Are We Learning That Being Wise Is Not Enough?

Good Morning Friends,

There is a big disconnect in our perceptions when it comes to the health, economic and social crises going on in America now. The issues are endemic, and we have grown old and sinned and perceived the world through the eyes of our parents now younger than we in our mind’s eye and wonder if we should stop playing the game of Monopoly in our lives. Confronting our history and seeing our shared humanity is not easy. That the laws supporting Manifest Destiney were for white people escapes the perspective of most of America. We are divided by faith, we are divided by race, we are divided by our personal and political relationships and the systemic obstacles to a unity Christ prayed for. We are stymied for a solution for the Kingdom to come. We have an ongoing legacy of ignoring a reset of an even playing field as a celebration of Jubilee. But then we realize that this Biblical legislation never discharged its attempt to solve Israel’s social problems. So, it is not surprising that some now demand restitution for the sins of their fathers, fathers. Some may feel a false sense of guilt or perhaps some are guilty in not loving. The impact of history in prompting current action, work and deed in a way that would glorify God is not an easy path. We need to be yoked to Jesus. The wealth gap and income gap are part of the issue but there is something deeper that a political solution will never solve. We have freedom to talk about it but do not agree on what freedom is. How to make a difference as individuals is not going to be helped through a political solution when it comes to wearing a mask, legislating morality or being just and peaceful unless we love. Jesus certainly had the right stuff and if God is with us, we should be able to figure out what tasks we have been assigned too and what is astute and what is not. But we will always have some questions as to our right to judge and act with a sign of authority exerting what we consider to be our God given rights when scripture says that God knows best and that some things are hidden from us even if we are smart. And so, we ask ourselves… Are We Learning That Being Wise Is Not Enough?

Scripture: Let anyone with ears listen! “But to what will I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to one another, ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we wailed, and you did not mourn.’ For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon’; the Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds.” Then he began to reproach the cities in which most of his deeds of power had been done, because they did not repent. “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the deeds of power done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I tell you, on the day of judgment it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon than for you. And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? No, you will be brought down to Hades. For if the deeds of power done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. But I tell you that on the day of judgment it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom than for you.” At that time Jesus said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”  At that time Jesus said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Matthew 11:15-30 (NRSV)

Ah, Assyria, the rod of my anger— the club in their hands is my fury! Against a godless nation I send him, and against the people of my wrath I command him, to take spoil and seize plunder, and to tread them down like the mire of the streets. But this is not what he intends, nor does he have this in mind; but it is in his heart to destroy, and to cut off nations not a few. For he says: “By the strength of my hand I have done it, and by my wisdom, for I have understanding; I have removed the boundaries of peoples, and have plundered their treasures; like a bull I have brought down those who sat on thrones. My hand has found, like a nest, the wealth of the peoples; and as one gathers eggs that have been forsaken, so I have gathered all the earth; and there was none that moved a wing, or opened its mouth, or chirped.” Shall the ax vaunt itself over the one who wields it, or the saw magnify itself against the one who handles it? As if a rod should raise the one who lifts it up, or as if a staff should lift the one who is not wood! Therefore the Sovereign, the Lord of hosts, will send wasting sickness among his stout warriors, and under his glory a burning will be kindled, like the burning of fire.

Isaiah 10:5-7, 13b-16 (NRSV)

Message: Just when I though I was going to get some rest from all the Covid-19 debates about masks, the local politicians have taken on the issue and it is like stirring up a hornet’s nest when it comes to the issue of mandates for people’s health. It is all kind of embarrassing for it reminds me of Matthew describing children arguing in the marketplace. Unfortunately, the issue is much more important than childish debates. The issue is intertwined with the social, health and economic issues of our country. It is about whether we understand what freedom is about. You see, for Christians freedom has responsibilities accountable to God for we are yoked with Jesus and linked to the right standards he has set for proper behavior. And here what is shown to be wise is determined by results. The same standard applied to the prophets too. Wisdom is shown to be right by its results but even that is not enough for our freedom stops where another person’s freedom begins. Even issues in the Old Testament about food laws, and health laws are all intended not as burdens, but as learning to live in community with one another…even the law of the year of Jubilee insufficient though it was. In today’s passage, Jesus invites us, in our freedom, to be yoked with him. He invites us to belong to him and to work with him. In doing so, we discover what is important and at the top of the list is the work that we do with Jesus. We are invited to find true freedom in Jesus. We are invited to celebrate our freedom by accepting that we are loved and treasured by God as a partner in the plan. We are to love the Lord our God with all of our hearts, and minds, and being. The thing is that God understands things that we do not. We need each other to avoid the disgust of God but more importantly we need God to show us how to love.

And So, be still and be peaceful and be guided in the reality of a search for common ground. We all want to live healthy lives. We all have been given unmerited grace. Future tripping a solution may be a false hope unless God is present with us. You see, the thing that best frees us is actually the Law of God for our God is a God of salvation, and to our belief in God, the Lord, belongs hope of our escape from death. So, no matter who we are, what we do…someone we know needs not just the hope of deliverance but a real deliverer. People need deliverance from oppression and slavery and the prison of sin. People need deliverance from addiction and hate and to a relationship with God and God’s love. And so, we need deliverance too. But on occasion we can help deliver another person if we have been prepared to listen and follow the truth of Christ. I want you to think of a time in your life when you were exhausted. That moment when the tank was empty, you were depleted, and you had nothing left to give. Think of that time. Think of the most tiring day, or season, in your entire life. Recall the feelings and emotions. Know that someone in need feels that way right now related to the economic, health and social crises we are experiencing. Back in the days when Jesus walked the earth, he told us two things. First, we were to follow him. So, start walking. Second, we were to follow what he taught, summarized in the great commandment, Love God, love everyone. Perhaps we think we are a great nation and powerful, but like Assyria maybe God will demonstrate that we are only a tool in his hands. The next generation may move the needle, but the test will be the results. Frankly we may need a rest from all this before the world gets too hot. Still without getting too caught up in an agenda maybe the GI Bill could be expanded to cover the direct relatives of those veterans who were denied that support because of their race during World War II. Maybe we might realize that George Floyd and the cop that killed him both had absent fathers. Maybe we will learn that being wise is not enough.

Pray we realize that Christ is the ultimate model for a deliverer. Pray we realize that deliverance comes when the time is right. Pray therefor we not get discouraged. Pray we realize that God sees us…even when we feel the world cannot. Pray in our own deliverance that we realize that the course of our life might be planned in our hearts but that the steps are established by our Lord Jesus. Pray the Spirit of deliverance anoints us to bring good news to the poor and proclaim release of those who need to be freed. Pray we acknowledge the importance and truth of the process needed every time we pray for God to deliver us from the messy reality of the world.

Blessings,

John Lawson