Tag Archives: Mystery

Fact and Faith

Lent

Lent

March 18, 2021

Scripture Reading: Hebrews 5:5-10

So also Christ did not glorify himself in becoming a high priest, but was appointed by the one who said to him,
‘You are my Son,
   today I have begotten you’;
as he says also in another place,
‘You are a priest forever,
   according to the order of Melchizedek.’ –Hebrews 5:5-6

Melchizedek is described as being both king of righteousness and peace and a unique (without parents or kin) and eternal (without beginning or end) priest (though never “high Priest”), Melchizedek resembles the Son of God*. (Hebrews 7:1-3).

Paul describes Christ as the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; for in him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers—all things have been created through him and for him. –Colossians 1:15-16

This phrase from Hamlet popped into my mind as I considered Melchizedek.

“And therefore as a stranger give it welcome. There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy.” –Shakespeare from Hamlet

I love history. What I have learned most about history is that we never know the whole story. For example, some label Abraham as the first monotheist, but Melchizedek seemed to have been a monotheist too. Some consider Melchizedek as the very Christ who was present at creation. While we may enjoy exploring the facts of history from archeology to oral traditions, the truth proceeds from history, in the final analysis, based on faith.  We study history to avoid replicating known mistakes. However, knowledge does not translate into the avoidance of repeating the same acts. Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1) Faith provides the courage to change from the evil that draws us to continue in unrighteousness when we know it is wrong.  Faith sustains us through our relationship with God when we do not know all the answers.

Prayer: God of Grace and Mercy, forgive us when we are continually drawn back to wrong paths. Guide us to find the righteous way. Amen.

*The Interpreter’s Dictionary of the Bible K-Q page 343.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.

Mystery

Lent

February 28, 2021

Scripture Reading: Mark 9:2-9

Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain apart, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no one on earth could bleach them. And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, who were talking with Jesus. Then Peter said to Jesus, ‘Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.’ He did not know what to say, for they were terrified. Then a cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud there came a voice, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!’ Suddenly when they looked around, they saw no one with them anymore, but only Jesus. –Mark 9:2-8

How would we react if we encountered Jesus with Elijah and Moses? I have no idea what Peter, James, and John witnessed on that mountain. Something happened. Perhaps it was one of those aha moments where the light in their minds clicked on, and they moved more fully to understanding who Jesus was.

I do not think as a society, we deal well with the mysterious. Perhaps children and youth do. They have not been around enough to grow skeptical. Watching the way some adults act right now might be ending even childhood wisdom.  We need to reconnect with the mysterious because mystery is one aspect of faith. Faith is not concrete. It requires entering the realm of the not yet understood or known but is very real.

God Moves in a Mysterious Way was written in 1773 by William Cowper. Our ancestors in faith understood that there is that which cannot be understood. Here are his words:

God moves in a mysterious way,
    His wonders to perform;
He plants his footsteps in the sea,
    And rides upon the storm.

Deep in unfathomable mines
    Of never failing skill;
He treasures up his bright designs,
    And works His sovereign will.

Ye fearful saints fresh courage take,
    The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy, and shall break
    In blessings on your head.

Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
    But trust him for his grace;
Behind a frowning providence,
    He hides a smiling face.

His purposes will ripen fast,
    Unfolding ev’ry hour;
The bud may have a bitter taste,
    But sweet will be the flow’r.

Blind unbelief is sure to err,
    And scan his work in vain;
God is his own interpreter,
    And he will make it plain.

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for sharing the mystery of your love that makes life plain. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.

When Mystery is God

Lent 
March 10, 2019

Scripture Reading: Luke 4:1-13

Then the devil took him to Jerusalem, and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, saying to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, for it is written,
“He will command his angels concerning you,
   to protect you”,
and
“On their hands they will bear you up,
   so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.” ’

Jesus answered him, ‘It is said, “Do not put the Lord your God to the test.” ’ When the devil had finished every test, he departed from him until an opportune time.  –Luke 4:9-13

At this writing, I am involved in a bible study of 1 Samuel. The group decides what we study and when one member suggested he would like to study the books of Samuel my reaction was rather neutral. By the time I started first grade I knew the story of Hannah longing for a child and of Samuel being called by God in the night. Walter Brueggemann has a habit, however, of letting me know I do not know as much as I think I do. The books of Samuel talk about God in ways that are at the least foreign to we 21st Century folk who think we know a lot.  Brueggemann describes God as mysterious, even dangerous, and all powerful.

In the section dubbed the Narrative of the Ark found in 1 Samuel 4-6, battles between the Israelites and the Philistines are described in which the powers of the Philistine god Dagon are pitted against Yahweh whose presence was accounted for in the Ark of the Covenant. The Ark is eventually taken by the Philistines and they place it next to their god Dagon as a sign of the Philistines view of Dagon’s higher powers. The next morning when the Philistines return to that scene, they found Dagon on the floor with broken arms and head. While the Philistine’s gained more respect of Yahweh, the Israelites learned they serve a powerful God with a mind of God’s own. The Israelites, of course, also learned that the Ark of the Covenant and thus God’s presence should not be construed as a rabbit’s foot.

When I read this in preparing for the study group, my first thought was that the Israelites had snicked into the Philistines camp and destroyed the image of Dagon. That is the conclusion of a modern-day cynical thinker who has probably read too many good mysteries where the mysterious is always explained. No such explanation of this mystery is forthcoming. The scripture treats this as a matter-of-fact report of an act of God.

Lent is a good time for us to renew our understanding of God as one who indeed has our best interest at heart but as one who may have a very different understanding of not only what our best interest is but of what all people’s best interests are and how they all fit together. Our quest is to work toward living into God’s vision that starts and finishes with our loving God and loving one another.

Prayer: Lord, during this 40-day time of introspection, help us clear away the distractions of world-think and see more clearly your way of thinking. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.