A question I heard this morning: have you ever considered how difficult it would be to explain that Jesus is the Lamb of God to someone who is very familiar with a walrus, but has never seen a sheep?
There is a truth in the phrase "Jesus is the Lamb of God" that those who heard it understood -- because they could understand what the metaphor means. They knew sheep. They knew Jewish sacrifice. They got it.
How does that metaphor play in a different world?
How do we understand the same metaphors that a person in 1st century Israel would? Many people say they take the Bible as the literal truth of God, but it isn't written as literal truth. Jesus is not literally a lamb. The phrase is a metaphor that we seek to understand, even though we are living 2000 years later.
If I only know walruses (is that the plural of walrus?), then I might not understand everything about the lamb metaphor.
We need to be careful when we say that the way you or I interpret the Word of God is the one and only way to understand the truth of what is written. We are as distant from the original setting and hearers of the word as a Walrus caretaker is from shepherds. That doesn't mean we can't understand the truth - it means we have to work harder, listen to each other, read more than just one verse, and listen to more than just one voice of interpretation. We have to listen for God speaking.
And we have to admit that we only know the walrus.
Kim Matthews
Friday, November 22, 2013
Friday, November 15, 2013
Devotional 11-15-13
A Conversation With A Fav’rite Psalm:
The Twenty-seventh One, To Be Precise
My light and my salvation is the Lord.
With God beside me, there are none to fear.
I have no cause to shrink or be afraid
Because my stronghold guardian is the Lord.
Is God’s protective care for me alone?
Or does the Lord look after others, too?
While others fear, is that for me to care?
Is God’s protection from the likes of me?
Though hosts of armies camp against my wall,
I have no fear; my heart in safety rests.
When evil ones and adversaries rise,
They stumble, fall; and I am safe, secure.
But what if I the adversary be?
Against the Lord am I an enemy?
Are they my words and deeds that proffer harm
To God’s own people? Is it I that sin?
I seek to live within the house of God
For all the days of my eternal life.
I dream the beauties of the Lord’s abode.
I long to learn within the courts of God.
But wait! I learn what God reveals to me:
That those whom I distrust are also there
Within the house I thought was saved for me
Alone! What dreadful comedy is this?
I feel the hand of God who raises me
Above my enemies who wish me harm.
I sing the song of triumph! Hear me, Lord?
Be gracious unto me and answer me.
But there, in other hands of God, I see
The ones who cause me great distress and fear.
Is this some kind of joke? Malevolence?
That others in the hands of God sing praise?
When I the sinner am, forgive me, Lord.
Allay my fear and use my strength to serve
You all my days while waiting patiently
To see the fullness of your love and grace.
The Twenty-seventh One, To Be Precise
My light and my salvation is the Lord.
With God beside me, there are none to fear.
I have no cause to shrink or be afraid
Because my stronghold guardian is the Lord.
Is God’s protective care for me alone?
Or does the Lord look after others, too?
While others fear, is that for me to care?
Is God’s protection from the likes of me?
Though hosts of armies camp against my wall,
I have no fear; my heart in safety rests.
When evil ones and adversaries rise,
They stumble, fall; and I am safe, secure.
But what if I the adversary be?
Against the Lord am I an enemy?
Are they my words and deeds that proffer harm
To God’s own people? Is it I that sin?
I seek to live within the house of God
For all the days of my eternal life.
I dream the beauties of the Lord’s abode.
I long to learn within the courts of God.
But wait! I learn what God reveals to me:
That those whom I distrust are also there
Within the house I thought was saved for me
Alone! What dreadful comedy is this?
I feel the hand of God who raises me
Above my enemies who wish me harm.
I sing the song of triumph! Hear me, Lord?
Be gracious unto me and answer me.
But there, in other hands of God, I see
The ones who cause me great distress and fear.
Is this some kind of joke? Malevolence?
That others in the hands of God sing praise?
When I the sinner am, forgive me, Lord.
Allay my fear and use my strength to serve
You all my days while waiting patiently
To see the fullness of your love and grace.
Friday, November 8, 2013
Devotional 11-8-13
Then Eli answered, ‘Go in peace; the God of Israel grant the petition you have made to him.’ 1 Samuel 1:17
The night was still thick and heavy
across the land.
The sun was only a hoped for light.
Hannah couldn't sleep.
She traveled with her husband.
They were returning home.
In the darkness, she touched flame
to kindling,
encouraging the fire to burn again
in the dark.
Her life had been hopeless, empty,
but now, the spark of Eli's words
burned small and tiny in her mind.
"Go in peace,
God will grant your petition."
She blew gently on the flame
to keep it alive,
as she prayed for the hope within her
to continue to burn.
Was it better, to wait now in the midst of hope,
fearful that the hope would die within her?
Or was the security of hopelessness better,
without the fear of loss?
She blew the gentle breath of prayer on the flame within her.
