It’s about the Journey, isn’t it? Most cultures have tales about the hero–that’s you and me–who undertakes some sort of Quest to find out who they are. Maybe it’s a search for a long-lost parent (to understand hereditary traits) or a holy relic (to achieve self-credibility in the community). Perhaps the task includes killing dragons (to conquer self-doubt) or rescuing a captive city or a damsel in distress (to be relevant and make a difference). The present Bible lessons address this Journey from sinful brokenness to vitality…all with Divine guidance.
Elijah, after showing up the priests of Baal and slaughtering them, needed to run for his life when Queen Jezebel put a price on his head. Our story picks up with his Journey (I Kings 19:4-8). Ready to give it all up, he sat despondently in the meager shade of a broom-bush. The Journey seemed ready to abort. “It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life…” But God wasn’t done with him: holy bread and water gave him strength to travel on to Mt. Horeb (Sinai) to encounter Yahweh directly. Y’know, I can really relate to this; a lot of pew-sitters can, too.
Paul”s Team lists many virtues and vices in the Letter to the Ephesians (4:25-5:1). “Thieves” are mentioned specifically, but read “all of us” in its place. “Thieves must give up stealing; rather let them labor and work honestly with their own hands, so as to have something to share with the needy.” This isn’t the work-ethic of prosperity, but provides for building the community! All sorts of malicious selfishness are listed as belonging to the Old Place; the traveler toward Perfection imitates God’s active and reflective love through kindness and forgiveness.
John’s Gospel remembrance (6:35,41-51) spins more on Jesus’ announcement that “I am the Bread of Life.” Those with a lack of vision took offense: they were the ones who were resigned to the meager shade of Elijah’s bush. Before we’re too hard on them we should realize that this Silent Majority has given up on the heroic Journey as just too difficult. Yet Jesus provides holy sustenance for their quest, agreeing that it’s a demanding trip but that the Father would “draw” them. (My image is of a bunch of convicts roped together being dragged through a desert.)
Indiana Jones is my favorite crusader! We’re pretty sure that he’ll succeed in finding the Lost Ark or Jesus’ chalice–but the story is in the Journey! Here’s where growth and wisdom come about, here’s where the drama unfolds. Like the wise Dr. Jones, we too are on a similar–probably less exotic–Journey. John Wesley asked us to “go on to Perfection” recognizing that the richness of discipleship lies in such a Journey. Give up in the sparse shade? We all do, some longer than others. But we’re given provisions, and impelled forward… “Are we there yet?” I really hope not!
God Bless Us, Every One Horace Brown King
My wandering through the readings assigned to the upcoming weekend can be found every Tuesday at this space on Facebook; or at horacebrownking.com
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