Lent: Day four
Lent-Day 4
Saturday
February 28, 2009
“No One Misses Out”
Ezekiel 39:21-29
Philippians 4:10-20
John 17:20-26
I will leave none of them behind- Ezekiel 39:28b NRSV
“I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word, 21that they may all be one.” John 17:20-21a NRSV
Have you ever thought that you were born at the wrong time? Have you ever thought that you came on the scene a little too early or a little too late?
As a child, I spent the majority of the time with folks my parents’ age and older. I remember spending hours sitting on the runners between the legs of my Granny’s table. I would listen throughout the day as different sets of feet would come and go telling stories and talking about current events. I would become so captivated by those stories that they became a part of my memories too. I often had the opportunity to play with the other children, but the games and stories of children seemed boring and shallow compared to the stories that we shared around that table (especially when I was still and quiet and they forgot that I was there).
When I got older I could never really relate with people my own age. Their interest and activities seemed too immature and even silly. I have always felt too young and too old at the same time. The same thing can happen when we meditate on Scripture. There is a temptation (at least for me) to become so immersed in the stories that they become my stories. The trouble comes when I have to leave that place and enter into my own place and time. Everything seems so much easier for those in the biblical narratives. It is easy to have faith when you have seen the hungry multitudes feed with five loaves and to fish. It is natural to believe in the healing power of God when you have seen lepers cleansed, sinners forgiven and healed, and the dead restored to life. When we read about the power and authority and excitement found in the early church as recorded in Acts and the epistles, our church seems rather dull, impotent and silly. It is easy to say, “If only I had been there. If only I could have lived then. Then I would have faith that moves mountains. Then I would be able to make a difference in the world.”
If we continue along this line of thinking for too long we began to feel cheated, neglected and deprived of a vital and verdant experience of God. We could not possibly be more mistaken. Time and time again we are reminded in places like John’s gospel and Paul’s letters (i.e. I Thessalonians 5) that we are at not disadvantaged by the time or place of our birth. Further, In Hebrews 13:8 we are reminded that, Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and for ever.
The God of Creation is still at work in the world. The Holy Spirit is still driving men and women of faith to do task that are seemingly impossible. Jesus still calls out, “follow me” to all who have ears to hear and eyes to see. In one of my favorite exchanges in the Bible, the resurrected Jesus says to Thomas, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.” (John 20:29 NRSV)
The argument might be made that ours is a deeper faith for not having been witness to these things ourselves but trusting in the Holy Spirit that the word of God is true. Ours is a faith that rest totally on God, not on what we have done or seen. Remember, there were many who witnessed the ministry of Jesus and the apostles that failed to understand, except or believe the witness of there own experiences. And there are countless more who were “almost” persuaded.
This fourth day of Lent we remember the faithfulness of God from age to age. No one misses out. God leaves none of us behind.
Let us pray.
O Lord our God:
Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer,
The peoples of the earth do not know you,
but we know you.
In your own time and in your own way you will be made known to all:
When you gather all your children home,
leaving none of them behind.
When you never again hide your face from them,
pouring out your Spirit on all. AMEN.
