Barth on War

This week, our youth group is diving into a very touchy and difficult subject; war. One of the students asked the question a few weeks back whether a murder done in self-defense was morally justifiable. I'm sure all of the press coverage on the gun control debate contributed to his confusion. He wanted to know whether or not such a thing was consistent with the church's Christian witness and this naturally spiraled into a discussion on war and the like.

If you know me well, you know this is a subject I don't take lightly. Over the past few years I have grown increasingly more distasteful towards war and any other form of violence; perhaps even violence executed in self-defense. I'm not sure I would call myself a pacifist per se just yet, however I have sympathized more with the pacifist position than most of the other options out there. Just war theory seems almost untenable seeing as there's always somebody in power lying about its justifiability to those without all the facts. Of course the church could just keep their nose out of the world's political matters and stick to the spiritual issues; but the  whole idea of leaving the government unchecked with the sword while the church sits quietly unengaged seems a bit irresponsible for those God calls out as peace-makers. Steering clear of the world powers only to talk about spiritual things seems unlike anything I've read in the New Testament.

Anyways, as I prepared for this evening's discussion, I came across some powerfully insightful comments on war in Barth's Church Dogmatics. In KD III.4, Barth takes up an analysis of the protection of life in the context of the sixth commandment: "You shall not murder." He discusses all the controversial issues: abortion, assisted suicide, suicide etc. Finally, towards the end of the section, he picks up the topic of war. He makes the following comments: 

I. When a nation goes to war, every individual member of the nation becomes implicated in the war - no one is removed. Gone are the days of serfdom and feudalism where the wars were fought by land-owners and a professional military class. Today, when a nation goes to war, each member of that nation is thrown into military responsibility. Think of it. We pay taxes from our own paycheck to pay for military weapons and individual soldiers. In WWII and Vietnam, the draft was instated because each individual was responsible to act in defense of the nation. What may be even more deplorable is the reality that we as a nation enjoy the bountiful benefits of the spoils of war both corporately and individually when we win. The nation as a whole then, selfishly rallies for its victory. It then gets to enjoy riding the comfortable, prosperous economic coattails of its war victory while leaving behind the dispossessed and impoverished conquered ones to waste away. 

II. War is about power and power acquisition. In the past, it was easier to hold up the illusion that war was waged for the maintaining of great truths like justice, honour and cherished national values (democracy, religious freedom etc.). Today however, as a result of seeing unadulterated war and perhaps due to the great technological advancements in communication, the veil has been lifted. We  see war for its true monstrosity. Today we know war to be the manipulation of powerful elites; the broadening of imperial boarders and the gaining of material prosperity. Barth comments: 

"[...] the real issue in war, and an effective impulse towards it, is much less man himself and his vital needs than the economic power which in war is shown not so much to be possessed by man as to possess him, and this to his ruin, since instead of helping him to live and let live, it forces him to kill and be killed."

III. War entails nothing less than the killing of another human being. It used to be that two opponents met each other face-to-face and fought to the death. There was in it some mistaken sense of honor and courage; two men in hand-to-hand mortal combat. Perhaps even in all this, it was easier to claim the killing of the other man in self-defense. Today however, the veil is lifted again. We kill people by the hundreds with a flip of a switch. Dreaded drone strikes can wipe out a whole village without getting anyone's hands dirty. No claims of self-defense, no face-to-face, hand-to-hand combat. Just killing cleanly and effectively - without any honor or dignity. 

-------

Barth continues on and on with all of his other nuanced arguments and eventually comes to rest on a confusing mediating position between pacifism and just war. He talks about war being a last resort in extreme situations ... whatever that means. Who gets to decide when the situation is extreme? How can we tell? Again, there's a lot of gray area.

In the end evaluation, I want to say that at the very least we need to recognize that war is a truly evil thing. Just like other evil things, it shades and cloaks itself in good intentions and justified actions. We have war, because evil and sin and injustice are unchecked in the world. Only the rule of Christ can heal the nations. We wait in expectant hope. And as we wait, we take action by seeking peace. 

As simple as that all may sound, I have found many a Christian who would disagree; who would get behind war as a necessary evil for the sake of good. I'm not on that boat and I would venture to say humbly I don't think Jesus is either. 

War requires our repentance; our seeking after God's mercy and forgiveness. There is no glory to be had in it all. 

I found the question Barth closes with in his discussion particularly poigniant:

"Does not war demand that almost everything that God has forbidden be done on a broad front? To kill effectively,  steal, rob, commit arson, lie, deceive [and] slander. It is certainly not true that people become better in war. The fact is that war is for most people a trial for which they are no match and from the consequences of which they can never recover."

I hope you'll share your thoughts. 

//ExProfundis//

My Lesson With Mr. Miagi

A few nights ago I was laying out on the sofa of our apartment. Kelsey wasn't home from work yet, so I was flipping more or less mindlessly through the T.V. channels trying to tune out the thoughts I had been having throughout the day. Somehow, T.V. has a way of doing just that - tuning me out. Whether that's good or bad I don't yet pretend to know - but nonetheless there I was laid out on the couch. 

Flipping through the channels, I stumbled across one of my favorite childhood movies: The Karate Kid. Watching it always holds out a sense of nostalgia for me - remembering back to the days where I'd practice the infamous 'Crane-Kick' or pretend I was training to take out those low-life Cobra-Kai scumbags! Good times ... 

Anyways, as luck would have it, I caught my favorite scene and interestingly enough, instead of doing what I had hoped (tuning me out that is) it had got me to thinking about some things I probably wouldn't have otherwise thought. Of course, its that famous scene where Daniel and Mr. Miagi (I guess that's how you spell it ... ?) finally come to understand each other. Miagi had had Daniel performing all of his mundane chores throughout the week - waxing the car, sanding the floor, painting the fence and the house etc. etc. All the while, Miagi is out having all the fun. Finally, after having painted the whole house, Daniel finds Miagi coming home from a fishing trip laughing and singing without a care in the world. That was it, Daniel had had it. He finally confronts Miagi with all his anger and unloads all his frustrations on him. 

And this is my favorite part, in all his Oriental mystique, Miagi mutters: "Daniel-san, not everything is as seem!" Confused, Daniel walks away angry but Miagi continues the lesson. "Daniel-san! Come here! Show me sand the floor." - don't lie, I know you said that in your head with the accent. I know how it is. 

"Sand the floor!"

So Daniel starts doing the motions for each mundane chore Miagi had had him do throughout the week - from wax the car to paint the house - and wouldn't you know, to Daniel's surprise, Miagi had been secretly teaching him defensive Karate the whole time. At the end, it all comes together. Miagi attacks Daniel and to his surprise, Daniel defends each and every advance of Miagi's. He had learned Karate, without even knowing that he was being taught. Awesome! I love his face at the end; the perfect mix of confusion and amazement. Great scene ... 

So I think about this. I couldn't explain at the time what was tugging at me - but I dwell on the scene. It spoke to me as an adult in some new way, as strange as that may sound. What was it? What was this scene poking at that got me to wondering? 

I think finally, I've come to make some sense of it all - what it was that spoke to me. I think with age, we all come to accept in new unfortunate ways that the world is not as it should be; that there are things before us that not only do not make sense, but challenge as well any sense of order or meaning in the life we go about living. Things so terrible and so hopeless as to bring one to their knees and wonder in the mess of it all whether or not there is anything but the darkness for us here. 

