Author: knoxchurchreddeer

John 9:1-34, Psalm 23, and Ephesians 5:8-14

 

There is a book called “Courage To Be Disliked.” Japanese authors Ichiro Kishimi and Fumitake Koga wrote a reflection on modern humans based on the theories of psychologist Alfred Adler. The Courage to Be Disliked unfolds as a dialogue between a philosopher and a young man who, over the course of five enriching conversations, realizes that each of us is in control of our life’s direction, independent of past burdens and others’ expectations. Wise, empowering, and profoundly liberating, this book is a life-changing experience that shows you a path to lasting happiness and how to finally be the person you truly want to be.

I suddenly talked about Courage To Be Disliked. This is due to one agenda item and the decision-making process at the presbytery meeting held last Thursday evening. Since I came to the presbytery, it has not been common to go through the voting process on agenda items. However, this time the votes were split between one-third and two-thirds in favour and against. Actually, I held both opinions: the one I could agree with, and the one I opposed due to a lack of equity. However, I did not express my opinion on either side. On the other hand, since it was a Zoom meeting, I was able to confirm who was in favour and who was against. So, on the one hand, I thought deeply about why I didn’t actively express my opinion after the meeting. Of course, I sympathized with both sides, but I reflected on whether I was worried that expressing my stance might make someone uncomfortable. As I did so, I began to think that perhaps I lacked the courage to be disliked, as I had mentioned just moments ago.

Honestly, I wish I had never had to go through life being criticized by others. However, there are times when we unintentionally find ourselves in such a situation. In this respect, our Jesus is truly unrivalled. Even in John chapter 9, Jesus stands at the center of a controversy. He is not afraid of the criticism and attacks he receives from the Pharisees and other Jews. What was the reason they attacked Jesus? First, Jesus broke the law. The law is that people must not engage in productive activities on the Sabbath. Therefore, a doctor cannot heal a patient on the Sabbath. If Jesus had not come 2,000 years ago, we would not have been able to receive treatment if we went to a hospital emergency room on Saturday or Sunday. We understand very well that this is wrong. The reason we can easily distinguish right from wrong today is that we know our priorities. We know now that human life is far more precious to us than the Sabbath. However, for many Jews at that time, doctrine was a much stronger factor in their choice than life. However, at that time, Jesus had a clear priority. It was the salvation and life of the people. God wanted the people of Israel to understand Jesus’ intentions and teachings. Even the blind man’s mother could not tell the truth about her blind son regaining his sight, for fear of suffering disadvantages from the Jewish community she lived in. However, Jesus boldly shines His light on the blind man’s life as the light of the world.

Second, Jesus challenged their notion that disability is caused by sin and that the cause lies with the individual or their parents. Rather, Jesus uses people with disabilities as an opportunity and a tool to reveal God’s glory. I believe that there are hardly any modern people who think that having a disability is the result of religious sin. There are many diseases whose causes have not yet been discovered, even with advanced medical technology. It is a very cruel act to label minorities who are not cared for by the existing religious system as sinners. People with disabilities or patients are subjects of healing and care. Therefore, they need to receive even greater consideration and support. However, what would happen if we branded them as sinners? The basis for helping them disappears. A person who comes into contact with a sinner becomes an unclean sinner according to the purity laws. It creates the effect of pushing minorities further to the margins of society. However, Jesus acts differently from these Jewish leaders. Rather, Jesus makes disadvantaged people receive attention. The Lord raises minorities from the margin to the center. Today, the case of the blind person is like that. He was a being whom no one cared about. However, Jesus healed him. And he became a very famous figure in that village. This blind man does not fear even the threats of the Pharisees, who would expel him from the synagogue if he acknowledged Jesus as the Christ. He boldly proclaims that Jesus came from God.

