In Ephesians 2 Paul spoke of the plight of some when he said they had been "strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world."
As I thought about what it might be like to be a stranger to the covenant of promise I remembered a conversation I heard on public radio last week. they were discussing the survey done recently across America about religious belief and the question was asked, "Do you have to belong to a church or can you be religious alone?" A woman called in and gave a good testimony of how much the fellowship of the church meant to her. Then another woman called who said she did not need a church to be religious or spiritual. In fact, she felt most religious and spiritual when sitting alone on a hillside under a tree or on a cliff overlooking the ocean.
I can understand that to a great extent. I love the mountains and the seashore and have spent a lot of time there. I have been in church camps at Winema on the beach and in the wilderness area of the Wallowa mountains when campers went out alone and had a devotional time. Those can be very spiritual moments. But how would we feel in those places if a ferocious storm came upon us -- as it well could do. Of if a blizzard threatened to bury us under a deep blanket of snow? How spiritual and religious would we feel then? I think I would feel more frightened than spiritual.
Even in good weather, being alone can be frightening. One year on our high school back packing camp in the Wallowas a girl got separated from the rest of us. The trail split and went around a lake and then came together again further on past the lake. She took one trail and everyone else took the other. The trails were far enough apart that they were hidden from each other. Suddenly we heard frantic cries for help coming from across the lake. She had left the trail and found the lake but couldn't see us. Eventually, we made visual contact and motioned her in the right direction. That night at bonfire we had our usual prayer time. She had not prayed before but that night said one simple, five word prayer: "Thank you God for people."
It can be very frightening to be all alone in the world. This is one reason we have covenants. A covenant requires commitment. It means being part of a group of people who are committed to each other. People who help us find the way.
As Jesus held the cup before his disciples he said, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood..." In effect, he was initiating a covenant community and was expressing his commitment to them. Not much later he demonstrated that commitment as he went to the cross and shed his blood for the forgiveness of sins. As we partake of the Lord's Supper we join in commitment to one another and to Christ. Some, as Paul said, may be "strangers to the covenant of promise, having no hope and without God in the world," but not us. We are his covenant community.
Monday, July 21, 2008
Monday, June 2, 2008
A Gift From God 2 Corinthians 9:15
"Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift."
Speaking of gifts, I received an unexpected gift recently that meant a great deal to me. It was a book that I already had but I was able to trade it in for another, written by an author I did not know, which led to two more by the same author, each one very enjoyable. Why is it gifts can mean a lot to us? There are many reasons, I suppose, but at least this much is true, gifts say things to us.
My nephew, Steve, is the pastor of First Christian Church in Silverton, Oregon. In a recent newsletter column he commented on the meaning of communion as God's gift to us. He said that he looks forward to communion every Sunday and went on to say:
"In April of 1943, German theologian and professor Dietrich Bonhoeffer was arrested for opposing Adolph Hitler's policies. Ten weeks after his arrest, Bonhoeffer received a parcel from his parents, and then he wrote a letter from prison to them:
It is Monday, and I was just sitting down to a dinner of turnips and potatoes when a parcel you sent me by Ruth arrived. Such things give me greater joy than I can say. Although I am utterly convinced that nothing can break the bonds between us, I seem to need some outward token or sign to reassure me. In this way, material things become the vehicles of spiritual realities. I suppose it is rather like the felt need in our religion for the sacraments.
"Yes," Steve wrote, "the sacrament of communion can feel like this. The bread and juice are material things that become the vehicles of spiritual realities -- material things that speak to us. Bonhoeffer knew his parents loved him, and yet something inside of him hungered for that love to become tangible. And we also know that God loves us, and is here with us, but something inside yearns for that love to be seen and felt, touched and tasted."
"Every week we receive a "parcel," a gift from God called communion. Through the bread and cup we can experience God's love and presence. And remember Jesus. What he said, what he did. His amazing sacrifice. His resurrection."
What Paul exclaimed about God's gift of Christ we also say about our experience of Christ in communion: "Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!"
Speaking of gifts, I received an unexpected gift recently that meant a great deal to me. It was a book that I already had but I was able to trade it in for another, written by an author I did not know, which led to two more by the same author, each one very enjoyable. Why is it gifts can mean a lot to us? There are many reasons, I suppose, but at least this much is true, gifts say things to us.
