As we are reading the account of Samson in the Book of Judges, I recall the shock of really getting to know Samson in a Bible study many years ago. Samson is, in popular imagination, one of the great Biblical heroes. In fact, my guess is his name would be more recognizable than any number of other Biblical figures. It is probably because he was so strong. We like action heroes and we like strength. Samson is sort of the Jewish Bible's answer to Hercules (of Greek legend). His story appeals to some broad human need. However, a closer reading provides a story of a troubled hero and deeper reflection raises the question, was he a hero at all?
In the notes from 2008, I quoted Olsen (New Interpreter's Bible, 841-2) who demonstrated that there are sixteen allusions between the Samson story and all other stories in Judges. This is because the Samson cycle recapitulates the story of Israel's failure (God's "shattered dream for His people"). He is the twelveth judge.
In the beginning, the Judges delivered Israel from disaster. The three named Judges before Samson (Ibzan, Elon, Abdon) are mentioned with a focus solely on their households and number of children.They deliver no one, there is no mention of peace, and their very brief stories are in marked contrast to the very long story of Samson. However, the stage is set for diminished expectations.
Samson, against the prohibition (Judges 3) marries foreign women, who generate much of his strife. He is alone, not leading the nation at all, but usually involved in personal vendettas and enraged acts of revenge. He is a Nazirite who regularly breaks his vows. His petulance and self-centeredness (I want!) are an image of the people. Wasted potential leads to question, what could have been if Samson were faithful and God-seeking; if Israel were God-seeking and faithful?
Samson asks a riddle at his wedding feast which may be a key to unlocking the mystery of the real hero of the story. "what is sweeter than honey? what is stronger than a lion?" God's love. God is the faithful one even as Samson engages in his self seeking. God is faithful. Yet God's strength is found in weakness, His willingness to let humans have there way--and then rescuing them, or him, as they turn to God for help.
Like Samson, we all have wasted our strength in pursuits not worthy of us. And God sees, He understands, He forgives and He rescues. It is all a grace...
Thursday, August 14, 2014
Wednesday, August 13, 2014
On Race Tensions
Acts 6:1ff gives a brief insight into life in the early church. There is a daily distribution of food, which leads one to assume this group was poor and lived communally. The love of one for the other was a stunning witness to the Ancient world. However, this love was still human love, how ever much the Holy Spirit was at work among them. We read that the Hellenists complained against the Hebrews that their widows were being neglected in that daily distribution. Racial tensions!
The apostles of Jesus respond by having that community choose seven men of good standing to serve as "table waiters" (deacons). One of them, Stephen, becomes a central figure for a long narrative with an extensive proclamation of salvation history and the ultimate martyrdom (with abundant parallels to Jesus). The spread of the faith and growth of the church are the main point, but I am drawn to the tension between Hebrew and Hellenist.
Recently, another tragic shooting death has left a family mourning the loss of a young son and a community in chaos. While many are full of sadness and pain, other have turned to rage. Riots with mass looting, a too common feature of our daily life, are seen as an expression of criminality or despair at injustice, depending on who is analyzing the events.
Back when I was a counselor of teens, I had the experience of being present when three of my kids were kicked out of school. They were troubled young men and had anger issues. They were in a verbal conflict with the principal (a Black man) and the Assistant (White). The three boys were Black. In my opinion, the adults were fair and patient and the young men were disrespectful and deserved their fate. The boys claimed that they were unfairly treated and being picked on. (as they refused to go to class and were walking the halls it seems that it was fair)
However, all three of these kids were raised in negative circumstances. The mothering they received was poor. There had been abuse and a plethora of bad role models. Fathers were rarely part of their growing up. There are lots of reasons (excuses) for why they turned out as they did. They also made choices, many times bad choices, which added to the load of problems. I know that they were difficult, verbally aggressive and physically violent. They were also sad, lonely and lost. My work with them, in the end, may have made no difference. I do not know. What I do know is for one year of their life there was an effort made...
The policeman, the young man, the family, the communities all have different perspectives on what took place and why, what should happen and how. Like ancient Hebrews and Hellenists, we see things from our own community perspective (racially and politically). The truth is hard to come by. There is blame to go around for everyone. Tragedies are generated by all manner of circumstances and choices.
In the end, it is the willingness to serve and die (Stephen) which is the best witness to love and truth. Yet it takes a faith of a different kind to make such a choice.
