Judgment

During conversation last week the question over the imagery of “Judgment” raised its frightful head. Specifically, the inquiry was concerning Luke 12:57-59 which can be read as a figurative story concerning the immediacy and reality of “Judgment”. As the discussion evolved a number of folks volunteered their own imaginings of this unknown scene.

- Large movie screens playing the good and bad of one’s life while family and friends look on: roped off entry ways into a quasi courtroom setting: position in a single file line ranging from a specified third to standing behind countless millions of souls awaiting their turn with God: and even one description of Jesus as a 6 foot 2 inch 190 pound presence sporting a large white robe and sandals - All scenes tangible to the one speaking their image -

There are many images that, at least for the individual, assist in the digestion of such thoughts as judgment, pending eternal fire, and loss of the influence of God.

So, to add to the mix here is a thought I had just yesterday concerning the “Judgment”:


The Father – Son metaphor seems to touch me the most:

Samuel had been commissioned to clean up the playroom. And by clean up, I mean he was given three specific tasks that he possessed the ability to perform, nothing more, as I being his father am well aware that he is not up to the cleansing of the entire room.

Samuel was to pick up his crayons, his cars, as well as his puzzles. They where to be replaced to their assigned position. A task he is well equipped to handle. Occasionally, Samuel would come running up to me and announce that he had completed the task.

I would then question if he was sure he was ready for the inspection or for the case of comparison, was he ready for the “Judgment”. After confirmation that a spanking would be the result of failure, he would run back to his business at hand. (I realize this tactic is for an entirely different entry, however, I do threaten punishment and recourse does follow if I am not pleased)
So after a number of false alarms by Samuel – we begin the walk. Hand in hand I escorted him through the house, down the hall, and into the playroom. Samuel walked cautiously and with a silence that is not of his true character. (I believe he feared punishment)

As we approached the crayons, they where indeed placed in the appropriate box and snapped shut.

Approved.

As we approached Samuel’s collection of cars, they where also placed within the basket where they typically reside.

Approved.

But as we walked to the shelf where the puzzles should have been there was a shortage of quantity. A few puzzles had made it, however a number of other pieces lie docile on the floor. I questioned Samuel concerning his incomplete job. Allowed him to respond. Then reached down to raise him into an embrace.

“I love you, good job.” Approved.


I realize this illustration is incomplete at best as I have omitted the “Substitutionary Atonement” of Jesus Christ leaving a “Just God” as well as a merciful one, but my point here is the mercy, my point here is the love.

I love my son, he performed his assigned task well, although incomplete. And although he and I both knew the “Spanking” was real - mercy was given and love was received.

This may reflect at least a partial glimpse of “Judgment”. With painful awareness of all our evils, we will present our goods and realize quite profoundly they are not anywhere near enough. We may even feel horrible guilt and remorse. But once tested our increased elation found when Jesus steps up and takes our Hell will be phenomenal.

When Jesus reaches down to raise us up into his embrace we will at last be within his unity of love. Mear audible words of “I love you, good job.” will pale in comparison to his glory.

I cannot wait. I run toward the call of God in Christ Jesus. I yearn for the divine embrace. I know my pain and inadequacy will be tested with fire; but how sweet will be the precious gift of grace. How wonderful to be in the arms of Love.

Perichoresis

Inexplicably the above boldened word has approached me more than once over the last few days. “Choresis” serves as source for our well known expletory: “choreograph”. Where “Peri” translates: “around or about”; leaving the Greek literal to mean, “Dancing Around” or “Dancing About”.

So who is dancing?

Apparently God – in trinitarian form – along with us so that the world may believe.

From our early church fathers the theology of “Perichoresis” attempted the furtherance of, or deeper consideration for the mystery of the unity found in John 17.

“that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” verse 21

Obviously, the complexity of this “unity” may never be fully understood while abiding within time and space, but I do quite enjoy the metaphor of dancing.

So, from two unlikely sources let us allow the “Dance” to continue:

"Then come the lights shining on you from above. You are a performer. You forget all you learned, the process of technique, the fear, the pain, you even forget who you are, you become one with the music, the lights, indeed one with the dance." Shirley McClain

“And those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music.” Friedrich Nietzsche

Prayer:

Choreograph our movements, oh God, so that others will believe, so that others may hear the music you offer, so that we all may melt into the unity of dance and find joy within your Glory.

Wash with Water - Purify with Fire

"I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.” Matt. 3:11

“I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit.” John 3:5

“When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit” Acts 2:1-4

“I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is completed! Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division.” Luke 12:49-51



There is an ancient thought of paradise based on the dynamic harmony between water and fire that invades your heart and clarifies your mind when manifested in the above scriptures.

The suggestion has been made that these two opposites actually encourage unity, that they share a form of symbiotic relationship.

So are you a follower of Water or Fire? Truth or Spirit?

Beautifully, the two hold hands more often than one might expect.

What's your story?

Controversy surrounds the idea, however most scholars believe that the Book of Job predates all other books of the bible. Written as a poem framed in prose God first introduces himself to humanity in the form of a story. The personal relationship we find between God and Job - began the conversation.

With all due respect to the ordination of the Law, the remainder of the sacred scripture is a collection of stories that resonate the ideas of the first. They show the struggles of humanity along with the triumphs framed within the will of God to the ultimate Glory of God.

Even when God became flesh he walked around telling stories.
So I ask, what is your story? Or more aptly, what is your song?
We exist for two things: to witness God and to celebrate his Glory.
How do you witness God? How do you celebrate his Glory?

The greatest command which balances all others is to: Love God and Love Others.

Eternity has been placed in our hearts – Ecclesiastes 3:11

Now, express in words your heart, your love, your eternity, your God.

How?

There must be story – There must be Christ.

I pray you take your story of grace, your story of devotion, your story of worship, your story of peace and tell others. Love others the only way you know how. Share with them your story. Share with them your God.

You that have ears; hear. You that have tounges; sing.

With the eternity of our hearts we sing. We sing the song immortal.

We sing

the only song

we know

We sing to be heard

We sing to harmonize

with God

We sing;

and we listen

hoping others sing

eager for chorus

longing for unity

we desire fellowship, for in fellowship we find story, and in story we

find song

and we sing

inspiring dance

we wash in the waterfall of Gods melodious voice and we sing