Throwing Stones?

I was moved by a prayer I heard today.  It was prayed that we might be the kind of individuals who could and would forgive the unforgivable, who would extend grace in the most difficult of situations.  As I reflected on that prayer, I was reminded of the story found in John 8:1-22.  It describes Jesus' interaction with the leaders of the church, who were about to stone a woman because she had broken the commandment thou shall not commit adultery.

 

"Jesus went across to Mount Olives, but he was soon back in the Temple again. Swarms of people came to him. He sat down and taught them. The religion scholars and Pharisees led in a woman who had been caught in an act of adultery. They stood her in plain sight of everyone and said, "Teacher, this woman was caught red-handed in the act of adultery. Moses, in the Law, gives orders to stone such persons. What do you say?" They were trying to trap him into saying something incriminating so they could bring charges against him."

Let me interject here, it says that the woman was caught "red-handed", and  that "they stood her in plain sight of everyone".  It occurred to me that this probably meant that they literally caught her in the act of adultery with another man, and dragged her out, perhaps naked onto the street, scared, ashamed, embarrassed and about to be stoned.  I wonder where the equally guilty man is in this situation? The story continues...

"Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger in the dirt. They kept at him, badgering him. He straightened up and said, "The sinless one among you, go first: Throw the stone." Bending down again, he wrote some more in the dirt." I wonder what he was writing in the dirt, perhaps a list of the countless sins the accusers were guilty of.

Hearing that, they walked away, one after another, beginning with the oldest. The woman was left alone. Jesus stood up and spoke to her. "Woman, where are they? Does no one condemn you?"

"No one, Master."

"Neither do I," said Jesus. "Go on your way. From now on, don't sin." 

First thought, from the last line. When we turn to Christ for forgiveness, He is faithful to forgive, and tells us to go and sin no more! As we turn to Him, we turn away from the sin which ensnared us.  As soon as we take our eyes off Christ, we can be sure that we face the danger of getting caught up in the things that trapped us in the first place.

Moving on.  Jesus said “If any of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her.” At this those who heard went away until only Jesus was left, the only one standing that truly was without sin – an illustration of His divinity, and the reason that as the Son of God only He could pardon her sins.

In this instance Jesus not only encouraged repentance by revealing His mercy to this woman, but also by revealing to the accusers, their own sins.  To often we take on the task of judge and jury, when we are the least qualified to do so. If Christ himself, who was without sin, forgives us of all our sins, when we turn to Him, who are we, to throw stones at others?  To judge or in Greek "Krino" means to condemn. Jesus did not come to judge the world but to redeem it - to save it. "For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." ~ John 3:17. While God's word clearly states, that there will be a judgment day, where we will all stand before God and answer for our actions, I do not recall anywhere in scripture where Jesus Christ, passes judgment. Romans 14:10-12 reads, "You, then, why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before God's judgment seat. It is written: " 'As surely as I live,' says the Lord,  'every knee will bow before me; every tongue will confess to God.' "So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God. "  Indeed Jesus, spoke truth, revealed through God's word the condition of each person's heart, corrected and provided rebuke, but He did not stand in judgment.

We are not to harshly judge others, but we are to rebuke, out of love. Rebuke simply means to call sin by it's rightful name for the purposes of correction. "Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction." ~ 2 Timothy 4:2. If we see the need to speak with a friend or fellow Christian who is openly committing some sinful act, that is not judging them, but addressing their actions.  That does not mean we should condemn, disrespect or harshly judge someone but we should pull them aside and speak to them about it, with patience, gentleness and mercy. Always led by the Holy Spirit, with the word of God as our guide, so that they can make it right with God.

 

If God did not assign Jesus the task of judging and condemning others, who do we think we are to do so?

I'LL HAVE YOU...

I gave up TV for Lent. However, the 40 days of lent, leading up to Easter do not include Sundays.  Instead on Sundays, you break from your fast in order to celebrate and feast, rejoicing in Christ's victory over death. Well my Sunday is Tuesday, because my TV feast includes a generous portion of the show LOST!

Currently in it's sixth season, I have held firm to my belief since season 1 that this show has to do with faith and is strongly tied to the Christian faith. This promo picture from ABC, (1 of 3, ads used to provide clues/hints into the final season), certainly helped to cement that belief, though I would consider their depiction of the last supper to be sacrilegious.  While the show incorporates themes of Quantum Physics, which I believe could make sense, given that God is inside and outside of time, and perhaps there are some subtle possible hints of reincarnation, I maintain that the overall themes are faith, sacrifice, grace and redemption, the same major themes that serve as the foundations of my Christian faith.

