(from November PresPress)
‘Togetherness’ has been a common theme in a sermon or two of mine…okay… maybe a dozen or more. And the reason is simple: God’s desire for humanity is togetherness with God and each other. We see it preached by Jesus from the mount; shared in His parables, most notably in the story of the Prodigal Father; expounded upon in His teachings. Oneness in Christ seems to be the goal. We see this spelled out clearly in John’s gospel:
“I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given them, so that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become completely one, so that the world may know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. Father, I desire that those also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory, which you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world. Righteous Father, the world does not know you, but I know you; and these know that you have sent me. I made your name known to them, and I will make it known, so that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.” (John 17:20-26)
It’s a bold claim that the Church makes, that there is a different way of being and living in this world; a way that is not divisive and malignant, but unifying and whole. When we look at our world and see the brokenness, the division, the suffering, the hate, etc., it all boils down to one thing: a term that religion has coined ‘sin.’
Whether we are religious or not, we all know ‘sin’ when we see it. It comes in the shape of greed, a desire for power over others, manipulation, preying on others, war, domination, etc. The list can go on and on, but the root always comes back to self-centered living apathetic to or directly against others (and God). In a sense, sin is the opposite of oneness and togetherness.
So what is this unifying, hopeful ‘way’ of being and living that the Church claims to bring to the world, and how do we live into it?
The Apostle Paul shares a concise answer for us in his letter to the church at Philippi:
“Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave.” (Philippians 2:5-7)
Jesus ‘emptied’ himself as a means to serve. He did not exploit his power for selfish gain, but used it to serve God and others, and in so doing showed us what it is to live a sin-free life.
When we pray for our enemies, turn the other cheek, go the extra mile, care for the nobody begging on the street corner, give of ourselves to help meet the needs of others, promote dialogue and break 2 bread together, we show the way of Jesus. When we seek to heal, to help, to truly see people for who they are in Christ, we show the way of Jesus. When it seems impossible, and we work and promote peace and compromise in the middle of war, we show the way of Jesus. When we give of ourselves, sacrifice some of what we have for the well-being of others, we show the way of Jesus. When we live everyday with hope that cannot be squashed even by the darkest of news, we show the way of Jesus.
The aim of the way of Jesus is togetherness with God and each other. It probably seems impossible to most, but the more it is lived out, seen, and imitated, the more the way of Christ takes hold over us. The gospel of Jesus is embedded in the way of Christ and is a light that cannot be covered up. It shines and penetrates the darkness, and its luminance and vibrance only grows and grows.
And it begins with one small act. And then another. And then another. Until it becomes a way of life…a way of being.
Haven’t you ever noticed how one act of kindness can change the entire day for a person? Haven’t you ever noticed how a genuine apology can heal tensions that were fueled to explode? Haven’t you noticed how the sacrificial giving of someone for the sake of someone else touches your heart and moves you to want to do the same? Haven't you noticed that when the lowly and exploited of society are cared for and helped by others who have the means, it feels right? Don’t you cringe and hurt when you hear news reports of violence, hate, and discrimination, but cheer and are filled with hope when you hear about the good Samaritan, extravagant generosity, and crises averted by true dialogue?
The way of Jesus is not unknown. It’s found in the selfless love that we all long to receive and at the same time share. It’s often hidden below the surface where the selfish, worldly wants and desires that fuel our contemporary paradigm reign supreme. Where personal power and the individual trumps the community.
My friends, we offer a different way of being in the world. It is not unknown and is longed for by all of humanity from deep within, but it necessitates something the secular world just can’t offer: a foundation in sacrificial love that has already changed the world forever; a love that has shaped and is shaping the love we are called to exhibit and share. The grace of God in Jesus Christ is the foundation with which we orient our lives as Christians. It is this hope that pushes us on, keeps us striving to do better, to love more faithfully, and it is the Holy Spirit who is always with us to help us when we are ready to give up and turn away.
Let’s share with the world the way of Jesus. Let’s lean on Christ more and more as we seek to love with our whole lives for the sake of togetherness with God and each other.
In Hope, Pastor Adam
