New Creations In Christ
Sermon
Sermons on the Second Readings
Series II, Cycle C
Object:
There once was a very unhappy old man. For him, things were never right and, thus, he grumbled quite a bit. He complained that he had to get up in the morning, and when nightfall came it was too soon. He complained when he had to work, but found it boring when he did not work. He talked about how people paid insufficient attention to him, yet when others spoke to him he seemed annoyed or irritated. He hated it when it rained and found the sun too hot when it shined. In winter, he longed for the summer and in summer for the fall. All-in-all the old man was miserable.
One day he stopped at a fruit stand, but things there were no better. He found some of the fruit was too ripe and the rest was not ripe enough. He left, disgusted, but as he did, the fruit seller said, "I wish you new eyes, sir, child eyes." "New eyes," thought the old man as he walked away. "I have never used glasses; my vision has never been sharper." A week later, he again stopped at the fruit stand. The fruit seller had the fruit he didn't want and did not have the fruit he wanted. As he was leaving the fruit seller said, "I wish you kingdom eyes, sir." "Kingdom eyes?" This puzzled the old man. But no matter, he was busy, and thus let it pass.
Sometime later, the man stopped at the fruit stand once again. It was, however, the same old story. Everything he didn't want and nothing he wanted; some things overripe and others not ripe enough. And as he left the fruit seller told him, "I wish you treasure-hunting eyes, sir." The man was perplexed at the comment, not knowing what the seller was saying. In spite of himself, the old man began to think about what the fruit seller had been saying to him. What did he mean by new eyes, child eyes, kingdom eyes, and treasure-hunting eyes? The next time he went to the stand, he pressed the fruit seller to to explain. "Well, you see," the fruit seller began, "one day there was a stranger in town. He spoke of many things, but a few things really stuck in my head. He spoke of the kingdom of God being within you and that in order to find it one had to become like a child. On another occasion the stranger was present and so, too, was a man blind from birth. He went to the blind man and asked if he wanted to see and, of course, the man said, 'Yes.' And then the man's eyes were opened and he was delighted in all that he saw. I was confused about all this and thus I spoke to the stranger saying, 'Please, sir, give me new eyes.' And he responded, 'I will. I give you child eyes, kingdom eyes, and treasure-hunting eyes.' I thanked him and he left.
"That was the last time I saw the man, but from that time forward I saw things differently. Where before I saw only darkness, I now saw stars and fireflies. When before I felt only pain, I now discovered a new door to joy. While before I could see nothing worthwhile, now I found much at which to marvel. Where before I lived in a desert of doubt and despair, now I found a fountain of faith, and where in the past I was irritated at people, now I saw something wonderful in them, something that reminded me of the stranger and I rejoiced."
The old man left trying not to think of the fruit seller's story, but no matter how hard he tried he could not shake it off. The more he thought about it the more he wished for new eyes for himself. He began to think about the stranger hoping that he would return. If he did he would ask for new eyes, also. He worried about how he would make his request to the stranger so he practiced. In fact, he found it easy to put his request to music. He sang the refrain all day: "Give me new eyes, sir, child eyes, kingdom eyes, treasure-hunting eyes. Give me new eyes."
Then one day he stopped at the fruit stand and saw the fruit seller was very sad. "What has happened?" he asked. The fruit seller replied, "I have just received news that the stranger has been arrested and will be put to death today." The old man went home and cried for his chance for new eyes was now gone. Yet, because the song had become so much a part of his life, he continued to sing it, and to his great surprise, three days after the stranger was put to death, he suddenly felt like scales had fallen from his eyes, and he began to see things differently. Where before he saw only darkness, now he saw light. Where before he saw only the injuries done against him, now he saw how much he was loved and he was able to demonstrate forgiveness that healed his wounds. Where before he had seen nothing of value, now he found many hidden treasures. Where before he experienced only boredom and suspicion, now he lived in wonderment and trust, and where before people had irritated him, he now saw in them something that reminded him of the stranger. And he knew that the stranger lived.1
The old man was bitter, arrogant, and resisted change, but through the persistence and love of the fruit seller he came to realize his need for transformation, conversion, and a new way of thinking. He needed the new eyes which the stranger had given the fruit seller. In the end he found what he needed through the power of the stranger.
