On the last Tuesday before we take Christmas break from Bible study (we will be taking two weeks this year), I always do what I call “Our Christmas Exercise.” In this exercise I read the prologue to John’s gospel, chapter 1, verses 1-14.
When John begins this gospel “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God, and the Word was God,” he wants us to hear echoes from Genesis chapter one which uses the refrain “And God said” every time God is going to create a new thing, a new creature, a new reality. This word was God’s creative energy and power and might behind the whole created order. When God speaks a word things happen, reality is made, new life appears.
The climax to John’s opening words comes in verse 14, which reads: “And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory…” Imagine that. Imagine the Word of God, the same Word that was, again, part of the whole creative process, now becoming flesh of our flesh, bone of our bone, and blood of our blood. Imagine that immense power becoming this small and vulnerable. Imagine this great energy coming to us as a baby that needed to be loved and changed and suckled and put to bed. Imagine how this could have happened. Imagine why God would have done all this for us and you will be in the realm of great mystery and great love.
Now, the exercise. I read this piece of scripture and then I always ask the gentlemen two questions. First, how has the Word of God been made flesh in their lives during this past year? Second, how do they need this Word to be made flesh in their lives, their loves, their relationships, their home, their work, right now?
I will not give you the content of what people said this morning—the comments were for that time and place. What I can say is that folks spent most of their time on the first question, and we heard a litany of gratitude, and all of us were blessed to hear how God had blessed those who shared a Word of hope and healing and love and support and faith.
Now, I always know that the second question is the harder one. While we can share the first question pretty well clothed, there is no way to talk about the second question without, as I said this morning, “getting naked.” The second question—where do we need God’s Word in our lives—makes us vulnerable and tender. The second question reminds us that we are all needy, that none of us are self-sufficient, that God still has some important and necessary work to do in us.
So, now let me share the “Christmas Exercise” with all of you. How has God’s Word come to you this past year and how are you thankful for that Word and how has your life been changed by it? And then, where do you need, want, desire, and seek God’s Word right now in your life?
As I finish this exercise I always remind the fellows where Jesus was once born—not in a comfortable, lighted, warm, sanitary place; no, but in a stable, surrounded by animals, visited by some rather scruffy shepherds. And it is in these places—often the messy and hard and lonely places—where we most need the Word of God to be born again in us.
Christmas peace and love to all.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Isaiah 61
The Dec. 9th Bible study was led by the Rev'd Todd Bryant, Associate Rector
Today we look at Isaiah 61 and Jesus’ corresponding quotation of Isaiah 61 in Luke 4. Jesus says, “This spirit of the Lord is upon me”. These ancient words set in motion his gospel ministry. For Luke, it is important that Jesus uses Isaiah 61, because its post-exilic focus has the character of hope in the face of disappointment. Luke sees Jesus as the fulfillment of the imperative to bring, “good news to the poor, release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor” (Isa 61:1-2)… no matter what.
Jesus probably used these words because he sensed the prophet(s) thinking, “We started out with dreams of the righteous king (Chaps 1-39) We kept hope alive in the exile (Chap 40-55) and now that we are back home we struggle to hope (Chaps 56-66). Jesus knew that a struggle was ahead of him. His vision for the Kingdom was full of reordered priorities. Whenever one starts rearranging things one should expect some flack and struggle.
The beginning of Jesus’ ministry has a different tone in Matthew. Matthew’s Jesus begins his ministry (chap 4) with the Isaiah 9 quotation: “The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light.” (Mt 4:15/ Isa 9:2). This light is the true King, Jesus. Kingship is a strong theme in Matthew.
I want you to see that the beginnings of Jesus’ ministry are different for Matthew and Luke. Matthew focuses on Jesus as the true, heavenly Hezekiah (the king that the prophet hoped would stave off the exile (First Isaiah). Luke would probably not disagree with the characterization but his focus was different. Luke’s Jesus fulfilled the imperative as “God with us” more than the “God above us” in Matthew. Some see one as less relevant than the other, but I think the Christian life needs to be empowered by the God above and with.
Where does your vision start? There is not a right answer. Does the great need of the world inspire you to action? Or does the Kings of Kings thrill your heart? We are all on a journey toward God. Some of us resonate with different images. What is yours? Does you vision come from gazing to heaven or by gazing into the eyes of your brothers and sisters? Both have power. The only requirement is “just do it”. Let your vision take you where it will. Vision inspired action mixes heaven and earth to God’s greater glory.
Today we look at Isaiah 61 and Jesus’ corresponding quotation of Isaiah 61 in Luke 4. Jesus says, “This spirit of the Lord is upon me”. These ancient words set in motion his gospel ministry. For Luke, it is important that Jesus uses Isaiah 61, because its post-exilic focus has the character of hope in the face of disappointment. Luke sees Jesus as the fulfillment of the imperative to bring, “good news to the poor, release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor” (Isa 61:1-2)… no matter what.
