Empathic Jesus

Matthew and Luke record the feeding of the 5000 as happening, by the testimony of the disciples, in a remote place (NIV), which is translated from the Greek word eremos (which is in another form), which can also be translated desert or wilderness. While overtones of the exodus and God’s provision of manna and quail are present (cf. Tim Branscombe and Joel Green), what is also present is the temptation of Jesus, which both Matthew and Luke record as happening in the eremos. Interestingly, during Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness, he refuses to satisfy his hunger; however, in the wilderness with the 5000, God provides food. Could it be that Jesus’ own experience of hunger, which obviously surpassed the crowd, since he hadn’t eaten for 40 days, raised his ability to identify with the hungry who surrounded him in the same place?

Canadian and Corinthian Politics

There are some similarities in Canadian and Corinthian politics...depending on what you think of apostles and Canada's current Prime Minister.

First, it looks as though a cabinet re-shuffling is in the works, even to the point of being a re-structuring. This means that people who have been in charge of certain areas of governmental responsibility get moved to being in charge of other areas. Some see this as a demotion and promotion (or, sometimes, "change-up"). If you move to a higher portfolio, you get promoted; a lower one, you get demoted. Of course, this take hinges on the assumption that politics is about personal achievement and reaching higher on the political rung. It isn't. Echoing a bumper sticker that says, "It's called work for a reason," I say, "It's called public service for a reason." Serving in government is not a strategy or stepping stone, though goodness knows Canada has had its share of stepping stone PMs and MPs. The shuffle is therefore spun as an effort to re-energize or re-vitalize the slowing government; it's an offensive move by Stephen Harper to maintain control.

A similar situation erupts in Corinth. The Church has become factious, with people claiming to follow different leaders, no doubt in an effort to elevate themselves in the competitive, economically driven city of Corinth, even from within this new community called "church." Paul writes a scolding letter (1 Corinthians) reminding them that apostles are the lowest of the low, servant to all. They build only with the materials of Jesus Christ. Paul builds a foundation and calls others to build on this foundation with him. Of course, some think Paul is struggling to hold on to his influence and power.

The question ultimately boils down to what you think of St Paul or Stephen Harper. Harper could very well be trying to maintain as much control and power (whether over the country or his own party, some pundits will debate) as possible, or he could be trying to serve the country as best possible. St Paul could very well have been wanting to maintain his control of a group of in-fighting members (reminds me of another political party), or he could be trying to help his fellow Christians repent and live in a new way. Or, as I expect, it could be both: Paul wanted to maintain control and serve because Paul knew he was the best candidate to lead the Gentile Christians in Corinth (he will shortly write, "Follow me as I follow the example of Christ"[1 Cor. 11:1]); Stephen Harper thinks he's the best person to serve Canada and wants to stay as the chief (What else have those Stephane Dion ads been about?).

Of course, this does not conclude that Stephen Harper is right. That's why people vote.

God in the Flood

I like to watch "Extreme Home Makeover," mainly because it feels like resurrection to me. It has too much glamour and cheese to be true resurrection, obviously, but it points in a good direction. Recently a Wesleyan Pastor in Kansas was picked by EMH to receive a new home because of the medical conditions of his daughter. After the flooding in Kansas, however, the pastor turned down the opportunity because of the devastation that surrounded him: He did not want to be elevated when all around him were people suffering. (Read the article here.)

This reminded me of the gospel that also has in it a cross. The gospel is not that God provides new homes for all his people (or even for some of his people), but that God wades through the flood, too. This believer shows that God goes through it with those who suffer.

Art, Narrative, and Atonement

Art is not created out of nothing, but out of something already there. Art depends on creation to be art. It takes (among other things) pigment, scenery, ideas, and space and makes something new from all of them. Narratives can work the same way. Harry Potter fans saw elements of mythology and classic literature in her works, but also something new. This is true of most every good story: It has elements consistency and elements of fresh vitality.

The gospel writers did this, as well. While those from the history-of-religions school or literature might see the gospel writers borrowing from other stories and adapting other stories in a way that makes the story of Jesus of Nazareth just another story (and, because of what some might see as its syncretism, a poor one), I believe the gospel writers were more like artists, but at a deeper level. Their actions display at-one-ment.

The gospel writers' and Paul's use of other narrative elements displays the atoning work of God in Jesus Christ. From separate elements, a new story has been told that centers on Jesus, creating a new people where once there were two (or more). This new story requires repentance from seeing the world only in light of one's own story, and a turn to seeing the world in Jesus Christ. And just as pigment and canvas seem not to be lost in a piece of art but rather find their eternal purpose, so do previous stories not lose their identity, but find it in the story of Jesus Christ. Just as Paul writes in Romans 9-11 of the incredible providential work of God to pull together hard-hearted parts of previous stories for the good of all, so does Jesus' life bring atonement to all narratives that find their end in him.