Truth Or Dare?

Scriptures to be heard this weekend all involve people who have left their comfort levels to meet and be met by God. Most of us are reluctant to risk our safety in order to speak out our faith and to actively seek justice. MAYbe I and my friends who luxuriate in comfortable pews will be encouraged and empowered to announce yet again God’s Kingdom for our times…

The prophet Elijah has proven YHWH’s power by calling down fire from heaven, and then despatching the prophets of Baal. This didn’t sit well with Queen Jezebel, who threatened Elijah with death & destruction. Naturally enough, Elijah ran. (I KINGS 19:9-18) Today’s reading finds him at the holy mountain whining to God, who asks him twice, “Elijah, what are you doing here?” Empowered by the sound of silence, Elijah gets himself together and heads back to Israel. How then shall we hope? And what shall we do?

The Apostle Paul is still grieving that the People of the Jews haven’t accepted Jesus as their Messiah. (ROMANS 10:5-15) Paul announces a new view of heavenly geometry, that Christ is the center about which all things–and persons–turn. He coulda been an esteemed teacher of the Law; but his choice is to risk arrest and eventual execution. HIs rhetorical questions ask how the uninformed are to hear without a preacher; and how can there be a preacher without some risk involved?

You’ve probably heard the story found in all three synoptics about Jesus walking on the water. Here it’s presented in MATTHEW 14:22-33, aimed again at Matthew’s Jewish hearers to prove that Jesus really IS an able saviour. Sent to sail in troublesome water, the Disciples fear that Jesus has abandoned them–but he came to them in the impossibilty of WALKING ON THE WATER. Peter/everyman gets out of the boat to be with Jesus; but the storm distracts him, and he begins to sink. Water is seen here as the Enemy: Israelites live in an arid rocky land. Their Creation story involves God separating land from water, and they’ve heard the stories of Noah and the Sea of Reeds. They were not comfortable! “Don’t fear, it is I” becomes more than an exercise in grammar; good Jewish boys will recognize “I” as part of the Holy Name.

The witnesses we hear about are those who’ve left their comfort-zone and risked everything on the Lordship of Jesus. A cowardly person myself, I pray for the opportunity to risk my own well-being. Maybe tomorrow.

In the process of unfolding, Horace Brown King

‘Most every Tuesday we meet here for the opportunity to be challenged by the scriptures to be heard on the upcoming weekend. Come along forthe fun at horacebrownking.com