“Faith”, we learned in seminary, “is the human response to Divine Grace.” Straightforward as that sounds, faith and belief are difficult to describe–and to practice. John Wesley acknowledged their elusiveness when he reportedly told his preachers to “preach faith until you HAVE faith.” My friend Jan Clark (Rev. Red) says that Lent is “Spring training for Disciples”. Before the Season starts in earnest with Easter, Believers are requested to examine their journeys to express how Faith guides them. This Sunday’s readings explore our response to God’s grace-filled guidance.
“Now the Lord said to Abram, ‘Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you.'” (Genesis 12:1) As he loaded his ox-cart, neighbors may have gathered, singing, “Where are you going?” “I don’t know” “When will you get there?” “I ain’t certain. All that I know is I am on my way.” If there’s a valid way to practice Faith, this must be it! The story doesn’t detail all of Abram’s doubts and questions, it merely says “So Abram went, as the Lord had told him.” (v.4) Rumor has it that there was a bumper-sticker on the back of the wagon, “Don’t follow me; I’m lost too”.
St. Paul was pretty impressed: “For what does the scripture say? ‘Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness.'” (Romans 4:3) Those brave enough to read this chapter need to allocate enough time to chew on every word, and to savor the wisdom. The Apostle is making his case for SOLA FIDE, “faith alone”, as the route to life and abundance. He says that Abraham received the promise and believed it, enough to follow trustingly wherever it took him. “But also to those who share the faith of Abraham…in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist.” (v.17)
Nicodemus, who really wanted to believe in Jesus, came to see him one night. He thought Jesus was a gifted Rabbi, an inspired teacher; but couldn’t yet confess Jesus to be Messiah. Jesus spoke about Spiritual Birth, even though Nicodemus couldn’t understand beyond the physical nature of humanity. Neither could Abram envision the New Land to where he was being led. Let the reader understand that these mysteries are not easy to describe in human words–and that they call Nicodemus (who is really US) to embrace them solely by faith… “Everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.” (John 3:16b)
When I was 4 or 5, my Dad would take me on evening rambles around the neighborhood of Scranton in which we lived. We’d often visit someplace Mom didn’t approve–a railroad bridge, or a construction site. Was I ever worried? Nah–Dad was holding my hand! As a timid adult, I often find consoling lessons in those old memories–and in the journeys of Abraham and Nicodemus. Lent brings us down the mountain from the signs and wonders of Epiphany: the fog down here is daunting, but I’m still not scared….!
God Bless Us, Every One Horace Brown King
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