The very best episode of LOST over the last 6 seasons aired this past Tuesday.  Entitled "Dr. Linus",  this episode presented one of the strongest cases for Christian allegory, not to mention one of the most powerful and moving shows ever.   LOST is so deep, involved, and intelligently comprised of subtle hints and facts that I could not do it justice with just a brief overview.  As a result I am simply going to point out some of the obvious parallels to my faith from the last episode, keeping it brief with  just enough to whet your appetite.

Jacob the central figure, whom most of the cast has placed their faith in, was recently killed, leaving his followers feeling hurt, confused, abandoned and even lied to.  All they had believed in and put their hopes in was now gone.  Their dreams, the purpose and plan He said they each had, seemed to die with Him.  This left them feeling deceived, disappointed, frustrated and angry with Jacob. I can't help but think this is at least in part, how the disciples might have initially felt when Jesus died on the cross.  

Like Jesus, Jacob returned, but revealing himself only to Hurley.  Jacob is guiding Hurley, giving him directions, using him to guide the others to their ultimate purpose, a purpose  they have the choice to walk in or deny.

Richard, one of Jacob's followers, who was touched by him and seemingly blessed with immortality (which he now considers a curse), was dejected after Jacob's death, and ultimately found himself at the point of losing his faith.  However ,in an important turn or events, Jack  tells Richard as they sit with a stick of dynamite burning between them, that he knows he won’t die, because Jacob’s been watching him and brought him to the island.  This is a pretty large shift in belief for Jack, who’s never been a man of FAITH, but a man of science (a doctor). I recently read a post by Chris Seay, author of the gospel according to LOST, who noted how Jack's new found "tremendous faith" restores that of the desperate Richard Alpert, adding, "if you haven't been in Richard Alpert's shoes [feeling hopeless and abandoned by God], you likely haven't been living the life of faith very long."

LOST SEASON 6 EPISODE 7 CLIP 5

The most powerful theme of the this week's episode is that of forgiveness and redemption.  Ben Linus, who killed his own daughter to protect the island and then killed Jacob, is tempted by who ever has taken over John Locke's body (evil/the devil).  Ben is invited by Locke, to take charge of the island.  A great offer since all Ben has ever wanted, is to be in a position of power. Yet the offer seems futile, considering the fact that he is shackled and digging his own grave, about to be shot, by one of Jacob's followers, Ilana, for having killed him.  Just like that,  Locke frees Ben from his shackles, and he makes a run for freedom, Ilana chasing after him.  Ben enters the jungle and grabs the rifle, which Locke told him would be leaning against the tree, and turns pointing it a Ilana.  Here was Ben's chance to kill Ilana and join John Locke, taking charge of the island, instead he broke down and explained to Ilana, why he did what he did.  Ben expressed remorse, and confessed that He was sorry that He killed Jacob out of anger, confusion and fear. He did not expect to be forgiven, because he could never forgive himself.  The dialogue that followed next left me in tears.

"Then what do you want?" said Ilana. To which Ben replied "just let me leave."  "Where will you go?" she asked. "To Locke" Ben replied. "Why?" she questioned.  Ben answered, weeping "because He's the only one that will have me".  It was Ilana's last words that set Ben free "I'll have you" at that she walked away and Ben followed her, turning his back on John Locke.  Ben now a new man, forgiven and free!

His confession and repentance, broke the hold Locke had over him and Her love and forgiveness on behalf of Jacob, snatched him out of the clutches of the enemy and restored him to community.

There are so many more Christian subtexts in this episode, let alone the series.  Far too many to address in this post.  Do I know for certain how it will all turn out - that LOST will ultimately end in supporting the foundational truth of Christianity? Nope, but no matter how it ends, the themes addressed over the last 6 seasons have at least served as great jumping off points for amazing discussions with people of various beliefs, and understandings, and have been a fabulous non-confrontational way to introduce the foundations of my faith.