I also think that we all find different ways of coping with this fear - either we join the darkness and let it run wild within us, or we hold on to the hope that there is something in the meaninglessness that holds some meaning; that perhaps there is something or someone who can put things back together for us again. And, while I'm sure we've all played a little at both these options, I am convinced that though this world is dark and empty, there is the Sunday morning resurrection hope of a man named Jesus Christ; who opens up for us a new door through the painful bearing of the cross. That this one, barred shut by the dark, unconquered stone of death, bursts forth in victory and opens up fresh new possibilities for His humankind. Yes, I believe in Jesus Christ. And in believing in Jesus Christ I therefore believe that He is making all things new. I believe that the randomness and seeming meaningless is, and will be, set straight and that the King of Kings and Lord of Lords will one day rise here amongst us and confirm in us that which we all long to be true: that in the end, it all comes together. 

This is why I think this scene spoke fresh to me and why I think others see it and get a smile on their face. To some it may seem a naive thought, a coping mechanism - and if it were not for Christ, I would join them in saying it were - but I believe in Jesus Christ and therefore have faith to hope. May God's spirit embolden you to join me in that hope. 

"Behold, I make all things new" 

- Revelation 21:5 -  

//ExProfundis//

I GOT THE BREAD COVERED.

There's a story in Matthew's Gospel that has been playing over and over in my head since we covered it this past Sunday. There's something about its simplicity that really just cuts me. The story is brief. It's a quick little encounter - but I keep finding myself caught up in it. 

Its the story of Jesus and His disciples crossing back over from one side of Galilee on to the other (Matt. 16:5-12). They had all just left behind a very tense disagreement between Jesus and the religious leaders of Israel, but they had also just seen Jesus' great and miraculous display of power as He fed over 4,000 hungry families with just a few loaves of bread and some fish. Apparently, the disciples had forgotten to gather up some of that bread and bring it with them on their trek across the lake. They were concerned.

Jesus begins to teach them: "Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees!" I imagine Him in the boat re-playing His argument with the Jewish religious leaders over and over in His head. Like those times after a huge disagreement at work or at home; walking away muttering incomprehensibly as you think of what you should or shouldn't have said. I imagine Jesus in the boat, quiet and reflective as He travels with His disciples across the calm wavy sea. "Careful," He tells them, "guard yourselves against what you just saw."

Then, the camera turns towards the disciples. Now, I really find this part of the story hilarious. You can picture Jesus finally emerging from His contemplation. He's ready now to teach them what has been on His heart since they've left for their journey. Words of wisdom. Bam! There it is, out there for the disciples. And what's their response? "Guys, guys! He knows about the bread! Quick what do we do? What do we say?"

There's something so absolutely ridiculous about their response, so absurd that it doesn't even actually make sense logically in response to what Jesus is saying. The only thing in common between the two is bread. Right over the disciples' heads go Jesus' words. Whoosh! *insert hand gesture of palm flying over the head here*

They're so concerned about the stupid bread that they've filtered everything Jesus is trying to teach them through their concerned preoccupation. Interesting. 

So here, Jesus turns to them as patiently as possible: "Seriously? ... I just fed 4,000 people with almost no bread, I fed 5,000 earlier on in the month from almost no bread ... here's a hint; I GOT THE BREAD COVERED!!! GIVE IT A REST!!! That's not what I'm talking about! I'm talking about what you just saw on the other side of the lake. Don't be like the Pharisees and Sadducees. They're like leaven and if you accept a bit of their teaching it will puff you up and it will ruin you."

And all the disciples go - "Ahhhhhhhh! Gotcha Jesus!" Light bulb. Bing! We have a winner. And so the story ends.  

-----

Now, two things from the story have stuck out to me and I haven't been able to shake them from my mind since. 

First off, Jesus' words: "Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees." This leaven was their teaching. This smug, self-righteous attitude of demand. Jesus, prove yourself to us and if you don't you couldn't possibly be who you say you are; you couldn't possibly be the Christ, the Son of God. There is this attitude in the Pharisees and the Sadducees, this heart of 'well we've exhausted all there is to know about God so its our job to judge you in light of all this knowledge.' Judgmental, skeptical, doubtful etc. This was their attitude. What's more, they cloaked this attitude behind religious language and debate. This apparently made it ok for them? 

No, Jesus cuts to the heart of that all. Do not judge, lest you wish to be judged. He cuts into the self-righteous behavior of these Pharisees and Sadducees. But what's even more interesting is the fact that He recognizes the possibility for even His own disciples to adopt that attitude and teaching in their walk with Him. They are in step with the Divine as they walk with Jesus - Jesus says careful lest you are puffed up as the Pharisees and Sadducees. Watch your pride. I am with you graciously - not meritoriously. Beware of the leaven. 

The second thing that stands out to me - and this is what I find so absolutely insightful about the story - is that the disciples were so preoccupied with the small, mundane issue of the lack of bread that they missed out on what Jesus was teaching them. Their preoccupation with the small things of life caused them to miss out on what God in Jesus was teaching them! 

Isn't this us? Don't we find ourselves worrying about such petty things that in the larger scale picture of our walk with Jesus, we miss out on what He's trying to share with us and teach us? Don't we look absurd and silly as we worry amongst ourselves over the next exam, the next pay-check, the next _________ while Jesus all the while is saying: "Here's a hint; I GOT THE BREAD COVERED!!! GIVE IT A REST!!!" We worry about all these things, we preoccupy ourselves with the bread in our lives' and in all that preoccupation we filter out Jesus and what He is trying to teach us. 

So, not only beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees - beware of the heart of worry and worldly preoccupation. He clothes the lilies, he will clothe you. Resign your worry in the heart of prayer. 

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It was a good Sunday in so far as I learned these lessons. I hope and pray we all can learn from this simple story; a journey with Jesus and His disciples.

//ExProfundis//

Tweet Tweet!

So, I follow N.T. Wright on Twitter. I know, I know ...  really nerdy move. 

Anyhow!

He 'tweeted' a quote from one of his books the other day that I have been thinking about all week. I found it pretty insightful. He says the following: 

"In worship, the church anticipates how things are going to be in that new day" 

Interesting. I think this is a pretty accurate and succinct summary of our Christian act of worship. I like this definition for two reasons: 

1. I believe it is properly eschatological. By that I mean it recognizes that worship is in a certain real sense an act of present hope for the future end of the age. Worship is an act in the present; confessing now in word, song and action the kingship/lordship of Christ. Yet, this lordship is presently hidden from the world at large - it is a secret, a mystery. The church is the community that sees the resurrected Jesus and proclaims His Lordship in word, song and action i.e., in worship. So in this sense, I think N.T. has, with great insight, recognized this future sense of the church's worship. It does now what will be done in that day; it recognizes here and now, what will be recognized then and there. 

2. I believe it also does away with the common misconception that worship is something we do ONLY on Sunday mornings. True, worship with the community is valuable beyond question. However, our whole lives are called as offerings unto the Lord (Rom. 12:1). Everything we do during the week - at work, at school, at home - is done in anticipation of that day. Worship is work done for the Kingdom in every aspect of life because it is done for the Lord that is coming; the resurrected Lord. 

I'd be interested to hear your take! Good? Bad? Reservations?

//ExProfundis//

 

 

Why Then This Darkness?

"The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it" 

Light floods the dark and empty room; beams in the sad hopeless corners. What was lost to the eye now in plain view. 

Light.
Daybreak.
Morning.

As if from the dawn of the very first, he awakes. His eyes in eagerness open. Breathes in the breath of His creator and exhales the death of the past; a holy kiss.

