One of the prominent Reformation theologians postulated that we humans, by our very natures, are natural idolaters. It may not be literal idols, or even material things like our homes or gardens, or, in my case, my books and papers. It may be some of the things that I mention in my meditation, or, it may even be less tangible things like our freedom, our mobility, our intelligence, our ideas and convictions or our abilities. It is far too easy to put any of these things first, far ahead of God, which is idolatry. So, it is a struggle, a struggle for all of us, but, fortunately, one that we have God’s help in engaging.

Something that I have had to wrestle continually with, especially in my role as a pastor in an inner-city church, is the question of how to help the ‘needy’, and indeed, whether I should be doing so in the first place. Sometimes I happen to wonder whether they ‘really’ need the help, or whether they should be ‘getting off their behinds’ and working for a living instead of expecting a handout. (By the way, that idea of ‘expecting a handout’, the sense of entitlement, is something that really bugs me!) And of course, I often wonder what they have done to bring this on--whether they have in some way ‘brought it on upon themselves--that they are in some way responsible for their present plight, or whether this is entirely due to unfortunate circumstances beyond their control.

But then, I look at the Scriptures: how often God commands us to look after the poor and the needy, and how indeed, He responds to us with grace and mercy, when we did not deserve it--in fact, just the opposite! I am still sometimes torn as to what I should be doing, but more inclined to be generous--and gracious and merciful, even as God is.

Years ago at seminary, we learned about something that seemed pretty obscure and remote at the time, something called ‘inaugurated eschatology’. It’s about the ‘now and not yet now’ sense that we find throughout the New Testament. 'The kingdom of God is here’ vs. ‘the kingdom of God is near.’ It’s a kind of living between the times.

That seemed pretty unconnected to life until I heard a lecture by Malcolm Muggeridge, where he gave this obscure concept a historical and highly visual representation. He told us that it was like living in Nazi-occupied Europe during World War II between D Day and VE Day (Victory in Europe Day). The back of the enemy has been broken and the end is in sight, but in the meantime, there is still the occupation and oppression and suffering, and the mopping up operations still have to be done. Meanwhile, things might get pretty rough, as this defeated foe tries its level best to escape its fate--it’s like a cornered beast--and those in the occupied territories have to just keep faithful and keep on ‘holding on’ in anticipation for their eventual liberation.

Muggerridge likened D Day to Jesus’ death and resurrection, which ‘broke the back of the enemy’ once and for all and already netted us some wonderful gains. However, the enemy is still alive and well, and quite able to inflict a lot of damage, a lot of suffering and woes of many sorts, and will continue to do so until VE Day, which is the return in Jesus in triumph. So, like the people of occupied Europe, we are living between the times.

But, in both scenarios, there were glimmers of hope. With occupied Europe, there were the BBC radio broadcasts telling them about the gains the Allies were making, and off and on, there were the operatives that the Allies parachuted into their midst to wreck havoc on the Nazis and assist the people living there. We likewise have glimmers of hope: news of what God is doing in our world and, of course, our own BBC broadcast, the Bible. But like them, we have to ‘tune in’, to read and listen to what the Bible says and to watch for the news of what God is up to in our world. It is something that we can all do in our ‘waiting time’, our time in between. That is what today’s meditation is all about.

And one other thing: those in occupied Europe were encouraged, not only to hear and be encouraged, but to help ‘the war effort’ right where they were, to spread, as it were ‘the new reign of freedom’ even in the midst of the occupation. And we too, in like manner, can do our level best to spread the kingdom of God and its impact, even when things don’t seem to be going well and things are rough.

When you read over my Scripture meditation, the meditation from the Forward Day by Day devotional, and my response to the latter, you will notice quite a divergence of opinion. Now, some of this divergence comes from one’s own bias and point of view. The Forward author describes himself as ‘a student of Black radicalism’, which invariably colours and shapes his views, and given that I come from a different background altogether, I have a different viewpoint. That is to be expected, and should be taken into account, as a significant factor when interpreting the Scriptures. For myself, I try to factor and take into account such things when I read and interpret the Scriptures.

However, there are some factors that I think that our author neglects totally, factors that exist, and should be taken into account, regardless of one’s own bias and viewpoint. Firstly, there is the testimony of the whole canon of Scripture. Even a cursory glance at the New Testament shows us that private ownership of property did not die out, but, in fact, became essential to the functioning and survival of the early Church. And, then there is the evidence of history: communal living arrangements have worked, have continued (such as with the Hutterites) but only in a limited and small scale, and usually only with the use of a great deal of things that ‘come from Caesar’. And, finally, there is the matter of common sense: no society has ever continued in existence without ‘cooperation’ or engagement with Caesar (that is, government.). As many New Testament authors relate, government was ordained by God.

In today’s passage, two rather disparate and unlikely allies get together to try to discredit Jesus and get Him into trouble. As we probably know--or at least, will know once the passage is read--they fail miserably in their attempt. However, in questioning Jesus they raise a couple of very important questions. The first question has to do with authority, where and how it is vested. Has the state, that is, governments of whatever level, an absolute authority in certain matters (such as the public sphere of government and business), or does God’s authority also have a bearing there--and even supersede it? And, as for the outward sign of that state authority, money, for what or how are we to use it? Christians have struggled with these questions endlessly over the years, so, take a look at what I suggest and see what you think.

Today’s Scripture and meditation put me in mind of that great old hymn, “O Love, How Deep, How Broad, How High” (Common Praise #628). The first verse goes like this:

O love, how deep, how broad, How high!