The apostles of Jesus respond by having that community choose seven men of good standing to serve as "table waiters" (deacons). One of them, Stephen, becomes a central figure for a long narrative with an extensive proclamation of salvation history and the ultimate martyrdom (with abundant parallels to Jesus). The spread of the faith and growth of the church are the main point, but I am drawn to the tension between Hebrew and Hellenist.
Recently, another tragic shooting death has left a family mourning the loss of a young son and a community in chaos. While many are full of sadness and pain, other have turned to rage. Riots with mass looting, a too common feature of our daily life, are seen as an expression of criminality or despair at injustice, depending on who is analyzing the events.
Back when I was a counselor of teens, I had the experience of being present when three of my kids were kicked out of school. They were troubled young men and had anger issues. They were in a verbal conflict with the principal (a Black man) and the Assistant (White). The three boys were Black. In my opinion, the adults were fair and patient and the young men were disrespectful and deserved their fate. The boys claimed that they were unfairly treated and being picked on. (as they refused to go to class and were walking the halls it seems that it was fair)
However, all three of these kids were raised in negative circumstances. The mothering they received was poor. There had been abuse and a plethora of bad role models. Fathers were rarely part of their growing up. There are lots of reasons (excuses) for why they turned out as they did. They also made choices, many times bad choices, which added to the load of problems. I know that they were difficult, verbally aggressive and physically violent. They were also sad, lonely and lost. My work with them, in the end, may have made no difference. I do not know. What I do know is for one year of their life there was an effort made...
The policeman, the young man, the family, the communities all have different perspectives on what took place and why, what should happen and how. Like ancient Hebrews and Hellenists, we see things from our own community perspective (racially and politically). The truth is hard to come by. There is blame to go around for everyone. Tragedies are generated by all manner of circumstances and choices.
In the end, it is the willingness to serve and die (Stephen) which is the best witness to love and truth. Yet it takes a faith of a different kind to make such a choice.
Friday, August 8, 2014
Kiling or Dying?
Friday 8/8 Today's Readings : Judges 9:1-16; 19-21. Acts 4:13-31. John 2:1-12
Gideon refused to be king, but one of his sons is named Abimelech (Abi= my father; melek=King) This son wants to be king and is declared king by his kin folk at Shechem. Of course, it meant slaying his 70 brothers, on one stone. Which raises the question: how ruthless have I been to achieve my goals? Who has been expendable as I seek my glory? Most of us do not murder, but as we ponder the chain between what we have and how we got it, how many have been lost to provide us with our wants and desires?
In a reversal of Judges, Acts provides a story about the many who killed the One (the True King). The Apostles do wonders in Jesus Name and the powers in Jerusalem cannot deny the miracle of healing so they want the apostles to not talk about Jesus. Persecution of Christians is a growing phenomena.We read horrible stories of Christians who flee their homelands, and often are martyred. What is it about Jesus name that would create such hatred? In part, Christians who persecuted and killed in His name are to blame. Yet other Christians brought mercy and healing, and certainly today that is the majority.
At the wedding, Mary says about Jesus: Do whatever He tells you. Sage advice. As you listen what is Jesus telling you? What other voices do you hear?
Pray for the abundant New Wine of the Kingdom. Pray for the peace of Jesus reign.
Gideon refused to be king, but one of his sons is named Abimelech (Abi= my father; melek=King) This son wants to be king and is declared king by his kin folk at Shechem. Of course, it meant slaying his 70 brothers, on one stone. Which raises the question: how ruthless have I been to achieve my goals? Who has been expendable as I seek my glory? Most of us do not murder, but as we ponder the chain between what we have and how we got it, how many have been lost to provide us with our wants and desires?
In a reversal of Judges, Acts provides a story about the many who killed the One (the True King). The Apostles do wonders in Jesus Name and the powers in Jerusalem cannot deny the miracle of healing so they want the apostles to not talk about Jesus. Persecution of Christians is a growing phenomena.We read horrible stories of Christians who flee their homelands, and often are martyred. What is it about Jesus name that would create such hatred? In part, Christians who persecuted and killed in His name are to blame. Yet other Christians brought mercy and healing, and certainly today that is the majority.
At the wedding, Mary says about Jesus: Do whatever He tells you. Sage advice. As you listen what is Jesus telling you? What other voices do you hear?
Pray for the abundant New Wine of the Kingdom. Pray for the peace of Jesus reign.