Fresh.
Renewed.
Hopeful.

As if in anticipation, in childish naivety, he moves. His body free, with the rhythms of new life. Carefree and of no concern. 

Possibility.
Horizon.
Newness.

Into the darkness, the light shines. A sword through the death and decay; piercing and slaying. The death of death and the doing away of darkness. 

Victory.
Glory.
Celebration.

Yes, into the darkness, the light shines. 

But, why then this darkness still? I awoke. We awoke. Why then this darkness? Where now is your light to shine? Where now is your sword; your breath of life?

Why then this darkness still?

//ExProfundis//

 

Blowin' In The Wind

Can we ever really 'create' a Spirit-filled environment? Is it ever really possible for us to set things just right and then - because of the setting - be assured that the Spirit of God is among us? Or, maybe the better question is, can a man (pastor or layman) ever really revive a church when he comes to it? Is this within our grasp?

I do believe that many churches and church leaders answer all of these questions with a loud resounding YES! I confess, as well, to have been wooed and tempted many different times by them, often playing at the notion that I too should join the choir of singers and sing the high note in the affirmative. I too am tempted by the thought that it is our responsibility as Christians and especially as pastors to bring about God's Holy Spirit; to bring about powerful revival in the church and in the world.

However, if I understand what Jesus and the Scriptures say about the Holy Spirit and the establishment of the church, to answer these questions in the affirmative sets everything we know about Him backwards. For the Spirit comes at the sending of Jesus. He comes and the church is formed. Yes, the Spirit reveals and the church understands; the Spirit enlivens and the church is revived.

So I wonder if, in a way, our attempts to 'create' revival or 'establish' a community that is 'Spirit-filled' boils down to arrogance. Or perhaps, at worst, idolatry. 

Maybe, as we look to our pastors for revival - we are placing them in the very position of Jesus Christ our Lord - the One who truly sends His Spirit! Maybe those of us who pastor churches should learn to remove ourselves from the place where only the One True Man should stand and beg humbly for the Spirit in prayer. Maybe instead of trying to create a 'Spirit-filled environment' we should humbly look to see where it is that the wind of the Spirit blows and join Him where He is at work. Maybe we should stop laboring so diligently towards a task that is not given to us and instead trade it in for a faithful life of seeking and finding. Yes, human institutions need human maintenance - but God's church is not, and never will be, a purely human institution. Lord willing we can begin to learn our place in it rather than force ourselves upon it.

//Ex Profundis//

The Greatest Sermon Ever Preached

No posts for a long time. Apologies. I've been swamped here at church but finally it looks like I can breathe again and take a few swipes at the keyboard. Thank God!

I had been posting reflections on the Gospel of Matthew. That much I remember. If my memory serves me right the last post rounded off chapter 4 and left us hanging at chapter 5. Since then, though my studies through Matthew at church have proceeded all the way to chapter 8! So, I guess I'll have to type fast and sacrifice some of the trees for the forest.

The glue that has held Matthew's Gospel together thus far has been the message of a coming new kingdom; a kingdom in which God reigns as King over his creation. Jesus has been singled out as this One peculiar King - God in flesh - God with us; and yet the way He has begun to piece together His kingdom is quite unusual. Matthew 4 ended with a few quick vignettes in which we saw the beginnings of Christ's Kingdom breaking out into history. Chapters 5-7 (traditionally called the Sermon on the Mount) begin the first lengthy teachings of Jesus and shed some powerful light on the way that men and women are expected to live when God is their King. Take a look ...

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Matthew  5-7 

I. A New Charter

Matthew often makes interesting theological points simply by locating Jesus' activity. For example, you remember the baptism He received at the Jordan. That baptism was reminiscent of Israel's 'baptism' at the Jordan i.e., their leaving behind the wilderness for a new promised land. Matthew makes a point to locate Jesus at the Jordan so that his reader can make this theological connection.

Similarly, by locating Jesus on a mountain, teaching with authority, Matthew means for us to remember Moses; not just Moses but all of the theological imagery he evokes!

Just as Moses brought Israel out of Egypt and into communion with God, so Jesus brings men and women out of their old lives and into God's Kingdom communion. Just as Moses gave Israel the law in order to teach the Jewish people a new way of life - one very different from that in Egypt; so Jesus gives men and women a new law, a charter, to teach them a way of life very different from the world's.

What we are hearing in the Sermon on the Mount then is a reeducation; teaching us how to live in a world where God is King. This is just like Israel's reeducation at Sinai. We are not brought out of the kingdom of this world into a vacuum. No. We are brought out of the world into a new Kingdom, a Kingdom in which God rules over us in Jesus Christ. 

Imagine, Matthew conjures all of these images up for us by simply locating Jesus on a mountain. Interesting.

II. Real Life Aliens!

As kids, we all imagined aliens to be strange pointy-eared green men. We imagined them wobbling around all wrinkly-like eating up all the leftovers from our Skittles ... friggin E.T!  What we never did picture as kids, was the possibility that we ourselves could become real life aliens in the here and now; but that is just what Jesus says here in the Sermon on the Mount!

As He makes His way through the message, He makes it clear that those who follow Him and live by His teachings will become real life, here and now aliens in this world. We will live amongst men and women who see our actions as foreign and other-worldly. Our way of life will be radically different from the lives lived in this world. People will look at us and be confused. Perhaps some will be afraid, others just dismissive - but whatever the reaction may be, the Sermon on the Mount makes it clear that when a man or woman lives with God as their King, the world will not understand them. 

III. Standing Around, Waiting ... 

Boston winters suck. They're cold, snowy and down-right annoying. I would suggest that's why everyone is so damn bitter out there, but anyways I digress. Boston winters suck .... 

I remember as a child living in Boston, having to wait around outside for my dad or mom to pick me up from school. Winters were the worst. All my friends and I would huddle up like old homeless men around a fire-filled trash can to wait impatiently (as 3rd graders tend to be) for our parents. Complaint after complaint we would shiver and wait ...

But O how great was the warmth of my parents old run down Toyota Camry. Like a white horse down the hill of snow coming to the rescue I would wave my friends good-bye and hop into the heated comfortable car. Home Ronnie! (ok I never called my dad 'Ronnie' he probably would have killed me for that ... ) Anyways, I was safe. 

Now all this nostalgia is for a purpose, I promise. You see, when I read these words below - the words that conclude Jesus' Sermon on the Mount - I am reminded of the images of my youth. I find for myself an interesting point of connection:

Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash. 

// Matthew 7:24-27//

We're all, in some way shape or form, waiting for our dad. We're all sitting outside in the cold bitter winter of life. All of us are weathering the storms and anticipating the great and final storm; when our heavenly Father returns. Like impatient 3rd graders we're all waiting around, huddling up. 

But Jesus offers us a hope and an anchor, he offers us a foundation for life while we await that return and weather the winter storms of life. He offers Himself. He offers a lifestyle lived in obedience to His teachings made possible by the heavy cross He bore and the Spirit He extends. The Sermon on the Mount closes with a final offer to make Jesus and His teaching the foundation for your life and it leaves you and I with the hope of something much better than a run-down heated Toyota Camry. It offers us life in communion with the One True Living God. Creator of Heaven and Earth. Any other foundation would be, simply put, foolish. 

Read the Sermon on the Mount brothers and sisters. Read it and be changed by it. Amen. 

