Connectedness

“'For a brief moment I deserted you, but with great compassion I will gather you. In overflowing anger for a moment I hid my face from you, but with everlasting love I will have compassion on you,' says the Lord, your Redeemer.” (Isaiah 54:7-9)

“Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil,  and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.  For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham.  Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.  For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.” (Hebrews 2:14-18)

Anger, bitterness, envy, and resentment are tied almost exclusively to people closest to us. In a counseling session, I do not expect to hear complaints about a random boy’s lazy behavior in Kazakhstan or a husband not taking out the trash in Shanghai. We do not have any connection or expectations for these people.

The closer the relationship, the stronger the emotional cords that bind our comfort and hopes. We take offense because we expect so much more than we receive. Connectedness, therefore, is necessary for offense and also for the opposites of love, mercy, and compassion.

As we meditate on God’s love for us during the Christmas season, contemplate His compassion and its corollary of connectedness. Through the incarnation, God united the infinite with the finite eternally. New Testament writers’ descriptions include God taking on flesh, a lowly position, suffering every temptation and death on a cross. All this was given while “we were yet sinners.” Such amazing love and compassion could not have a less significant and intimate connection with us.

Courtesy Toward All

“Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another.” (Titus 3:1-3)

“And the high priest Ananias commanded those who stood by him to strike him on the mouth. Then Paul said to him, 'God is going to strike you, you whitewashed wall! Are you sitting to judge me according to the law, and yet contrary to the law you order me to be struck?' Those who stood by said, 'Would you revile God's high priest?' And Paul said, 'I did not know, brothers, that he was the high priest, for it is written, “You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.”'” (Acts 23:2-5)

“But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire.” (Matthew 5:22)

Surrounded by the vitriol on both the right and left these days, the temptation to be drawn in is strong. This is made all the easier when we are genuinely concerned about the activities and policies of our governing authorities.

Considering the Apostle Paul’s low view of the Cretans, we may take heart that he would have understood the political landscape of our day. In the midst of “liars, evil beasts, and lazy gluttons” his definition for obedience and good work is for us to show perfect courtesy toward all people. Notice the standard for courtesy and the absence of any qualifiers on “all”.

But, our reaction is that these folk do not fight fair. True. John the Baptist suffered at the hands of Herod. Paul literally took it on the chin unjustly at the feckless request of the high priest. Surrounded by mocking leaders, our Savior prayed for those gathered at the foot of cross. Because we no longer hate, Paul commands us to fight unconventionally. In Timothy 2:24-25, Paul concludes that God’s servant must “patiently endure evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness so that God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth.”

Jesus Has Gone Before Us

“Therefore, he had to be made like his brothers in every respect,  so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.” (Hebrews 2:17)

On a recent family road trip, I had the pleasure of listening to Focus on the Family’s radio theater version of The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom. The story is chock full of gospel, great teaching, and faith-building testimonies. I want to highlight just one part of the story related to the verses at the top of this letter.

Shortly after Corrie and her sister Betsy had been transferred to the Ravensbruck German death camp, Betsy challenged Corrie to give thanks for everything (1 Thessalonians 5:18) based on their Bible reading that morning. Corrie struggled with this, especially for the cramped, flea-ridden beds. Later they learned that they had more freedom in their barracks to share the gospel because the fleas kept the guards out. Another indignity that they had to suffer was a regular, mock medical examination while standing naked before the guard. At one of these, Corrie remarked that Jesus also hung naked on the cross, and they drew comfort from the fact that Jesus went before them even in this trial.

As the Psalmist states, “the darkness is as light” to our God. This is more than just a supernatural perspective that only God enjoys; we are reminded in Hebrews that our God entered His creation and took on flesh in every respect as His brothers. What Corrie and Betsy reveled in is true for us as well: their God, our Savior, has gone before us and now carries us through every moment of our distress. He is our perfect high priest, having cleansed us from every sin and removed every cause for fear.

Blessings!

Matt Meyer