This fable is clearly an Easter story of the new life that Jesus' resurrection brings, not only to himself, but more importantly to all of God's people, the faithful who believe. Today, in our lesson from the book of Revelation, the seer John tells us of the new creation Christ will create in us. It is certainly a welcome message amidst a society which often devalues the very virtues Christ celebrated in his life. We, like the old man, must seek the new eyes which only Jesus can provide.
In today's reading from Revelation, we hear that God will create a new heaven and a new earth, and a new Jerusalem will come down from the heavens. John is referring to what he said earlier (20:11) that earth and heaven have fled from God's presence. Those who were not worthy, the wicked, have been driven to punishment into the lake of fire (20:15). Thus, the new creation is the apex of John's Revelation. Those who have survived the great period of trial, the redeemed of humanity, must be received by a creation that is renewed and refurbished. This new creation is manifest in some very specific ways. First, John says the sea was no more. In the chaos of the primeval world, the sea was aroused by brutal forces and gave rise to myths of monsters. God will destroy this sea in the new creation. Brutal power and violence present in the old sea are incompatible with the peace that will come. Along with the new sea comes a new Jerusalem. This new holy city has God as its architect and builder. In this new creation, God will once again be in intimate union with his people. The intimacy that God granted to Adam and Eve, and later to the nation of Israel, when the people traveled through the desert, and through God's presence in the temple, is now granted to all God's people. The former world, with all its repulsive characteristics that gave it the appearance of a creation enslaved to sin, will disappear. No longer will there be tears, death, pain, or mourning. Then, in the only passage in Revelation where God speaks, we hear the Lord say, "See, I am making all things new ... I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end" (21:5b, 6b). God is saying that all that was declared earlier in this passage will take place. All will be accomplished.
The message of the book of Revelation is told through the scripture as salvation history, the story of how God has saved his people through many new creations. The story begins as it should at the outset with creation. The creation story in Genesis is laden with hope, possibility, and new life. Each of the six days God created something new, giving the world more and more possibilities. God first created light so that the further creation would be seen. Then God created the oceans and the land, thus providing an environment for what was planned. God then created all manner of vegetation and animals. All was readied for God's greatest creation, that of humankind, made in the divine image.
God next provided new beginnings for the Israelites as they fled from bondage in Egypt. God opened the Red Sea, allowing Israel to escape, but setting a trap for Egypt to be destroyed. The people traveled to the promised land and made themselves into a great nation under David. However, the people often wandered away from God and, thus, the Lord sent prophets who proclaimed God's message. When necessary, it was a message of warning and at times doom, but in the end, God's faithfulness prevailed. God gave the Hebrews new life from their death in exile in Babylon. As Ezekiel prophesied (37:1-14) God would bring new life to the dead bones of Israel. In his letter to the Romans (6:3-11), Saint Paul speaks of how Christ gave us new life through baptism. The final chapter of the salvation history story comes in the paschal mystery, the events we have just recently celebrated, the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Christ makes all things new through his conquest of death. His victory brings the same possibility to all who bear his name.
The new creation that Jesus brings forces us to ask an important question -- what needs renewal, restoration, and new life in our lives? No matter our age, status in life, or primary day-to-day work we all can use new beginnings and must rejoice in the hope that Jesus' resurrection brings. Maybe we have felt stagnant in our prayer, our nine-to-five job, or our relationship with God. Possibly we need renewal in a relationship -- in our family, with friends, associates at work, or people who live in our neighborhood. Some may feel held bound by past hurts, inflicted upon our person or ones we have inflicted on others. Still others may find the routine of daily life a downward spiral from which we seemingly cannot escape. Today, however, God releases us from our bondage, as assuredly as the Jews were freed from Egypt and Jesus was raised from death. The new creation of Christ is ours for the taking.
