvation
Revelation 20:6 – share in the first resurrection
Revelation 22:19 – share in the tree of life and in the holy city
The other advantage of sharing the good and the bad in this world is that this openness makes us a believable person. People who expect to live without trouble in their lives live in a fantasy world. People who allow others to share the troubles in their lives avoid fantasy and engage in reality. At the same time, how do we balance that openness where we don’t whine about every problem, tell the secrets of other people, or overburden our friends? That’s where wisdom comes into the picture.
Be open, be wise today. Share.
Blessings,
Ron
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
A wineskin in the smoke
Today another meditation on a section of the great psalm, 119. Hear the words of Psalm 119:81-88:
My soul languishes for your salvation;
I hope in your word.
My eyes fail with watching for your promise;
I ask, "When will you comfort me?"
Sometimes we fret and fume when we are at a place where, for a while, we have to endure pain or suffering. We are distracted, our prayers are weakened, and we become a burden to our acquaintances (yet not our true friends). How much more trying must it be to have to live with pain? Not just for days or weeks, like most of us, but for years? I have several friends who suffer in this way. Month after month, year after year, they hurt, and they find it difficult to work, if they can work at all. The life of their family is reshaped around this suffering, from their rising in the morning, until (and if) they go to bed at night. Yet a knowledge of, and faith in, God’s word, his Torah, sustains even these struggling souls. If they can endure through the night with the hope that the day of God’s comfort, the hour of God’s blessing, will come, then surely God will bring it.
For I have become like a wineskin in the smoke,
yet I have not forgotten your statutes.
At first, we might think that to be such a wineskin means that we have been discarded, tossed into the fire like so much trash. Yet, this is probably not the meaning of the psalmist. There was a purpose for hanging a wineskin near the fire in ancient Israel; this served to mellow a wine in the warmer temperatures so as to make it into a finer beverage. Yes, the wineskin would blacken. Yes, the skin might even crack, but the fire transforms the contents into something marvelous, even as it mars the vessel through the experience. The scars of the saints may well explain the sublimity of their souls. If we can take this view of our sufferings, then perhaps we will be able to emerge, saying, “Yet I have not forgotten your statutes.”
How long must your servant endure?
When will you judge those who persecute me?
The arrogant have dug pitfalls for me;
they flout your law.
It is bad enough that we suffer in this world. Yet it is too often made worse by those who do not suffer, and who do not understand suffering. Those who treat us like pariahs, those who act as if there are not enough degrees of separation between us and them, as if our suffering were in some way contagious. Or does suffering tend to make us paranoid? If nature, and perhaps even our own body has turned against us, isn’t everybody else against us, too? Therefore it is absolutely necessary that we leave the judgment of those whom we perceive to persecute us in the hands of God. If they have flouted his law, then their pitfall shall surely catch them.
All your commandments are enduring;
I am persecuted without cause; help me!
They have almost made an end of me on earth;
but I have not forsaken your precepts.
In your steadfast love spare my life,
so that I may keep the decrees of your mouth.
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases. This is most particularly clear to us when we keep his words in our mouths day and night. May we choose to so honor God, whether our days are currently bringing us blessing or bane, pleasure or pain.
Grace and peace,
Ron
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