My nephew, Steve, is the pastor of First Christian Church in Silverton, Oregon. In a recent newsletter column he commented on the meaning of communion as God's gift to us. He said that he looks forward to communion every Sunday and went on to say:
"In April of 1943, German theologian and professor Dietrich Bonhoeffer was arrested for opposing Adolph Hitler's policies. Ten weeks after his arrest, Bonhoeffer received a parcel from his parents, and then he wrote a letter from prison to them:
It is Monday, and I was just sitting down to a dinner of turnips and potatoes when a parcel you sent me by Ruth arrived. Such things give me greater joy than I can say. Although I am utterly convinced that nothing can break the bonds between us, I seem to need some outward token or sign to reassure me. In this way, material things become the vehicles of spiritual realities. I suppose it is rather like the felt need in our religion for the sacraments.
"Yes," Steve wrote, "the sacrament of communion can feel like this. The bread and juice are material things that become the vehicles of spiritual realities -- material things that speak to us. Bonhoeffer knew his parents loved him, and yet something inside of him hungered for that love to become tangible. And we also know that God loves us, and is here with us, but something inside yearns for that love to be seen and felt, touched and tasted."
"Every week we receive a "parcel," a gift from God called communion. Through the bread and cup we can experience God's love and presence. And remember Jesus. What he said, what he did. His amazing sacrifice. His resurrection."
What Paul exclaimed about God's gift of Christ we also say about our experience of Christ in communion: "Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!"
Friday, May 23, 2008
"TO LIFE!" 1 Corinthians 10:16; John 10:10
Coming out of the depression and prohibition era as devout Christians my family was not a drinking family. I don't remember ever seeing my parents drink an alcoholic beverage. Frances and I continued the no-drinking policy as we raised our children. I don't regret that policy and would do it over again, for several reasons which I will not go into here. However, I realize now that by not having a glass of wine with our meal, or with friends on special occasions, we may have missed out on a rich and universal custom. Henri Nouwen describes it this way:
"After a meal the win is poured. No one drinks until all are served. Then all lift their cups, look each other in the eye, and offer a toast. It is a universal [and old] custom. In Latin the toast is "prosit," -- "be well;" in German, "zum wohl," -- "to your well being;" in English, "cheers;" in Polish, "sto lat," -- "a hundred hears;" in Ukrainian, "na zdornia," -- "to your health;" and in Hebrew, "L Chaim," -- "to life!" (Can You Drink The Cup, 57).
The Hebrew toast is an old one, but I don't know how old. I have wondered if it was the custom in Jesus' day to lift the cup and say, "to life!" We do know that the in the Passover meal there were traditionally four cups of wine that were lifted. In the upper room as Jesus and his disciples ate the Passover meal the third cup came, as Luke says, "after supper," and was called "the cup of blessing" in Jewish tradition. When Jesus held it before them Luke says that he added this distinct meaning: "This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood."
When Paul referred to it in 1 Corinthians 10:16 he used the Jewish phrase, "the cup of blessing." Peterson's The Message translates it this way: when we drink the cup of blessing, aren't we taking into ourselves the blood, the very life of Jesus? Paul must have called it the cup of blessing, not only because it was traditional, but because it had this meaning for him -- that we are taking into ourselves the very life of Jesus.
Would it not be appropriate, then, for us to take the cup, hold it up, look into each other's eyes and say, "to life!"
"After a meal the win is poured. No one drinks until all are served. Then all lift their cups, look each other in the eye, and offer a toast. It is a universal [and old] custom. In Latin the toast is "prosit," -- "be well;" in German, "zum wohl," -- "to your well being;" in English, "cheers;" in Polish, "sto lat," -- "a hundred hears;" in Ukrainian, "na zdornia," -- "to your health;" and in Hebrew, "L Chaim," -- "to life!" (Can You Drink The Cup, 57).
The Hebrew toast is an old one, but I don't know how old. I have wondered if it was the custom in Jesus' day to lift the cup and say, "to life!" We do know that the in the Passover meal there were traditionally four cups of wine that were lifted. In the upper room as Jesus and his disciples ate the Passover meal the third cup came, as Luke says, "after supper," and was called "the cup of blessing" in Jewish tradition. When Jesus held it before them Luke says that he added this distinct meaning: "This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood."
When Paul referred to it in 1 Corinthians 10:16 he used the Jewish phrase, "the cup of blessing." Peterson's The Message translates it this way: when we drink the cup of blessing, aren't we taking into ourselves the blood, the very life of Jesus? Paul must have called it the cup of blessing, not only because it was traditional, but because it had this meaning for him -- that we are taking into ourselves the very life of Jesus.
Would it not be appropriate, then, for us to take the cup, hold it up, look into each other's eyes and say, "to life!"
To life without guilt!
To life without fear!
