Month: January 2017

I sit down to write this blog, I just spent the past 20 minutes reading a back-and-forth debate over the kingdom of God and politics on Facebook. Who won the debate? Nobody. In fact, I can’t recall any of these discussions (for lack of a better word), no matter how eloquent, where one party suddenly said, “Wow, now I see where you’re coming from and you are right! I’ve completely changed my mind now! No, it’s usually the opposite – we just become more polarized and hardened in our position.

One particular trend I have noticed is what I call the “gotcha” culture. It’s where certain people feel the need to point out and publicize the errors (or perceived errors) of others. It’s like leaven in the bread of social media these days. Somebody’s secret sin gets exposed and we want to make sure the world knows about it. There are even certain news organizations that will throw a catchy headline out there, true or not, just to get your attention. “Shocking Secret Affair Exposed.”

I’ve fallen for it. You may have too. This is nothing new. It has been around since the early days of man. In the ninth chapter of Genesis there is the account of an incident involving Noah and his sons. After the waters form the great flood had receded, Noah settled down, became a farmer, and planted a vineyard. One day when he drank the wine, he became drunk and was laying naked in his tent. His youngest son, Ham, saw his father naked and told his brothers outside. His two brothers, Shem and Japheth, took a garment, laid it on both their shoulders, and went backward and covered their father’s nakedness. As they did, they looked away and did not see their father’s nakedness. It goes on to say that when Noah woke up and knew what his son had done, he pronounced a curse on Ham’s descendants.

So why was this such a big deal?

There was obviously something in Ham’s heart that wanted to expose his father and make him shameful in the eyes of his brothers. In doing so, he dishonored his father. Honor is a big deal to God.

Unfortunately, we live in a culture that puts a high premium on shame. Just stand in line at your local grocery store and look at the scandalous headlines on the gossip publications. It sells. Great delight is taken in somebody’s failure being exposed.

And of course, let’s not forget the woman caught in adultery who was brought to Jesus. We all know how that story ended.

Love covers.

One son wanted to expose his father, bringing shame upon him. The other two sons loved him enough to cover him.

My wife loves me and I love her. There are things we both know about each other that we could tell others, thus exposing one another and ultimately destroying each other with shame. We choose not to do that because we choose love instead. There are things I know about some of you. I could easily destroy your reputation.

Love protects.

Obviously, I don’t love you at the same level I do my wife, but what if we, who call ourselves brothers and sisters, loved enough to cover one another up?

Hatred stirs up strife,

But love covers all sins.

Proverbs 10:12

And above all things have fervent love for one another,

For love will cover a multitude of sins.

1 Peter 4:18

Here are three things I believe will help us to walk in love toward someone who has been exposed:

 

1. Pray for them. In secret!

 

2. Cover them. If they’ve been exposed and shamed, then you be the one to walk backward and cover them up.

 

3. Ask God if you’re the one who should restore them. There is a proper way to do this: Live creatively, friends. If someone falls into sin, forgivingly restore him, saving your critical comments for yourself. You might be needing forgiveness yourself before the day’s out. Galatians 6:1 MSG

Let’s create a culture of love.

Love,

Kevin

 

 

 

 

 

In my church, we have recently been practicing the sacrament of communion much more frequently. I like that. I think Jesus likes that. After all, he did say, “as often as you do this, do it in remembrance of me.” It sounds to me like he would prefer that we do it often as opposed to seldom.

I remember as a child, sitting in the church pew watching my mother and other church members eating the little cracker and drinking the grape juice, wishing I could join in too, but I couldn’t. I wasn’t allowed to because I had not yet made a “profession of faith.” That happened when you walked down the church aisle, shook the preacher’s hand, and repeated the “sinner’s prayer”, and instantly became a member of the church.

As I reflect back on that time, I think my wishing I could partake was actually Jesus beckoning me to join him in this meal and to partake of him. Of course, that does sound like something he would do. After all, he is known for his willingness to sit down to a meal with all kinds of people.

As I told you a couple of blogs ago, I recently been experiencing a renewed and rejuvenated prayer life. In my morning prayer, there is a point somewhere in the middle of it when I become quiet for a little while and wait for him to speak, show me something, or maybe just to feel his love wrap around me. Some call it contemplative prayer. Brian Zahnd calls it “sitting with Jesus.” That’s what I’m calling it too. It has become my favorite part of morning prayer.

On Christmas morning, while sitting with Jesus, no sooner had I closed my eyes when I saw Jesus seated at the table with his disciples. He looked at me and held out the bread and wine. I heard him say, “this coming year, you will truly begin to understand what it means to eat my flesh and drink my blood.” That may sound rather morbid to you if you’re not familiar with the scripture in John 6 where Jesus actually talks about eating his flesh and drinking his blood.

Of course, we know it’s all really just symbolism, right? Or, is it? Well, apparently those who heard him say it at the time knew it was more than just symbolism –

 

From that time many of his disciples went back and walked with him no more.

(John 6:66)

 

I have already experienced the presence of God in a more powerful way each time I have received communion this new year. There is something very real taking place.

Most of my life, I’ve heard it said that the bread and wine are merely symbols of the body and blood of our Lord. Then, of course, there were the words inscribed on the table in front of most traditional pulpits – This Do In Remembrance of Me.

Over 2000 years ago, the disciples sat with Jesus in the upper room and shared in that meal. For Christians, the disciples who sat in the upper room with Jesus and shared in that meal are us.

When we partake of the Lord’s Supper, we are doing it in remembrance.

 

“That doesn’t mean just ‘remembering’ Jesus and his death. We do not simply recall the events of Calvary with our minds and hearts in faith and love and awe—though we should certainly do that every time we come to Jesus’ table. It means that somehow Jesus is present; that his one-off death is made contemporary with us. The unique past event rushes forward to accompany us on our journey.”

N.T. Wright, The Meal Jesus Gave Us: Understanding Holy Communion

 

There is so much more that can be said about this topic and surely so much more for me to learn. I have a sneaking suspicion I’ll be learning a good portion of it as I experience it. He invites you and me to the table where he is present. This is one of those places where heaven meets earth, where his will is done on earth as it is in heaven.

He has invited me to the table. I look forward to our next meal together.

This is dining at it’s finest!

 

Enjoying his table,

Kevin