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From Luther’s “favorite” epistle writer James we get an
outline of the advent of GRACE: “Let us
cut loose from these chains that bind us to our earthbound natures and
interests; and let us learn how to float free…
Knowing the human condition, it is probable that few of us will discover
it… We can help one another, share in
the other’s sufferings, support one another in our weaknesses, and in all ways
carry on together like the family we are—the sons and daughters of God.”
Truthfully knowing and internalizing this kind of GRACE
comes from a completely different kind of a battle. A kind of a battle that centuries before the
advent of Christ and the New Covenant—Job declares out of great patience and
suffering: (Job 19:23-29 ) “23O
that my words were written down! O that they were inscribed in a book! 24O
that with an iron pen and with lead they were engraved on a rock forever! 25For
I know that my Redeemer lives, and that at the last he will stand upon the
earth; 26and after my skin has been thus destroyed, then in my
flesh I shall see God, 27whom I shall see on my side, and my
eyes shall behold, and not another. My heart faints within me! 28If
you say, ‘How we will persecute him!’ and, ‘The root of the matter is found in
him’; 29be afraid of the sword, for wrath brings the punishment
of the sword, so that you may know there is a judgment.”
Here was Job’s battle cry of faith. Still we must remember we are in the Old
Testament here in talking about Job but so was John the Baptist! John the Baptist was a messenger waging war
for repentance with the sword of his mouth… but was never to experience yet
alone fathom the cross and the New war waged upon the turf of the human heart
to transform as preached, lived, and embodied by Our Lord and Savior of GRACE:
Christ Jesus!
Let me ask you this… what does Hell truthfully look like? Are we just painting in flames and a man with
a pitchfork or can we envision HELL now?
I pose this that HELL as we DON’T OWN UP to or truthfully acknowledge is
a barren wilderness of people with no understanding or use for GRACE. It is an irrelevant landscape of everything
but “22b…love,
joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness,23 gentleness, and
self-control”—the antithesis of St. Paul’s treatise of spiritual fruit born
from a lifestyle of GRACE.
Well in the era of “formation” or conformity and transaction over and “above”
transformation being taught, preached and lived… Satan isn’t real, he’s just a metaphor. Christ Jesus is not really divine any more he’s
just a rejected prophet, Marvel Comics propaganda figure of “social justice”
warfare against the right. He’s a figure
head for the ideal politically correct, mannequin Christian—2.5 kids, a dog and
a perfect epicurean world catering the idolatry of the self and it’s “vast”
intellect! This is the current reality
of hell my friends—For how can Christ Jesus be Lord of your life if you can’t
face the reality of the lifestyle of GRACE commanded with LOVE from God, yet
alone obey as you call yourself Christian?
The Pharisees and the tribes of the devout ministeriums of Israel at the
time of Jesus were all about transaction, works righteousness and a well-controlled
“rule” of laws, regulations and the like of YHWH. The Law is easy as itself for it is chuck
full of accusation, condemnation, malice, and ill-content to all who “minister”
from it!
Just the other day, I was once again talking to a peer about how he has
been dealing with his challenges in trying to “survive and finish” seminary… The latest round he relayed to me proved to
be yet another glass ceiling for him in both experiencing Gracious behavior
from those he needs to ask for help from as well as feeling a moment of despair
because of his ill-treatment. He then
shared with me a beautiful moment he experienced the other evening as he
struggled with his anxiety…
For weeks leading up to this meeting with these people, he told me that he
had been having terrible anxiety dreams… One so bad, the “advent” of this
meeting, that it woke him up in the middle of the night and he just started
praying…. He wondered if this was the evil working its way to cause him to
suffer even in trying to sleep! When he
started praying to which he told me was well over an hour, he began to feel as
if God was cradling him in his arms… this happened the moment tears began to
drench his pillow and he could no longer try to sleep. The peace of God wrapped love around him and
began to build him up. He told me that
when he woke up, he had one of those migraines that cause nausea which didn’t
leave him in the best of shape as it is to be preparing for this interview.
Before he even set foot into the office for yet another “glass-ceiling”
interview, his car key broke off in the ignition and his bottled water spilled
all over his car seat where he had to ride in, sit in for at least 20 minutes
to find parking… He was beginning to run
late and called the office to tell the woman there he was having car troubles
but he would be in shortly.
All this woman could say to him was: “why would this be of concern and that he was
late and people are waiting….” As he
told me this, I felt his suffering especially since this person he talked to
was a ministry figure head! He said he
felt as if his confidence just left the building while he sat in a conference room
in a drenched jacket with condemning eyes fixed upon him.
