Hebrews 13:1-2 says, "Keep on loving each other as brothers and sisters. Don't forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it." I have always been intrigued by this text. To think that heavenly beings would mingle among us sparks a number of possibilities in our imagination. Perhaps the writer of Hebrews is remembering the encounter Abraham and Sarah had with the messengers of God Abraham welcomed to dine with him, who later shared the news that he and Sarah would have a son in their old age. His invitation had made welcome these strangers.
William Barclay writes, "Christianity was, and still should be, the religion of the open door." In a time when the talk of walls and other means of exclusion seem to dominate our conversations, we would do well to remember Barclay's words and these of the writer of Hebrews. God's persistent love isn't defeated by the barriers we often erect in our own lives. "While we were yet sinners," Paul writes, "Christ died for us." It would seem that the welcoming arms of God, made manifest in the incarnate Christ, should serve to remind us of the need and value of every human heart.
Perhaps the words of this text from Hebrews 13 call us to view our world with different eyes, to look for God in the stranger who comes among us. We have been blessed this week to welcome "strangers" who have come among us. Our hypothermia guests have found shelter, nourishment, and rest within the walls of our church building. In their uncertain world, we and other churches are providing a haven of welcome...hospitality in an often inhospitable world. If we are to believe the words of Jesus, when offering this hospitality to strangers, we are truly offering it to him. In the context of judgment in Matthew 25, Jesus says the King will welcome those who have welcomed and cared for persons whose lives have been shaken by the burdens and hardships of life. "I tell you the truth," the King says, "when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me."
I believe I have seen and heard Christ during this week of hypothermia at Westwood, finding him in the faces and stories of these "strangers" we have welcomed among us. In honoring the word of Christ by opening our doors and hearts, we have welcomed God among us, seeing the Divine as strangers have become friends. Christianity is, as Barclay asserts, "the religion of the open door." May we continue to hold open that door for all who come.
I look forward to welcoming you and sharing from God's word as we gather for worship this Sunday. I will be preaching from Micah 6:1-8 on the topic, "A Simple Prescription." Take a moment to read this powerful text and come expectantly as we worship together this Sunday, and yes, why not invite someone to join you.
Jim Abernathy
Friday, January 27, 2017
Friday, January 20, 2017
How Do We Move Forward?
Donald Trump will be sworn in as our nation's 45th president on Friday. Some question the legitimacy of his presidency. Some will march over the weekend to protest his policies. Some will celebrate his inauguration, believing that he is the right person for the job. Regardless of one's perspective, it seems our nation is clearly divided, and that will most likely not change any time soon.
The issues and personalities that have given platform and voice to this division have not suddenly arisen. Certainly there have been wide variances of perspective and political practice in our nation's history, producing contentious division that lasted well beyond inauguration day. I don't remember a time, however, when this contention has so permeated the conversations, friendships, and ongoing relationships of neighbors, co-workers, and family members. Passions run high on both sides of this political divide, creating among other things, a lack of respect for those whose opinions differ from our own. The challenge before us as a nation then, seems to be, "How do we move forward?".
Considering the enormity of the challenge, perhaps we find encouragement not in the task of transforming an entire nation, but recognizing our role in making a difference right where we live. That, I believe begins with respect and prayer. The apostle Paul, writing in I Timothy 2, says, "The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how for everyone you know. Pray especially for rulers and their governments to rule well so we can be quietly about our business of living simply, in humble contemplation. This is the way our Savior God wants us to live." (I Timothy 2:1-3, The Message) Paul doesn't mention being in agreement with these people we are to pray for, even rulers. He does, however, communicate something that I believe has particular relevance for us today as we think about those who lead our nation. Again, he writes, "Pray especially for rulers and their governments to rule well..." I would hope that those elected to these vital tasks of governance, would want what young Solomon asked for when given the opportunity to claim any gift for himself as he began his rule. In I Kings 3, the Lord comes to him in a dream to ask what gift he might want to rule over his people. He could have claimed great wealth, but he did not. He could have claimed great influence, but he did not. He could have asked for mighty military power, but he did not. He said, "Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people."
Wisdom is a gift of God that moves human hearts and minds to meaningful action. Through two administrations during my tenure at Westwood, I have publicly prayed for the leaders of our nation, asking God to give wisdom for the enormous responsibilities they carry in seeking to govern. I will continue to do so as a new administration begins and I encourage you to do the same. Regardless of your perspective, party affiliation, or particular ideology, I ask that we be faithful in obedience to God's word, faithful in respecting others even when we disagree, and faithful in prayer for each other and for the leaders of our nation. To do so doesn't mean your voice must be silent when you disagree, nor does it mean that you must follow in lock-step conformity without thinking and making decisions on your own. It does, however, mean that in uncertain times, your will trust God to be at work, even through the flawed exercise of human government.
"Pray every way you know how for everyone you know. Pray especially for rulers and their governments to rule well..." Amen.
Jim Abernathy
The issues and personalities that have given platform and voice to this division have not suddenly arisen. Certainly there have been wide variances of perspective and political practice in our nation's history, producing contentious division that lasted well beyond inauguration day. I don't remember a time, however, when this contention has so permeated the conversations, friendships, and ongoing relationships of neighbors, co-workers, and family members. Passions run high on both sides of this political divide, creating among other things, a lack of respect for those whose opinions differ from our own. The challenge before us as a nation then, seems to be, "How do we move forward?".