Thursday, August 7, 2014
Driving Blind
So I am driving to work this morning and a truck is coming toward me from the opposite lane. As I look at the windshield I notice a large white square blocking the driver's face and suddenly I realize he is reading something. We passed each other without incident, but it struck me how often we are driving blind and by our own choice.
Yesterday there was an interview of a an apologist for the Palestinians. He said, "There have been thousands of rockets shot at Israel, but look how few have died. This is like a crowd of protestors throwing rocks and it has done about as much damage as rocks. The missiles are like throwing rocks."
Years ago working in a mental health program for troubled youth two of the boys were arguing. One of them picked up a baseball bat and started swinging it and I jumped in and disarmed him. When the rest of the group left for the activity the bat wielder remained back with me (I was the lead counselor).
"Why can't I go?" he angrily asked me.
"Because you were trying to hit him with a bat."
"But I didn't hit him, did I?" he responded
"That is because I grabbed you and took the bat away from you!"
"But I didn't hit him, did I?" he said again.
It is hard to bridge the gaps which separate us because we all have different things in front of our faces as we "drive" through life. Most of the time our blindness does not cause a wreck. We can escape unscathed by good luck.
For me one big question is "what am I blind to?"
What do I say that sounds as ridiculous to others as the words of others sound to me?
How have I been oblivious?
This is part of the reason why Jesus tells us not to judge others. It is why He tells us to love our enemies. It is why He calls us to humble service. We are blind.
Yet, on the other hand, we cannot simply stand by and let the blindness of others go unchecked. When someone is trying to blow up your homes and cities and kill you, it is not possible to ignore that. What would Jesus do? Great question.Hopefully He will return soon to rule and we will all know.
Maranatha
Yesterday there was an interview of a an apologist for the Palestinians. He said, "There have been thousands of rockets shot at Israel, but look how few have died. This is like a crowd of protestors throwing rocks and it has done about as much damage as rocks. The missiles are like throwing rocks."
Years ago working in a mental health program for troubled youth two of the boys were arguing. One of them picked up a baseball bat and started swinging it and I jumped in and disarmed him. When the rest of the group left for the activity the bat wielder remained back with me (I was the lead counselor).
"Why can't I go?" he angrily asked me.
"Because you were trying to hit him with a bat."
"But I didn't hit him, did I?" he responded
"That is because I grabbed you and took the bat away from you!"
"But I didn't hit him, did I?" he said again.
It is hard to bridge the gaps which separate us because we all have different things in front of our faces as we "drive" through life. Most of the time our blindness does not cause a wreck. We can escape unscathed by good luck.
For me one big question is "what am I blind to?"
What do I say that sounds as ridiculous to others as the words of others sound to me?
How have I been oblivious?
This is part of the reason why Jesus tells us not to judge others. It is why He tells us to love our enemies. It is why He calls us to humble service. We are blind.
Yet, on the other hand, we cannot simply stand by and let the blindness of others go unchecked. When someone is trying to blow up your homes and cities and kill you, it is not possible to ignore that. What would Jesus do? Great question.Hopefully He will return soon to rule and we will all know.
Maranatha
Wednesday, August 6, 2014
god vs. God
Today is the Feast of the Transfiguration. It is a day set aside to remember and celebrate that day when Jesus became a shining light before the three apostles who accompanied Him up the mountain. As is our practice each day, we gathered for Morning Prayer but read from the Feast Day lectionary rather than the daily lectionary. Most Christians in this area do not celebrate Feast Days of our Lord (or saints days), except Christmas and Easter, but I treasure such daily reminders of the history of Jesus and His church.
Because of the change, instead of the next section of Judges and John, we read from 2 Corinthians 4. The short reading contained this sentence: "In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the good news of the glory of Christ, Who is the image of God."
Jesus also refers to the demonic "the Prince of this World" and I have written before about this baffling concept. The idea of "Rulers" influencing the world is not, when one reflects on the world, a crazy idea. There are spiritual dimensions to reality which are not easily seen nor understood. How exactly does Satan rule the world?
The threefold flesh-world-devil are the unholy trinity. These are the three 'forces' which are standing over and against the Kingdom of the Holy Trinity. My understanding is God is involved in the world, He created and sustains it, but His activities among us are an intervention. I believe God saves (redeems) us. I do not think He controls and causes everything. Now, this is human language and anything we say about God is an analogy or simile. We can only glimpse bits and pieces. We do not and cannot understand.