He felt as though everything he built up in pursuing answering God’s
call was not seen, not heard or yet alone “cared to be heard…” The indifference was oppressive— he said he
felt like a leper, he didn’t fit the (con)formation of what they were
seeking. He only felt bold enough to
make a comment to them that he would have wished that they could’ve shown some
consideration in contacting him earlier before he arranged for several
references to be sent and schedules to be changed… He chose not to say much more beyond this out
of being an example of who he was shaped to be:
A child of GRACE, a steward of keeping the lifestyle of GRACE and
answering to Christ Alone!
The people in ministry in my friend’s story most likely could be
compared to some of those in the crowds in today’s gospel who can’t or are not
willing to see, hear or walk the path of a transformed life. John the Baptist was now in prison knowing
full well that these were probably his last days… He sent messengers to Jesus to ask if he was
indeed the messiah and when was he going to start the battle. John the Baptist didn’t see or know what kind
of messiah and what kind of battle Jesus would be waging. Most of the crowds as well, disconcerted by
John’s arrest, were conflicted in thinking what would happen next.
To these messengers Jesus says: “4b…Go and tell John what you hear and see: 5the blind
receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the
dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them. 6And blessed is
anyone who takes no offense at me.” Why
would Jesus need to include this last statement: “And Blessed is anyone who
takes no offense at me?” These are the
Words of truthful, Good News—GRACE in action!
Well, he didn’t say he was going to build an army and kill the Romans… He wasn’t preaching formation to them, but
teaching transformation—a completely different battle! This wasn’t welcome to hear or was heard.
Listen how Jesus speaks further
to the crowds as the disciples of John walk away: “What did you go out into the
wilderness to look at? A reed shaken by the wind? 8What then did you
go out to see? Someone dressed in soft robes? Look, those who wear soft robes
are in royal palaces. 9What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell
you, and more than a prophet. 10This is the one about whom it is written, ‘See, I am
sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’11Truly I tell
you, among those born of women no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist;
yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12From the days
of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and
the violent take it by force. 13For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John
came;14and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is
to come. 15Let anyone with ears listen!”
Part of verses 14 and 15 are
key here to something we are still guilty of:
“If you are willing to accept it…
Let anyone with ears listen!” The
call to hearing here was talking to the ears attached or connected to the soul/
heart. This was the ancient Israelites
understanding of listening deeply to change—to act upon. A turned heart to God was a goal for not only
the Old Testament chosen people but for those of the New Covenant as well. A complete turn however to God would not be
realized till God’s great act of GRACE: Christ Jesus defeating sin, death and
the devil at the cross.
It’s 2,000 something years
later, this is year A, the 3rd Sunday of Advent in the church year
calendar of set preaching texts… Are we
just going through the motions, though, of the cycle of the new year beginning
with Jesus birthday or are we willingly being transformed to realistically live
with accountability into the lifestyle of GRACE? James, Luther’s “favorite” author may have
been still a little too works righteous in his entire letter but he does make a
valid point in our snippet for this morning: “10As an example
of suffering and patience, beloved, take the prophets who spoke in the name of
the Lord.11Indeed we call blessed those who showed endurance. You
have heard of the endurance of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord,
how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.”
Getting back to my friend, a
part of communicating within a lifestyle of GRACE is being compassionate,
empowering and being an example of Christ’s love in loving each other. I comforted my friend with telling him that
his endurance, his passion has been amazing to witness. I also told him how much he has grown. He is a spiritual beacon of someone who’s
HEARD Christ and intentionally lived into that lifestyle of GRACE—a place of
New Life and always a place of HOPE!
I prayed over him and
encouraged him that the battle hymn: “Onward Christian Soldier” is the battle
cry of faith in spiritual action. That
his dusting off the condemnation and ungracious behavior from these “Conforming”
people of power and moving forward IS defeating Satan’s depleting efforts
against Christ, against GRACE—the reality of HELL in our midst!
Let us Pray:
Gracious and Loving God
You build us up with your
loving arms embracing
Your GRACE cradles our hearts
to HEAR you!
Help us to grow into this
lifestyle of GRACE
By seeking the Advent of the
Kingdom to Come
Through our lives dedicated
to YOU ALONE.
In your most precious Name,
we pray—
AMEN
Sunday December 15th,
2013; 3rd Sunday of Advent; SOLA Lectionary; Year A Nicole Collins
Psalm 146; Isaiah
35:1-10; James 5:7-11 & Matthew 11:2-15
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