Considering the enormity of the challenge, perhaps we find encouragement not in the task of transforming an entire nation, but recognizing our role in making a difference right where we live. That, I believe begins with respect and prayer. The apostle Paul, writing in I Timothy 2, says, "The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how for everyone you know. Pray especially for rulers and their governments to rule well so we can be quietly about our business of living simply, in humble contemplation. This is the way our Savior God wants us to live." (I Timothy 2:1-3, The Message) Paul doesn't mention being in agreement with these people we are to pray for, even rulers. He does, however, communicate something that I believe has particular relevance for us today as we think about those who lead our nation. Again, he writes, "Pray especially for rulers and their governments to rule well..." I would hope that those elected to these vital tasks of governance, would want what young Solomon asked for when given the opportunity to claim any gift for himself as he began his rule. In I Kings 3, the Lord comes to him in a dream to ask what gift he might want to rule over his people. He could have claimed great wealth, but he did not. He could have claimed great influence, but he did not. He could have asked for mighty military power, but he did not. He said, "Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people."
Wisdom is a gift of God that moves human hearts and minds to meaningful action. Through two administrations during my tenure at Westwood, I have publicly prayed for the leaders of our nation, asking God to give wisdom for the enormous responsibilities they carry in seeking to govern. I will continue to do so as a new administration begins and I encourage you to do the same. Regardless of your perspective, party affiliation, or particular ideology, I ask that we be faithful in obedience to God's word, faithful in respecting others even when we disagree, and faithful in prayer for each other and for the leaders of our nation. To do so doesn't mean your voice must be silent when you disagree, nor does it mean that you must follow in lock-step conformity without thinking and making decisions on your own. It does, however, mean that in uncertain times, your will trust God to be at work, even through the flawed exercise of human government.
"Pray every way you know how for everyone you know. Pray especially for rulers and their governments to rule well..." Amen.
Jim Abernathy
Friday, January 13, 2017
What Is Truth?
In the interaction between Pilate and Jesus in those last moments before Jesus was condemned to die, Jesus told Pilate that he came into the world to testify to the truth. "All who love the truth recognize that what I say is true," Jesus said. Then Pilate asked the question that was left unanswered; "What is truth?" In an ever changing world, that question is often yet unanswered.
Throughout the recent presidential campaign, much was made about the role of truth and integrity. Neither candidate fared well when pollsters asked voters about the subject of trustworthiness. Indeed, some comparisons focused less on leadership or substantive issues, settling instead on who seemed to lie the least. The question of truth has often factored into presidential politics, as candidates, or their representatives, rearrange facts to suit their own needs. This wink and a nod approach to truth has at times been treated as an acceptable part of the political process, prompting again the age old question, "what is truth?".
This week, one of the president-elect's advisors, when asked about something questionable he had said, encouraged people to focus less on his words and more on his heart. Does her suggestion imply that words and their meanings have little significance in the context of truth? I don't understand how they can be separated, for integrity begins within and finds its authentic expression in words and action. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus spoke of the significance of this correlation between heart and the spoken word when he said, "Let your yes be yes, and your no, no," or put another way, simply tell the truth.
Pilate seemed to look for a way to escape the impossible situation thrust upon him. He found no guilt in Jesus and wanted to release him, but the pressure of the crowd overshadowed the question of truth, and he gave in to the expedient instead of following the truth.
Scripture tells us that Jesus could see into the human heart...not so easy, however, for you and me. Words therefore are important, regardless of one's position in this world. For the follower of Jesus Christ, they are to bear evidence to the authenticity of the heart. Truth does matter, in heart and in word.
Today and every day, let us be mindful of the words of Jesus; "You will know the truth and the truth will set you free." Amen and Amen!
Jim Abernathy
Throughout the recent presidential campaign, much was made about the role of truth and integrity. Neither candidate fared well when pollsters asked voters about the subject of trustworthiness. Indeed, some comparisons focused less on leadership or substantive issues, settling instead on who seemed to lie the least. The question of truth has often factored into presidential politics, as candidates, or their representatives, rearrange facts to suit their own needs. This wink and a nod approach to truth has at times been treated as an acceptable part of the political process, prompting again the age old question, "what is truth?".
This week, one of the president-elect's advisors, when asked about something questionable he had said, encouraged people to focus less on his words and more on his heart. Does her suggestion imply that words and their meanings have little significance in the context of truth? I don't understand how they can be separated, for integrity begins within and finds its authentic expression in words and action. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus spoke of the significance of this correlation between heart and the spoken word when he said, "Let your yes be yes, and your no, no," or put another way, simply tell the truth.
Pilate seemed to look for a way to escape the impossible situation thrust upon him. He found no guilt in Jesus and wanted to release him, but the pressure of the crowd overshadowed the question of truth, and he gave in to the expedient instead of following the truth.
Scripture tells us that Jesus could see into the human heart...not so easy, however, for you and me. Words therefore are important, regardless of one's position in this world. For the follower of Jesus Christ, they are to bear evidence to the authenticity of the heart. Truth does matter, in heart and in word.
Today and every day, let us be mindful of the words of Jesus; "You will know the truth and the truth will set you free." Amen and Amen!
Jim Abernathy
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