Grace and peace in the name of the one who is the Word made flesh, Jesus the Christ!
As the church year ends this month, we hear of Jesus speaking uncomfortable truths to those gathered around Him. Jesus states the importance of authenticity in faith and in life to audiences that think they know what and why things are the way they are. No matter if it is Pilate, Mary and Martha; the sisters of Lazarus, or the disciples, Jesus is consistent towards God’s view of the world and us. That view isn’t as consistent with ours as we think it is.
Jesus looks down at those seeking attention, performing for an audience to make themselves look good or pious or holy. Jesus commends the lonely woman who gives without notice what she can or all that she has. Outside of Jesus, no one knows the exact motives we have. What looks authentic to one person is very artificial to another. It is easy for Jesus to view one act and know all about a person. We generally do not have that gift. We walk alongside one another in faith and life, exploring situations and community together. We as Lutheran Christians view our journey with the lens of being saved by grace through faith.
We see the grace of God found in Christ Jesus as that which makes up for what we cannot see or do. Some have heard me state that “I/We believe in a loving God that makes up the difference.” With All Saints Day remembrances coming, many remember those that have come before that made a difference in our life and our faith. They showed us what it means to be a person of faith. Whether they meant to or not. The imperfect life lived points the way to the one who makes up the difference.
This is part of the uncomfortable truth Jesus speaks of. We want to believe that we can do it, make it happen, or get it done. We cannot. It is with Jesus and as a part of God’s kingdom by the grace of God that we can. The invitation is to acknowledge the gift of grace, know where it comes from, and be gracious toward ourselves and one another.
Journeying with you in grace,
Pastor Chris