So the language of the New Testament alludes to one reason why Jesus came. The world has freedom and choices are made. There are spiritual forces at work, among other things, which would claim our first allegiance. God is God. Treating anything/one else as if it were God is blasphemy, idolatry and sin. We are blinded to the truth. We do not see the world as it is (a creation) nor do we see God. Even those who claim to love and serve Him are blind in some areas and not seeing clearly in others. It is the current fallen condition. We await the time when Jesus sets all things right. We long for it. But it has not taken place yet.
So today we hear about Russia's plan, Ebola deaths, Israel-Palestinian conflicts, and we see the hand of 'the god of this world' at work among us. Inspiring us to lower depths, greater degradation, more violence and selfishness and outright stupidity. Things are not right because God Almighty, in some very real sense, is not ruling this world. Yet.
So hope is a virtue and we are compelled to live a life today which reflects the life to come. Prayer, worship, study, Scripture and lives lived obediently to Him are the current medicine to a sick and suffering world, and a prophetic declaration that some day the god of this world will be unveiled and unseated, and the God of Heaven will come among us to rule. And all will be well. And all will be well. And that is a reason for joy!
Because of the change, instead of the next section of Judges and John, we read from 2 Corinthians 4. The short reading contained this sentence: "In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the good news of the glory of Christ, Who is the image of God."
Jesus also refers to the demonic "the Prince of this World" and I have written before about this baffling concept. The idea of "Rulers" influencing the world is not, when one reflects on the world, a crazy idea. There are spiritual dimensions to reality which are not easily seen nor understood. How exactly does Satan rule the world?
The threefold flesh-world-devil are the unholy trinity. These are the three 'forces' which are standing over and against the Kingdom of the Holy Trinity. My understanding is God is involved in the world, He created and sustains it, but His activities among us are an intervention. I believe God saves (redeems) us. I do not think He controls and causes everything. Now, this is human language and anything we say about God is an analogy or simile. We can only glimpse bits and pieces. We do not and cannot understand.
So the language of the New Testament alludes to one reason why Jesus came. The world has freedom and choices are made. There are spiritual forces at work, among other things, which would claim our first allegiance. God is God. Treating anything/one else as if it were God is blasphemy, idolatry and sin. We are blinded to the truth. We do not see the world as it is (a creation) nor do we see God. Even those who claim to love and serve Him are blind in some areas and not seeing clearly in others. It is the current fallen condition. We await the time when Jesus sets all things right. We long for it. But it has not taken place yet.
So today we hear about Russia's plan, Ebola deaths, Israel-Palestinian conflicts, and we see the hand of 'the god of this world' at work among us. Inspiring us to lower depths, greater degradation, more violence and selfishness and outright stupidity. Things are not right because God Almighty, in some very real sense, is not ruling this world. Yet.
So hope is a virtue and we are compelled to live a life today which reflects the life to come. Prayer, worship, study, Scripture and lives lived obediently to Him are the current medicine to a sick and suffering world, and a prophetic declaration that some day the god of this world will be unveiled and unseated, and the God of Heaven will come among us to rule. And all will be well. And all will be well. And that is a reason for joy!
Sunday, August 3, 2014
Encountering God
Last week we reflected on Jacob. I said that his life illustrated Paul's words in Romans; predetermined, called, justified and glorified. We saw how God had chosen him, called him, and allowed Jacob to suffer the same deceit which he had practiced. That suffering (call it punishment, Divine wrath or purging of sin) sets Jacob "right" (like penance) to receive the grace of glory (promise fulfilled). We noted that his father-in-law was a deceiver as well. The relationship deteriorated and Jacob, following the birth of Joseph asks Laban to let him leave. Laban recognizes God has blessed him because of Jacob, but tries to keep him there. God tells Jacob to return home (promising "I will be with you") and the growing hostility of Jacob's brothers-in-law and father-in-law leads him to leave with his wives and children.
The escape is discovered and Laban soon catches up to them, but God has warned Laban to not harm Jacob. It is their final meeting. Having solved that problem, Jacob now turns to to the pending return and confrontation with his brother.
32:1 Jacob went on his way and the angels of God met him. Once more we are reminded that this very human situation is under divine favor ("I will be with you"). Jacob sends his own "angels//messengers" to his brother bearing gifts, a common middle eastern way of "doing business." Jacob (32:7) was greatly afraid and distressed. Jacob must face himself and the consequences of his behaviors. In fact, the Hebrew word face will appear five times, recalling the deception of Issac who was too blind to see his son's face.