The new creation we seek may seem very elusive when we observe our contemporary world. It may seem that God is not creating anything new, but if we believe this to be true, then we are not looking in the right places. In many ways the new creation of Christ is up to us, we must have sufficient trust in God to find and experience the renewal we seek and need. A beautiful little story demonstrates our need to renew our trust in God.
Bert looked into time from heaven and saw the many atrocities perpetrated in the human realm. Absolutely aghast at what he saw, he asked God, "How can you allow this? Look what evil is in motion down there on earth!" The Lord responded, "There is no one better than the devil for creating a tragedy like that." "But," replied Bert, "that man is one of your people." Again God responded, "I gave humankind the freedom to choose between good and evil. Sometimes those who choose my way are injured by those who don't. It is always painful when this happens." But Bert interrupted, "Those people have no choice. Evil is being crammed down their throats. That isn't a choice!" "Now Bert," God said patiently, "have I ever let pain go unavenged?" "Well, no," came the reply.
"Watch this," God said to Bert. The Lord placed his arm around his shoulders and said, "Look over there. See that man." "Is he praying?" asked Bert. "Ah, yes," said God, "and you should hear his prayers!" Intense love flashed in God's eyes. The Lord continued, "Simple prayers from an aching heart. This is triumph over evil. Trusting me, that is the choice. Isn't he magnificent?"
Together they stood in silence and Bert began to see as God did. "Now watch this, Bert." God spoke softly, never letting his eyes depart from the scene. He called for Michael, the archangel, who immediately appeared. "Go down and get him, Michael," God commanded as tears of divine joy flowed forth. "I will arrange the party."
The old man needed new eyes, but it took some time and the persistence of the fruit seller for him to find conversion and renewal. Jesus' resurrection brings the possibility of new life to us. Let us cast off our slavery to the old world, our old way of life, and place sufficient trust in God's words, "See, I am making all things new." Our trust in God and our surrender to his way will bring us the gift of eternal life, God's promise to all who believe.
––––––––––––
1. Summarized from "The Old Man with New Eyes," in Jude Fischer, Be Always Little: Christian Fables for Young and Old (Combermere, Ontario Canada: Madonna House, 1996), pp.103-108.
One day he stopped at a fruit stand, but things there were no better. He found some of the fruit was too ripe and the rest was not ripe enough. He left, disgusted, but as he did, the fruit seller said, "I wish you new eyes, sir, child eyes." "New eyes," thought the old man as he walked away. "I have never used glasses; my vision has never been sharper." A week later, he again stopped at the fruit stand. The fruit seller had the fruit he didn't want and did not have the fruit he wanted. As he was leaving the fruit seller said, "I wish you kingdom eyes, sir." "Kingdom eyes?" This puzzled the old man. But no matter, he was busy, and thus let it pass.
Sometime later, the man stopped at the fruit stand once again. It was, however, the same old story. Everything he didn't want and nothing he wanted; some things overripe and others not ripe enough. And as he left the fruit seller told him, "I wish you treasure-hunting eyes, sir." The man was perplexed at the comment, not knowing what the seller was saying. In spite of himself, the old man began to think about what the fruit seller had been saying to him. What did he mean by new eyes, child eyes, kingdom eyes, and treasure-hunting eyes? The next time he went to the stand, he pressed the fruit seller to to explain. "Well, you see," the fruit seller began, "one day there was a stranger in town. He spoke of many things, but a few things really stuck in my head. He spoke of the kingdom of God being within you and that in order to find it one had to become like a child. On another occasion the stranger was present and so, too, was a man blind from birth. He went to the blind man and asked if he wanted to see and, of course, the man said, 'Yes.' And then the man's eyes were opened and he was delighted in all that he saw. I was confused about all this and thus I spoke to the stranger saying, 'Please, sir, give me new eyes.' And he responded, 'I will. I give you child eyes, kingdom eyes, and treasure-hunting eyes.' I thanked him and he left.
