What to Tell the King in Case He Wants to Know

As an old time two-kingdom guy, (two-kingdom as in "Jesus said, 'My kingdom is not of this world'"),I recently got a kick out of Luke 13:31-35. Some Pharisees come to Jesus and give him a supposed warning, perhaps just to get a reaction, perhaps to get him out of the area, or, could it be possible, even out of concern for his welfare. The warning: "get away from here, for Harod wants to kill you."

I suppose that sounded plausable. Harod wasn't known for taking kindly to trouble makers and some powerful people saw Jesus as just that. He had John the Baptist executed because of a siily vow to a young dancing girl so it likely wouldn't take much for him to do the same to John's cousin.

Jesus had a beyond clever answer that not only disarmed the informers no matter their motivation, but also went to the heart of his relation to the powers that be as well as his mission and modus aporandi. "Go and tell that fox for me, 'Listen, I am casting out demons and performing cures today and tomorrow, and on the third day I finish my work. Yet today tomorrow, and the next day I must be on my way, because it is impossible for a prophet to be killed outside of Jerusalem.'"

Whatever personal respect Jesus may have had for the high and mighty he would have the people know that whatever political agenda or security concerns Harod might have they were irrelevant to what Jesus, himself, was up to. Whatever Patriot Acts or wars on terrorists Harod might be waging Jesus wasn't one bit fearful or even thinking of endorsing. That is the typical concern of Kings and Emperors which they will work at it with great bravado. It has nothing, zilch, zero to do with Christ's agenda.

Jesus says, "here is what I have on my plate; this is my what I have scheduled. Today I will be casting out demons and performing cures. That goes for tomorrow too. Oh, and on the day after tomorrow I will be doing it on the way to Jerusalem. To Jerusalem, because that's where prophets like me end up--at the disposal of Herod. So, please tell Herod I may see him around but meantime, his big-time operation of keeping the world safe for Pax Romana I will leave to my Father's discretion while I am simply bringing in a whole new kingdom by giving Satan fits as I overpower his work and by healing some poor people who can't afford medical insurance.

Obviously Jesus did not have anything at stake in the success, failure or even survival of the Roman Empire, nor even of a revival of the state of Israel. Those political entities were not his responsibility. Why should they be ours?

The Way We Were--Two Weeks Ago

After 65 years high school class reunions should not be taken lightly.  Time was when you would go to maybe your 25th or 30th and get a chuckle out of how many surprises there are.  The class mouse is now a coporate CEO and the class beauty an overworked gramma with lines forming from here to there.  But after 65 of those meetings I wouldn't say the chuckles are all gone but they are definitely subdued. 

The meeting is a little more somberuse the only joke anyone can remember is the one about not buying green bananas any more.  In our class we've given up remembering the stupid pranks we used to play or the time five guys skipped school to chase a firetruck to a fire.  Now we tell about knee replacements and how life has changed since cateract surgery or hearing aids. 

There are the usual questions about why so and so isn't here and someone usually knows the real reason they didn't show up.  It probably has something to do about the unit they are on in the nursing home or not being able to keep near enough to the bathroom.  There are always those who refuse to venture out because they aren't as pretty they used to be--or at least thought they were.  As for the rest of us we don't care how lame or decrepit or ugly we have become.  We just want to celebrate something and a good long time on earth seems like a good reason to get together. 

Besides that our lives mean something to each other.  Some of us have experienced 12 very formative years together.  Granted they were some of our most immature years but they all went into the mix that left marks and memories.  And we all surprised each other with our spirit and the way our best qualities have emerged as enduring and worthy.  I mourn those who almost never returned to claim an identity that was a part of the full 42l of us.  And, of course, I mourn those who died very young, one while we were yet Seniors and one the following summer.  I also mourn those who through the years and even quite recently have left us.

At each reunion someone remembers to bring some year books and pictures of those "the way we were" years.  We look at them and recognize that there is something unique and special about friendships that began to long ago and have lasted this long and the people who bother to gather to celebrate them. 

