“He will strengthen you to the end”

Meditation on I Cor. 1:1-9

Jan. 19, 2014

Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and our brother Sosthenes,

To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, together with all those who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours:

     Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.  I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that has been given you in Christ Jesus, for in every way you have been enriched in him, in speech and knowledge of every kind— just as the testimony of Christ has been strengthened among you— so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ. He will also strengthen you to the end, so that you may be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful; by him you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

***

     I am glad to be back worshiping with you after being off a week for vacation.  Some of you are asking if we went somewhere warm. No, we didn’t leave Minnesota. Jim and I enjoyed some time with our sons at home. James and Jacob are back in college now—and we dropped Josh off at the airport so he could return to his air base in California. We also took care of some household chores, errands and car maintenance.

    The one thing I didn’t do that I had hoped to do on my vacation was finish a book for a seminary class I am taking next month. The book is called, How to Change the World: Social Entrepreneurs and the Power of New Ideas. With good intentions and without making any real progress with my homework, I carried the book with me to the airport in the Twin Cities with Josh, to Mankato with James, and even to the Kandi Mall while I waited for my car’s oil change and tire rotation. Sprawled on a loveseat in front of Famous Footwear, I read maybe three pages when two women appeared. I looked up to see them smiling down at me.

    One said to the other, “I think she’ll be nice and let you sit down. I think she’ll be nice.” Then she flopped on the one empty chair to my right.

    The other, still smiling, stood in front of me. “That’s OK,” she said, glancing at my coat and purse spread across the sofa. “I’ll stand. I like standing.”

    Chuckling a little, I put down my book, and moved my belongings so the other woman could sit on my left. Now I am usually a “people person.” I often talk to people I don’t know when I am out. And strangers often begin conversations with me. But this time, concerned about my own needs and desires, I hesitated for a moment with my coat in hand, considering moving to another location where I could continue my reading.

   “Thank you!” said the lady, interrupting my thoughts, as she happily dropped into the seat beside me. “Sometimes people are nice,” she said, then paused and added,  “Sometimes, they’re not.”

    Well, it would have been rude to leave after that! So I smiled, put my coat aside, and, still determined to be the conscientious student, I picked up my book once more.

    Less than a minute had passed when the woman to my left shook her head and said, “You’re just like my mother! She’s always reading books!”

    I reluctantly lifted my eyes from the page and looked into her face, really looked at her, as she looked back at me with my book—in admiration. Understanding dawned. She wasn’t a reader, but not because she didn’t want to be. She and her friend were adults with special needs—physical and cognitive. Why hadn’t I noticed sooner?

      I closed my book and surrendered myself to the conversation that was meant to be. She asked if I liked animals. She liked dogs, but didn’t have any. She giggled as I showed her pictures of my pets on my cell phone. We talked about her mom, sister, and the group home where she and her friend lived with other adults with disabilities. She grew excited when I told her I lived in Renville. Her sister used to work at the Sugar Beet Plant in Renville. Telling her that I worked for a church stirred an enthusiastic discussion of the church they attend and love—the Salvation Army. Salvation Army congregations intentionally reach out to people with great needs—those living in poverty and people with disabilities, mental illness, or drug and alcohol addictions.

   “The Salvation Army is kind to people,” I agreed. “Some churches do a good job of helping people in need…”

   I stopped mid thought, before I said anything critical. How could I criticize some churches for not reaching out to people in need when my first reaction to two gentle strangers wanting to sit beside me was to look for another place to go?

   But the gentle strangers didn’t hesitate to speak what I only thought. They spoke as if from experience when they said together, “And some churches don’t.”

***

       Paul was also bold when it came to speaking about churches failing to do what they are called to do.  He felt responsible for faith communities such as Corinth, where he had preached and shepherded believers for 18 months. Corinth was a prosperous city on the Isthmus of Corinth, the land bridge connecting the Peloponnese with Central and Northern Greece. The city, with its two ports, was in a great position for commercial enterprise and missionary activities; it lay “at the junction of sea routes to the west and east and land routes to the north and south.” [1]

     Paul writes to the Corinthians when he learns they are embroiled in conflict, arguing over leadership, doctrine and application of the faith. He hears reports of sexual immorality and lawsuits amongst believers. What kind of loving witness is this? Paul appeals to them in the name of Jesus Christ. Let there be no more divisions! No more quarreling! Be united in the same mind and purpose!

