Lent Twenty Four "Get up and Walk"

 

Self Portrait - Ben Quilty

If I lose at play, I blaspheme, and if my fellow loses, he blasphemes, so that God is always sure to be the loser. 

John Donne, sermon, 1623

In the beginning, God decided to be the loser.  Others have accused him of also being a liar, for he said if you go against my wishes and eat of this tree, that day, you will surely die.  Those who know the Creator know that this is true.  To be separated from the Creator is like death.  It is like the children who are born into loveless, emotionless homes.  To be without our Creator is to be born into a world low on oxygen.  But from the beginning God made a way to restore the bond.

 Letter to the Hebrew Believers Chapter Three and Four

 So this Jesus deserves to be heard, and honoured. We revere great leaders from the past, and Jesus deserves to be given the greatest place. When you hear his voice, do not cringe, or turn away. This fate has happened to so many people who have spoken for the Creator. It is such an insult, and deeply upsetting. This is why in anger it was said- “They will not be able to live with me and share my home.” Beware! This is certainly very serious. To turn away in derision is to cut your own life-line.  But the Creator has not left it there. A way back to the place of rest has been made. Even in the height of the Creator’s anger, there is mercy. There have been times in history when our people have been able to rest. But they have been like the Sabbath; the following day we return to work. The message from the Creator is precise and actuate. It is like a sharp knife, cutting the good meat off the bone. It is clear about what is healthy and true, and what is fabricated. Before the Creator, nothing is hidden. So we have a skilled ‘advocate’, Jesus, who understands our weakness because he has seen it all. We can step forward before our Creator with courage knowing that we will receives mercy and grace.

PRAYER:  You are the source of my life and I honour you.