Is there anything beyond today, with its greed and cynicism? Will the sun really shine tomorrow? On these dreary days when Winter just won’t give up, when messages of violence and cheap life fill us with nausea….? Most everyone looks at Christians as hopelessly naive: a sweet teenaged girl at Wendy’s laughed at my sooty face after Ash Wednesday services. Neither of us thought the other had a clue!
Abraham looked for clues (Genesis 15:1-8): “how am I to know?” It surely didn’t look as though he would be ancestor of a Great Nation, or possess a Land of Milk & Honey. He was Just Getting Old — who could he trust?
One commentator has called the Philippi of the First Century a Mardi Gras. True enough, there were all sorts of diversions and pastimes. “Their end is destruction; their god is the belly; and their glory is in their shame; their minds are set on earthly things.” (3:19) Woe to those prophets who would dare say there is More! Yet Paul announced a heavenly Savior who will “transform the body of our humiliation that it may be conformed to the body of this glory…” (3:21)
Jesus was disgusted with Jerusalem, and all it represented. “How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!” (Luke 13:34) The image is of immature and recalcitrant searchers, putting off protection and care for just one more morsel… Just one more, Mama!
Lenten preaching this week will try to remind both Believers and Party-goers alike that a gracious Creator intends to call us from scrabbling in everyday dust, and has sent Christ to guide our journey. “I believe that I shall see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!” (Psalm 27:13-14)
God Bless Us, Every One! H B King
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