Monday, November 14, 2022
(click here to listen to or read today’s scriptures)
Be chosen, and know that I am God
In church yesterday we finished the book of James, although I wasn’t there, still recovering from Saturday’s venture into Sick. Now in today’s lectionary, as it edges toward Advent on December 1, we get to read several parts of Revelation.
The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave to John, to show his servants what must happen soon.
This “soon” is of the “a-day-is-like-a-thousand-years variety. How long, O Lord, how long? Our experience of time changes hour by hour. One person is in a hurry, the other wants this moment to last forever. Maybe I lost my job and have been searching for another for months. Or my mom is getting older and older, as she was until November 10 of last year, when she died at age 99.
Or I am sick, or Margaret is sick, and we don’t know what will happen next. What the outcome will be: coming out of the sickness and coming in to … what?
So although a blueprint of our own future is not available, I am grateful for whatever the prophets and the angels can tell me about the world, especially about its spiritual underpinnings. I’m glad Greek has two words for time. Because Chronos does not allow for a day to be a thousand years. Kairos equates the two.
God made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, who continues to report what he has seen.
How much of this am I required to take literally, these descriptions of another world I have not seen? Read, listen, heed …
Blessed is the one who reads aloud and blessed are those who listen to this prophetic message and heed what is written in it, for the appointed time is near.
John is gentle with his salutation, knowing God’s words are about to sting his listeners:
Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come.
Listen to Jesus who has always been with us, and who “is to come.” Get on the Kairos horse. And be aware that this is not only Jesus, but also …
The seven spirits before his throne. I heard the Lord saying to me: to the angel of the Church in Ephesus.
If I’m from Ephesus, my ears perk up. I don’t know this “angel” though. Jesus is speaking through John to us too, as well as the angel?
You have suffered for my name, you have not grown weary. Yet …
Here comes the stinger.
I hold this against you: you have lost the love you had at first. Realize how far you have fallen. Repent, and do the works you did at first.
Jesus shows his tough love. He’s serious. The words must be clear to the Ephesians who are listening. They can’t pretend they don’t understand, or there will be consequences. There are responsibilities that go along with being one of the Seven Churches.
Otherwise, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.
The lampstand represents more than prestige; it also means chosenness. I have chosen you; now live up to your chosenness.
Jesus said, “What do you want me to do for you?”
When Jesus healed the blind man beside the road, he gave Jesus glory and honor. Jesus also wanted the blind man to live in his new sight and seek others to bless the way he was blessed. Go and live your new life, and show others also how to live.
 (Revelation 1, Psalm 1, John 8, Luke 18)
(posted at www.davesandel.net)
#