Jesus probably used these words because he sensed the prophet(s) thinking, “We started out with dreams of the righteous king (Chaps 1-39) We kept hope alive in the exile (Chap 40-55) and now that we are back home we struggle to hope (Chaps 56-66). Jesus knew that a struggle was ahead of him. His vision for the Kingdom was full of reordered priorities. Whenever one starts rearranging things one should expect some flack and struggle.
The beginning of Jesus’ ministry has a different tone in Matthew. Matthew’s Jesus begins his ministry (chap 4) with the Isaiah 9 quotation: “The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light.” (Mt 4:15/ Isa 9:2). This light is the true King, Jesus. Kingship is a strong theme in Matthew.
I want you to see that the beginnings of Jesus’ ministry are different for Matthew and Luke. Matthew focuses on Jesus as the true, heavenly Hezekiah (the king that the prophet hoped would stave off the exile (First Isaiah). Luke would probably not disagree with the characterization but his focus was different. Luke’s Jesus fulfilled the imperative as “God with us” more than the “God above us” in Matthew. Some see one as less relevant than the other, but I think the Christian life needs to be empowered by the God above and with.
Where does your vision start? There is not a right answer. Does the great need of the world inspire you to action? Or does the Kings of Kings thrill your heart? We are all on a journey toward God. Some of us resonate with different images. What is yours? Does you vision come from gazing to heaven or by gazing into the eyes of your brothers and sisters? Both have power. The only requirement is “just do it”. Let your vision take you where it will. Vision inspired action mixes heaven and earth to God’s greater glory.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Isaiah 64
The December 2nd class was led by the Rev’d Todd Bryant, Associate Rector
Isaiah 64 is rent with a longing for God to “tear open the heavens and come down”. As we move through 64, the longing seems to turn a little dour and a little upset with God. “Because you hid yourself, we transgressed.” The God of action so longed for has hidden himself; therefore the author hints that it might be God’s fault for the state they are in. The writer changes his complaint and says “yet, O Lord, you are our father.” The writer takes his prayer of complaint in a different direction. He tells his Lord and father about the desolation of the restored community and concludes with “after all this will you restrain yourself, O Lord? Will you keep silent and punish us so severely?” It seems that the writer longs for God’s presence and is not above giving God a little poke of guilt.
Isaiah 64 was read on the first Sunday of Advent (Nov 30). As Fr. Nutter preached on Nov 30th, the readings (Isaiah 64, Mark 13, 1st Corinthians 1) are not about the sweet and cuddly baby Jesus. When he was preaching, I could not help but think about Will Ferrell’s dinnertime prayer to sweet baby Jesus. Playing Ricky Bobby in “Talladega Nights”, Will preferred to address his prayers to the infant Jesus - the dear 8lbs, 6oz newborn infant Jesus…with Golden Fleece diapers and a tiny little fat balled up fist. The point of Advent is not the baby Jesus. The point and invitation is for us to cultivate an expectation of God’s love revealed in our life over and over, through Jesus, John the Baptist, Mary, you and me. We are all called to prepare the way of the Lord for the whole world.
Isaiah 64 is rent with a longing for God to “tear open the heavens and come down”. As we move through 64, the longing seems to turn a little dour and a little upset with God. “Because you hid yourself, we transgressed.” The God of action so longed for has hidden himself; therefore the author hints that it might be God’s fault for the state they are in. The writer changes his complaint and says “yet, O Lord, you are our father.” The writer takes his prayer of complaint in a different direction. He tells his Lord and father about the desolation of the restored community and concludes with “after all this will you restrain yourself, O Lord? Will you keep silent and punish us so severely?” It seems that the writer longs for God’s presence and is not above giving God a little poke of guilt.
Isaiah 64 was read on the first Sunday of Advent (Nov 30). As Fr. Nutter preached on Nov 30th, the readings (Isaiah 64, Mark 13, 1st Corinthians 1) are not about the sweet and cuddly baby Jesus. When he was preaching, I could not help but think about Will Ferrell’s dinnertime prayer to sweet baby Jesus. Playing Ricky Bobby in “Talladega Nights”, Will preferred to address his prayers to the infant Jesus - the dear 8lbs, 6oz newborn infant Jesus…with Golden Fleece diapers and a tiny little fat balled up fist. The point of Advent is not the baby Jesus. The point and invitation is for us to cultivate an expectation of God’s love revealed in our life over and over, through Jesus, John the Baptist, Mary, you and me. We are all called to prepare the way of the Lord for the whole world.
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