Monday, September 12, 2022
(click here to listen to or read today’s scriptures)
Encountering Jesus on Avondale Avenue
God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, so that everyone who believes in him shall have eternal life.
In business there is a thing called “the plug.” JUST DO IT is a plug. IT’S THE REAL THING is a plug. Marketers are brilliant at coming up with plugs.
John 3:16 is a plug for me. FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD … It might be the first Bible verse I learned as a kid. Even the verse’s number is a kind of plug.
There are several 3:16 verses scattered in the Bible: I will spit you out of my mouth (Revelation), Your desire will be for your husband (Genesis), May the Lord of peace continually grant you peace (2 Thessalonians), The Lord will be a refuge for his people (Joel), This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us (1 John), Let the word of Christ dwell richly within you (Colossians), and “All Scripture is God-breathed and profitable (2 Timothy).
What do you think of that?
For most of two days I packed our car and drove from Texas to Illinois. Marc’s surgery is three days in, his healing has begun, but physical therapy won’t start till the 19th, and I’m leaving on the 17th. For now I brought him 3 different grabbers and a shower seat, and my first task on arriving yesterday evening was to pick up some steak and chicken and fixings from Texas Roadhouse.
Being unable to drive changes everything. Texas Roadhouse has been in Marc’s rhythm since the start of covid quarantining, and now like then, food matters more than almost anything. He doesn’t need to have parties, but he does need hope for future parties, and restaurants, and wherever else his car might take him. I can help with that, at least a little bit.
I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread and, after he had given thanks, broke it and said to all of them, “This is my Body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”
So in Marc’s apartment, Myranda had set up a table in the living room in front of Marc’s couch, where he spends his days and nights. A small centerpiece, bright napkins, and when I brought the food it all looked beautiful together. Their steak was perfectly cooked, as were the ribs. My chicken was wonderful. We gave thanks, broke the bread, and shared the earth’s bounty.
Do this in remembrance of me.
We distinguish, sometimes, between spiritual meals like the Eucharist and earthy meals like Texas Roadhouse. For good reasons, of course, we distinguish them. But we also must recognize their kinship, and know there are many ways to remember Jesus together with bread and wine from a restaurant, as well as from the tabernacle.
May all who seek you exult and be glad in you. And may those who love your salvation say forever, “The Lord be glorified.” Let us proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes again.
Sitting with Marc and Myranda as evening fell on Urbana, as the clouds did not part for the return of the Lord but did provide some welcome rain, I imagined Jesus walking on Avondale Avenue with his disciples. I thought I would go out to the street and ask Jesus to heal Marc, as the centurion asked Jesus to heal his servant.
And I would not ask him to come in, but only speak healing into the air. That would be enough.
Only say the word, Lord, and my servant will be healed.
Marc would breathe in the new fresh air and rise up, and he would walk.
And Jesus would be amazed and say:
I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.”
And there would be joy in Mudville. One more set of crutches thrown away into the corner. God is good, God is oh so good.
(1 Corinthians 11, Psalm 40, John 3, Luke 7)
(posted at www.davesandel.net)
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