"That was the last time I saw the man, but from that time forward I saw things differently. Where before I saw only darkness, I now saw stars and fireflies. When before I felt only pain, I now discovered a new door to joy. While before I could see nothing worthwhile, now I found much at which to marvel. Where before I lived in a desert of doubt and despair, now I found a fountain of faith, and where in the past I was irritated at people, now I saw something wonderful in them, something that reminded me of the stranger and I rejoiced."
The old man left trying not to think of the fruit seller's story, but no matter how hard he tried he could not shake it off. The more he thought about it the more he wished for new eyes for himself. He began to think about the stranger hoping that he would return. If he did he would ask for new eyes, also. He worried about how he would make his request to the stranger so he practiced. In fact, he found it easy to put his request to music. He sang the refrain all day: "Give me new eyes, sir, child eyes, kingdom eyes, treasure-hunting eyes. Give me new eyes."
Then one day he stopped at the fruit stand and saw the fruit seller was very sad. "What has happened?" he asked. The fruit seller replied, "I have just received news that the stranger has been arrested and will be put to death today." The old man went home and cried for his chance for new eyes was now gone. Yet, because the song had become so much a part of his life, he continued to sing it, and to his great surprise, three days after the stranger was put to death, he suddenly felt like scales had fallen from his eyes, and he began to see things differently. Where before he saw only darkness, now he saw light. Where before he saw only the injuries done against him, now he saw how much he was loved and he was able to demonstrate forgiveness that healed his wounds. Where before he had seen nothing of value, now he found many hidden treasures. Where before he experienced only boredom and suspicion, now he lived in wonderment and trust, and where before people had irritated him, he now saw in them something that reminded him of the stranger. And he knew that the stranger lived.1
The old man was bitter, arrogant, and resisted change, but through the persistence and love of the fruit seller he came to realize his need for transformation, conversion, and a new way of thinking. He needed the new eyes which the stranger had given the fruit seller. In the end he found what he needed through the power of the stranger.
This fable is clearly an Easter story of the new life that Jesus' resurrection brings, not only to himself, but more importantly to all of God's people, the faithful who believe. Today, in our lesson from the book of Revelation, the seer John tells us of the new creation Christ will create in us. It is certainly a welcome message amidst a society which often devalues the very virtues Christ celebrated in his life. We, like the old man, must seek the new eyes which only Jesus can provide.
In today's reading from Revelation, we hear that God will create a new heaven and a new earth, and a new Jerusalem will come down from the heavens. John is referring to what he said earlier (20:11) that earth and heaven have fled from God's presence. Those who were not worthy, the wicked, have been driven to punishment into the lake of fire (20:15). Thus, the new creation is the apex of John's Revelation. Those who have survived the great period of trial, the redeemed of humanity, must be received by a creation that is renewed and refurbished. This new creation is manifest in some very specific ways. First, John says the sea was no more. In the chaos of the primeval world, the sea was aroused by brutal forces and gave rise to myths of monsters. God will destroy this sea in the new creation. Brutal power and violence present in the old sea are incompatible with the peace that will come. Along with the new sea comes a new Jerusalem. This new holy city has God as its architect and builder. In this new creation, God will once again be in intimate union with his people. The intimacy that God granted to Adam and Eve, and later to the nation of Israel, when the people traveled through the desert, and through God's presence in the temple, is now granted to all God's people. The former world, with all its repulsive characteristics that gave it the appearance of a creation enslaved to sin, will disappear. No longer will there be tears, death, pain, or mourning. Then, in the only passage in Revelation where God speaks, we hear the Lord say, "See, I am making all things new ... I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end" (21:5b, 6b). God is saying that all that was declared earlier in this passage will take place. All will be accomplished.
The message of the book of Revelation is told through the scripture as salvation history, the story of how God has saved his people through many new creations. The story begins as it should at the outset with creation. The creation story in Genesis is laden with hope, possibility, and new life. Each of the six days God created something new, giving the world more and more possibilities. God first created light so that the further creation would be seen. Then God created the oceans and the land, thus providing an environment for what was planned. God then created all manner of vegetation and animals. All was readied for God's greatest creation, that of humankind, made in the divine image.
