Bible Reflections

Today in the Revised Common Lectionary we have a section of Jeremiah (1:4-10) where we hear of Jeremiah's calling to be a prophet. Jeremiah is unique among the prophetic literature in that it contains so much biographical information about the man himself. Perhaps no other figure mirrors Jesus as well from the Ancient Covenant (OldTestament) texts. While Jesus' miracles have echoes in Elijah and Elisha stories and there are clear "fulfillment" allusions to Moses (see Matthew especially), it is Jeremiah whose life experiences most obviously look like Jesus. Both preach to a people under threat of annihilation. Both uttered warnings which went unheeded. Both were found guilty of offenses against the ruler of the land. While Jeremiah is rescued from death, of course, Jesus is not. Jeremiah lived to see the fall of the city and the leveling of the Temple. Jesus was forty years before that event in 70AD at the hand of Rome. Even so, knowledge of Jeremiah gives insight into Jesus.

Jeremiah's response to being called was negative. "I am only a boy" he said refusing the divine invitation. Such excuses are not uncommon in any age. It is most helpful to know that the greatest heroes of the Bible share our struggles and reluctance. Jeremiah reveals his despair on a regular basis in his writings. God gives him a rough time for it, too. The God of Jeremiah reminds me of the Father-Buck in Bambi, who stands over the wounded young deer (in a blazing fire) and bellows, "Get up, Bambi!" [Side note, Bambi, while an awesome name for a baby deer seems too cute for a full grown male...] That harder edge is not a big part of the world I grew up in (though it very much was for my dad; and his father seemed to know nothing of gentleness at all). The God revealed to (and by) Jeremiah is hard. His message is hard. There is strength and power there ("to pluck up and pull down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant") and a stern reminder "Do not be afraid of them." Not being afraid is a central theme of the entire Bible.

Lest the combativeness be seen as the central message, Paul's contribution from 1 Corinthians 13 (among The Bible's most famous sections) is a laser focused song of praise to love. I recently read a book which I have been asked to review on a date certain. It is about the experiences of people who have died and come back. One common feature of those experiences has been the judgment by the criteria of Love. In Paul's reflection today, one hears the words of Jesus as well. When Jesus forgives a woman in sin, He says that she has many sins which are forgiven because she has loved much. This is a stunning claim by Jesus.  ttp://bible.cc/luke/7-47.htm And Paul seems to use this insight as he declares the relative uselessness of tongues, prophecy, wisdom, knowledge, understanding, faith, generosity, even martyrdom---without love they are empty and meaningless.

Paul makes it clear, right now things are not clear! we do not see yet, not the way things are. Sitting with the mystery is no excuse for fuzzy thinking (adults put aside childish ways), but it is a reminder that under the current set of circumstances, we can never fully grasp the mystery. I think the best evangelism includes great humility. We see in a mirror dimly now, it is not helpful to act like we know more than we do or see better than we do. I recall the former Archbishop of Canterbury preaching once and he said, "We know precious little about God, but what we know is precious." I love that. Pauls' focus on love as THE central act (for it is an act, and much more than a feeling) of the faithful life is actually a summary of the entire letter. I led my first Bible study at St. Andrew's on this letter in 2001. I did so because it addressed many of the issues which tear the church apart today. I recall then that the themes of this chapter recapitulate the previous chapters and reinforce what he had said. [side note, this is not about married love nor is it intended as a marriage reflection, even if it is the most popular marriage text.]

Today our church will collect money for "Souper Bowl," a clever pun on the football event which has so many folks astir. The thought is if everyone included some percent of their "game snacks" budget to donate to the hungry, we could make a huge hit on the problem. So we will toss some cash into the soup buckets and at the end of the day there will be hundreds of dollars to send to our local food pantry. Probably enough to feed several families for several days. Love in action. And hopefully that awareness will make us kinder and more loving to those around us, especially the ones we see face to face.

Courage from Jeremiah. Love from Paul.
And a reminder to worship the God Who reveals Himself in these words.