Is There Anyplace In Life Where God Is Not?

 As I am thinking about my last few blogs on Jesus’ discussion, with his disciples, about who he really was. I was reminded about how important it was for me to install in the minds of the confirmands that all we do in our lives is based on our belief in Jesus’ teaching.

 

Some of you have heard me speak about this many time in sermons and in my writings.

I began with my second confirmation class, at time of our my individual meeting together; by asking each students to imagine being at their locker in the school hall.  And one of their friend talking to them about their faith asking:  “Do you really believe all of that stuff?”

Now granted that is a tough issue to be talking about in the school hallway; but the exercise put the whole truth of our faith right in the middle of their everyday living.  

It caused them to at least pass the question through their minds.  

In the Lutheran Church Confirmation of one's faith is a serious and important milestone.  It is time to confirm if they believe or not.  

It is not just a time to be done with “learning about God” — like a graduation so-to-speak.

So to me our faith in the God/Jesus came to show us, model for us and teach us about; is a God who wants us to live every moment of our lives acting and thinking about how it is that God wants us to behave, think, feel and display His love, forgiveness and acceptance.

The decisions we make, the opinions we have, the priorities we have, the way we think and do things are all connected to our faith foundation.

One of the tools I used to create conversation about this issue was through the use movies.  I asked the student to suggest movies the they enjoyed, or thought challenging.  Then all of them were to watch the movie before the next class meeting.

The young people found it a fun way to have faith discussions.  

In one class there was a young man who resisted my teaching method; and my opinion about faith being involved in every faction of our lives.  

He was quietly rebellious for several weeks.  But I kept tying to engage him.  One evening he came to me and said:  “Ok. I have a movie that I challenge you to find anything about faith.”

I took the challenge. 

Everyone watched the movie.  I watched it several time.

The the next week I presented him with four typed pages of examples. 

After that class discussion on the movie, John Q, that young man was much more engaged in class discussion.

If you haven’t seen John Q it would be a good one to put on you list.  

By the way I would never have watched that movie if it hadn’t been for that confirmation student.  Too tense for my enjoyment.  But is was full of Christian ethics, Love, forgiveness and mercy.  

Many of Jesus’ core values.

Separation of Church and State

 30 Jesus warned them to keep it quiet, not to breathe a word of it to anyone. 31 He then began explaining things to them: "It is necessary that the Son of Man proceed to an ordeal of suffering, be tried and found guilty by the elders, high priests, and religion scholars, be killed, and after three days rise up alive." 32 He said this simply and clearly so they couldn't miss it. (Mark 8)

The question about why Jesus didn’t want his disciples to say anything has long been a puzzle to me.  In many ways it just didn’t make sense.

He told Peter, James and John the same thing as they came down from the mountain after the Transfiguration.

9 As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus ordered them, ‘Tell no one about the vision until after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.’(Mt. 17)

After reading Peterson’s introductory words about this story I am thinking the secrecy was about the culture they lived and moved in.  

We may not think so, but Jesus and his follower were very much at odds with the political systems of the time.  The religious leaders, and their association with the Roman authorities, was very much a culture of political and religious power.  And Jesus was most certainly a threat to both.

“ Jesus’ response to the confession was a stern command that they were to keep this totally quiet.  It was as if he said, “ If you talk about this, you will only be misunderstood.  If people hear you use this word Christ, they will certainly jump to the wrong conclusions.  So shut up!  Don’t say anything to anybody.  Not one word.” (As Kingfishers Catch Fire p 226)

So here is where my mind to taking this conversation in my brain:  “separation of church and state.”

I grew up, and I am sure you did to, being coached not to talk about politics or religion.  And it is clear the majority of people today are adamant about leaving political matters out of the church.

However,  if we are true to the nature of our faith history; and how it was birthed in the midst of a clearly political system.  Then how can we possibility keep politics out of the truth of Jesus The Christ?  And what he taught, modelled behaviour and manner of speaking?

All my life, even through seminary and many years of ministry, I have assumed the stance of not mixing Jesus teachings with government politics.

Yet, today in our nation “church” is very much front and center — and not so pleasantly — in government issues.  

Interesting.

Was It Good News That God Came As A Human being?

Peter gave the answer: "You are the Christ, the Messiah." 30 Jesus warned them to keep it quiet, not to breathe a word of it to anyone. 31 He then began explaining things to them: "It is necessary that the Son of Man proceed to an ordeal of suffering, be tried and found guilty by the elders, high priests, and religion scholars, be killed, and after three days rise up alive." 32 He said this simply and clearly so they couldn't miss it. 33 But Peter grabbed him in protest. Turning and seeing his disciples wavering, wondering what to believe, Jesus confronted Peter. "Peter, get out of my way! Satan, get lost! You have no idea how God works." 34 Calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, "Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You're not in the driver's seat; I am. Don't run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I'll show you how. (Mark 8 The Message)

This morning I want to think about how Peter responded to Jesus telling them his future suffering at the hands of elders and high priests. 

31 He then began explaining things to them: "It is necessary that the Son of Man proceed to an ordeal of suffering, be tried and found guilty by the elders, high priests, and religion scholars, be killed, and after three days rise up alive." 32 He said this simply and clearly so they couldn't miss it. ( Mark 8  The Message)

Peter’s response was part of the confusion I talked about yesterday.  If Jesus is God, then how could suffering be apart of the deal?

33 But Peter grabbed him in protest. Turning and seeing his disciples wavering, wondering what to believe,

 Jesus confronted Peter. "Peter, get out of my way! Satan, get lost! You have no idea how God works." 

We are dealing here with some mental, emotional and religious discombobulation — total disorientation.

Peterson writes:

“There is of course, more to this, Jesus is not just human; he is also divine.  Not only very human but very God. But what we have to face first of all, and what the Gospel writers do face, is that the divinity does not overpower, does not diminish by so much as a fingernail, does not dilute by so much as a teardrop, the  humanity.  First of all — our four gospel writers are emphatic in their witness — we are told in no uncertain terms that God became flesh, the human flesh of Jesus, and lived among us.  We stated with the human.  This is the way God makes himself known to us…..

Can you think of any other way that God could have made it easier for us to know him?  To meet him?  To follow in his ways?  Jesus.

But for many, maybe most, it is far easier to believe in an invisible God than in a visible God. Jesus is the form in which the invisible God can be seen….

You would think this would be enthusiastically embraced as good news, unqualified good news. But when it come right down to it, I would rather be like god than have God be like me…..”  (p. 228)

Now think about it.  

What is it that the human psyche enjoys more than anything else?  

To be in control.  

To have power.

                                   To be seen as special.

  Right?

We also want God to be in control and to do things our way. 

If God became human to live as we do, then we have no one who is more powerful than we are.

We have a God who will be killed by the power of the human ego.  He will hang in shame at the hands of those threaten by Him.

The disciples must have been totally bewildered at all Jesus was telling them.

You have to wonder.  Was it “good news” that God came in Jesus’ skin?