//Ex Profundis//

Hope in the Wilderness - II

Chapter 4

We left off in the wilderness and here pick up in the wilderness. A new man stands in the dry, desert land; vulnerable and in want. Jesus, our God in humble flesh, waits and prays and lives in the wilderness for us and is met by an old familiar foe; the adversary. Here in the wilderness, like Israel and Adam of old, the One True Man is tested and tried. See here in the wilderness, the King put to the test.

I. The King Put To The Test (Matthew 4:1-11)

Immediately after His baptism Jesus retreats to the wilderness and is tested there by Satan; the adversary of God's plan. While there is much in the text, for times sake, I'll hone in on one very intriguing aspect of the story. Its very interesting that all three temptations appeal to Jesus' use of power. Each of these temptations are an attempt by Satan to get Jesus to use His legitimate, God ordained power/authority selfishly. Each of these temptations play on Jesus' greatness and essentially say - prove it! You're the King? Really? Prove it with a fantastic display of power! So goes Satan's advance.

Yet, Jesus does not falter. He stands firm. In His reflection and meditation on the Scriptures - He remains true to God's mission for Him. Though His use of power will look strange and unusual, though it will be demonstrated in His going to the cross; He will stand firmly committed to it. He is the only One who can do this and He in fact does do it. He uses His power for the service of His people. He is the King who reigns from the cross. But we're getting ahead of ourselves here ... suffice it to say, I find it very interesting that Jesus is quite unwilling to use His power in ways that the world (and sometimes the church) would expect Him to. He has a very different idea of power and greatness.

With this ordeal finished, Jesus returns home prepared to start His ministry. Matthew gives us three interesting 'snapshots' of things to come in the following verses. Snapshots of the Kingdom.

II. Snapshots of the Kingdom (Matthew 4:12-25)

These three short stories (3:12-17|3:18-22|3:23-25) combine to give us a very exciting collage of the Kingdom life:

(3:12-17) - reminds us that the Kingdom comes as a light and a hope for those who are lost in darkness.

(3:18-22) - reminds us that the Kingdom creates witnesses; it calls men and women to participate in the new message of hope found in the King who establishes this Kingdom - Christ!

(3:23-25) - reminds us of the type of people whom Jesus and the Kingdom He brings benefits; the sick, helpless and outcasts of the world - those who recognize they need a King.

All of these small narrations combine to create a great introduction to the strange new world of the Kingdom. God has come as King in Jesus. His Kingdom has come to benefit the sick and hopeless members of society. The down-trodden and overlooked. Those who have been dealt with unjustly. He comes as savior - and he comes to put men to work for His Kingdom; to make them fishers of men. Being in the Kingdom means being put to work by Jesus. It means carrying out what He came to do for the people He came to do it for. An interesting and difficult challenge for the church today and those who call on the name Jesus as Lord.

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A rejection of the common use of power and instead a use of that power for the benefit of those in need. That is the essential message of hope found in this fourth chapter of Matthew. Hope for strange people, from a strange place - but hope nonetheless. Hope in the Wilderness.

//Ex Profundis//

Hope in the Wilderness

Matthew 3

It has been too long since I've been able to post this study. We covered this chapter almost 3 weeks ago. Since then, much has changed. Some pain, some joy - some unanswered questions. Reading over chapter 3 again, I am reminded that life is full of pains, joys and unanswered questions. We need a leader to bring us into a new way of things. We need someone to bring us out of the wilderness of despair and into the promised land of milk and honey. We need Christ. We need our King.

Here we go ...

I. The Wilderness Baptizer (3:1-12)

Two points strike me as Matthew paints his portrait of John the Baptist:

First, the location of John's baptisms. Matthew has John baptizing the people of Israel in the Jordan just to the East; in the wilderness. I don't think Matthew means simply to locate John geographically. In fact, I think Matthew is actually making a very profound theological point about what's going on here. All throughout Matthew's Gospel so far geographical locations are mentioned to conjure up images of past events; events in Israel's history. I believe this is what's going on here.

Ages ago, Israel set out upon the Jordan leaving their wilderness wanderings behind. There in the wilderness God transformed a rugged nation of Egyptian slaves into a unique culture organized around God's rule; a theocracy. The nation went through great trial there in the wilderness; it was a time of intense soul-searching and discipline. But it was in the wilderness that God provided for His people and molded them into a community who could enter into His promised land. A community that looked radically different than those around it. A community ruled by YHWH.

As Israel stood before the Jordan with their new leader Joshua (which is by no simple co-incidence the Hebrew equivalent of Jesus' name; the Lord saves!) they stood at the threshold of a new life. A life lived under God's rule; in His land and under His laws. This is the same image that Matthew is conjuring up for his readers when he mentions the baptisms of John. John brings Israel back into the wilderness and sets them before the Jordan to prepare them for the coming of the new Joshua; the new leader who will lead His people into special communion with God. John prepares Israel for a new Jordan crossing. A crossing into the New Kingdom of God. This is the first point that strikes me when I read Matthew 3:1-12.

Second, the message of John the Baptist. The simple message: Repent. The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.

I believe that this two-fold message summarizes the rest of Matthew's Gospel in nuce. What we have in John's message (and later Jesus picks up the same message -4:17-) is a statement and a response to the statement. First, the statement that the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand i.e. that God's rule is going to be established in a new and yet unheard of way. God is coming and He is coming as a King to His people. This is the statement. The response is that we must repent to enter into this Kingdom i.e., we must radically change our ideas, our morals, our whole way of life. In other words, to cross the Jordan into the land of milk and honey - we must turn away from the old and enter the new. When God comes as King - we become the subjects. In fact - and this may or may not make sense at first but I think if you reflect on it, it might haunt you and change you - in fact, the only possible way of life after God has come as our King is repentance; a way of life that is open to His changing it and redefining it.

At any rate, this is 3:1-12 in outline. While I could elaborate on more, these are the two points that strike me in this first chunk of narrative in Matthew 3.

II. The King in the Water (Matthew 3:13-17)

The second scene in Matthew 3 brings us to an unusually perplexing passage of Scripture. One that theologians and exegetes have grappled with over the centuries. A stumbling block for many, but the hope of life for those who understand it properly. Why would the Lord of Heaven and Earth submit to baptism? What does Jesus, King and Christ, have to repent of? Why is the King in the water?

In my opinion it makes the most sense to read this passage as Jesus' - and therefore God's - unwavering willingness to participate in full human experience. This is Jesus' way of claiming solidarity with humankind. In all His freedom, in all His power - He decides to enter fully into the human experiences of those He came to save. The one who does not need baptism in fact is baptized for us.

This may be unsettling, but it is in fact the best reading of the text. The Lord, the King, God's beloved Son humbles Himself and is baptized by His created servant John. He is willing to lead the way for humanity across the Jordan and He does this as one who understands fully the complexities of His human creation. He is in solidarity with it - He leads it as its King. - but He is in solidarity with it.

This looks a lot like what's going on in the first chapter of Matthew. Interestingly, the conclusion there is the declaration - 'Immanuel' i.e., God with us. It is the same here in chapter three.

---------------

Again, I'll just post some light comments in the way of application but I will leave you to connect some of the dots in your own lives:

1. Jesus leads the way for us into a new and unwavering hope. A life and healed from the way we used to live; He leads us into His Kingdom.

2. This Kingdom is not without standards; living in it requires a complete transformation from an old way of life to a new. New ways of living, loving and thinking are needed to enter it. We need to repent of the old and jump across the Jordan towards this new way of life. Perhaps we'd call that a leap of faith? ...

