Luke 6:27–38; Psalm 37:1–11, 39–40; and 1 Corinthians 15:35–38, 42–50
Team Canada became champions after beating the United States in the 4 Nations Face-Off. I felt the Canadian passion when I saw three fights in last week’s game. So, on the one hand, I have been concerned about recent American leaders and their policies. Of course, in my home country, there are jokes like this. When Korea and Japan play football, the Korean team must win. Adults say we should not lose to Japan, even in rock, scissors, paper, and shoot. I often feel this way when I watch ice hockey games. And I think about hope and desire.
David confesses. In verse 9, “but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land.” What are your hopes? When I first arrived in Canada, I wished to complete my studies well. I thought pastoring a Canadian church was a distant future. About ten days ago, two alumni pastors from the United Church visited our church. They came to Canada long before me but serve in a more rural area. And they looked at me with such wonder. Of course, their tendencies are closer to the Presbyterian church than the United Church. At the same time, they praised me for pioneering a new path in the Presbyterian Church in Canada. When I moved to Red Deer six months ago, I was heartbroken to discover that there was no Presbyterian church east of Red Deer to the Saskatchewan border. When we last looked at Alberta Christian statistics, there were about 20,000 Presbyterians in our province, or 1% of all Christians. Of course, we can make the world more beautiful with just a few meaningful people. But I hope more. It is a thought about the hope of sharing the same values, having healthy discussions with direction, and living a life of faith and serving. And I thought I should serve the church beautifully here. I had hoped that there would be a growing Presbyterian Church in central Alberta. No, I had a desire. And then I prayed. I thought it would be nice if Knox church were like a reservoir. Reservoirs send water to places it is needed and maintain its abundance daily. I dream that our church will become a reservoir of grace like that, helping those around us, retaining abundant grace, and becoming a hope and model for many churches. Thankfully, I feel joy as many church members actively try many things and dedicate themselves to creating a beautiful community of faith together. And this is top secret. My wife loves our church members and loves Red Deer, so she often looks at houses on real estate websites and hopes to purchase a house as a long-term plan. Of course, I think I will buy it someday. She will take the land because she hopes and loves the Lord.
Secondly, if David walked the path of hope, Jesus Christ presents us with the path of love. Love is about taking on challenges. Jesus’ perspective shows that love transcends all boundaries. It goes beyond just taking care of people who are comfortable with us. So, in verse 32, “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And this love is expanding its scope even further. Jesus advises us to love even our enemies, those who hate us. Maybe these words of Jesus are also words of hope. We know very well how difficult this can be. What about loving the person who bullied my child? Or would it be easy to love those who gave my parents a hard time? However, it is not easy. What about embracing the person who breaks our hearts? Jesus’ words today are very challenging. It’s hard. Nevertheless, there is a reason why Jesus speaks to us and asks us to do so. Why is that so? That’s because Jesus did it. Because God did like it. He sent His beloved Jesus Christ to this earth to save people who had become distant from God due to sin. Through him, God built a bridge between God and humans. Jesus was used as a peace offering. As we all know, God proved His love for us by spending a time of extreme suffering on that cross. He says that he loves us humans so deeply and sincerely. Jesus Christ also prays to God for those who have crucified and condemned him. “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” (Lk 23:34)
Most people cannot sleep comfortably when someone insults or humiliates them. What if something unfair happens to us? I feel very stressed. What about when someone I trust betrays me? That sense of betrayal comes as a great pain in proportion to the trust you had placed in it. However, Jesus now prays for those who have gone far beyond this and perhaps caused even more suffering than the enemy. “Father, forgive them.” The principle of faith is simple. It is to imitate Christ and follow his words. So let us follow this path. Just as Jesus said, “bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 29 If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. 30 Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. 31 Do to others as you would have them do to you. 36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” Let us forgive and try to forgive again. The more we try to understand someone, the better God will treat us.
Lastly, let us live in hope of God’s kingdom. Paul explains to us the resurrection of the body and the new world. He provides detailed information about his perspective on existence after death. He explains that it returns to new life only when a seed dies. If it remains only as a seed, it will not change into any future being. Likewise, humans can live as altruistic beings only if we die from selfish desires. Your horizons can expand from a life where you only thought about things on earth. You can look at the sky and see the world through God’s eyes. Finally, with this hope of the kingdom of God, we can become heavenly people. God spoke the way through Jesus Christ and Paul. My beloved, let us walk this way together. The way of love, the way of hope, and the way of service. Through this, I believe that God will accomplish His plan and work. Amen.