Friday, 6 August, 2002

From Between Cross & Resurrection by Alan E. Lewis



Again a word on what caused the reaction Jesus received from the powers of his day.

Far more than the words of Jesus, it was, of course, his pointed deeds which provoked such fury and retaliation. In the name of gracious law he scandalously acted out his challenge to the harshness of the law, embodying in concrete action his claim that the Sabbath law should serve humanity, not enslave it (Mk. 2:27); that unforgiving judgment on those who broke the moral code simply exposed hypocrisy in the accuser (Jn. 8:3ff.); and , above all, that God's coming kingdom, already inaugurated, would welcome and uplift the insignificant, the downtrodden, the despicable (Mk. 10:14; Lk. 19:1ff.)



The radical word of grace calls forth a radical life. That life, even as it is the life God invites us to share boldly in the world today, will not only bump into the structures of the "way things are" but the power of that structure will not tolerate such gracious living. Each time Jesus does what he does in those many stories we know so well...Jesus eating with the outcast...Jesus touching the untouchable...Jesus defending those who, according to the law, must be punished - even by death, we are given a glimpse of what is called the way of the cross - the coming of God's reign in the flesh....but also, a life lived totally against the way of the religious system. More and more I find this love of the Reign of God - a love we see in the manifestation of Jesus' whole life - like a beacon of light that keeps lifting up a way to live within the midst of all the pressures and pulls of what is generally accepted among us. I also find that there is a great pull in me to stay out of the light for it is a easier to live within the vast domain of what is dark, self centered, self-consumed, judgmental, controlling, unforgiving, and always in need of being right. Jesus kept bringing the light around to all the darkness...simply by being who he was. What a journey that must be.



Connection: Radical grace. It is a reality. It is a way of life. Sometimes we must allow its almost unbelievable power to rule over us...today is another opportunity to enter its rule.



God of Grace and God of Glory, you are the light that brings newness of life to all your beloved children. Empower us that we might walk within the light of your blessed reign and find renewal and refreshing joy in your presence. Amen