3. This Kingdom was brought about by a King who understands the depths of our human experiences; a king who demonstrates His greatness and power by becoming lowly and weak on behalf of those He loves. He uses His Kingly power to serve man - again, should we not be picking up on Jesus' cue and drastically redefining our understanding of power and its use?

//Ex Profundis//

Why O Lord?

I've read somewhere a saying that goes something like: "a man is never really a man until he's cried at the pain of the world." I don't know where I read it or who wrote it - but I wholeheartedly agree with it.

This past weekend, I received the news that 15 year old Elizabeth left us behind to be with the Lord. After recovering from a brain tumor at the age of 10, she was diagnosed with Leukemia almost a year ago. She fought long and hard, but in the end she lost the fight.

If you knew her, words like hopeful, joyful and innocent wouldn't do her justice. She had a simple, child-like laugh that would turn your mood in an instant. Being greeted by her on a Sunday morning was a gracious gift from God. Never in my life have I ever seen someone who could share such joy in the midst of such extreme physical pain. It's as if God put her here amongst us to show us a different way of life - to show us what human beings are capable of when in child-like faith they walk with God; drinking from His well of life. I would love to say I have met many a Christian who lives as Elizabeth, but shamefully I would be lying if I said I had. She was unique. One of a kind.

In the most frustrated moments of a loss like this, I can not help but wonder why such difficult and horrible things happen to such beautiful, loving people. Why is it O Lord that the righteous suffer while the wicked gain? Why is it that the faithful struggle in pain and strive for comfort while the wicked enjoy the fruit of their evil and live life unhindered? Why O Lord ...

I would love to think that long thought and deep reflection could bring comforting answers. I would love to be able to say A happened because B. But sadly these are naive hopes. Hopes of a young boy - not of a man. No. Sometimes things simply don't make sense. Sometimes no amount of thinking or reasoning can provide an answer. Sometimes there just aren't any answers; only the hope of God's final resolution - the hope of Christ.

Arise O Lord! Lift up your hand O God!
Do not forget the helpless [...]
You O God do see trouble and grief;
You consider it to take it in hand.

- Psalm 10:12&14a-

//Ex Profundis//

Introducing Jesus - II

Matthew 2

A little over a year ago, I was shopping for an engagement ring for my beautiful wife Kelsey. I'll never forget the experience. It was foreign soil for me. Diamonds, settings, karats ... they might as well have been speaking Chinese. I was way out of my league - thank God she gave me pictures! I had a great jeweler and an awesome brother to accompany me. Needless to say, things went well. Almost six months into my marriage.

Anyways, what really intrigued me was the point where I got to pick out the diamond. I had never known the complexities and intricacies of gemology. No one diamond was alike; and for each diamond you observed, there were numerous cuts which revealed its beauty and gave it it's shine. To pick out the right diamond, you had to turn it and look at it from several different angles just to get a full-view that would give it justice. One look wouldn't do - you had to see it over and over again. It was absolutely captivating.

These past few chapters, Matthew has been functioning as a jeweler. As if handing a diamond to his audience - he presents Jesus; giving us different angles and views. As a jeweler presents his diamonds, so Matthew presents Jesus. We get a full-view of His identity in all its shining glory. One look won't do - we have to see Him over and over again from different angles and perspectives; and I promise you, when you see Him for what He is- its absolutely captivating.

---------------

I. Jesus He's Our Promised King (2:1-23)

While the genealogy of chapter 1 set us up for this , Matthew 2 makes it clear - Jesus is our King. He's not just king over the people of Israel, but king over all humanity. Even pagan magi who come from the far-east recognize this Jesus as King. But what is interesting is that this king is so absolutely ... 'un-kingly'!

If you read chapter 2 its clear that there is a character contrast between Herod king of the Jews and Jesus king of humanity (including Herod). Herod is the epitome of what one would expect a king to look like. He has power. He has a kingly court with whom he has the capability to scheme and control in order to keep power and 'protect' the people. Herod is kingly.

But then there's Jesus, a child-king. Born in a remote city to a family of little repute. Not received in any royal fashion by his own people but instead crowned by pagans from the East. Jesus who has to flee from the power and rage of Herod to Egypt. Jesus, a king on the run. Quite ... 'un-kingly'

But you see, I think this is the very point that Matthew - and God for that matter - is making! That we have so misunderstood power and authority in this world that when God presents true human power and authority, when He sets up His King - the true King, we are taken so completely by surprise. He looks absolutely foreign to us. He is so 'un-kingly' because our ideas of true Kingship are so off the mark!

II. Jesus. The Great Recycler! (Matthew 2:1-23)

Its very interesting that all throughout chapter 2, Matthew highlights events in Jesus' childhood that were experienced in former days by Israel and it's leadership. Notice:

Wisdom from pagan nations comes to see King Jesus
||
The pagan Queen of Sheba comes to hear the wisdom of King Solomon

Jesus flees from hardship to Egypt
||
Jacob (Israel) flees from hardship to Egypt

Jesus flees Herod's power hungry jealous murder
||

Moses flees pharaoh's power hungry jealous murder

It's very interesting that Matthew sees in Jesus a sort of recycling of Israel's past experiences. That in Jesus, Matthew seems to think that all the past of Israel has been summed up and concluded; that Jesus is the embodiment and the perfection of what Israel should have been. Matthew seems to be saying that Jesus has culminated the Old and made things New. He's the great recycler!

This New thing that Jesus brings is the very Kingdom of God; but we're getting ahead of ourselves. John the Baptist is about to enter stage right and introduce this coming of the Kingdom. Until then we'll have to be content knowing that Jesus - in all His Kingly glory - as true humanity and as true divinity - culminates the Old and ushers the New Kingdom of God. This is Matthew's introduction. King forever, Lord of all. Amen!

---------------

When we discussed some of these things in our youth group two different points of connection were made. I'll just mention them briefly in hopes that they spark reflection in your own time:

1. Jesus drastically redefines our world's understanding of power and authority.

2. If Jesus brought the New Kingdom of God and closed out the Old way of the Law - it'll be hell trying to live by the Old. Interestingly probably quite a bit like what Paul was saying ... (Pssh! and people say Paul and Jesus don't agree ... )

//ExProfundis//

Introducing Jesus - I

Matthew 1

There is a technique in the musical world called 'counterpoint.' It is the interweaving of two melodies, at times quite conflicting, to produce a complex harmony of sounds. When executed properly, the product is absolutely beautiful! There is nothing quite like it. In fact, it still exists today; musical artists call it a 'mash-up' - but the technique is as old as Bach. There's nothing new under the sun ...

What I have found interesting in the opening chapters of Matthew - the first in particular, is that Matthew quite creatively crafts a 'counterpoint' of texts; a 'mash-up' if you will. He narrates events in such a way as to produce a beautiful harmony; one that attempts to do justice to the identity and person of Christ our Lord. He tells story after story; one on top of another. Each of them building upon the other. Sometimes these stories are quite difficult to reconcile as they stand next to each other - but in the end their differences complement each other and produce a beautiful harmony for all who will listen. The harmony and symphony of God made flesh. Immanuel.

---------------

I. Jesus. He's One Of Us! (Matthew 1:1-17)

The opening words of Matthew are quite literally: "the book of the genesis of Jesus." Perhaps subtly indicating what will follow in the rest of the book; an account of the new creation brought about by Jesus; new beginnings.