     But before Paul launches into his lengthy criticism, he offers a passage of encouragement. This encouraging passage is today’s Epistle reading. He tells them that they are the church of God that is in Corinth because God is faithful. And that Paul thanks God for them always. And that they have everything they need in God’s grace, given to them in Jesus Christ. They are not lacking in any spiritual gift as they wait for Christ’s revealing—His return for His church. My favorite part is when Paul says, “He will also strengthen you to the very end, so that you may be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

     Friends, every church has its weaknesses. Ebenezer has had its ups and downs. We are a healthy, Spirit-filled congregation, but like the church at Corinth, we are a long way from the perfect, self-giving example of Jesus Christ.

    But I am here to tell you that I give thanks to God for you always! And that we are still His church. Because God is faithful! When we stumble and fall, He lifts us up, guides us to the right path, and draws us nearer to Him. He heals old wounds. He brings reconciliation where there is brokenness.  His grace in Jesus Christ is all that we need! He will strengthen us to the end!

     My brief encounter with the two gentle strangers, adults with special needs, sisters in the faith, was a reminder that if I want the Lord to use me for His work, if I want to make a difference, then I better be ready to let Him use me whenever and wherever He wants.

     And if I want to change the world, I better start with me!

     We can’t walk in His ways without reaching out to a neighbor or a stranger and seeking to help someone in need.

     As I got up to leave the two women at the mall, I told them that I enjoyed our conversation. I asked them if they needed a ride somewhere. If there was anything I could do for them.

    They laughed and said no.

    I hoped to see them again, I said.

    “Oh, you will!” said the lady to my right, conviction in her voice.

     She turned to the other lady and said, “See, I told you she would be nice.”

      I started to walk away, then looked down at my empty hand and realized I was missing something.  But what?

      My book, How to Change the World… lay forgotten on the sofa.

Let us pray.

Holy One, thank you for your faithfulness! We give you thanks and praise for your grace in Jesus Christ—grace that is all that we need.  Awaken in us a desire to walk with you as humbly and obediently as Christ walked.  Thank you for lifting us up when we fall and bringing reconciliation to families, neighborhoods, churches, communities—wherever there is brokenness.  Teach us to be faithful witnesses to your love and grace all of our days. Help us to be encouragers—to lift one another up just as Paul encouraged his brothers and sisters in the faith. Show us how we can make a difference in this world by reaching out to people in need. And opening ourselves to your Spirit, now and forever, so that we may be changed! We surrender all to you today, giving you our hearts, our minds, our hands, our very lives to Jesus Christ. In Him we pray. Amen.

---

[1] F. F. Bruce, The Book of the Acts (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1988) 345.

“For We Have Seen His Star”

Meditation on Matthew 2:1-12

Epiphany 2014

***

      In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, ‘Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we have seen his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.’ When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, ‘In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet: “And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.” ’

     Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, ‘Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.’   When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure-chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.

***

     I always feel a little sad when it is time to put the Christmas decorations away.  
     We put our decorations away earlier than usual this holiday season—on New Year’s Eve—because I had three sons home to help us carry the boxes. Away went our artificial tree, lights, and ornaments. Stuffed animals and needlepoint stockings. Away went our towels and tablecloths.  Cookie tins and Christmas serving trays. And away went several of our many Nativity scenes that we have collected over the years.

    I keep a few of the Nativity scenes out on bookshelves or table tops all year—just as a reminder that Christmas is never really over, though the decorations are packed away.  The Nativities are a reminder that God, who loved the world so much that He became one of us, remains with us and still loves us.

    When I was organizing the Christmas boxes in the basement, I came across a box still wrapped with clear packing tape from our move in 2011.  I recognized my handwriting with the green magic marker label—“Creche.”  This was our Nativity scene that we set up on a white cotton sheet every year when I was growing up. 

   My mother bought the 20 or more painted ceramic figurines one by one from a 5 and dime store in town. She used money she saved up from birthday gifts and babysitting and later, working as a cashier at Woolworth’s.  It took several years before she had the full set of animals, people, angels, and the ceramic star, which hung on the wooden barn through an opening in the roof. 

