Proverbs 8:22-31
Is the universe a cold dark place - one that does not notice our coming into or out of existence? The expanse of the universe is so awesome as to be frightening. And indeed, human beings in ancient and modern times feared that this might be the case - that we tiny, short-lived, and vulnerable beings are not more than a dust mote in the vastness of space. In a way, the evidence leans us towards this bleak view. Many modern people struggle with the fear that even life itself is random accident - that meaning and purpose elude us. It is often labelled as "atheism," but I wonder whether the real issue is simply fear - fear of death, of oblivion, of our own smallness against the abyss. And even if we acknowledge that there is a God, how could this God, creator and ruler of galaxies of galaxies little notice or care about the fate of mere human beings.
The Old Testament consistently upholds the goodness of creation and its origin in God alone. That assertion ran contrary to the cultural perspectives of the ancient world which look cynically at the broken state of creation - at suffering, injustice, and death - and came to the conclusion that their "gods" were selfish and petty, Some even blamed the state of creation on malevolent forces rather than a benign creator.
But Israel's faith spoke of God's creation as "good." It did not deny sin and alienation, but it held that creation in itself was created by goodness for goodness. The broken state of affairs could be traced to human rebellion, not a flaw in creation or the creator.
So not today that the Book of Proverbs upholds this tradition. Creation is not random nor the work of evil forces. It is an expression of rationality - wisdom itself. It has purpose and the Creator Himself is written into its very fiber.
And this Lord of the Universe does more than merely pay attention to human beings - this God "delights" in humanity. At the heart of creation we do not have cold indifference or random chaos. Rather, the text sees the Creator as involved, present, caring, even playful.
The Old Testament consistently upholds the goodness of creation and its origin in God alone. That assertion ran contrary to the cultural perspectives of the ancient world which look cynically at the broken state of creation - at suffering, injustice, and death - and came to the conclusion that their "gods" were selfish and petty, Some even blamed the state of creation on malevolent forces rather than a benign creator.
But Israel's faith spoke of God's creation as "good." It did not deny sin and alienation, but it held that creation in itself was created by goodness for goodness. The broken state of affairs could be traced to human rebellion, not a flaw in creation or the creator.
So not today that the Book of Proverbs upholds this tradition. Creation is not random nor the work of evil forces. It is an expression of rationality - wisdom itself. It has purpose and the Creator Himself is written into its very fiber.
And this Lord of the Universe does more than merely pay attention to human beings - this God "delights" in humanity. At the heart of creation we do not have cold indifference or random chaos. Rather, the text sees the Creator as involved, present, caring, even playful.
Psalm 8:4-5, 6-7, 8-9
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Psalm 8, in its praise of creation, acknowledges the smallness of humanity. And yet it also wonders at the mystery of an all powerful Creator Who does indeed care. This God had made human beings in the Divine image and entrusted us with a role in the governance of creation. While the Old Testament does not use the word - this is really about grace - a free and loving gift. And in the gift we learn that the ultimate power in the universe is the power of love.
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Romans 5:1-5
The great theme of Paul's letter to the Romans is grace. Paul acclaims the grace of God Who saves human beings despite our unworthiness. The surprise for humanity is that our broken relationship with God need not be repaired by some deed of ours or even by a punishment. Instead, Jesus, the only Son, offers Himself in perfect love an trust to the Father. This perfect, reconciling, gift may be ours if we live in communion with this same Jesus. Our relationship with Him becomes our reconciliation and salvation. Paul's own biography demonstrates the point. He who was once persecutor has been drawn into the light of Christ - justified not by his own efforts but by the free gift of the One Who loves. Therefore, for Paul, discipleship is nothing less than living in communion with this Jesus - offering the whole of ourselves in love and trust to Him. Even our afflictions, with a response of faith, become a way in which we are united to the Lord. For this reason, the Lord has given His Spirit, to draw us into this communion of life and love and to sustain us in our response of faith.
John 16:12-15
Over a number of weeks of the Easter season, we heard from Jesus' farewell address to His disciples. In that address, which spans chapters 13-17, Jesus looks back over the meaning of His ministry and forward to the coming events of His Passion and beyond. One of the key themes is on display in this brief passage from Chapter 16 - that they must not fear or mourn His departure from earthly ministry. In this chapter, He speaks not only of His departure, but of the coming of the Advocate Who will be the presence of the Lord Jesus in His absence. In these verses the emphasis is upon the guidance that the Spirit will provide as they take up Jesus' ministry of reconciliation. And the narrative will reveal this promise and prophecy come to pass for the writing of the Gospel itself becomes one of the ways in which the Advocate guides the believers - "But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah and that you may have life in His name" (John 20:31).