If you missed last Tuesday's episode or any from season 6 you can watch them all free online here at ctv.ca LOST

With regards to the promo photo above, I think those on the right end up being redeemed while those on the left reject redemption. There are 13 people, which means fake Locke is eliminated, putting perhaps Jack in his place. That being said, there are subsequent 2nd and 3rd photos, where some of the characters have switched places. ;)

SPOILER ALERT - next week's episode is called  “Ab Aeterno” which is Latin for, “Since the beginning of time.” hmmm...Alpha and Omega - begining and the end...hmmmm....

Poetry Slam

-->So I have wanted to write a poetry slam for a while now, but the whole thing intimidated me - a lot.  Last night I decided to try to write one for tonight's Sunday evening service, wanting to offer something a little different to the college & career crowd. I was nervous to present it and probably would not have posted this, but by all appearances, thanks to God, it seems to have ministered to some, so perhaps some more via this forum.  Not sure it comes off the same way by reading it than by hearing it, but here goes.

Forgiven and Free is all I want to be 

The preacher starts preaching from the pulpit above, Speaking of redemption, grace, mercy and love, I sit in the pew finding it hard to believe, cause I can’t really see, after all that I’ve been through how this perfect God could even set eyes upon me… Forgiven and Free is all I want to be.

Ashamed and embarrassed, living in the darkness of a closet of lies, if one were to sneak out it would certainly be my demise.  I watch as the perfect churched people fidget in their pews, I wonder if their nervous as well, as they listen to the good news.  Probably not what do they have to be nervous about, squeaky clean Christians have no reason to doubt that this good news was meant for them, but certainly not the likes of me…Forgiven and Free is all I want to be.

* Slept with a relative stranger, after a hard night of drinking, looking for love what was I thinking.  A baby on the way I wasn’t prepared I had an abortion I saw no other way, I was scared. Now I live with the regret of all that I’ve done, to bad to be forgiven, to bad to be loved.  I look in the mirror and what to do I see, a failure, a mess-up, a shadow of me…Forgiven and Free is all I want to be 

* It started on the weekends, back in the day, hanging with guys drinking the afternoons away, but now I’m 45 feeling barely alive, need it to get up and to sleep at night, hardly ever see my kids, I’ve lost my wife.  Not to another man or to death thank God, but because of a bottle and drinking to hard. I’d give anything to have it all back, I’d do what it takes to make it right.  I’ll go to AA – I’ll go tonight.  I can’t take it back the pain that I’ve caused can’t be undone, in fact why even bother, I’m to far gone.  I can’t do it on my own, and now I’m alone, what’s the use when it’s just me…Forgiven and Free is all I want to be 

* From the first time I saw it on my laptop I was hooked, now I am sneaking downstairs at night just to get a look, tripping with fear, wondering what will happen if my mom catches me here. I Feel like a loser full of shame and disgust but I can’t control the urges, I have tried on my own, but I can’t beat this demon of lust. My mom, my sister, not to mention my girlfriend would be so ashamed, knowing how I defile these woman for my own gain. I can’t tell a soul, they’ll never understand, seeing only a perversion of me instead of a man.  I feel powerless over this enemy… Forgiven and Free is all I want to be. 

* The last words she heard from my mouth were teasing and taunts, making fun of her style, her walk and her words, not really caring of the wounds she incurred.  She wasn’t like me, in retrospect she was better, which made me angry and jealous and detrimentally bitter. I could not see the pain, she was feeling inside, I didn’t know her problems at home, the secrets she'd hide.  She took her life and while I know it’s not my fault it sure didn’t help my adding to her strife. I wish it wasn’t her lying there in that coffin, I'd rather it was me cause all I want is to be forgiven and free 

* I let everybody down, I'm lower than gum stepped on over and over on the ground.  Like empty candy wrappers tossed aside, I feel like I’ve already died inside.  Why hold on to this shell of an existence, trying to dull the pain with knives and razor blades. It’s just not cutting it anymore, there is nothing worth living for.  There’s no turning back, when the preacher’s done preaching I’m out the door, I’ll be looking down the barrel of a gun, pull the trigger than it’s done, and all the pain just fades.  Cause I am messed up, I’ve messed up and there’s no worth in me… Forgiven and Free is all I want to be 

