From the District Moderator
On not hindering God
Last month I was still writing about invitations. Not this month. Though I am still available to visit.
This month I would like to come back to my theme for the year. Get in line with Jesus.
This theme is based on the story in Luke 3, where Jesus gets in line like all the others, to be baptized by John the Baptizer: Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized... Jesus was in line with others, those described by Luke as the crowd, the tax collectors, and the soldiers (3.10-14). Luke pictures Jesus in line, like all the others, to be baptized.
When we are in line, we say, I am like the rest of you. We line up at the ATM, at the ball game, at the church potluck, at the funeral review, at the airport, at the concert. We are like the concert goers, like the church members, like citizens who need to show their ID. Claims to special consideration are out of place, unbecoming.
According to Luke’s picture of Jesus, we need to get in line with Jesus to join the kingdom. We share the same calling—Jesus’ disciples. And the way to become a disciple is to get in line.
Ahead of us—or behind us—may be tax collectors, soldiers, the poor. Jesus is in line with them—with us. [I am not anxious to step on anyone’s toes—or faith; I do, however, want to be in the discipleship line.]
Luke does not make any distinctions as to who is in line with Jesus; From the crowds to the sleazy tax collectors to soldiers. Some of our churches make distinctions as to who can get in line. Some churches see their integrity at stake by confining the line to those without spot or blemish [see 2 Peter 3.14]. Some take over Jesus’ prerogative of line participation through doctrinal scrutiny.
I like the words in Revelation: The Spirit and the bride say, "Come." And let everyone who hears say, "Come." And let everyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who wishes take the water of life as a gift [Rev 22.17]. The King James Version has an unforgettable phrase, “whosoever will.” That is quite wide open.
These words are pertinent to our discussions around the question of sexuality, of war and peace, of nationalism, of our economy and ecology, and more. The water of life is a gift—a gift freely offered by God. While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us [Romans 5.8].
I am ready to follow Peter, when he defends himself for stepping outside a particular understanding of faith in light of the work of the Holy Spirit descending upon Gentiles. With Peter, I would like to say, “Who am I to hinder God?”
Or, with Moses—as he counters those who wish to control prophetic speech, to credential it: “Would that all the Lord's people were prophets, and that the Lord’s spirit would rest on them all!” [Num 11.29].”
Orlando Redekopp, Moderator
Illinois-Wisconsin District
Last month I was still writing about invitations. Not this month. Though I am still available to visit.This month I would like to come back to my theme for the year. Get in line with Jesus.
This theme is based on the story in Luke 3, where Jesus gets in line like all the others, to be baptized by John the Baptizer: Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized... Jesus was in line with others, those described by Luke as the crowd, the tax collectors, and the soldiers (3.10-14). Luke pictures Jesus in line, like all the others, to be baptized.
When we are in line, we say, I am like the rest of you. We line up at the ATM, at the ball game, at the church potluck, at the funeral review, at the airport, at the concert. We are like the concert goers, like the church members, like citizens who need to show their ID. Claims to special consideration are out of place, unbecoming.
According to Luke’s picture of Jesus, we need to get in line with Jesus to join the kingdom. We share the same calling—Jesus’ disciples. And the way to become a disciple is to get in line.
Ahead of us—or behind us—may be tax collectors, soldiers, the poor. Jesus is in line with them—with us. [I am not anxious to step on anyone’s toes—or faith; I do, however, want to be in the discipleship line.]
Luke does not make any distinctions as to who is in line with Jesus; From the crowds to the sleazy tax collectors to soldiers. Some of our churches make distinctions as to who can get in line. Some churches see their integrity at stake by confining the line to those without spot or blemish [see 2 Peter 3.14]. Some take over Jesus’ prerogative of line participation through doctrinal scrutiny.
I like the words in Revelation: The Spirit and the bride say, "Come." And let everyone who hears say, "Come." And let everyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who wishes take the water of life as a gift [Rev 22.17]. The King James Version has an unforgettable phrase, “whosoever will.” That is quite wide open.
These words are pertinent to our discussions around the question of sexuality, of war and peace, of nationalism, of our economy and ecology, and more. The water of life is a gift—a gift freely offered by God. While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us [Romans 5.8].
I am ready to follow Peter, when he defends himself for stepping outside a particular understanding of faith in light of the work of the Holy Spirit descending upon Gentiles. With Peter, I would like to say, “Who am I to hinder God?”
Or, with Moses—as he counters those who wish to control prophetic speech, to credential it: “Would that all the Lord's people were prophets, and that the Lord’s spirit would rest on them all!” [Num 11.29].”
Orlando Redekopp, Moderator
Illinois-Wisconsin District
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