To life without end!
As Jesus himself said, I came that you may have life, and have it abundantly" (John 10:10). Now, as I lift this cup of blessing, will you say it with me: "To Life!" ----- Yes, to Life with a capital "L".
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
BE PREPARED ... Luke 22:35-38 ...Table Talk #5
There are times when it is especially important to be prepared. For example, transition times, like when your child is leaving home to go out into the cold, hard world on his own, or when a soldier is going into war. These are times when it pays to be as prepared as possible.
At the Last Supper, Jesus knew that when his disciples left the comfortable confines of the upper room that they would face a severe test. The soldiers would come, he would be arrested and killed, and beyond that, after the resurrection, he would leave them in a hostile world to fulfill his mission. For them, it was like leaving home to work in a hard world, or even like going off to war.
Jesus wanted them to be prepared. The last thing he said to them, according to Luke, before leaving and going to Gethsemane and the cross was about being prepared, "Earlier," he said, "I sent you out on mission without money bag, knapsack, and sandals, ... but now, he who has a money bag, let him take it, and likewise a knapsack; and he who has no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one." The disciples still did not understand that the kingdom Jesus was bringing was not a political-military one and so they misunderstood his words about the sword. They took him literally and someone said, "Lord, look, here are two swords." He replied, I think with some sarcasm, "That's enough!" Or as some commentaries say, "Enough of such talk!"
We know that from other things Jesus said that he did not mean they should literally use the sword to fulfill his mission. But he knew that they would be engaged in spiritual warfare and they must be ready for it. This is why Paul, in Ephesians 6, urged us to put on "the whole armor of God ... and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God."
When we leave the comfortable confines of this room, the warmth of Christian fellowship, and go out into the world we too will face challenges of many kinds. Will we be ready? Will we be prepared? In a sense, everything we do here helps us get ready. Our songs express scripture and the Christian faith, our minister preaches the Word of God, we pray for each other, and we meet with our Lord at this table. In these ways we put on the whole armor of God and take up the sword of the Spirit. And with this preparation we go out confidently to live and serve Him in this world.
At the Last Supper, Jesus knew that when his disciples left the comfortable confines of the upper room that they would face a severe test. The soldiers would come, he would be arrested and killed, and beyond that, after the resurrection, he would leave them in a hostile world to fulfill his mission. For them, it was like leaving home to work in a hard world, or even like going off to war.
Jesus wanted them to be prepared. The last thing he said to them, according to Luke, before leaving and going to Gethsemane and the cross was about being prepared, "Earlier," he said, "I sent you out on mission without money bag, knapsack, and sandals, ... but now, he who has a money bag, let him take it, and likewise a knapsack; and he who has no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one." The disciples still did not understand that the kingdom Jesus was bringing was not a political-military one and so they misunderstood his words about the sword. They took him literally and someone said, "Lord, look, here are two swords." He replied, I think with some sarcasm, "That's enough!" Or as some commentaries say, "Enough of such talk!"
We know that from other things Jesus said that he did not mean they should literally use the sword to fulfill his mission. But he knew that they would be engaged in spiritual warfare and they must be ready for it. This is why Paul, in Ephesians 6, urged us to put on "the whole armor of God ... and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God."
When we leave the comfortable confines of this room, the warmth of Christian fellowship, and go out into the world we too will face challenges of many kinds. Will we be ready? Will we be prepared? In a sense, everything we do here helps us get ready. Our songs express scripture and the Christian faith, our minister preaches the Word of God, we pray for each other, and we meet with our Lord at this table. In these ways we put on the whole armor of God and take up the sword of the Spirit. And with this preparation we go out confidently to live and serve Him in this world.
Monday, April 7, 2008
Wounded Healers Table Talk #4
In Luke's account of the Last Supper Jesus has some farewell words in addition to identifying the bread with his body and the cup with his blood, and urging us to remember him. He could see what was coming when they left the upper room, just as he can see what is coming for us when we leave the Lord's Table. Speaking to Peter but including the others (the "you" is plural), he says,
Simon, Simon! Look out! Satan has asked for you all, to sift all of you like wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith might not give out. You, for your part when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers. Peter said to him, "Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death." But Jesus said, "I tell you Peter, a cock will not crow this day before you have denied three times that you know me." (Luke 22:31-34, The Word Commentary translation).
Jesus knows that when his people leave the safe and comfortable confines of their meal together that they will face everything that Satan can throw at them. He will attack our weak points, whatever they are, and like those early disciples, we too are likely to falter and fail. Peter doesn't think he will and assures Jesus that he will go to prison and death with him, but Jesus predicts his downfall too. Before the night is over he will deny Jesus three times. But, Jesus says, "I have prayed for you that your faith might not give out."
