I am not the kind of person you should ask to fix things - or untie knots in a piece of string. I think my favourite tool is a monkey wrench, ‘cos it’s the heaviest and seems to wield the most influence. With it you can whack things into place - and undo nuts bolts and pipes that were never meant to be undone.
My technique for addressing a knot in a piece of string / wire / wool or fishing line follows a similar principle. It starts out cool, collected and well reasoned; and ends up with me pulling two ends only to make the knot tighter - and completely impenetrable!
My favourite tool for knot untying is a pair of scissors or a knife…
* * *
The problem with my technique is the problem doesn’t get fixed - it just gets more and more broken, more and more messed up.
Me trying to fix plumbing is me trying to make the plumber more money.
Me trying to un-knot a piece of string or fishing line is an indicator that it is time to buy more string or fishing line.
My impatience, my search for a quick solution - always ends in disaster…
* * *
In Jesus time there were people who looked for a quick solution. Not one that they would bring about by themselves - but they hoped that God would bring it about…
A quick washing of the world - a baptism of fire - Destruction of the wicked; blessing of the “good”.
The way John the Baptist speaks of Jesus: “His winnowing fork is in his hand… to gather the wheat into his granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”.
Sounds a bit like the baptism of fire that some were hoping for.
* * *
A violent and quick intervention from God that would restore things to the way that people thought they should be.
* * *
As I read John’s words - words of an Old Testament, fire and brimstone preacher!! - I can’t help but feel a little bit confused…
The Jesus we meet is not very fire and brimstone at all.
He welcomes sinners - eats with them - talks with them - no fire; simply the words of grace: “your sins are forgiven.” Not the kind of anger and destruction people sometimes longed for.
He meets with the broken - and brings them healing.
He does turn the tables in the temple… but it seems his anger is about structures in the temple that limit people’s access to God.
* * *
I think John the Baptist was quite surprised at Jesus way: No winnowing fork, no fiery baptism - no body count?! No operation “Shock and Awe.”
In fact in Luke chapter 7:20 Luke writes that messengers were sent from John to ask: “Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?”
Luke records Jesus response: “The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor. Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me.”
Jesus way is the way of construction - and not destruction.
* * *
His way is different to my way - I use a hammer or a monkey wrench and try to force things to be fixed.
But Jesus uses gentleness and patience.
I want people to “shape up” or “ship out.” But Jesus is endlessly patient - hearing their pain, understanding their difficulty - and offering a solution…
The encouragement for each of us here is this: Jesus does not come to us with fire and brimstone - but with a hand stretched out in love -
The example which Jesus sets - in opposition to what we might expect - is the example of accepting, outreaching love. A lesson for us to stop being judgemental - to learn to be more accepting and loving.
As I read the gospels I find many examples of Jesus accepting the unrighteous, but rejecting the self righteous. Rather than the other way round - which is often the order of the day.
* * *
The Spirit which descends on Jesus - in the form of a dove - comes with an announcement from heaven: “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”
* * *
This event reminds us that Jesus really is the Son of God:
In Israelite culture a child was considered to be - not just a chip off the old block, but a direct replica of its parents.
The author of Hebrews describes Jesus as “the reflection of God’s glory and the exact imprint of God’s very being.” (1:3)
This means that if we want to know what God is like - If we want to know the character of God - the way God responds to us and those around us, we must look at Jesus, and when we do - we’ll get a pretty good idea of what God is like.
* * *
We don’t just ask ourselves, “What would Jesus do?” as the old bracelets reminded us. But we ask how would Jesus respond - to each of us, to those people we meet in the street or at work, to our very own family and children. How would Jesus respond?
And that response is the response of love that builds up. And the example for us to follow is the example of Jesus - unconditional, patient, love.
* * *
The reading from Acts illustrates how Jesus message of grace and love reached out beyond the boundaries of
Peter and John are sent to the Samaritans to pray for them so that they too may receive the spirit.
The same Spirit that descended on Jesus when he was baptised is given to these foreigners - who previously were considered enemies; unrighteous; unclean - probably counted among those who some thought should be destroyed by fire.
The Spirit is given to them - that bears witness (In the words of Paul) that we are children of God. Even those of us whom we might consider to be rejected by God.
* * *
We read of John’s proclamation about Jesus - and we see how Jesus fulfils his expectations in a different way. Jesus works in a way that builds up - not a way that burns up.
We read about the voice from heaven that said this is my son in whom I am well pleased. Because of that we get a good idea of what God is like: God is like Jesus.
We read in Acts about how the Samaritans receive the Spirit and are adopted as children of God - just as each of us are.
* * *
If we go into the world with that knowledge that we serve a God who builds up more than he destroys; and we find ways to build up rather than destroy.
That we serve a God who loves each of us (even the people we don’t like) as his own children - and we find ways to love people (even those whom we don’t like) - as God’s own children.
If we allow the Spirit to remind us that we are also God’s children - and give us the power to do the loving and the building up that we are called to do.
Then we will begin to see the
1 comment:
Hi Gus
Nice sermon. I copied you a bit. I now also have a sermon blog. I just find it difficult to convey my thoughts in writing as preaching, I believe, is more about conversation. Do you find the same?
Blessings in Paarl
Wes
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