32:9-12 Confronted with his fear, Jacob turns to God in the longest prayer in Genesis. It is a classical Jewish prayer, reminding God of his promise, expressing need and then expressing confidence that God will be faithful. It is a helpful guide to each of us as we kneel before the Almighty God. Jacob's deceit has seemingly placed God's promise in jeopardy, because of Esau's threats. Jacob ever the master dealer send ahead more gifts and divides his family into two camps in the hope of escape. Having done all he can, both in prayer and action, Jacob waits alone in the Jabbok (notice he play on words)
Alone...
At some point in life we all discover that we are an individual. Sometimes, even when surrounded by friends and family, we are alone. It is the mystery of human existence. It is at the heart of our religious existence as well. It is why, in the Jewish Bible, we hear the question asked (Is God with us?) and why so often God declares, "I am with you; often with the command, "be not afraid."
Jacob has the promise. He has the visions. He has the blessings. He has seen God and seen God's protection. Is it enough? No, because there has also been the struggles and the problems. His domestic life is not peaceful. Family conflict is every where. God's presence is not always tangible. Faith can be a pretty thin rope to hang onto in difficult times....
The wrestling scene is fraught with meaning and yet impenetrable. The sparse narrative raises more questions than it answers. We are told a man wrestles Jacob, but who is this man. We never find out. Some think it is a demon, ancient Jews thought it a spirit connected to Esau. We are prepared for this uncertainty by the story of Abraham's three visitors (God or angels). Maybe it was God--perhaps Jesus? [Certainly the church Fathers saw this story as a typological prophecy of the rejection of Jesus by the Jews.] The problem is we read the scriptures as 21st century Christians. We forget that our stories stretch back to a different place and time. There is something primitive about those desert people. They do not share our values nor our expectations of God. Exodus 4:24 recounts a similar dark encounter where God inexplicably seeks to kill Moses, and is stayed by a foreskin from a circumcision. Abraham has his own dark terrible encounter (Gen 15:9-12). We speak often of God's wrath, but have domesticated it in terms of judicial process and just deserts. These stories remind us why Hebrews 10:31 states "It is a fearful (phoberos) thing to fall into the hands of the living God..." As we read Friday at Morning Prayer, the women at the tomb are filled with joy and terror. The two are emotions are not typically thought of as twins, yet the English language betrays the mysterious connection: Awe... Awful... Awesome... we know real life is never easy or simple.
The story rings true of our lives, if we pause to reflect. God is not the giver of constant kindnesses. Our hearts are broken time and again. We are richly blessed and devastated by disappointments. Answered and unanswered prayers co-exist in our lives, which are sometimes also long wrestling matches in the dark..
Jacob was born wrestling with his brother and his entire life is mental and physical competitions.
Jacob is crippled by a single touch, yet somehow the match is a draw...
Jacob, once more, seeks a blessing, his hunger is insatiable for blessing
He receives a new name because he has prevailed against men and God (what could the latter mean???)
Jacob limps away from his encounter and declares that he has seen the face of God and lived.
And he goes out to meet the brother...
We are all children of the promise
We are all wrestling, each in our own way, to secure those blessings we seek, struggling with men, women and God.
God loves us, not doubt. He is with us, for sure.
We just do well to understand....
The escape is discovered and Laban soon catches up to them, but God has warned Laban to not harm Jacob. It is their final meeting. Having solved that problem, Jacob now turns to to the pending return and confrontation with his brother.
32:1 Jacob went on his way and the angels of God met him. Once more we are reminded that this very human situation is under divine favor ("I will be with you"). Jacob sends his own "angels//messengers" to his brother bearing gifts, a common middle eastern way of "doing business." Jacob (32:7) was greatly afraid and distressed. Jacob must face himself and the consequences of his behaviors. In fact, the Hebrew word face will appear five times, recalling the deception of Issac who was too blind to see his son's face.
32:9-12 Confronted with his fear, Jacob turns to God in the longest prayer in Genesis. It is a classical Jewish prayer, reminding God of his promise, expressing need and then expressing confidence that God will be faithful. It is a helpful guide to each of us as we kneel before the Almighty God. Jacob's deceit has seemingly placed God's promise in jeopardy, because of Esau's threats. Jacob ever the master dealer send ahead more gifts and divides his family into two camps in the hope of escape. Having done all he can, both in prayer and action, Jacob waits alone in the Jabbok (notice he play on words)
Alone...