Here is a leader, a fallen leader, if you will, who because he has been prayed for and has returned, or repented, will be able to strengthen his fellow disciples. He will be what has been called "a wounded healer." We often expect leaders, especially in the church, to be perfect. But they are human. Like Peter, they have weaknesses and fail, sometimes at critical moments. They have been wounded by Satan's attack. But if they are prayed for, as Jesus prayed for Peter, and if they repent, as Peter did, Jesus still has a job for them. They become stronger through all of this and are able to fulfill Jesus' desire that they strengthen others.
At this table we are all disciples who need strengthening; but at the same time we are all leaders in one way or another who can strengthen others. We too are wounded healers. We need to pray for each other, and we need to repent, and then Jesus can use us.
Simon, Simon! Look out! Satan has asked for you all, to sift all of you like wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith might not give out. You, for your part when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers. Peter said to him, "Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death." But Jesus said, "I tell you Peter, a cock will not crow this day before you have denied three times that you know me." (Luke 22:31-34, The Word Commentary translation).
Jesus knows that when his people leave the safe and comfortable confines of their meal together that they will face everything that Satan can throw at them. He will attack our weak points, whatever they are, and like those early disciples, we too are likely to falter and fail. Peter doesn't think he will and assures Jesus that he will go to prison and death with him, but Jesus predicts his downfall too. Before the night is over he will deny Jesus three times. But, Jesus says, "I have prayed for you that your faith might not give out."
Here is a leader, a fallen leader, if you will, who because he has been prayed for and has returned, or repented, will be able to strengthen his fellow disciples. He will be what has been called "a wounded healer." We often expect leaders, especially in the church, to be perfect. But they are human. Like Peter, they have weaknesses and fail, sometimes at critical moments. They have been wounded by Satan's attack. But if they are prayed for, as Jesus prayed for Peter, and if they repent, as Peter did, Jesus still has a job for them. They become stronger through all of this and are able to fulfill Jesus' desire that they strengthen others.
At this table we are all disciples who need strengthening; but at the same time we are all leaders in one way or another who can strengthen others. We too are wounded healers. We need to pray for each other, and we need to repent, and then Jesus can use us.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
VISIBLE SIGNS OF THE RESURRECTION
Many visible testimonies to the resurrection of Christ can be seen. The stone rolled away, the empty tomb, and one of the most intriguing, the abandoned grave clothes. John 20:6-7 tells us that when Peter and John ran to investigate the empty tomb they "saw the linen wrappings lying there, and the face-cloth that had been around his head, not lying with the linen cloths, but folded together in a place by itself." As though he had just stepped out of them the linen cloths were just lying there. The head cloth, carefully folded or rolled up, was some distance away.
On the Internet today you will find that some are saying that this folded face-cloth, in some versions a towel, or a handkerchief, or in the old King James, a "napkin," points to a Jewish custom. If the Master leaves a meal unfinished and just wads up his napkin and throws it down, it means he is finished and the servant can clean up the table. But if he carefully folds it and lays it on the table, and goes away, it says to his servant, "I am not finished -- I will be back." Could this be what the folded head cloth meant? Perhaps, although research indicates that there is no proof that this was actually a Jewish custom and we might question the idea that a dinner napkin was used as a grave head cloth.
This much seems certain, however, that the abandoned grave cloths and the carefully folded head cloth say that the body was not stolen by a fast-moving body snatcher. Rather, they point to the calm, unhurried exit by one who had no further need of them.
But there is another visible testimony to the resurrection that outweighs all others -- the weekly gathering of disciples to commune with their living Lord. If Jesus was really still in the tomb, and had never shown himself to his disciples, there is no way that a few followers could resurrection their fellowship. In no way could they fool themselves, or pull off the greatest hoax ever seen. They knew in their hearts, deep down, that he was alive and they were willing to do whatever it took to meet with him weekly at his table. The very existence of the church is a result of the resurrection and its most powerful witness.
At the Lord's Table then, we proclaim not only the Lord's death but also his resurrection. It is the resurrection that created our community of faith and hope. As Peter put it in 1 Peter 1:3, "We (as the church and as individuals) have been born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead."