"Please, God..."
To wait. To hope. To fear.
To fear even to believe.
Kim Matthews
The night was still thick and heavy
across the land.
The sun was only a hoped for light.
Hannah couldn't sleep.
She traveled with her husband.
They were returning home.
In the darkness, she touched flame
to kindling,
encouraging the fire to burn again
in the dark.
Her life had been hopeless, empty,
but now, the spark of Eli's words
burned small and tiny in her mind.
"Go in peace,
God will grant your petition."
She blew gently on the flame
to keep it alive,
as she prayed for the hope within her
to continue to burn.
Was it better, to wait now in the midst of hope,
fearful that the hope would die within her?
Or was the security of hopelessness better,
without the fear of loss?
She blew the gentle breath of prayer on the flame within her.
"Please, God..."
To wait. To hope. To fear.
To fear even to believe.
Kim Matthews
Thursday, October 31, 2013
Devotional 11-1-13
St. Ambrose, archbishop of Milan, was one of the most influential church figures in the 4th century. He was a strong advocate of faithful church doctrine and worked hard to repel heresies that arose. His hymn which follows has been translated with several variations though it is a beautifully reflective poem that contemplates the presence of God in the arrival of the dawn. I've kept his hymn handy for morning prayer. I cobbled together some text from varying sources into a hymn which we will use to open our "All Saints Sunday" service of worship this week. May I offer the thought that you read this as a prayer. And come sing it with us on Sunday!
Dawn Sprinkles All the East with Light
Dawn sprinkles all the east with light
Day o’er the earth is gli-ding bright;
Morn’s shi-ning rays their course be-gin;
Fare-well to dark-ness and to sin.
May phan-toms of the night, we pray,
And trace of guilt be cleansed away.
What-e-ver weighs u-pon the heart
Let it with dark-ness now de-part.
Then, when that fi-nal morn ar-rives,
With hum-ble faith we hope our lives
May see, il-lu-mined by new sight,
What we now sing by ear-ly light:
Praise God from whom all bles-sings flow,
Praise God, all crea-tures here be-low.
Praise God a-bove ye heav’n-ly host.
Praise Fa-ther, Son, and Ho-ly Ghost.
“Aurora Jam Spargit Polum”
St. Ambrose, 4th c.
Text ed. jwl 2013
Tune: Tallis’ Canon; Thomas Tallis 1505-1585
Dawn Sprinkles All the East with Light
Dawn sprinkles all the east with light
Day o’er the earth is gli-ding bright;
Morn’s shi-ning rays their course be-gin;
Fare-well to dark-ness and to sin.
May phan-toms of the night, we pray,
And trace of guilt be cleansed away.
What-e-ver weighs u-pon the heart
Let it with dark-ness now de-part.
Then, when that fi-nal morn ar-rives,
With hum-ble faith we hope our lives
May see, il-lu-mined by new sight,
What we now sing by ear-ly light:
Praise God from whom all bles-sings flow,
Praise God, all crea-tures here be-low.
Praise God a-bove ye heav’n-ly host.
Praise Fa-ther, Son, and Ho-ly Ghost.
“Aurora Jam Spargit Polum”
St. Ambrose, 4th c.
Text ed. jwl 2013
Tune: Tallis’ Canon; Thomas Tallis 1505-1585
Rev. Jack Lipphardt
Friday, October 25, 2013
Devotional 10-25-13
"FEAR knocked at my door but when FAITH answered it there was nobody there."
A friend of mine who experienced a devastating tragedy in the loss of his wife and daughter in an automobile accident shared this with me a few weeks ago. It has helped me and I hope it will do the same for you.
Fear is a strong word that can cover anxiety, worry, panic, apprehension, agitation, disquiet, dread. I had no idea there were so many definitions of fear until I checked the dictionary. We have all experienced one or another type of fear some time in our lives. Maybe a big fear like a health issue or losing a job or perhaps a more every day event like having to step outside our comfort zone. However big or small we can always send FAITH to answer the door.
When FEAR coming knocking on your door, send FAITH to answer it.
2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us the spirit of fear but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
What a wonderful promise!
Jean Dean
A friend of mine who experienced a devastating tragedy in the loss of his wife and daughter in an automobile accident shared this with me a few weeks ago. It has helped me and I hope it will do the same for you.
Fear is a strong word that can cover anxiety, worry, panic, apprehension, agitation, disquiet, dread. I had no idea there were so many definitions of fear until I checked the dictionary. We have all experienced one or another type of fear some time in our lives. Maybe a big fear like a health issue or losing a job or perhaps a more every day event like having to step outside our comfort zone. However big or small we can always send FAITH to answer the door.
When FEAR coming knocking on your door, send FAITH to answer it.
2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us the spirit of fear but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
What a wonderful promise!