At some point in life we all discover that we are an individual. Sometimes, even when surrounded by friends and family, we are alone. It is the mystery of human existence. It is at the heart of our religious existence as well. It is why, in the Jewish Bible, we hear the question asked (Is God with us?) and why so often God declares, "I am with you; often with the command, "be not afraid."
Jacob has the promise. He has the visions. He has the blessings. He has seen God and seen God's protection. Is it enough? No, because there has also been the struggles and the problems. His domestic life is not peaceful. Family conflict is every where. God's presence is not always tangible. Faith can be a pretty thin rope to hang onto in difficult times....
The wrestling scene is fraught with meaning and yet impenetrable. The sparse narrative raises more questions than it answers. We are told a man wrestles Jacob, but who is this man. We never find out. Some think it is a demon, ancient Jews thought it a spirit connected to Esau. We are prepared for this uncertainty by the story of Abraham's three visitors (God or angels). Maybe it was God--perhaps Jesus? [Certainly the church Fathers saw this story as a typological prophecy of the rejection of Jesus by the Jews.] The problem is we read the scriptures as 21st century Christians. We forget that our stories stretch back to a different place and time. There is something primitive about those desert people. They do not share our values nor our expectations of God. Exodus 4:24 recounts a similar dark encounter where God inexplicably seeks to kill Moses, and is stayed by a foreskin from a circumcision. Abraham has his own dark terrible encounter (Gen 15:9-12). We speak often of God's wrath, but have domesticated it in terms of judicial process and just deserts. These stories remind us why Hebrews 10:31 states "It is a fearful (phoberos) thing to fall into the hands of the living God..." As we read Friday at Morning Prayer, the women at the tomb are filled with joy and terror. The two are emotions are not typically thought of as twins, yet the English language betrays the mysterious connection: Awe... Awful... Awesome... we know real life is never easy or simple.
The story rings true of our lives, if we pause to reflect. God is not the giver of constant kindnesses. Our hearts are broken time and again. We are richly blessed and devastated by disappointments. Answered and unanswered prayers co-exist in our lives, which are sometimes also long wrestling matches in the dark..
Jacob was born wrestling with his brother and his entire life is mental and physical competitions.
Jacob is crippled by a single touch, yet somehow the match is a draw...
Jacob, once more, seeks a blessing, his hunger is insatiable for blessing
He receives a new name because he has prevailed against men and God (what could the latter mean???)
Jacob limps away from his encounter and declares that he has seen the face of God and lived.
And he goes out to meet the brother...
We are all children of the promise
We are all wrestling, each in our own way, to secure those blessings we seek, struggling with men, women and God.
God loves us, not doubt. He is with us, for sure.
We just do well to understand....
Friday, August 1, 2014
Killing Christians: Now and Then
As I shared my concerns about Israel, I left out another group who are really suffering, the Christians in Iraq. I do not know what percent of Muslims in other lands are in favor of persecution. I think it a bad idea to paint an entire group, but it does seem like there is some terrible persecution of people taking place. At least one Iraqi woman sad that Muslim's who stand against the persecutions are also being killed.
It is odd to me that in this nation Christians who support traditional marriage or are against abortion can be labelled as terrorists, while people engaged in wholesale slaughter are not even mentioned (or called humanitarians by some US political leaders?!?!)
The story of a man who watched his children murdered, his daughters raped and killed and finally was himself shot brought tears to my eyes. Middle class Christians flippantly ask, "Are you sold out for Jesus?" and then grip and complain about any societal inconvenience. Sometimes we seem to be "whiners for Jesus" equating our challenges with the horrors of real persecution and martyrdom. [while I personally anti-Christian sentiment is on the rise, in many parts of the country, and I have dim view of what is ahead, clearly the scenario above is not taking place around here]
We started back on our Thursday Bible Study today. As I shared we are going to do the Didache (training from Jesus through the twelve for the gentiles). It begins with the two ways. The way of Life is to love God and love our neighbor, or do not do to others what you do not want done to yourself. In verse three it spells out what that looks like concretely. You may have heard this somewhere else:
speak well of the ones speaking badly of you, and pray for your enemies, fast for the ones persecuting you; for what merit is there if you love the ones loving you? Do not even gentiles do the same thing? You on the other hand love the ones haring you, and you will not have an enemy
It continues with turning the other cheek, walking two miles, giving extra from the one who takes from you and not asking back what is taken from you. And all of this can be found in Matthew and found in Jesus mouth.