God next provided new beginnings for the Israelites as they fled from bondage in Egypt. God opened the Red Sea, allowing Israel to escape, but setting a trap for Egypt to be destroyed. The people traveled to the promised land and made themselves into a great nation under David. However, the people often wandered away from God and, thus, the Lord sent prophets who proclaimed God's message. When necessary, it was a message of warning and at times doom, but in the end, God's faithfulness prevailed. God gave the Hebrews new life from their death in exile in Babylon. As Ezekiel prophesied (37:1-14) God would bring new life to the dead bones of Israel. In his letter to the Romans (6:3-11), Saint Paul speaks of how Christ gave us new life through baptism. The final chapter of the salvation history story comes in the paschal mystery, the events we have just recently celebrated, the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Christ makes all things new through his conquest of death. His victory brings the same possibility to all who bear his name.
The new creation that Jesus brings forces us to ask an important question -- what needs renewal, restoration, and new life in our lives? No matter our age, status in life, or primary day-to-day work we all can use new beginnings and must rejoice in the hope that Jesus' resurrection brings. Maybe we have felt stagnant in our prayer, our nine-to-five job, or our relationship with God. Possibly we need renewal in a relationship -- in our family, with friends, associates at work, or people who live in our neighborhood. Some may feel held bound by past hurts, inflicted upon our person or ones we have inflicted on others. Still others may find the routine of daily life a downward spiral from which we seemingly cannot escape. Today, however, God releases us from our bondage, as assuredly as the Jews were freed from Egypt and Jesus was raised from death. The new creation of Christ is ours for the taking.
The new creation we seek may seem very elusive when we observe our contemporary world. It may seem that God is not creating anything new, but if we believe this to be true, then we are not looking in the right places. In many ways the new creation of Christ is up to us, we must have sufficient trust in God to find and experience the renewal we seek and need. A beautiful little story demonstrates our need to renew our trust in God.
Bert looked into time from heaven and saw the many atrocities perpetrated in the human realm. Absolutely aghast at what he saw, he asked God, "How can you allow this? Look what evil is in motion down there on earth!" The Lord responded, "There is no one better than the devil for creating a tragedy like that." "But," replied Bert, "that man is one of your people." Again God responded, "I gave humankind the freedom to choose between good and evil. Sometimes those who choose my way are injured by those who don't. It is always painful when this happens." But Bert interrupted, "Those people have no choice. Evil is being crammed down their throats. That isn't a choice!" "Now Bert," God said patiently, "have I ever let pain go unavenged?" "Well, no," came the reply.
"Watch this," God said to Bert. The Lord placed his arm around his shoulders and said, "Look over there. See that man." "Is he praying?" asked Bert. "Ah, yes," said God, "and you should hear his prayers!" Intense love flashed in God's eyes. The Lord continued, "Simple prayers from an aching heart. This is triumph over evil. Trusting me, that is the choice. Isn't he magnificent?"
Together they stood in silence and Bert began to see as God did. "Now watch this, Bert." God spoke softly, never letting his eyes depart from the scene. He called for Michael, the archangel, who immediately appeared. "Go down and get him, Michael," God commanded as tears of divine joy flowed forth. "I will arrange the party."
The old man needed new eyes, but it took some time and the persistence of the fruit seller for him to find conversion and renewal. Jesus' resurrection brings the possibility of new life to us. Let us cast off our slavery to the old world, our old way of life, and place sufficient trust in God's words, "See, I am making all things new." Our trust in God and our surrender to his way will bring us the gift of eternal life, God's promise to all who believe.
––––––––––––
1. Summarized from "The Old Man with New Eyes," in Jude Fischer, Be Always Little: Christian Fables for Young and Old (Combermere, Ontario Canada: Madonna House, 1996), pp.103-108.