WHAT I HAVE WRITTEN I HAVE WRITTEN

One of the deepest satisfactions of my life has be writing.    Whether it has been rated bad or mediocre or even on a few occasions good is of little interest to me, although I would rather it be rmembered as at least acceptable. 

I really stumbled into the avocation without planning or great effort.  It began in high school when in the 11th grade I took an aptitude test.  I remember the specific  question as follows:  "A new product has been developed. You are hired to work for the company which manufactures this product.  Which of  these options would you choose?  Draw a model of it.  Sell it.  Write a description of it.  Work on improving it. 

I struggled between selling it and writing a description of it, finally choosing the writing part.  That choice intrigued me and the following year I volunteered to work on the school paper and wrote a couple of pieces for it.  Just to see those mimeographed columns that bore name was strangely addictive.  Thus in college at my first opportunity I chose a course in Creative Writing.  It involved a lot of writing of various kinds but somehow I missed the part on "how to write."  So I just wrote as it came to me but never really felt like a writer.

While in that course the denominational childrens' paper editor issued an invitation to write short stories for publication and I decided to try.  I sold a story which certainly was an encouragement.  At the same time I was chosen the school paper editor.  This called for the regular writing of editorials and of course trying to work with other writers.  Then during another year I wrote a humor column for the school paper.  I became well acquainted with deadlines and the discipline of producing whether one was inspired or not. Writing was becoming more than a fun thing to do--more like a discipline.

Of course there were term papers and these increased in number and required depth in seminary.  Even with the solemn subject matter and the demands of research it seemed to me that these  papers ought to be interesting.  They were never marked so by the professors. 

One of my majors was religious education and it was for that reason that even before graduation I was invited to write the outlines, planning and content for educational programs for the church press.  While it provided a little income in this type of writing there was little opportunity add a distinctive flair or polish.  I didn't consider it particularly creative.  But it opened the door to write Sunday school lessons.  Since I was young the editors felt I would be a natural fit for youth.  So I took several assignments in that department.  But either I wasn't that perfect fit or there was greater need for the writing of teacher guides and study aides so I was moved to that department.  I worked at that level for about 12 years writing usually two quarters a year.  The remuneration was important for, at first, a half-time job as pastor, and later an inadequate salary as a full-time pastor. 

During the same period of time I was editor of two conference periodicals.  Here I found opportunity for a creative outlet in the editorials or other articles as I weighed in on issues.  It during that time that I imagined what it would be like to be editor of the denominational organ but fortunately that was not in my future.  That post required some gifts that I didn't come near to possessing.

All this time my writing nearly always included the writing of minutes for committees, conferences and eventually the denominational General Board.  Minute keeping makes certain demands different from other writing but even making dry facts readable seemed to me to be important. 

Finally, there were sermons.  For the first eleven years of my sermonizing I preached from an outline.  Sometimes the outline was expanded to full sentences to make sure I remembered how to say something I considered important.  But then came an eleven year hiatus from preaching while engaged in administration.  In that short time I recognized a dramatic change in the congregation's expectations and tastes. The prospect of meeting the new demands was very intimidating.  The only way I could have any confidence that I might communicate the way I wanted to was to write out my sermons.  From my perspective it made a significant difference.  I could better put together the right words that expressed what I wanted to say.  Further I could better control the timing of my sermons when congregations were increasingly sensitive to the length of a service.  And when there were requests for copies of sermons they easily reproduced. 

Looking back over those years I have memories of late nights toiling over my portable Royal typewriter struggling to be creative, fill the word-count, and meet the deadline.  In spite of writer's block and bleary vision from want of sleep somehow the pages were filled with words and found their way into print.  I could look back and see only pure drudgery .  But that is all transformed  when along the way I have met a stranger who, when learning my name, pauses and says, "Oh, I remember you as a writer for Youth Teacher.  I taught adults but I always read you first because it gave me good ideas." 

I then have the joyous sense that maybe I fulfilled a part of my calling to communicate and that way I was a writer.

Any One For Change?