I asked the class why put this first in the instruction manual, if not because it was a church under persecution. Scholars believe the original audience was in the province "Syria," putting it in close proximity to the current persecutions of Christians. I wondered aloud if some of the direct descendents of the original Didache are now in a position to pray and fast and speak well of the enemies who ill treat and torment them?
Do I argue and fight with others or pray and fast for them? (Ashamed to say)
Do I look for what is best in those who treat me worst, or do I point out their flaws and inconsistencies?
Do I have the words of Jesus shaping my heart?
There was one line in the midst of the two verses which answers the questions above: abstain from fleshly and bodily desires. This is not about lust, at least not primarily, it is about our natural reactions to abuse from others. Humans, even Christian humans, want to prevail. The Christian faith does not magically make us faithful. We tend to twist and reshape it to fit our cultural context. A middle class Christian is middle class. We are not shaped by the ancient training manual. However, the ancients were no more inclined than we to abstain from the fleshly and bodily desires. The sinful human heart is no recent invention,
How to become such a man, whose prayer and fasting and goodness to all, especially the cruel enemy who does me harm, is the norm for his behavior? At the heart of it is an embrace of the cross of Jesus. Of that much I am sure. Such an embrace is founded deeply in faith, trust, and, of course, love. I pray for those who lose their life for Jesus today. And I pray for those who kill them. And I wonder what good words I should say to and about them....
It is odd to me that in this nation Christians who support traditional marriage or are against abortion can be labelled as terrorists, while people engaged in wholesale slaughter are not even mentioned (or called humanitarians by some US political leaders?!?!)
The story of a man who watched his children murdered, his daughters raped and killed and finally was himself shot brought tears to my eyes. Middle class Christians flippantly ask, "Are you sold out for Jesus?" and then grip and complain about any societal inconvenience. Sometimes we seem to be "whiners for Jesus" equating our challenges with the horrors of real persecution and martyrdom. [while I personally anti-Christian sentiment is on the rise, in many parts of the country, and I have dim view of what is ahead, clearly the scenario above is not taking place around here]
We started back on our Thursday Bible Study today. As I shared we are going to do the Didache (training from Jesus through the twelve for the gentiles). It begins with the two ways. The way of Life is to love God and love our neighbor, or do not do to others what you do not want done to yourself. In verse three it spells out what that looks like concretely. You may have heard this somewhere else:
speak well of the ones speaking badly of you, and pray for your enemies, fast for the ones persecuting you; for what merit is there if you love the ones loving you? Do not even gentiles do the same thing? You on the other hand love the ones haring you, and you will not have an enemy
It continues with turning the other cheek, walking two miles, giving extra from the one who takes from you and not asking back what is taken from you. And all of this can be found in Matthew and found in Jesus mouth.
I asked the class why put this first in the instruction manual, if not because it was a church under persecution. Scholars believe the original audience was in the province "Syria," putting it in close proximity to the current persecutions of Christians. I wondered aloud if some of the direct descendents of the original Didache are now in a position to pray and fast and speak well of the enemies who ill treat and torment them?
Do I argue and fight with others or pray and fast for them? (Ashamed to say)
Do I look for what is best in those who treat me worst, or do I point out their flaws and inconsistencies?
Do I have the words of Jesus shaping my heart?
There was one line in the midst of the two verses which answers the questions above: abstain from fleshly and bodily desires. This is not about lust, at least not primarily, it is about our natural reactions to abuse from others. Humans, even Christian humans, want to prevail. The Christian faith does not magically make us faithful. We tend to twist and reshape it to fit our cultural context. A middle class Christian is middle class. We are not shaped by the ancient training manual. However, the ancients were no more inclined than we to abstain from the fleshly and bodily desires. The sinful human heart is no recent invention,
How to become such a man, whose prayer and fasting and goodness to all, especially the cruel enemy who does me harm, is the norm for his behavior? At the heart of it is an embrace of the cross of Jesus. Of that much I am sure. Such an embrace is founded deeply in faith, trust, and, of course, love. I pray for those who lose their life for Jesus today. And I pray for those who kill them. And I wonder what good words I should say to and about them....
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