The opening piece is from “Union with Christ” – The New Finnish Interpretation of Luther.
…theosis (participation in God) and the theology of the cross do not exclude each other. On the contrary, they belong inseparably together. The theology of the cross is the necessary context of the idea of participation in God.
This is where God meets us…at death’s door…at the very worst of what life can hand us…in the complete and utter experience of abandonment. Our lives can be ripped open quite easily. They can be torn apart by comments or actions that treat us as though we are of little or no worth. When we say that God dies on the cross…that Jesus, suffered the death of an ugly crucifixion, we are saying that our God does not stay at a distance from us. This “God with us”…the “Immanuel” that we sing about in the season of Advent as Christmas approaches…is not some alien who drops in to see what it is all like here on planet earth. Our God fully participates in what it is to be me and you and those we would call enemy and scum. Sometimes I think we are afraid to see our God so tied to us and with us. It is as though we would push God away from us even though God never leaves our side.
Connection: Not far from your fears and pains and disappointment and greatest joys is the God who brings all things into existence and make all things new. That is some wonderful involvement in your life!
By your Gracious Love, O God, you continue to abide with us and we are strengthened by your loving presence. Amen.
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