Domes - Our Monthly Newsletter
Dunbar UCC
January 14, 2007
John 2:1-11
Life
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It’s hard for someone in our culture to understand what this passage is saying. From the Super Bowl to our War in Iraq, we worship violence. We need violence. It’s our national drug. So how are we going to understand Jesus of Nazareth? We gave the world the nuclear bomb -- and used it. Most of our states use a form of Capital Punishment. Our laws say, if you kill someone, we might burn or poison you to death. And to other countries we say, “If you can scare us enough, we will go to war with you. We will kill you.” We are also the largest arms dealer in the world -- no other country comes close to the amount of guns, missiles, bombs and other tools of war that we sell. Even our enemies use weapons that are made in America.
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We believe in violence more than we believe in God. We believe that violence, and not Jesus, not God, will solve our problems. So if we’re losing the war in Iraq, then more bombs and soldiers will fix it. If the destruction and violence is out of control, then more destruction and violence will make things right. Too many bombs exploding? Use more bombs. Too much killing, kill more.
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Violence and destruction is our way of life. So how will we understand what Jesus is doing in Cana of Galilee? Jesus turned water to wine. He took something and CREATED SOMETHING NEW OUT OF IT. Look at this: Jesus never lifted his hands in violence against anybody. He used his hands to heal, to create -- even to bring the dead back to life. Jesus never condemned anyone, never punished anyone, never sought revenge against anyone. He forgave everything -- even murder. He forgave the people who murdered him! When his disciple pulled out a sword, to use in self-defense, Jesus said, “Put it back -- that is not my way!”
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I’ve said it hundreds of times in here -- I have to say it again: the heart of the Gospel message is the command to love God, neighbor, and even our enemies. And you know the reason Jesus commanded this? Not because it’s the right thing to do -- not because it’s the most moral thing to do -- not because it’s the most practical thing to do. The reason that Jesus said we’re supposed to love friend and enemy alike is because God loves enemies. “God makes the sun rise on the bad and the good and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust.” Then Jesus said, “Do likewise.”
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For this new year, is it possible for Jesus to be the center of our lives, rather than just another of our many interests? Our many activities? If Jesus is the center of our lives, we have to learn to let go of our violence. We have to learn how to stop using force to solve our problems. Jesus healed, fed, forgave, and blessed. He made wine -- not poison. He was the life of the party. And we need to keep reminding ourselves -- HE’S THE ONE WE’RE FOLLOWING.