Loading...Sir, we wish to see Jesus!
Indeed.
Over and over again, people clamor to see Jesus.
We want to see him.
People from 2000 years ago did – healings, teachings, miracles did.
Greeks who went to Jesus’ disciples did.
Not to mention, the disciples themselves wanted to see and understand him.
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Why do we wish to see Jesus? Is it curiosity?
We heard about his miracles and want to see him in action?
We’ve been told stories about his teachings, and are curious to learn?
We know about the healings he’s done and want or need to be healed?
We’ve been to other folks (or, tried other means) for wholeness, peace, joy, and have been left lacking, and emptier feeling than before?
We’re frustrated, lost, angry, or confused?
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The world around us – beautifully and wonderfully made – is also broken and hurting.
Creation has been ravaged – where’s the clean water in Flint, Michigan?
What about power and infrastructure rebuilding in Puerto Rico?
War, civil war and international war, rages – South Sudan, Syria, Afghanistan
Our worldly systems on which we rely
stumble along with the best efforts of the many people in them, but with an inherent brokenness that sometimes causes pain, suffering, and hurt.
And while God creates the world “good” – over and over again in the creation stories in Genesis, God’s creation is called “tov”, Hebrew word for “good” – it is still in need of reconciliation.
We still experience pain and suffering.
Indeed, we often cause pain and suffering to each other.
But even when we cannot pinpoint the source, or when it’s just a part of life,
loss, grief, loneliness, pain, and darkness are also real.
When you’ve been in that place – the place of loss and pain –
you may have heard someone say “this was God’s plan”.
But it’s not.
God’s plan does NOT include suffering and pain.
God is NOT testing you on your faith, or on how much pain you can endure.
No. Full stop. Not a test!
But, God is present at those times.
God is at work even in the darkest, hardest, loneliest parts of our lives.
God can bring something good and beautiful from suffering
(but doesn’t need suffering or sacrifice in order to make beauty or goodness!! God does that even without us).
God does not abandon you,
but is at work in you and through you
to reconcile, redeem, transform and invert.
Sir, we wish to see Jesus:
here he is, transforming...
suffering into goodness
grief into love
death into life.
This is the glory of God:
• to enter the parts of our lives that frighten us and sit in the fear with us as comfort;
• in the face of the broken systems of the world that frustrate, cause pain, hurt, or kill, God embraces the whole world in love to bring hope;
• even in deep pain, there is redemption.
The glory of God is life in unexpected ways.
The seed that is buried in the earth that is not actually buried,
but planted in the ground and springing to new life.
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“Sir, we wish to see Jesus.”
Open our eyes,
open our ears,
open our hearts. Amen
