Long Way Here

The Cross of Christ is the marking of the turning of the old age–a world lost, broken and hopeless in rebellion, sin and death–into the new age–a world found, being redeemed and offered hope, freedom and life.

So Church, imagine a world where God’s grace and reign is embraced.

Where love leads the way guiding all relationships within humanity, neighbor to neighbor.

Where peace, shalom, becomes priority.

Where truth is not only embraced but grounds our lives and consequently, society.

Where God’s definition of justice–making right in this world what has been made wrong by sin, hatred and power mongering simply because we believe that all of life is sacred to God–becomes a catalyst in our society where orphans are housed, the elderly are valued, the widow is supported, the hungry are fed, the naked are clothed, the unborn are protected, and the stranger/foreigner is received in gracious hospitality.

Imagine that world, a world much like the one Jesus demonstrated could be as He lived to show us what it looks like when a human lives in allegiance to the reign of God.

Imagine that world.

Now, go live like it exists because in the resurrection of Jesus on Easter morn, this is the world God ushered in and He has given us His Spirit so we might join Him in His work of redemption and restoration.

A cry of freedom only Easter brings:

“We are not our own: let not our reason nor our will, therefore, sway our plans and deeds. We are not our own: lets us therefore not set it as our goal to seek what is expedient for us according our flesh. We are not our own: in so far as we can, let us therefore forget ourselves and all that is ours. Conversely, we are God’s: let us therefore live for him and die for him. We are God’s: let his wisdom and will therefore rule all our actions. We are Gods: let all the parts of our life accordingly strive toward him as our only lawful goal.”

John Calvin (Institues of Religion 3.7.1.)

The life offered to us through the risen Christ of Easter is not about our desires or interests, or even our rights. Life offered to us through the risen Christ of Easter is about the boundless depths of God’s love and concern for us. So it makes sense to believe that the gospel of God’s Kingdom as ushered into this present world through Easter is marked by two realities: God’s generosity (grace) and our allegiance to Him (faith). This has little to do with our claim upon ourselves and everything to do with God’s claim upon us.

Let go of your claim to life and receive His, as proven by the risen King.

One of my favorite things to do in life is play with my son. If I happen to be the one who wakes up with him (which admittedly is rare as his mom usually bears that crack-of-dawn burden), then from the moment his feet hits the floor to when he has finished his milk, his mind is set on one thing: he and I playing superheroes. I don’t mean actual action figures like Wolverine, Gambit, Spiderman and the Avengers (though we play with those too). No, by superheroes Ian means any toy he can convert into one by way of his grand imagination. A car? Superhero. A lego figurine? Superhero. A lego? Superhero weapon. A monster truck? The “bad guy.” You get the point?

Ah yes, see thats what I love about my playing with my boy. Its his imagination, his ability to see beyond the mundane car or lego and see whats really there: potential to be something more. Its his ability to believe that there is more to that car than it’s perceived limitations. The car can talk, fly and shoot missiles out of its invisible guns.

His imagination doesn’t stop there. The superheroes have to accomplish a mission. We aren’t just aimlessly blowing stuff up (though there would be nothing wrong with that). No, we must accomplish something meaningful. Usually its the farm animals that need to be saved from their impending doom thanks to the evil “bad guy.” So we get after it. And of course, we win. Every time. Without fail.

Did I say that my son is also a theologian? You see, my son also teaches me about life and faith. These moments of play are no exception. I learn from the simplicity and pure joy he finds in just letting go and running wild with his imagination. It is as if there is no limit to his ability to believe. Oh how I wished there was no limit to my ability to believe; to believe in a God big enough to hold the universe within His hands, yet small enough to hold my little universe I call my life, within His hands. If only I had that kind of faith, one that sees beyond perceived limitations and into a world–a gospel drenched, grace saturated, Holy Spirit empowered, Christ ruled Kingdom reality and world–full of glorious possibilities. And every morning, noon or night I play with my son, I am reminded that I can. And I reminded that once I believe, I must accomplish something meaningful, just like our superheroes. It just takes faith. Child-like faith. Could this have been, at least in some small way, part of what Jesus meant in Matthew 18:3 when said,

“’I assure you,’ He said, ‘unless you are converted and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.'”