       It was an honor to set up the Creche.  My older brother and I would fight over it.  He would say I was too little and I would just break it. He always wanted to set up the figurines so that the scene resembled spectators at a sporting event. All the people, animals, and angels surrounded the baby Jesus in a circle; all positioned so they could have the best possible view.  I, on the other hand, carefully placed the figures so that they would tell the beautiful story—the angel appearing to the shepherds, watching their flocks in the fields. And the three wise men—with royal crowns—bearing gifts that looked like treasure chests—coming on their camels, then lining up to see the babe, lying in his ceramic manger.

     When all the figures were in their places, I would plug in the little light bulb that fit through a hole in the back of the barn.

    And the star of Bethlehem would glow, casting soft yellow light over the scene, telling the old, old story, once again.

***

    Today is the eve of Epiphany—one of the most cherished and ecumenical feasts of the Christian Church.  Christians around the globe remember and celebrate the story that most Nativity scenes depict—when the three wise men from the East look up into the sky and see the star rising—and know that the Messiah, the long awaited King of the Jews, has been born.

     The three wise men are outsiders.  Foreigners, with different languages, cultures, and religious beliefs.  They are Gentiles, not Jews. They are probably not kings or aristocracy, though most Nativities depict them with royal crowns. They are magi—astrologers, people who read the night sky for celestial message, foretelling future events, and revealing the answers to the mysteries of the universe.

     And God miraculously speaks to these foreigners through the star, which leads them to King Herod in Jerusalem where they boldly ask, ‘Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we have seen his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.”

    Herod’s response is fear.  If the Messiah has truly come, then what will become of Herod’s power, his throne, his very life? His fear and cruelty lead him to lies and murder. Herod sends the wise men off to search for the babe—and report back to him when they find him. The wise men, not knowing Herod’s evil intentions, follow the star to Bethlehem and find Jesus and Mary. Their response is not fear but overwhelming joy!  Once they have seen Jesus, they are changed and their lives will not be the same. They cannot return to Herod with the news.  They are warned in a dream to go back to their country a different way.  And they carry the good news with them to those whom God’s people Israel consider outsiders.  They tell everyone that they have seen the star.  That Jesus Christ, the Messiah, is born.

***

    Seeing the box marked “Creche” in my basement this week brought back memories of Christmases past. I haven’t spent Christmas with my brother for quite a few years.  We have our own families now and our own ways of celebrating the holiday.   We still talk through cards, occasional phone calls and text messages, and forwarded emails with photos and funny stories.

    The box marked “Creche” hasn’t been opened for years.  The last time I opened it to set it up, I discovered that many of the figurines had not survived the moves we have made.  The paint is faded and chipped.  The animals are missing their ears or legs. The shepherds have lost their crooks. The angels’ gold wings are cracked.

      What was once treasured and fought over has become one more box stored in the basement that I just can’t bring myself to throw away. Of all the Nativities I have ever had, this one, by far, means the most—and not just because it belonged to my mother when she was a child. And that she had to save up her money to buy each figurine, one by one, from the 5 and dime store. It was the one that taught me the beautiful story as I carefully set up the precious painted ceramic figures and the wooden barn. It was where I first saw the star of Bethlehem in my mind, casting a glow of soft yellow light.

   Friends, you, too, have seen the star.  We know that Christ the Lord, the Messiah, has come.  The Good News is for all people, for the entire world. In Christ, no one is an outsider or foreigner.  We are all brothers and sisters in Him.

   And seeing the star, knowing the beautiful story, how will you respond?  I pray that this year you will be like the three wise men—and follow the star more closely.  May you draw nearer to Christ and see Him like you never have before.  

      May you be overwhelmed with joy.

Holy One, thank you for your Son, Jesus Christ, who has reconciled us with you and one another through his suffering work on the cross.  Forgive us for getting caught up in our holiday and family celebrations—or even complaining about the holiday busy-ness.  Help us to be more grateful for what you have done for us and be moved to share your Good News with all the world. Help us to see all people as our brothers and sisters in Christ, as there are no outsiders, no foreigners, in Him.  Draw us nearer to you in 2014 and help us follow you more closely.  Overwhelm us with your joy.  In Christ we pray.  Amen.