On the Internet today you will find that some are saying that this folded face-cloth, in some versions a towel, or a handkerchief, or in the old King James, a "napkin," points to a Jewish custom. If the Master leaves a meal unfinished and just wads up his napkin and throws it down, it means he is finished and the servant can clean up the table. But if he carefully folds it and lays it on the table, and goes away, it says to his servant, "I am not finished -- I will be back." Could this be what the folded head cloth meant? Perhaps, although research indicates that there is no proof that this was actually a Jewish custom and we might question the idea that a dinner napkin was used as a grave head cloth.
This much seems certain, however, that the abandoned grave cloths and the carefully folded head cloth say that the body was not stolen by a fast-moving body snatcher. Rather, they point to the calm, unhurried exit by one who had no further need of them.
But there is another visible testimony to the resurrection that outweighs all others -- the weekly gathering of disciples to commune with their living Lord. If Jesus was really still in the tomb, and had never shown himself to his disciples, there is no way that a few followers could resurrection their fellowship. In no way could they fool themselves, or pull off the greatest hoax ever seen. They knew in their hearts, deep down, that he was alive and they were willing to do whatever it took to meet with him weekly at his table. The very existence of the church is a result of the resurrection and its most powerful witness.
At the Lord's Table then, we proclaim not only the Lord's death but also his resurrection. It is the resurrection that created our community of faith and hope. As Peter put it in 1 Peter 1:3, "We (as the church and as individuals) have been born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead."
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
STAND BY YOUR LORD -- Table topic #3
Loyalty, or to use a somewhat old fashioned word, faithfulness, is in short supply today. Whether its marriage partners (as in the latest scandal in New York), employees, employers, or church members, many people are quick to bail out if things don't go right for them. Look out for number one is the creed of modern culture. Loyalty is OK, but its not a primary value for a lot of people. As long as the football team is winning the stands will be full, but let hard times set in and fans will leave in droves.
That's why Jesus' words to his disciples in Luke 22 at the Last Supper are so important. The twelve disciples gave him a lot of trouble -- don't we all? After identifying the bread with his body and the wine with his blood, Jesus spoke openly at the table of one who would betray him and scolded them for seeking prestige and power in the kingdom, holding up his own example of being a servant. In spite of these problems he went on to say to them:
You have stood by me in my trials; and just as my Father has granted me a kingdom, I grant that you may eat and drink at my table ... and sit on thrones ruling the twelve tribes of Israel. Luke 22:28-30.
To eat at his table and share in his rule are great promises and they are given in spite of their jealous quarreling, their selfish ambitions, and their lack of complete understanding. The promises are given simply because they were faithful. Above all, Jesus needs our loyalty. And, as the text indicates, he rewards it.
Similar promises are given to the church in Revelation 3:20-21. Here, in this letter to the Laodicean church, we see pictured a church that is very much like the American church today -- rich materially but blind to its poverty, full of deeds, but lukewarm in its passion for Christ. Still, the risen Lord offers a place at his table and a seat on his throne as he says,
Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with me. He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with me on my throne, as I also overcame and sat down with my father on his throne.
He expects our faithfulness, not our perfection; our loyalty, not our lip service. By virtue of the fact that we gather each Lord's Day to commune with him he could well be saying to us: you have stood by me in my trials and now I grant that you may eat and drink at my table and sit with me on my throne.
That's why Jesus' words to his disciples in Luke 22 at the Last Supper are so important. The twelve disciples gave him a lot of trouble -- don't we all? After identifying the bread with his body and the wine with his blood, Jesus spoke openly at the table of one who would betray him and scolded them for seeking prestige and power in the kingdom, holding up his own example of being a servant. In spite of these problems he went on to say to them:
You have stood by me in my trials; and just as my Father has granted me a kingdom, I grant that you may eat and drink at my table ... and sit on thrones ruling the twelve tribes of Israel. Luke 22:28-30.
To eat at his table and share in his rule are great promises and they are given in spite of their jealous quarreling, their selfish ambitions, and their lack of complete understanding. The promises are given simply because they were faithful. Above all, Jesus needs our loyalty. And, as the text indicates, he rewards it.
Similar promises are given to the church in Revelation 3:20-21. Here, in this letter to the Laodicean church, we see pictured a church that is very much like the American church today -- rich materially but blind to its poverty, full of deeds, but lukewarm in its passion for Christ. Still, the risen Lord offers a place at his table and a seat on his throne as he says,
Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with me. He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with me on my throne, as I also overcame and sat down with my father on his throne.
He expects our faithfulness, not our perfection; our loyalty, not our lip service. By virtue of the fact that we gather each Lord's Day to commune with him he could well be saying to us: you have stood by me in my trials and now I grant that you may eat and drink at my table and sit with me on my throne.
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