Scripture Readings Leading to
Sunday November 05, 2006
1 Kings17, 18, 19 Elijah’s Witness
Luke 7:18-35 What Jesus Saw in John
Sin likes to hide. It finds a way to lay dormant for days and weeks and then strikes like a viper when we are weak or unaware. Sin is cunning and willing to wait without being nurtured for long periods. Sin can appear from a clean slate we assumed had been fully cleansed, like the weed patch which quickly grows after a slab of concrete has been overturned after many years. Sin likes to hide.
Perhaps closer to the truth is that we like to hide our sin. At least in respectable circles and in places of societal advantage we like to appear sin-less. And so we stuff our sin into a pair of baggy pants, attempting to hide that which is a constant and painful reminder that we are only human.
However, I have noticed that as of late it is becoming the fashion statement to display sin, boldly. The current culture offers sin on display at every corner. We seem proud to watch Madonna strut, or the pro athlete attempt to remember the number of children they have propagated. Our culture feasts on visual depravity, physical abuse, and verbal profanity in a mind-numbing quantity in a variety of unfortunate contexts. No one feels safe. No place is sacred.
In some strange way, God is now more powerful than before. When we kept everything hidden, sin still lurked, but was more difficult to discern. Today we can easily tell who has Christ and who stands in need. Actions and language easily and functionally separate those who are humble before God and those who are calling out for attention. You see that is just the issue. These sinful actions out in the open are “not so subtle” cries for help.
It would seem to me that our task is not to condemn and pass some sort of hokey “I got Jesus and you don’t” religious judgment, but rather we are called to bring Christ in love to those most in need. Jesus said, “It is the sick who need the doctor.” And that radical love which brings all things into the light also brings us all together and just a little closer to home.
Blessings, Dave Weesner
Sunday Worship
Scripture: 1 Kings 17:8-24
Sermon Title: “Stronger Than Sin”
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