Friday 12 June 2009

William Willimon comments on the verse from Luke that ended yesterday's devotion (If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me).

Why would Jesus commend such a way? He seems to do so, not because of its potential human benefits and rewards, but simply because this is the way God is. This is the way reality is. This is the grain of the universe. He is thereby revealing the way the world is meant to be, all the way down. Without consideration of benefits or consequences, this is reality. A seed can only germinate and come to fruition when it falls to the earth and dies (John 12:24). Being most fully alive, being most completely who we are created to be, is a matter of self-expenditure. Self-giving is self-fulfillment. Whosoever loses a life, finds life. "Whoever does not love abideth in death" (1 John 3:14). The greatest of all is servant of all. Whoever wants to become great must turn and become as nothing but a little child.

Here we have the vision...the way. It is a fullness of life that may appear to be sheer folly. To give oneself away to others?!!? Won't people take advantage of us? Well, yes. Then again, need that anxiety defeat the coming of the Reign of God among us? I think Jesus would say it does not and it cannot defeat the coming of the Reign of God - for this Reign is sown and it will grow. It may only sprout up here and there...but it comes among us and invites us all to grow along the way. I am especially thankful for this insight: this is the grain of the universe. Good politics may be something else. Effectiveness may be something else. Prudent use of life may be something else. But then there is the way of Jesus and the coming of the Reign of God - a new way - a way that goes right to the root of the love of God that is the power for life to begin again and anew.

Connection: The vision is vital for how any of us walks into this day. It is a alien vision...but we are aliens in many and various ways - that's us...followers of Jesus.

Take root among us, O God, and help us to come to blossom with the life or your blessed Reign so that among us there will be a witness to the life that is the way you have invited us to take on and share the adventure of our lives. Amen.