We are told there is an Arab Spring going on in the Middle East.  However, as events progress that Spring seems to be somewhat like our own this year in that it blows hot and cold until you might wonder where we are in the progression of the year.  There is plenty of revolution to go around but what the end result will be is pretty much up for grabs.

That is the trouble with most revolutions.  Big change is promised but instread there is only more of the same old.  The only difference is that different people are doing the same old thing.  If the political parties promise big change ther change amounts to the same as rearranging the furniture in the parlor or putting a slipcover on the sofa. 

The only revolution that really delivered as promised were the early Christians who preached Jesus Christ and Him crucified (and alive).  People and communities were so radically changed they upset every apple cart within hailing distance.  Take for instance the Apostles Paul and Silas who preached in Thessaloinica.  The response was so sweeping that the whole place was thrown into turmoil.  The explanation was that "These people who have been turning the world upside down have come here also."  Acts 17.  That sounds like real revolution.

Or, take the time Pual pulled into Ephesus and "no little disturbance broke out concerning the Way (the way of Christ).  People actually began following this way rather than the way of an idol.  The makers of idols really got their shorts in a bunch and created a riot because, as they whimpered,  "we get our wealth from this business."  Acts 19

In the New Testament the gospel explodes all over the place.  From Jesus on, there was no shortage of revolt that changed the course of history convincingly.  In contrast, in our era great care is taken to make sure that the audience is soothed into believing that if we just do a little better whatever it is that we are doing, all will be well.  So the church lives with mouse-like trepidation before Caesar and Mammon, maintianing the staus quo with great earnestness.

Of course the case Caesar and Mammon make for themselves is that they are both undercover Christians.  So there is really nothing to rebel against.  You may now relax and let them look out for you welfare and benefit.  Their story line to the gullible is, "We will see to it that you will safe to live as you wish and you will never want.  See, we are really on your side.  Now just vote for our candidate, invest in me and your furture is secure."

Where that muddled thinking is followed there is the limp acceptance of a pale imitation of Christ which has the power of a stature on the Court House lawn.  There is no danger of revolutions there.  Not even a shiver of discontent.  Jesus came with a call to lead a movement that was radical it scared the most powerful and turned cowering wimps into those who defied the law and order of world empires.  These radicals were best described as "having been with Jesus."  That is the root of real revolution that produces real change.

What Did Jesus Do?

A column by Michael Gerson in the August 5, 2011 issue of the Washington Post titled "What Would Jesus Cut," raises a question that, in my opinion, needs serious thought. As Gerson explains, "With varied motivations, human beings tend to invoke the name of God in foxholes, in the throes of passion and in budget debates." And as he further notes, at least in terms of the budget debate, depending on which outcome is favored God seems to adjust the answer to fit that preference.

I have often heard it lamented that if only the Apostle Paul or Jesus were personally present we could be assued of the "right" answere to our problems. But interestingly when Jesus was present in the flesh and questions were brought to him, the answers he gave were often not satisfactory to the questioner. Sometimes he simply replied with another question, eg. "whose name and inscription is on the coin you hold?" Sometimes he gave a stunning answer that shook the questioner so badly he could only turn away in disbelief. And we wish Jesus were here so we could ask him in person....?

It is human to wish for the quick, easy answer to our perplexing problems. Being follower of Jesus is not intended to be a walk on the beach. But we would nuch rather have it handed to us in four easy steps. Spin the bible and the right verse floats to the top, obvious in its meaning and easy to apply.

So if by asking "what would Jesus do," we are hoping for affirmation for our own inclination or a simple rule to solve our problems we are asking in vain. The question would much better be aked, "What did Jesus do?" Stated that way we are better able to let the text speak for itself rather than assume that we know what Jesus would do were he in the situation we find ourselves.

But there is even a prior, crucial question that needs to be asked and which Jesus answered very early. That question is "Who is your God?" At twelve when Jesus was found in the temple he explained that he needed to be about his father's business. Later following his baptism he clarified to the tempter that he totally committed to the Heavenly Father and was taking orders only from God. It is in that context that he can discern the right choice even though it cut across every instinct he might have as a human being. Unless we, as well as the nation's politicians, have answered that question, we can ask "What would Jesus do?" until the cows come home and only come up with the answer that best benefits our own interests.

