The Munchkins showed Dorothy the yellow brick road which led to the Emerald City, the house of the Great and Magnificent Oz. The road led through all sorts of critical places, each one yielding a traveling companion when the danger had passed. Despite the heroics of outsmarting the flying monkeys and baptizing the witch, her Heart’s Desire was found beyond the all-too-human Wizard: in her post-dream life which she had all along! “Oz never gave nuthin’ to the Tin Man that he didn’t already have!” But, oh, the quest for the Emerald City…!
“Oh, that I knew where I might find [God],” said Job, “that I might come even to [God’s] dwelling!” (23:3) Job knew that his case would be heard, and felt deep down that he would be vindicated. Amidst shallow advice from friends & family, Job searched as we do for the high place where Justice would be served. “Job wants his hearing because, for all of the invective he hurls into the chasm of divine silence, he cannot let go of the conviction that God is ultimately just, and that God ultimately will hear him.” (J. S. Randolph Harris, FEASTING ON THE WORD, B 4:147)
The Jewish community was into the idea of “High Priest” more than we are. But the writer of the Letter to the Hebrews acknowledges that some believers will initially need an intercessor to open the door to the holy place. This writer confesses that this is Jesus, who has encountered and passed through the dangers, toils & snares on his own (yellow brick?) road to the Eternal City. This gives us confidence to move ahead: “Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (4:16) Or does grace find US?
The Righteous Rich Guy came to Jesus and said, “I’ve done all the requirements…yet there must be Something More.” (Mark 10:20) You know that Jesus told him to give away his Stuff and become a disciple. Alas, this was too much of a change: he couldn’t do it. “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the Kingdom of God.” (v.25) The fellow wasn’t particularly sinful–but his weakness was in being held captive by possessions, thus being prevented from enjoying the full life of the Kingdom. What baggage must I lose on that winding road?
So what’s the message of Grace for this week’s worship? Is it that Job’s God will sit with the suffering to hear out our angst? Is it that through Jesus we have access to the Face of Glory? Maybe it’s the opportunity to throw out our accumulated griefs & superstitions, and start clean with the Master? The way through the labyrinth tries our patience and our sense of direction–and treasure is found at every twist.
God Bless Us, Every One Horace Brown KIng
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