There Is No Other

I love short stories; they’re focused, concise and notably lacking in prolonged navel-gazing. And the best stories are ones where a surprising hero enters to save the day, someone you’d least expect! Stories that we’ll explore this weekend feature the entrance of a shocking authority–and the disdain of the Old Guard in recognizing salvation when it hits ’em in the face…

Cyrus ruled Persia and most of the known world from 558 to 530 BC. He was extolled by those he ruled for his unusual tolerance of local customs and religious practices. Isaiah of Babylon calls him the Lord’s “anointed” (!), “whose right hand I have grasped to subdue nations before him…” (45:1) “Anointed” has been read by some to mean “Messiah”, but this is more of a royal than religious understanding. Call him what you will, but Isaiah exults that at last there shall be a restoration of Israel…so get it right, this time! Cyrus, although not a traditional believer, is seen by Yahweh as a Saving Restorer of The Lord’s supremacy. “I am the Lord, and there is no other; besides me there is no god.” (v.5)

The congregation at Thessalonica in Greece would also be a surprise to those of the old Jewish understanding: these were non-Hebrews, and formerly pagans. Paul is overwhelmed by “how you turned to God from idols, to serve a living and true God…” (I Thessalonians 1:9) He had earlier affirmed that “he has chosen you” (v.4) They have become not only recipients, but anointed messengers of salvation: they have become part of the Divine Restoration of All Creation, not just some acres in Palestine!

You probably remember how Jesus was engaged by the Pharisees (who espoused non-Empirical government) and the Herodians (who favored strong Roman rule). “Is it lawful to pay taxes to the Emperor, or not?” (Matthew 22:16) Jesus confounded them by taking a coin, pointing out the Emperor’s image, and famously saying, “Give therefore to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”(v.21) What things ARE God’s? And is the Emperor God’s Anointed? (see Romans 13) Those who hear this passage on Saturday or Sunday are challenged yet again about this whole matter of allegiance.

On the corner of South Turnpike Road and Main Street, John Rawlings kept a variety store for decades. Behind the counter, a prominent sign read, “In God We Trust. All Others Pay Cash.” We in our Confirmation Class wrote a paraphrase: “Render unto Mr. Rawlings the things that are Mr. Rawlings,…” Some felt that the Emperors of Persia & Rome were anointed by God. Where is our Revolution now??

God Bless Us, Every One Horace Brown King