Saint John the Evangelist
oil on canvas, c. 1600
El Greco, Greece, then Spain
Museo del Prado, Madrid
First Person Narratives by Sarah M. Foulger
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Saint John the Evangelist |
No one has ascended into heaven
except the one who descended from heaven,
the Son of Man.
And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness,
so must the Son of Man be lifted up,
that whosoever believes in him
may have eternal life.
For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son,
so that everyone who believes in him may not perish
but may have eternal life.
Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world,
but in order that the world might be saved through him.
Those who believe in him are not condemned;
but those who do not believe are condemned already,
because they have not believed in the name of the only Son of God.
And this is the judgment,
that the light has come into the world,
and people loved darkness rather than light
because their deeds were evil.
For those who do what is true come to the light,
so that it may be clearly seen
that their deeds may have been done in God.
(John 3:13-21)
It is a good world we live in, if only we have eyes to see and ears to hear and minds to know. It is covered with light to warm and sustain us and yet we creep into the darkest corners and imagine we have found something worthwhile. It is layered deeply with mystery yet we search endlessly on the surface of the creation for what can never be found there. Yes, there are dangers in this world - storms, sicknesses, demons but we let those dangers have power over us rather than trusting God to triumph over every peril.
Look at Moses. He gave up a life of royal comfort. He abandoned the surface of this world to dwell richly in God’s spirit – all to the end that the people of God would, at last, be free. Moses led the people on the journey from Egypt to Canaan, from darkness to light, from building bricks to finding their freedom. But in their minds they chose to continue living on the surface, to wade stubbornly in the shallow reeds even as the Spirit of God was sweeping them downstream to the life that really is life.
They could see only the troubles, the worries, and the dangers and they complained bitterly, begging Moses to lead them back into the familiar pit of slavery. But Moses was steadfast and faithful, God’s servant, God’s voice, God’s light from beginning to end. When the people complained of hunger, Moses prayed to God who sent bread from heaven. When the people murmured like children because they were thirsty, Moses listened to God who brought forth a spring from the dry rock. When the people allowed their fear to grip them, Moses held up their fear before them that they might see how small was their fear compared to the greatness of God.
The people of Israel on their long journey to the promised land were terrified of the snakes that bit them. What did Moses do? He held the snake up high. He led them with the snake. He carried them by their very dread. He made them look at their fear and he let them know that God has dominion over the smallest and the greatest of our fears. Moses made them face their fear and, in so doing, gave them hope and life.
Jesus is as Moses. Jesus holds up our greatest fears and gives us hope and life.
What are our greatest fears? To be hurt. To be condemned. To die. To be alone in the dark. Jesus has showed me that my fear of pain is met by God’s immeasurable strength. My fear of condemnation is met by God’s abundant mercy. My fear of death is met by a cup running over with life. My fear of the darkness is met by God’s bright shining light. Like Moses and children of Israel, Jesus in this time is teaching us that our failure with earthly things is met by the triumph of heavenly things. Our human weakness is met by God’s power. Our feeble words are met by the living word. Our mortality is met by eternity. Our recklessness is met by God’s salvation. Our evil is exposed and overwhelmed by God’s love. Our darkness is overcome by the true and holy light that enlightens everyone.
Nicodemus does not understand. He sees the light but cannot bring himself to stand in it. He chooses to skulk around in the dark and to live on the surface. He senses what he is missing yet will not grasp it.
I am a blessed man to be so near to the heart of Jesus and I have learned from him that our God does not condemn this world but is determined to save it. Our God does not want us to be overwhelmed with fear but longs for us to live in faith. Our God does not want us to be obsessed by the surface of life but wants us to dwell deeply in its mystery. Our God wants us not to speak the truth as much as to live the truth. Our God does not want us to choose the darkness but rather, to stand in the light.
I know that my words are insufficient and sometimes unclear but how does one speak of a mystery? And to speak of this mystery is not enough. We must dwell in it. Yet, do not listen to my poor words. Listen to what Jesus has to say. Watch what he does. Learn from him. See how he takes your greatest fears and transforms them with hope.
See the goodness in this world. See how much God loves this world and does not want us to perish but to have life in all its fullness. Know how beloved you are. Others may condemn you but God does not. See how Jesus loves. See how he lights up the world. Stand in that light.
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You are welcome to use these narratives for worship or study but please give the author, Sarah M. Foulger, credit for the writing - and consider making a contribution to the Congregational Church of Boothbay Harbor P.O. Box 468, Boothbay Harbor, Maine 04538.. www.congregationalchurchboothbayharbor.org
Sarah M. Foulger may be contacted at: sarahfoulger@gmail.com