At any rate, the list of family members rolls monotonously on. Abraham begat ... David begat ... Solomon begat ... etc. etc. We get the picture. People are begetting! But we miss the significance of Matthew's introduction if we don't pause to hear what He is saying in all this. You see, so many people hearing about Jesus for the first time would quite frankly be asking: "who the hell is this guy?!" Everyone is talking about Him, people are making fantastic claims about Him but ... who is He?! Matthew says, plain and simple: "He's one of us!" He comes out of our history. He dwells among us and takes up historical residence among our people. He is in the line of the kings, Son of David - but He is a man in the history of men. Jesus. He's one of us! Interesting. But remember - 'counterpoint.' We've only yet heard one phrase of the melody. There is more to complement it ...

II. Jesus. He's God With Us (Matthew 1:18-25)

The story continues with the narration of the Virgin Conception.

There's a very interesting contrast here between the previous text (the genealogy) and the text here. Whereas the previous text is an account of human begetting - stuck in the mundane cycle of human possibilities - this text is a bright light breaking through. The impossible becomes possible! What is impossible to man is possible to God! The text is clear to emphasize that Jesus is no simple product of human history; He isn't any man. No. The point is that He is what man could not produce! That is, or should be, the point of the Virgin Conception. What man could not produce, what man could not be, God in His Holy Spirit produces and becomes. This new One, this Jesus will save us. He will lead us out from our sins. He will be our just and faithful King.

But wait. One last thing. This King. This new creation. This Jesus. He is not just one of us. He is in fact God with us. Immanuel! He is the very presence of the Almighty among us in human history. He is true God; our hope and our Rock!When we are before Him, we are before God. When we worship Him, we are in fact worshiping God. In the very beginnings of Matthew, we have something quite similar to John's prologue - the Word eternal became flesh and dwelt among us. We have here the mystery and symphony of the incarnation and of the Gospel. Despite our sin and our unfaithfulness, God with us. Beautiful.

---------------

So, when these two texts are read alongside each other, when the counterpoint is heard, we are introduced to Jesus the God-man; true God and true humanity. But we would do wrong to leave it in the past. We do not serve a dead Lord but a risen One; a living God. We serve Jesus who was, who is and who is to come! So we are introduced here in these opening chapters to the God who in Jesus Christ is willing to be for us today! Here. Now. The God who is willing to enter into the sin and injustice present in our current world and redeem it; make it new. We are dealing with a God who knows the suffering and pain of our humanity - and who offers a new alternative to humanity for those who listen. A humanity with God and a humanity of service.

For more on what that humanity will look like ... wait till Matthew 5. Until then.

//Ex Profundis//

The Beginning of a Journey

The youth group here at Glendale Nazarene has just begun a journey through the Gospel of Matthew. It's a journey that I hope will prove fruitful. One that I pray will change and transform us. A journey that I expect will prove difficult - but one I believe we must take. A journey with Jesus our King.

And in preparation for our study in Matthew, it struck me that it might be worthwhile to share insights from the text with the larger church community; or with whoever will hear them in general. I find myself processing much as I sit in the word and hear what God is saying to us in Matthew. It feels a bit selfish in a sense. So, why not have the community participate, critique and engage the things that pop-out from the text? Why not allow others to take the journey along with us? It might have the possibility of offering deeper insight. It may give me more material to bring into my study with the students I serve. It may even move you or others to see Jesus fresh; with new eyes. Either way, it struck me as a good idea.

So, each week I've decided I will post insights from the past week's message. They will be brief and hopefully thought-provoking. Feel free to comment, dialogue or even use what is posted. What's more - please join me in prayer as the journey in Matthew begins. God be with you.

//Ex Profundis//

Diapsalmata

Life.

Ever needed. Ever sought. Ever present.

Life.

Streams. Unhindered. Rushing.

Life.

What more? What less? What end?

Life.

What was. What is. What is to come.

Life.

Ever needed. Ever sought. Ever present.

O Brilliant Light of Life!

O merciless lover of our souls.

Flood us I ask.

Quench us I pray.

Enliven us.

Teach us to sing:

Death!

O you vicious menace death!

Where is thy victory?

Where O death is thy painful sting?

Salvation belongs to the Lord.

Life.

Ever needed. Ever sought. Ever present.

AMEN.

//Ex Profundis//

Sunday Reflections

I almost never read the back of church programs. 99% of the time, you find some really stupid poem or some failed attempt at art. Its the place of acrostics and anecdotes. By the way, do people even do acrostics anymore? I thought we dropped that in like ... I don't know 1st grade or something? But I digress. In my experience, the best use of the sad, hidden, oft neglected back-flap is silent note passing.

Its perfect for a quick question to your spouse or friend in the middle of a sermon ... Where are we meeting your parents for lunch? -or- Do you see what ____ is wearing? -or- What is Rev. _____ talking about?!

-DISCLAIMER: I NEVER PASS NOTES DURING SERMONS .... -

Its the sad truth but its the honest truth ... nobody reads the back flap.

Yet lo and behold, Sunday morning I stumble across it! Obviously by accident - I wouldn't have turned there on purpose of course. I stumble across the back flap of our church program only to find an absolute gem of theological artistry. It caught me off guard - as any reading of the back flap tends to do. Expecting rubbish, I found pure gold. Imagine that! SO, I would therefore like to shine light on the dark neglected region of ... dum dum duhhhh - the church bulletin back flap. So here it goes.

J. Abigail Brown writes:

HE IS YOUR GOD

Not in a pompous palace,
But a quiet humble stall.
Lies a helpless tiny baby,
God almighty, Lord of all.

[...]

Not shunning want or hardness,
But accepting servile birth.
Jesus came to live, to die here.
King of Heaven, child of Earth.

A mystery is born:
Our God, in Servant form.
Bow in awe and worship:
He is your God.

-------------------------------------------

I like my God strong and mighty. I like Him rough and tough. I like to think of Him breaking into my world and shattering reality as I know it. I like to think of Him putting to shame all the mighty by beating them down and making them submit. I like the Psalm 2 God - who breaks the teeth of those who stand against His anointed. Ya ... I like my God powerful. I suspect you do too.

But here, found in obscurity, on the dark side of the church program, I'm reminded of the mystery made manifest in Christ. The mystery in which, I can only begin to understand yet never fully comprehend, God made low for us. God's power made known in powerlessness. His great freedom and strength in the willingness to be enslaved and weak. The God who, for the sake of His sheep, lays down His life and lets Himself be born - in servant form. The God who balances Psalm 2 with Philippians 2. The God who calls me to join Him at the bottom, ironically to find that I am with Him at the top. The God who pierces all darkness with His light and makes even the low places high and the high places low.

This is my God. This is your God - as J. Abigail Brown so insightfully notes. God Almighty, Lord of all. Yes Lord of all.

So it seems that this Sunday - in the hidden obscurity of cheap neglected poems, I find the hidden mystery of Christmas. God Almighty in servant form.

//Ex Profundis//

A Very Happy Unthanksgiving

"Give thanks to Him and praise His name. For the Lord is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations."
- Psalm 100:4b-5

So during Thanksgiving we always like to reflect on things that we're thankful for. We go through the list - family, friends, the roof over our heads etc. We list all the things that are going well in life, and we throw out God's name as the source of all those good things.

And indeed we should do this! I'm not belittling it. But I'd like to take a different approach to Thanksgiving this year. Before the list of blessings, I'd like to stop and think of all the things in life that don't make sense. All of the things that we are NOT thankful for: the person who just absolutely annoys, the burden that seems to heavy to bear or the plans that just didn't go as planned.