Faith. Some say faith is a childish game. Well, Jesus says play on children. Play on like there is no tomorrow. Play on like there is nothing your Father in heaven can’t do. Sing, dance, run and jump, knowing that you live in the Kingdom of a King who never loses control or lets His Kingdom get in trouble. King Jesus knows what He is doing and He has invited you to get in on it.

But whatever you do, don’t play alone. Play with others who want to play, too. It is a lot more fun that way.

There are many beautiful and meaningful prayers written to guide your heart during this season of Advent. This is the prayer I have revised for Williamsburg Christian Church as together, we pray each Sunday during Advent. Feel free to use, edit or revise this in whatever way it could bless you most. May you grow in your love for Jesus and his glorious gospel. May this season orient you toward hope, peace, and joy as King Jesus overwhelms you with the weight of his presence and future coming. Come long-expected King Jesus.

“Come make Yourself known to us, long-expected King Jesus.

Provoke in us a wonder at the wisdom and power of Your Father and ours. Receive our prayer as part of our service to You.

Come make Yourself known to us, long-expected King Jesus.

You are the Light of the world. Provoke in us a hunger to see your light: open the eyes of our hearts to see the abundant life offered to us through Your Gospel, and as citizens of Your eternal Kingdom, for Your birth, death and resurrection invites us in God’s own work for redemption, restoration and justice. For in our baptism we have accepted Your invitation.

Come make Yourself known to us, long-expected King Jesus.

You are the Prince of Peace. Provoke in us a hunger for peace: peace in the world, peace in Your Church, peace in our homes, peace in ourselves.

Come make Yourself known to us, long-expected King Jesus.

Provoke in us a joy responsive to the Father’s joy. We seek His will so we may join You in your mission to restore all of creation and make disciples of all nations, with gladness, thanksgiving and love.

Come make Yourself known to us, long-expected King Jesus.

Provoke in us the joy and love and peace that is proper to bring to the manger of our Lord. Raise in us sober reverence for You oh God, as it was You who lay in the manger.

We pray in the name of Jesus Christ, whose advent we praise and celebrate. And all of God’s people say, Amen.”

“The Son of Man came eating & drinking, & they say, ‘Look, a glutton & a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors & sinners!’ Yet wisdom is proven right by her works.” ~ Jesus in Matthew 11:19

The Jesus of Scripture sat at the table of fellowship with thieves and whores, the broken and poor, the widowed and divorced, the orphan and abhorred. The truth of his statement in Matthew 11:19 is that this kind of culturally odd behavior (especially for a Rabbi) would prove itself to be a wise move. A wise move to hang out with “those people?”

Well, when you read the Gospel accounts you get to see this wisdom “proven right” by the outcome. Matthew and Zacchaeus, both despicable traitors and tax collectors, came to know God through Jesus and joined Him in mission. More than one “whore” came to find dignity and inner beauty through Jesus, and joined Him in mission. The poor found a different kind of wealth in Jesus and joined Him in mission. A divorced woman found wholeness in Jesus and joined Him in mission. More than one widow found security in Jesus and joined Him in mission. Those broken by disease and disability, some of whom were regarded as being a curse or punishment due to their own sin, found healing in Jesus and joined Him in mission. A thief on the cross had his eternity changed never once joining Him in mission. He simply joined Him in paradise.

Yes, the truth of Scripture is that Jesus ate, drank, laughed with, and loved the worst of society at the table. The truth of Scripture is that He still does. In Jesus we are reminded that it is an embracing-love that prepares the heart for conviction, not accusation; an embracing-love stirs a desire for change, not judgment.

In Jesus we are reminded that we do not have the right to choose who sits at the table with Him, only He can do that. And I think He made Himself clear: anyone can have a seat.

Q.) With your lips, how are you describing the table of Jesus to others?

Q.) With your life, are you living in such a way that those you meet would know they have a seat at His table?