Thursday, November 19, 2020          (today’s lectionary)
Scroll down and click …
If this day you only knew what makes for peace.
I looked up the word “irenic,” because Paul Johnson uses it a lot in The History of Christianity, which I’ve been listening to (all 28 hours of it). “Irenic” refers to anything that pertains to peace. It’s what some of us yearn for now, and it’s what “some of us” have always yearned for. And it’s always been just beyond our reach.
So I guess that for centuries peace-lovers have often found themselves alone in their deserts or on their mountaintops. And I guess I’ve joined them, in my backyard with squirrels and birds and chickens, catching my breath, sitting for awhile without agenda.
You did not recognize the time of your visitation. If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
Jesus insists on peace, but not careless, indulgent peace. Jesus brings us the peace of the Lord. He surely was first to greet his friends, “The peace of the Lord be with you.” And we have always needed his kind of peace, because no one on earth is “worthy to open the scroll.” No one on earth can get beyond their own perspective and embrace all of God’s creation as Jesus could.
But do not weep. The lion of the tribe of Judah has triumphed, and he can open the scroll with its seven seals.
What, me not worthy? Alfred Newman might have said that too in Mad Magazine. But of course I’m not worthy. Here are two seemingly simple instructions about relationship with myself, with you, and with God, from “The DNA of Relationships.”
Be trustworthy to yourself. Trustworthiness is recognizing your incredible value and vulnerability, and treating yourself accordingly. And  then be trustworthy to your friend or spouse or partner. Recognize their incredible value and vulnerability as another human being, and treat them accordingly.
Simple and life-changing, until I think I need to protect myself, and then … well, whether I react with pride or shame, I quickly see how unworthy I am to open the scroll.
Satan makes it worse, of course, and tries to convince me I might as well give up. Life sucks, and then you die. And you suck too, so why try?
What does Jesus do to change that message, and change me?
He was slain and with his blood purchased for God those from every tribe and tongue, people and nation. And he made us a kingdom and priests for our God.
Today’s psalm’s response is from Revelation: “The Lamb has made us a kingdom of priests to serve our God.” All I need to do is say yes. Even if I resist, God is going nowhere. Jesus waits for me. Knock, knock, knocking at my door. When I look out the window I can see he’s holding the peace of the Lord, and it stays fresh forever.
Sing to the Lord a new song of praise together, let us be glad, let us praise his name, for the Lord loves his people, and he adorns the lowly with victory.
The writer of Revelation could not believe what he was seeing: this man Jesus, whom he had known as a close friend, surrounded by fire and smoke and honor and glory, worshippers and choir singing his praise, about to open the scroll. Wasn’t this the man he saw just yesterday, knocking, waiting patiently for him to get his clothes on and open the door? Welcome him in? Share a meal together? Live forever in the once elusive, now ever-present peace?
Yep. That’s the guy. Scroll down and click, “YES.” Life has come to us and it’s staying.
Wow!
Let the high praises of God be in our throats. Â This is the glory of all his faithful. Alleluia!
(Revelation 5, Psalm 149, Psalm 95, Luke 19)
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