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The 2nd Sunday after Christmas (A) Text: John 1:1-18 January 2, 2005 CHRISTIAN CONFIDENCE Stories…Every family has stories…stories that we eventually realize give our lives meaning…Stories that eventually, when their meanings are realized, can be translated into ways for us to live our life. Notice this week, the 2nd Sunday after Christmas, that our Christian family story is not here. No Virgin Mary, no baby Jesus, no wise men or innkeeper, or Shepherds watching their flocks by night. Instead, the Gospel of John translates the story for us—helping us to see (at least some of) the meaning of Christmas “It is God the only Son who is close to the Father’s heart, who has made him known (John 1:18).” “Making the Father know”—the “reason for the [Christmas] season,” if you will. Celebrating Jesus Christ’s birth and ultimately the enlightenment of people—God’s ultimate revelation—the revealing to humanity of God’s love and caring and participation in the lives of people. And this is exactly what Jesus Christ did while he lived some 2000 years ago, as the Gospel writer makes clear in this, the introduction to John—that Jesus, as the one who makes God the Father known-- to all the people that received/accepted him, “he gave the power to become the children of God (John 1:12).” And this is awesome news. Yet, as we look at the Gospel of John, we can see that along with the Good News of Jesus Christ, all is not well. There is something bothering John. For he also describes the situation in this way, “He [Jesus] came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him (John 1:10-11).” Now, it’s important here that we stop to reflect on what is being said. Jesus Christ came to his own people, that is, to those people of the house of Israel—and there were those who did not receive/accept him. Keep in mind that there were also those who did receive/accept Jesus from within the house of Israel—most notably, his disciples—Peter, James and John and the founders of the Christian Church. But John is saddened about the many who did not—Many Jews who were themselves called to be “a light to the nations,” according to the Prophet Isaiah (49:6)—did not recognize Jesus as “the true light which enlightens (not only Israel, but) everyone.” John is saddened by this and frustrated by the separation that occurred in his day (about 100 years after the actual birth of Jesus) between Christianity and Judaism. He is saddened and frustrated that not everyone is able to see the liberating good news that he now holds so dear to his heart. There is something going on here…something that has been happening since Cane and Abel…something that we should be able to understand ourselves quite well. A sibling rivalry of if you will. John describes those who had accepted/received Jesus as people now able to become children of God. But this begs the question, weren’t the Jews already the children of God by virtue of their ancestry? Weren’t they the chosen people? Children…Children of God… Now this, when you think about it, is an interesting phrase, isn’t it? What are children like anyway? Children can be a number of things…childish (selfish, insecure, tattle-tales, or downright mean), or children (as they are predominantly regarded throughout scripture) can be a blessing to their parents. The problem that we face, today, as in every age, is the tendency to be childish, rather than a blessing to our heavenly Father. Rather than being confident in our place, secure in our relationship with God, we turn our attention to being better than our neighbors (or more lovable than our siblings). And we, as human beings, continuously do this. Trying to get the upper hand before God, we take pride in the wrong things…being children of Abraham we forget to be children of God; being Roman we forget to be catholic; being Lutheran we forget to be Christian. To help us out, John does something very interesting to make a critical point…He begins his Gospel with some familiar words…”In the beginning…” Paralleling the very beginning of the whole Bible…Genesis 1:1 “In the beginning…when God created the heavens and the Earth,” and drawing our minds to the realization of who God is. God is the creator…God is not only the God of people who are in the right religion, but the God of everyone. God is not our God, as if to say God is not someone else’s God—just like when I say “my father,” I am not saying he isn’t also my brother’s father. The good news, Brothers and Sisters, is that we are chosen…elect…people who have become children of God—people whose eyes have been opened to the love that God has for all of his people and all of his creation. We are people chosen for a purpose…to participate in God’s mission…to be God’s light to the nations—and this has nothing to do with the choseness or non-chosenness of anyone else. For in the 15th Chapter of John, Jesus makes this clear, “You did not choose me, but I chose you (John 15:16).” And in calling God Father, or in calling ourselves children of God, it points to the fact that we do have a special place in God’s heart, each one of us. The problem that we face, as children, is the tendency to want to be God’s most special child…It seems we don’t like the idea that God might have relationships with…other people… and that it just might be alright for them to be them. I am nervous in preaching this today, because preaching Christian confidence can so easily be turned into Christian arrogance or insecurity when we look around God’s creation and see people who aren’t where we are in their relationship with our heavenly Father. But one very wise Christian says this: The doctrine of divine election has fallen into disrepute because those who were so chosen and called (the “elect”) so often saw themselves as exclusive beneficiaries of God’s choice, rather than as trustees [or “stewards”] on behalf of all the nations. But the disastrous misunderstanding, so manifest in the story of Israel and in the life of the church in all generations, cannot negate the fundamental truth of the doctrine of election. It is God who chooses, calls, and sends. He goes on. When I am questioned about my right to preach Jesus as Lord among the nations, I can only reply that I am a simple servant of one whom God has chosen and sent for the sake of all—Jesus Christ.[1] Brothers and Sisters, today as we head into this New Year, let us hear loud and clear the proclamation that we are called, chosen, and have been given the identity of the children of God, through the person and power of Jesus Christ—and by following him—we have been given a special mission to teach of God’s love and desire to be in a better relationship with everyone, and we have a special place in the kingdom of God. However, let us make a resolution, if you will, to be children, not in childishness (insecurity or arrogance), but let us be a blessing to God our Father, by pointing continually to the true light that enlightens all people—the Word of God—Jesus Christ!!! [1] Henry Newbigin, The Open Secret: An Introduction to the Theology of Mission, p17.
-------------------- Joshua W. Magyar Pella Lutheran Church 418 W. Main Street Sidney, MT 59270
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