I snap back to the here and now, the preacher begins telling of Jesus and how, he came as a babe born in a manger, grown to a man who would become our Saviour.  Certainly not for me I thought, but then he preached on, quoting scripture, the words in red in the bible, words of Jesus, words pointing to my survival.  A story of a sinful woman sitting among the religious, who wanted to be forgiven and free, though her deeds were grievous, just like me.  Luke 7:48-50 Then Jesus said to her your sins of forgiven. As hard as I fought, those words penetrated my heart, as if Jesus was speaking those words right to me, giving me a reason to stop sinning, a reason to go on living. Luke 5:20 Jesus called the sinner friend, me a wretched mess of despair, he called me friend and on the cross he proved that he did care. He quoted from Matthew 26:28 of how Jesus was forsaken so that I might be forgiven, he gave up his life, so that I could go on living. I could picture him hanging on the cross for all I’ve done wrong, picturing my face, enduring the pain so I could be extend forgiveness & grace. I realized then & there that all my fears and failures were wrapped in swaddling clothes, placed in tomb and raised from the cross.  My eyes began to well up with tears, and as I walked out in faith, I relinquished my fears, my heart cried out to Jesus, as I prayed with might, placing my faith in Him, walking out of the darkness into the light.  

Forgiven and Free because of Jesus - now that is me.

Until it Doesn't Hurt Anymore

After writing yesterday's blog on saying "I'm sorry", a quote on forgiveness came to the conscious ramblings of my mind and slapped me across the face, leaving my ego a little bruised and my spirit convicted.  See I am  pretty good at saying "I am sorry", and meaning it but I've come to  realize, that while I am adept at asking for forgiveness I am not as good as I thought at offering forgiveness.

I always thought forgiveness was easy for me. I consider myself a pretty grace filled person, turn the other cheek, let bygones be bygones and all.  Though it may take me a little time to process the initial blow, I typically let it go and move on.  However what I have come to discover is that true forgiveness is not easy for most.

I like others, have experienced situations in my life that have left me hurt, broken, damaged and angry.  Yet in the end all my heart really wanted to do is forgive, to have the situations and relationships reconciled in some small way. Yet sometimes people make forgiveness very difficult.  Like the person who continues in the same behaviours that they have asked you to forgive.  Or harder yet people who are blind to the hurt and damage they are causing and can't even recognize their need for forgiveness despite concerted efforts to open their eyes?

It was the following quote, that made me realize, I may not be as good at forgiveness as I thought. "Forgive until it does not hurt anymore?"  That quote hit me like a freight train  There have been times that I wanted to forgive someone, said I forgave them and believed that I had, but then would find myself in situations with them, or conversations about them and anger or hurt would be welling up inside. Though there would be a smile on my face, I would be reliving the hurt of past situations and their present  iniquities would be doubled in intensity.  My mouth had spoken forgiveness, and perhaps I thought I had resolved it in my mind, but in truth I was living with a spirit of unforgiveness.

Even as I write this I can think of individuals that I thought I had forgiven in my heart, but know all to well, that I haven't. I know I haven't because I subconsciously and sometimes consciously act differently towards them.  Bitter sentiments spu from my mouth. I harbour the hurts of the past.  I still feel the pain.  I want to forgive, but it seems sometimes easier, to sit in the pain and anger, especially when you are not getting the response who had hoped for from the the person who has hurt you.  Forgiveness however does not require anything on the part of the individual, who has hurt us, it would be ideal for restoration but not necessary for forgiveness. Forgiveness as most of us know is as much, if not more for ourselves as it is for the other person. Every time we relive the situations and pain of the past, we make the pain deeper. But every time we release it, the pain gets weaker in our life.

So I am going to commit, God helping me, to forgive until it does not hurt anymore.  Every time I remember how they have hurt me, I am going to let it go. It's going to be a constant process until it does not hurt anymore.  I believe this is in part what Jesus meant when Peter asked him "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me?" and His response was "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy times seven times." ~Matthew 18:21-211.  Or in other words, we just keep forgiving.  I may have to forgive a thousand times before it is a reality. But every time the pain comes to mind I will give it to God,  allowing him to be the impartial judge. I will let them off the hook and give up my demands. I will treat them as though it never happened.  I will not deny that it happened, but will admit it and move past it, for their sake and mine, to the glory of God.  Once again easier said than done...I'll keep ya posted :D

This is the essence of forgiveness—cancelling every demand, giving up the right to seek any kind of revenge, blatant or subtle, overt or covert. That is what God does for us, and that is what He wants us to do for others.

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. ~Ephesians 4:32

I think that in getting to a place of true forgiveness, we find we can forgive ourselves and experience in greater part the fullness of the forgiveness of God.