I'd like to take all the frustrations, all the things for which I am UNthankful for (yes I'm aware its not a word - but forgive me if I play with the theme a la Alice and Wonderland) and with all of these things in mind I would like to dare to recite the Psalm above. To bravely and faithfully recite it two or three times with all the trials and frustrations in mind. To meditate on it.

If you do this along with me, what you will find is that this Psalm is a Psalm of hope - just as much as it is a Psalm of thanksgiving. God in Christ pierces deep into the desperation of life, He cuts down even into the frustrations and complications and He says like thunder -

I AM THE LORD AND THERE IS NO OTHER

He makes known at the Cross of Christ and in His resurrection that He is faithful through all generations. His love for His creation endures forever. There - in the cross and in the resurrection (in the incarnation and ascension too for that matter) - He makes known to us that He is what He is and He is this forever; all generations. His love endures forever.

So that in even the darkest of situations, Psalm 100 is a Psalm of hope. It is a Psalm of trust. A beacon of light - bright and true. God is faithful.

In that, we can be thankful even in our UNthankfulness. We can be thankful when we are NOT thankful because our hope is in Christ - our hope is in the Lord ... and there is no other! In Christ, God reaches even into the muck and mire of our despair and says - Give thanks!

Sure we can list the things that are going well in life and be thankful but I daresay it may be too shallow a thanksgiving. There is a richness beyond all reason, a peace that surpasses all understanding - it takes place when we remember that God is faithful even in our lowliness. He exalts every valley and every mountain and hill He makes low. He makes the crooked straight and the rough places plain. Only when we recognize this is the good truly good. Only then, when we see things from this perspective, is thankfulness truly thankfulness.

He is faithful to all generations. He is our God. Our hope is in Him.

Give thanks!

"Give thanks to Him and praise His name. For the Lord is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations."
- Psalm 100:4b-5

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO YOU AND YOURS

//Ex Profundis//

Specks. Logs. Hypocrites.

And Jesus says to His church:

"Do not judge so that you may not be judged. For with the judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure that you measure with, you too will be measured. So why do you see the speck in your brother's eye when you do not observe the plank of wood in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother: 'come, let me take that speck out of your eye' when behold - the plank of wood in your eye! Hypocrite! First take out the plank of wood from your own eye and then, seeing clearly, take out the speck from your brother's eye."

If God has made Jesus Christ Lord and Judge over all humanity, then I am free to be judged and not the judge. If the church is supposed to be the community of those called out as witnesses to the reality of Christ's Lordship - His position as God's chosen Judge; then is not the church supposed to be the incarnate form of Jesus' teaching here?

There are two positions I have come across in my studies which I find absolutely untenable; specifically as they relate to Jesus' teachings here and on the Sermon on the Mount as a whole. Disagree if you'd like, but they are as follows:

I

That the teaching of the Sermon on the Mount - and therefore Jesus' teaching here on judgment - is forward pointing. That is, it is simply an ideal for a purely future, coming Kingdom of God. It is not to be lived out in the here and now but can only take place in the Kingdom of God that is to come.

That the Kingdom is not fully established and that therefore some of these teachings will be shadows of what is to come or at least somewhat tarnished by human sin - I have no disagreement. But God forbid we refuse to live the ethic of Jesus' Kingdom here and now. When He says "Do not Judge" he means it for the church - the church that was, and is and is to come - for that is the time frame in which He exercises His Lordship and Divine appointment as the Judge.

II
That the teaching of the Sermon on the Mount - and therefore Jesus' teaching here on judgment - is simply for the individual. That it is not a matter of the church, or the Christian community as a whole to take to heart - but that it applies only to individuals and their individual respective relationships.

OK.
So, where did this come from?! How is it even possible to make such a distinction? Is not the Christian 'individual' an 'individual' in community? Is not the church a make up of many different individuals relating to each other in Christlikeness? If so, what difference is it? How can we say: "the individual should not judge" but "the church can and does have the right to judge?!" Is not the one simply a part of the whole? In my opinion to distinguish between the individual application of this passage and the corporate, community-wide application of this passage is a plain and simple cope out. It borders on disobedience to the Living and Active Word of our Lord Jesus Christ.

-----------------------------------------

But then again ... who am I to judge?

//Ex Profundis//

Go and Do Likewise

The First Baptist Church of Shingleton, a small African-American church in NorCal, decides to hold their annual youth retreat in San Diego.

The kids have never ventured down to the southern side of the state and the newly hired, hip young pastor wants them to see new things. Naturally, the youth group is pumped!

Bags are packed, waivers are signed and before you know it, a van filled with 17-18 year old kids heads south for San Diego. The lush green backdrop of NorCal slowly gives way to the empty, open fields of the Central Valley. Hours and hours pass. Light fades. Then suddenly ... the city. Los Angeles. Hustle and bustle.

Amazed, the children ask the young new pastor to make a short pit-stop. Hollywood. Hollywood is what they want. The stars, the glamour, the fame. "We want to see Hollywood!" they shout.

And so it is that the young new pastor, swayed by their demands, took the exit - Hollywood it is. Let's stop for dinner.

--------------------

It's about 10'oclock now. Dinner is over. They've all done a bit of sightseeing; the group is getting ready to head back to the van. Its getting late.

As the pastor and the kids are walking along Hollywood blvd., a group of 20-somethings start to follow them. At first, there's no notice. Nothing out of the ordinary. In time though, the pastor picks up the pace. Things get a little tense. Something isn't right. Sensing the urgency, the kids follow their pastor's lead. They all speed up. They're being followed.

Things begin to spiral out of control quick. This group of hoodlums, gang-members - starts to hurl insults at the young kids running. Racial slurs of every type accost the pastor and these young teenage kids; inhuman words, words that dare not to be mentioned or graced with recognition.

Insulted, humiliated and in fear for his life, one of the young teenage boys turns to face his pursuers. Infuriated by their ignorance and hate, he demands that they stop. He demands dignity. In the background he hears the voice of his fearless leader - the pastor - shout: "keep running kids don't stop!" It hits him. He is abandoned, alone to face the hate of his pursuers. For a minute, it almost seems that they'll leave him alone. They stare at him, as if amazed that he would have such bravery - such gall. But then it happens. Swift punch after swift punch. Bat to the jaw. The irony taste of blood in the mouth. Sharp piercing pain in the chest. Then - blackness ... unconsciousness ... helplessness. The young teenage boy is left half-dead, sprawled out lifeless by the curb.

Across the street a curious figure approaches. An odd heroine. She emerges cautiously. A provocatively dressed, heavily make-up' ed prostitute makes her way to the boy. She heard the cries of the young man as she traveled to work - i.e. her corner. She stopped to see what the commotion was and now she stands over the half-dead, lifeless African-American boy sprawled out on the curb. She looks one way, she looks the other. Moved by the young man's helplessness, she picks up his cold, bloodied body and carries him away from the scene.

She takes this boy to her place of work - i.e. a motel. She lays him down on the bed and dresses his wounds to the best of her knowledge. Like a mother to her child she nurses the boy back to consciousness.

"Thank You" he murmurs with the little breath he has.

"You're still not well hun. I needa call an ambulance for ya ... you need more help than I know to give." says the prostitute, "but I can't be around when the police get here ... they don't look too kindly on my profession if you know what I mean ... "

So she calls the police and the paramedics. She gives them the room number and the name of the motel and she leaves the boy behind.

