Domes - Our Monthly Newsletter
Dunbar UCC
November 25, 2007
Jeremiah 23:5-6
Luke 1:68-71
Luke 23:33-43
Our Savior
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There was a scene in the musical Jesus Christ Superstar where Jesus and the disciples approached Jerusalem. Simon the Zealot said to Jesus: “There it is, Jesus -- Jerusalem -- now it’s time for us to enter and start the revolution that will make you King. Then we will have all the power and the glory.” Jesus said: “You don’t know what power and glory are.” When the “powers” came to arrest Jesus, Jesus didn’t resist. He submitted to their trial, their whips, their fists, the thorns on his forehead, the spit on his face, the nails in his hands and feet, and the insults of the soldiers and of one of the criminals executed beside him. The apostle Paul said that this was God’s greatest expression of power and glory. Do we really believe that?
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We say we do. We make the cross the highest symbol in our sanctuary -- higher than the American flag. Higher than the collection plates -- the money. The cross is higher than any of us. If the president of the United States were to walk in here -- the cross would be higher than him and his secret service with all their guns. We paint the cross gold and make it pretty against a burgundy velvet background. It’s glorious and gold and higher than anything else in here -- it’s over all of us. But do we really believe that?
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There are two powers in this world. One power says: “Live and die for the almighty dollar.” Jesus said: “You can’t serve God and money. The powers of this world say: “Get a big gun and use it to take what you want.” Jesus said: “Those who live by the sword die by the sword.” The powers say that the leader of the government is the most powerful person in the land. Jesus said all power comes from God. The powers rule by military might. Jesus ruled by serving.
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Probably the biggest tension in our lives happens when we try to follow both of these powers at the same time. We pledge our allegiance to the flag -- and to the cross. But how can we do that if the two are opposed to each other.
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On Thanksgiving, many of us said grace at the table. But I don’t know if people realized that when they did that, they were making a political statement. When we say grace, we say that Jesus is our savior -- and the powers aren’t. We say that our food is a gift from God -- and not a result of our effort or ability or money. But even more subversive than grace at dinner is the Lord’s prayer. When we say “thy will be done -- on earth and in heaven” -- we’re saying that we follow the way of peace, and mercy and compassion. -- and not the way of war and violence and greed. We say that we will love our enemies, and will use our lives to serve others -- even if our government has other plans.
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As he was dying, Jesus told the criminal next to him: “Today you will be with me in paradise.” Today, we could be with him in paradise too. He’s holding the door open for us, but it’s narrow. We might have to let go of some of our baggage to enter -- baggage like anger and greed. Maybe we’ve got so much stuff we can’t see the door to paradise. Maybe we’re so paralyzed with worry and concerns -- that we can’t move forward. But still, Jesus is here, holding the door to heaven open. With his help we could go there today.