It fills the heart with ecstasy,

That God, the Son of God, should take

Our mortal form for mortals’ sake.

Verse five then gets quite specific, quite explicit, about what He has done for us:

For us by wickedness betrayed,

Scourged, mocked, in purple robe arrayed,

He bore the shameful cross and death;

For us at length gave up his breath.

And, with Palm Sunday, He knew what was coming, and yet embraced it, embraced it for our sakes. Oh, what an incredible love that is! May we, His followers and friends, we whom He did this for, live accordingly.

Is there anyone else like me out there? What I mean is this: hating or avoiding times when we’d be held accountable in one way or another. Final exams were one way of this happening, for they almost assuredly revealed whether I’d studied or worked hard enough. The final track meet said the same thing, it showed whether I’d been conscientious in my training, or not. Likewise a dental checkup: it would show whether I’d flossed or brushed my teeth enough. These were times and situations that I avoided if possible, or dreaded, if inevitable. How about you?

Well, the question of accountability is one that is inevitable, at least when it comes to us and God. And while He knows perfectly well our situation and circumstances--and, our excuses, whether they are valid or not, He still expects us to do the best we can with the gifts and opportunities He has bestowed upon us. It’s not that our salvation hangs upon it, no, but even so, wouldn’t it be great if we won His approval, His ‘well done, thou good and faithful servant.’ To me, that would be a delight. So, maybe that possibility should motivate each one of us to do even better--after all, it is for His glory and His sake, not just for our delight.

Today’s passage and meditation touch on a subject that we are probably all guilty of, namely, our fascination with, and interest in, things that are new or novel. If you’re like me, you’re always on the lookout for more information or a new angle on current news stories--the latest scoop, you might say.

Sad to say, this doesn’t apply just to news or current events. It also applies to matters of faith, to the Scriptures, to the Gospel, and to the person of Christ. People are constantly coming up with, and looking for, a new angle on these things--and, I must say, certainly for myself as a minster of the Gospel, I find them intriguing--and attractive. But, from my long years of ministry, I have learned one thing, and that is, if it doesn’t accord with Scripture or the teaching or the tradition of the historic church, then it needs to be treated with a certain amount of caution or suspicion, no matter how intriguing or attractive it might seem.

Because, as the apostle Paul points out, such deviations can have terribly harmful or detrimental effects on us as believers and on enquirers about the faith. They simply aren’t harmless ‘inventions’ but can be quite dangerous at times. So, it pays to be vigilant--and careful.

Amazing as it may seem to us rather ordinary people, we are all meant to be ‘on the road’, busy meeting and interacting with people, and--this is the amazing and surprising part, living out the Good News of Christ by word and example. One of my previous bishops once said--here I think he was right--‘you may be the only Jesus Christ that some people will ever meet.’ In other words, your words and example will largely determine what they know and think about Jesus, and therefore, how they will respond. It’s a pretty scary--and awesome--thought. So, back on the road, all of us, and on with the task.

Here’s a meditation that probably all of us can relate to. The Scriptures suggest that we should imitate the faith of Abraham and Sarah, and, at first glance, this seems pretty unreachable and impossible. But, when we look at their lives in greater detail, their examples seem pretty similar to our own struggles, so, there is something we can imitate there after all.

One of Jesus’ titles is Emmanuel, “God with us”, but scarcely do we ever consider just what that means in actuality. Scripture tells us that not only did He share our life and death, but also experienced all the joy, griefs and sorrows that we do, even to the point that He suffered through all the temptations that we undergo. And yes, there is even more: He even knows how we think, and in that, more than just in a general, non-specific sense. According to today’s psalm He knows how we think individually--and what led up to that, the circumstances and background--and so, can actually take that into consideration in His love and care for us. To me, that is pretty astounding, and gives me all the more reason to love, serve and trust Him.

An ‘active’ thanksgiving: an interesting, and somewhat provocative idea. Just how can we live out, day by day and moment by moment, an attitude of thanksgiving. There are so many things that I take for granted, and in this, I am sure that I am not alone. Just as I sit here at my desk, I can think of so many things, things like my comfortable and secure home, our lawns and gardens, our safe streets and sidewalks, the fresh air, the recent rains, good food and clean water, and so much else. And then, there are all of His spiritual blessings as well. Usually, I don’t even bother to think of all these things, much less give thanks for them--and certainly not that often in any tangible or outward way, like making sure that other people enjoy these things as well. Anyway, here is something to think about.

Today’s reading and meditation have an important lesson for us, not only though, as stated, that we need to persist in prayer, but also, as not stated, to even pray in the first place. I’m afraid that I am far too often ‘in that boat’. What I mean by that, is that I far too often neglect to pray. Sometimes, I figure that my worry or concern is far too small or insignificant to worry God about, things for instance like having a cold or having the aches and pains associated with my time of life. Or sometimes, I don’t go to God in prayer because I somehow think that the problems are too big or insurmountable, as with the problems about leadership in the church or with the deteriorated foundation walls of the church basement. I think that in today’s word, God is simply saying, pray anyway. "Pray whether you think that it’s too big, or too small. Just take it to me and let me take care of it, in whatever way is best.”

We all have regrets over things ‘done or left undone’. I think that it is part of life, part of what makes us fallible, imperfect human beings. But then there is the question of what we do with them. That question forms part of our meditation for today. I hope you find my ‘take’ on this helpful and inspiring.