--------------------

It's the next morning now. The whole youth group stands bedside over the young man. The pastor, excited and proud to see him awake, jumps up.

"The police contacted us as soon as they found you! Thank God you're alright! The kids and I, we were so worried for you! We prayed long and hard for you last night and look, God answered our prayers!"

Here the young man shakes his head. He looks out the window and back at his peers. He gathers up the rights words and simply asks:

"Where were you guys? Why did you leave me? Why didn't you come back to get me?"

The whole room is quiet while the pastor looks sheepishly at the scratched white hospital floor.

"You left me in need. I was lifeless - half-dead in the streets and you prayed for my well-being while a prostitute off the streets dressed my bloodied wounds. You did nothing while this stranger saved me."

"You tell me," says the young man, "last night in the streets - who proved to be a neighbor to me?"

A long silence is broken by the young man's wise brave words:

"Please pastor, you've told us that we are called to love our neighbor ... go and do likewise."

Needless to say, the drive home to Shingleton was a quiet one.

Luke 10:25-37
God help us to tear down the boundaries and limits we set up of who we will and will not love

//Ex Profundis//

Good Ole' Gustav Sure Had a Way With Words

"Let us respond to the world when it aims to make us fearful: your lords are leaving, but our Lord is coming"

So, I turn on the T.V. and there's this guy. He's wearing something like a three-thousand dollar suit and from his comfortably air-conditioned studio he hysterically rants about the economy and its failures - and when I say hysterically - I mean ... he was hysterical. Freaking out - lost his mind! You know, the real heavy, "this is the end of things, capitalism is failing us, we're all going down in the sinking ship" kind of stuff. Not something I want to hear when I get home from a long days work - especially from a guy who's wearing a three-thousand dollar suit. What right does he have to talk about economic crisis? Hypocrite.

So I change the channel. Same suit, different guy: "the Republican party needs to understand ... blah blah blah// the Democratic party needs to understand ... blah blah blah// the Independent party needs to ... oh wait that's right, we don't value independent thinkers anymore - so forget it who cares about those guys ... they don't understand anything." He rants and banters on and on. Meanwhile, congress and the United States political scene get nestled away into a pretty little hand basket with a big pink bow - and they go straight to hell. Chaos.

God! So I shut off the T.V. and go to sleep. No more of this. I'd rather not listen to this fear mongering hysterics. Enough.

Cut scene. I'm in my office. I pick up this book and I read the following quote from a dead German guy - Gustav Heinemann. German guys rock. Well, ok ... most German guys rock ... ok wait no, hold on ... most German theologians rock ... there that's where I'll land. ANYWAYS! I read this quote from Gustav Heinemann (who actually wasn't even a theologian; he was a member of the Confessing Church under Nazi rule and he went on to become the president of the Republic of Germany). Good ole' Gustav says:

"Let us respond to the world when it aims to make us fearful: your lords are leaving, but our Lord is coming"

I know what you're thinking - I thought the same thing: "This guy was a politician?!" Right?! How does a politician come up with such a profound truth. He's obviously a politician from another time - we don't have those truth-speaking profound politicians laying around anymore! But I digress from my point.

Do we believe this anymore? Do we respond to the world's fear mongering and hysterics with the comforting, quiet words of assurance: "Yes, your lords are leaving - but our Lord is coming?"

Have we as the church maybe lost our witness to this profound hope? Have we joined the world around us in hopeless lament? Joined the bandwagon perhaps?

Or, maybe we have so associated with the gods of this world - money, comfort, self-image -that these in fact have become our lords and now that they are leaving we in fact do despair with no hope? I'd like to think not, but sometimes I think so. I wonder ...

Our Lord is coming. He's alive. He is active. He is ... reigning.

May the church say again, as it has in the past - with undying hope and witness to our true Lord - " Come Lord Jesus, Come"

//Ex Profundis//

Edmund the Inflatable Astronaut and What He Taught Me About The Kingdom of God

THIS ... is a giant inflatable astronaut.

He is in my office. He is staring at me. He has friends. His friends include Zoom the space traveling teenager, Twila, Zoom's timid younger sister and yes ... where would this kind, gentle astronaut be without the likes of his good friend Sid the super-intelligent space dog.

THIS ... is a giant inflatable astronaut and he is in my office.

But why, you may ask? Why is he in my office? What use could Jeremy possibly have for such a childish, silly, waste of space as this giant inflatable astronaut (who will from now on be referred to as Edmund - for no other reason than that the name is a properly English name and such a proper name seems ridiculous for such an improper inflatable object ... but I digress). Yes, anyhow ... WHY?! Why is Edmund staring at me? What is Edmund's purpose?

Well there is a perfectly good answer: Vacation Bible School.

You see every year at the church in which I serve we hold a Vacation Bible School for the children of the community. Bible lessons, games, arts and crafts ... you name it we have it! And this year, who has the task of organizing this great fanfare? None other than yours truly.

Over the past three months I have been ordering, reviewing, administrating, overseeing and yes ... inflating. Now I must confess sincerely - this is not at all my comfort zone.

I am not prone to children, nor am I prone to the simple, concrete ideas to which children can cling and own. I taught a group of 3rd and 4th graders for a year in Sunday school long ago. My first lesson I digressed for 30 minutes on how Jesus was Divine and Human in one single Person. Hypostatic Union + 3rd and 4th Graders = Animal Crackers Being Thrown at Mr. Jeremy During Snack Time.

I will be even more honest with you ... at times over these past few months - I have found myself grumbling over my preparations. Frustrated. Indeed, bitter over having to prepare such simple, foolish, CHILDISH programs. I have a degree, I am a grown man, I am ... SMARTER than this! I read Kafka and Kierkegaard and I think I understand them!! I wrote papers in seminary refuting German source critics and analyzing deep theological complexities. I KNOW GREEK! I KNOW LATIN! I KNOW WHAT SUPRALAPSARIANISM IS AND CAN PROBABLY EXPLAIN IT!! What in the hell business does Edmund the giant inflatable astronaut have staring back at me in my office while I watch over, and over, and over cheesy children's skits from the curriculum pack?!

WHY?!

Oh, but then there is God's silent, soul-striking way of re-framing our questions. Driving to church one day this last week I heard the verse from Luke18:17 spill out over the radio and shock my inappropriate arrogance into submission ...

"Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God
like a child will not enter it at all.”

Whoever does not receive the Kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all.

At all.

Nada.

No Entrada.

You see, in all my vanity, in all my arrogance, in all my big-headed intellectualism it hit me. It struck me that possibly I was in fact hiding! I was hiding from the truth that indeed I haven't fully grasped the beauty of God's Kingdom because I haven't fully become a child. I haven't become simple, dependent, wishful, hopeful ... childish.

Perhaps I had missed the depths of what it meant to be in the kingdom of God because I had refused to become a child. I had entered on the terms that I would be intelligent, independent, smooth ... hip! I had entered on these terms and yet - no one CAN enter on these terms. I had been and am mistaken.

So you see it struck me then and it strikes me now that perhaps God isn't using me to teach the children, maybe He was using the children to teach me! To humble me! To say to me: "Jeremy, you are like these before The Almighty Wisdom of My Name!" Maybe you need to hear the same striking message. Maybe you too must become a child and stop hiding under the pretense of adulthood. Maybe we all do.

So now Edmund looks at me - and I look back him - and I remember as I leave each day from my office the humiliating - yet paradoxically dignifying - words of Jesus ...

Whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all.

//Ex Profundis//