"A Man of Property"

One reason the old literary masters are masters is because their works are timeless. Timeless in terms, not only of a gripping tale well told, but also of a relevance that speaks to the present time. Even though we consider our times unique in some way or another we can read a writer of a previous century and find a vivid description of our own .

Such a writer was John Galesworthy (1867-1933). Yes, I know. I should have become intimately acquainted with him years ago. I could blame the small print in my college English Lit text and the few lines it accorded this very significant author but that would be giving myself a pass I don't deserve. I even ignored the PBS series a few years ago that featured The Forsyt Saga which is some of Galesworthy's finest writing.

So now I make this wonderful discovery by way of A Man of Property, the first in the Saga series. I found in this novel characters that were drawn so well that I was drawn into their lives and experiences set in England just before the turn of the century. They too were struggling with shifting moral standards, changing tastes and economic values of a society in which they thought ought to be stable and fixed.

The title denotes the issue that shapes the plot. Property is the guiding principle of the Forsyt's. Not only in real estate but all that a "man" might own which included their women. How that right to property is maintained then becomes a pressing question since other forces are at work to loosen that almost death grip. That conflict is played out in a number of venues. In court rooms, in family gatherings, in husband/wife conversations or silences, in trustee meetings men and women struggle with the question, how can I cling to what I have or keep my place in this shifting scene?

The question of the human relationship to property still remains an urgent one. It is argued and fought out on some of the same stages. Recent studies of the happiness of the wealthy show that even those with the most need estimate that they need at least ten persent more to feel secure. While some of those with wealth have become notable philanthropists others have determined that poverty is not a concern of theirs and since they have made it, everyone else can too. The handling of money and property still creates strains and tensions between husbands and wives and scrambles families.

I am grateful to John Galesworthy for helping me see the universality of this issue so that perhaps I, who have relatively little, can recognize myself as a man of property.

Sing and Shout and Pray

A few days ago when it was announced that President Mubarak of Egypt was gone without a bloody fight it seemed almost too good to be true. Peaceful solutions don't happen anymore--not in this world of terrorist attacks, ethnic cleansing, drug wars and decade-long wars. And especially not in a country where 90% or more of the population is of Muslim faith. There are those who tell us that all those people are violent, hateful and believe in nothing but "holy war." When lo and behold the dictator who had the police and the miliatary at his beck and call left the country with barely a shot being fired.

What was the secret to this astonishing turn of events when it had all the components of a bloody uprising? I know only what the media shared but I would gather this much. This multitude of thousands shouted and chanted slogans. They sang. And they prayed. The overhead pictures revealed hundreds and hundreds of people kneeling in orderly rows praying. They had also gathered stones--piles of them. But there were few targets.

There was that brief time when the hired thugs came charging through the throngs on horses and camels. There was resistance but in the huge crowd of people even horses and camels had no place to go, and badly outnumbered they soon turned tail.

Day after day, night after night the people were there. they listened to the hollow, vain promises of the dictator but would not be dissuaded. There they were, their voices worn to a whisper and yet they shouted and sing and prayed.

It echoed of a multitude marching around the walls of Jericho blowing tumpets and with a shout crumbling those impregnable walls. I was made to think of a desperate throng caught between sea and army listening to those strange words, "Stand still and see the salvation of God."

I can't say that the Egyptian revolution equals a biblical account of God's deliverance but it is aboundantly clear that if God works through world events God has writ large that it doesn't take AK 47s or bombs to bring about the change the oppressed long for. That just doesn't compute in this country that was birthed in a bloody conflict and has placed its faith firmly in weapons even those of mass destruction. Again and again in an effort to influence the course of events the first course taken is to export weapons. So we arm the world as well as ourselves ever becoming more fearful and insecure while a country of oppressed people shouts and sings and prays and gains their goal.