The Feeding America organization calculates that one in five school-age children lives in a home without adequate food and yet is ineligible for free or reduced lunch. With the skyrocketing rental fees, it is estimated that over half a million Americans are homeless. The church could and should do better on this range of issues. Famed 20th-century American theologian Reinhold Niebuhr makes a most valid point in this connection:
Much of Christian teaching down the ages has been in terms of serving or saving the soul, but not the body. What we do in the body affects the attitudes of the soul. (Justice and Mercy, p. 68)
Martin Luther King, Jr. explicitly addressed the poverty issue (and what he said in his lifetime still applies today regarding our capabilities to solve the problem):
There is nothing new about poverty. What is new, however, is that we now have the resources to get rid of it... Today, therefore, the question on the agenda must read: Why should there be hunger and privation in any land, in any city, at any table, when man has the resources and the scientific know-how to provide all humankind with the basic necessities of life? (Where Do We Go From Here?)
If your sermon is more focused on the theme of the Lord is our righteousness (v.6), John Wesley’s remarks in a sermon on this text are relevant. He proclaimed:
But when is it [the Lord’s righteousness] imputed? When they believe. In that very hour the righteousness of Christ is theirs... Faith and the righteousness of Christ are inseparable. (Works [Baker ed.], Vol.6, p.237)
Mark E.
* * *
Luke 1:68-79
Commenting on this hymn of praise John Calvin noted:
This passage reminds us that, so long as the church continues her pilgrimage in the world she lives amongst her foes, and would be exposed to their violence, if Christ were not always at hand to grant assistance. But such is the inestimable grace of Christ, that, though we are surrounded on every side by enemies, we enjoy a sure and undoubted salvation. (Calvin’s Commentaries, Vol.XVI/1, p.71)
To this comfort he adds:
Hence it follows, that the grace and power of Christ are not confined by the narrow limits of this fading life, but are everlasting; that they are not terminated by dearth of the flesh, for the soul survives the death of the body... (Ibid.,p.72)
John Wesley found another gift of faith offered in the text:
Without any slavish fear [v.74]. Here is the substance of the great promise, that we shall be always holy, always happy; that being delivered from Satan and sin, from every uneasy and unholy temper, we shall joyfully love and serve God in every thought, word, and work. (Commentary On the Bible, p. 435)
Mark E.
* * *
Colossians 1:11-20
In C.S. Lewis’ classic story Prince Caspian: The Return to Narnia, there is a wonderful exchange between Lucy and the lion, Aslan. Lucy is in the woods and hears a voice calling her name. She then notices the great beast sitting on a hill, illumined by a full moon. Excitedly, Lucy runs to him and throws herself into his soft, silky mane. Aslan rolls over, and Lucy finds herself laying between his paws, looking up into his large face.
“Aslan, you’re bigger,” says Lucy.
The majestic creature answers, “That is because you are older, little one.”
Lucy, confused by this remark, asks, “Not because you are?”
Aslan assures her, “I am not. But every year you grow, you will find me bigger.”
Paul is writing to the Christians in Colossae. He reminds them that they have a relationship with the most powerful and incredible person ever. The descriptions of Jesus in this passage resound with his glory. C.S. Lewis wrote it well. Every year you grow, you find him bigger.
Bill T.
* * *
Colossians 1:11-20
January of 1977, our New Testament professor showed us a mural from Mausoleum M under St Peter’s in Rome, depicting Christ as Apollo. Jesus is riding the chariot of the sun. (By the way, you can easily download a public domain photo of this image and display it during your message.) Was this an attempt by some early Christians in Rome to place Jesus among the pantheon of other gods they worshipped? Was this disrespectful, or even blasphemous? Probably not. It’s a reminder that we bring our own life story, our background, with us when we come to know Christ, and we have to work very hard not to make Jesus look like us when we become Christian. Jesus is not Apollo, and he is not an American. I think Paul is speaking to this in these words we read on Christ the King Sunday. ”He is the image of the invisible God….” Paul writes. Right away, we want to clarify that image. Thrones, dominions, rulers, powers, these are references to different gods and angels and daimons and other spiritual beings and Paul wants us to make sure we recognize Jesus as Lord. But instead of sitting on Mount Olympus tossing down lightning bolts, Jesus descends into our midst and makes peace (something the emperors do with a club) through the cross. This is what it means to be Christ the king.
Frank R.
* * *
Luke 23:33-43
Ancient African monk Macarius profoundly described the nature of Christ’s kingship:
If I say, carnal persons so desire the glory of an earthly king, how much more those whom the touch of the divine Spirit of life has touched and whose heart divine love has pierced with a desire for Christ, the heavenly king, who have been captivated by his beauty and ineffable glory, and by the incorruptible comeliness and incomprehensible riches of the true and eternal king, Christ! They are held captive by desire and longing for him. Their whole being is directed completely toward him. (Pseudo-Macarius, p.65).
Martin Luther was preaching on this lesson. He proclaimed:
The eye does not see him [Christ] arrayed in beauty or in wealth but finds him ignominiously hanging there [on the cross] in misery and wretchedness. But if we look into his heart we shall discover ornaments so bright and treasures so rich that we can never sufficiently thank him for them. (Sermons On the Passion of Christ, pp.178-179)
Mark E.