Here, we can find about two things. The first is the fact that miracles instill courage. The Jews and the mother saw the same miracle. However, they could not confess Jesus as the Christ. However, the blind man, who was poor and had no choice but to beg, confesses and proclaims Jesus. Rather, he tells those who call Jesus a sinner not to insult the prophet. A person who had been begging without a job or possessions until just moments ago experienced a miracle of healing from Jesus. Then, his fear disappeared. He is reborn as a figure who boldly stands up even to the Pharisees, who were religiously learned and held power in the society of that time. He also resolved to live as a disciple of Jesus. It was the life of a disciple, in which persecution from the world awaited. However, he stands up with confidence and courage.

Next, here is the paradox of miracles. It is precisely the fact that the blind man saw what the Jews with normal eyes could not see. Some research shows that if one of a person’s senses weakens, another becomes stronger. Even though they have ears, the Pharisees cannot hear the blind man’s story. The blind man looked at the work of God being done through Jesus. He had deep insight into the fact that no one other than God could perform such a miracle.

All of this was made possible through the ministry of Jesus and the blind man’s sincere confession. Beloved, the Apostle Paul exhorted the believers in Ephesus. “⁸ For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light.”

A blind man, in darkness, saw the light in Jesus Christ and found the courage to live as a child of light. ⁹ (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth. The confession of truthfulness and courage shown by the blind man exists within our faith as well. Why is that? This is because we all confess Jesus as the Christ. I hope that through this faith and this confession, we may become people who spend the miraculous daily life given by the Lord with gratitude. Amen.

Exodus 17:1-7, Psalm 95, and Romans 5:1-11

 

It is a time when thoughts of peace are desperately needed. Every time I hear world news, it keeps me from feeling at ease. I just pray that the wars end as soon as possible.

What are some things that disturb peace in modern life? Financial instability, difficulties in interpersonal relationships, concerns about parents or children, health, etc. If you look for them, there will be countless. On the contrary, I think about the elements that create peace: church members, prayer, God, sanctuary, home, food, and so on. When I think about it, I often find many reasons to be grateful.

In the story of Exodus, the Israelites, following Moses, complain because they have no water. When anyone is thirsty, it is easy to complain and lose peace. But God closely observes the thoughts of these Israelites. This is verse 7. “And he called the place Massah and Meribah because the Israelites quarreled and because they tested the Lord saying, “Is the Lord among us or not?”

They doubted God and tested the Creator. “Is the Lord among us or not?” Those who abide in God’s Word make different choices in times of discomfort. Those who trust in God are wary of letting discomfort turn into complaints. Everyone walked through the wilderness under the same conditions. It was not an easy journey for Moses, either. Of course, he did protest and complain to God in some cases, but fundamentally, he trusted God. He obeyed the command to strike the rock of Mount Horeb with his staff. It is strange to strike a rock with a stick, but it is not reasonable to say that water will come out of it. This is an unscientific expression.

Let’s imagine I was given a revelation that if I went out into the field and struck the ground with my staff, oil would come out. Do you believe this? You and I both think this is absolutely absurd.

However, Moses believed God’s word and experienced God’s grace and peace. The Creator gave him. Dear friends, how wonderful it would be if, like Moses, we too could hear God’s voice every time we pray. But we know this is difficult. So, we understand God’s will through the Bible and live by faith. When we read the book of Romans, we realize that Paul explains that we can find peace through Jesus Christ. By faith, we can receive grace and hope and enjoy the glory of God. When we hold this belief, we are justified. We have peace with God. Why is that? Because we know that suffering produces perseverance; ⁴ perseverance, character; and character, hope. ⁵ And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

As Christians, we can sing of hope even in times of suffering. Even in times of crisis, we can seek God’s wisdom and hope for His plan to be fulfilled through us. Why is this so? Because the passionate and boundless love of Jesus Christ, who loved sinners so much that he gave himself up on the cross, is within us today. We have now received reconciliation through Jesus. I hope that during this Lenten season, we will enjoy reconciliation and peace and strive to live for them. Amen.