Jean Dean
Friday, October 18, 2013
Devotional 10-18-13
I’m pretty sure I speak for most parents in saying the birth of a child is in many ways the most intense experience of love. When baby Devon was born six years ago, there was no doubt that we loved her. Instead of the usual quick tests and then time in our arms, Devon had extensive evaluations and treatment in the neonatal intensive care unit. The attached wires and tubes made it nearly impossible to hold her, so we didn’t do much of it in her first few days. We went to see her quite a bit, but it seemed like every visit was another opportunity for the hospital staff to tell us about something else that was wrong with her. I found myself reluctant to hold her. I didn’t realize that I was protecting myself in the event that we might lose her. For many reasons, though, this bonding issue resolved itself in a very short period of time.
I look back at all the relationships I have had throughout my life to this point. I certainly don’t like some of the things I did or said, but I would never say I regret having met any of those people. I am glad to have had an experience with every single one of them, including those with whom things did not end well. A few that come to mind are a college roommate, a church acquaintance, and a middle school student. In all cases, there are memories that still make me smile.
As I did at first with infant Devon, we all spend so much of our energy trying to protect ourselves from pain, but we are also avoiding some of the most fulfilling relationships. There are people we see every day, but one reason or another will keep us from going just that extra inch to reach out to them. I am confident that when I make a connection with someone, I’m sometimes the one who most needs the relationship or the one for whom God has put the opportunity in place. Why not choose just one this year? Take the time to listen to what God wants for you and how He wants to use a new friendship. My prayer is that we all take full advantage of the love that He provides everyday through one another, and that He strengthens the Church through us.
Above all, maintain constant love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without complaining. Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received. (1 Peter 4:8-10)
Natalie Wray
I look back at all the relationships I have had throughout my life to this point. I certainly don’t like some of the things I did or said, but I would never say I regret having met any of those people. I am glad to have had an experience with every single one of them, including those with whom things did not end well. A few that come to mind are a college roommate, a church acquaintance, and a middle school student. In all cases, there are memories that still make me smile.
As I did at first with infant Devon, we all spend so much of our energy trying to protect ourselves from pain, but we are also avoiding some of the most fulfilling relationships. There are people we see every day, but one reason or another will keep us from going just that extra inch to reach out to them. I am confident that when I make a connection with someone, I’m sometimes the one who most needs the relationship or the one for whom God has put the opportunity in place. Why not choose just one this year? Take the time to listen to what God wants for you and how He wants to use a new friendship. My prayer is that we all take full advantage of the love that He provides everyday through one another, and that He strengthens the Church through us.
Above all, maintain constant love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without complaining. Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received. (1 Peter 4:8-10)
Natalie Wray
Sunday, October 13, 2013
Devotional 10-13-13
Keep It Simple
I have recently been reading the book of Matthew. It struck me how much emphasis Jesus put on the intent of the law rather than the technicalities. He preached heartfelt obedience over legalistic observance. When questioned by the Sadducees about the greatest commandment, “Jesus replied, ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the laws and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” (Matthew 22:37-40 NIV) How simple! And yet over 600 laws and rules had been put in place to govern everyday life. Jesus called the Pharisees and the Sadducees hypocrites because they held others to standards they couldn’t meet themselves.
We still do this today. A few years ago I was talking to a gentleman about church. He told me he attended his wife’s church but was not allowed to join because he smoked! There was also a rule about not drinking alcohol. He thought that was okay ((he didn’t drink), but that the ‘no smoking’ rule was going a little far. I know this is an extreme example. Unfortunately it is this attitude that has made being a Christian synonymous with being a judgmental hypocrite. We all admit we are sinners. Where did we get the idea that someone else’s sin was worse than our sins? Where did we get the idea that we had the right to make that judgment? These attitudes certainly didn’t come from Jesus. Jesus was the epitome of loving acceptance and called the Sadducees and Pharisees on their hypocrisy many times. As Christians we need to hold ourselves to higher standards--not others!
Jesus kept it simple: Love God with all your heart, mind, and soul and your neighbor as yourself. Do this and everything else falls into place.
We still do this today. A few years ago I was talking to a gentleman about church. He told me he attended his wife’s church but was not allowed to join because he smoked! There was also a rule about not drinking alcohol. He thought that was okay ((he didn’t drink), but that the ‘no smoking’ rule was going a little far. I know this is an extreme example. Unfortunately it is this attitude that has made being a Christian synonymous with being a judgmental hypocrite. We all admit we are sinners. Where did we get the idea that someone else’s sin was worse than our sins? Where did we get the idea that we had the right to make that judgment? These attitudes certainly didn’t come from Jesus. Jesus was the epitome of loving acceptance and called the Sadducees and Pharisees on their hypocrisy many times. As Christians we need to hold ourselves to higher standards--not others!
Jesus kept it simple: Love God with all your heart, mind, and soul and your neighbor as yourself. Do this and everything else falls into place.
Margaret Williams
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