12 April 2016 - loosening up

[ Today's Readings ]

You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears,
you always oppose the Holy Spirit;
you are just like your ancestors.

Aren't we stiff-necked sometimes? We get so set in looking in only one direction that it is actually hard to look and see when there is something new we need to learn. Perhaps we're afraid of what we'll see. There is always the possibility that it will shake up our lives. But there is always the possibility that our lives need shaking.

"Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens." This phrase, "Yet once more," indicates the removal of things that are shaken—that is, things that have been made—in order that the things that cannot be shaken may remain (see Hebrews 12:26-27).

We're comfortable now. But is this good enough? Is the direction we're looking exactly right? Not likely. But how can we know the truth? If we start looking around again don't we risk deception?

And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left (see Isaiah 30:21).

If we aren't willing to look and listen we risk missing what is already before our eyes.

So Jesus said to them,
“Amen, amen, I say to you,
it was not Moses who gave the bread from heaven;
my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. 
For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven
and gives life to the world.”

So they said to Jesus,
“Sir, give us this bread always.” 
Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life;
whoever comes to me will never hunger,
and whoever believes in me will never thirst.”

We risk condemning people who act in accord with the truth as Stephen does. But Jesus, if we learn to look for your glory and listen for your Spirit we ourselves become unshakable even if the world tries to stone us.

But Stephen, filled with the Holy Spirit,
looked up intently to heaven and saw the glory of God
and Jesus standing at the right hand of God,
and Stephen said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened
and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”

Stephen's neck is not stiff. He does not cover his ears to the truth as do his persecutors. He looks to you standing in heaven and commends his spirit into your hands. 

Into your hands I commend my spirit;

But he also looks on his persecutors with your own compassion and love. Stiff necks can't do this. Loosen us up, LORD. Let your gentle Spirit rain down peace, joy, and love on us. Spirit give us the freedom you have for us. Stiffness, rigidity, and the letter of the law, all lead to death. You alone can give us life. 

Let your face shine upon your servant;
save me in your kindness.