( Sermon Ephesians 4:22-32 ) [ German Sermon ] [ Announcements (German)239.49 KB ]
How do I imagine God? What pictures do I have of Him?
In the Grade 7 Religion class with we currently discuss the Prophets, and in particular Amos, who heard the voice of God, had several visions and was instructed by God to confront Israel with his grievances, which were the order of the day many centuries before Christ. He listened to God’s voice. He was open for it. One needs to also want to hear what God has to say. Often, we reckon we already know everything… and then life teaches us the opposite.
I would like to invite you to listen to Scripture for today where Paul is speaking to the people in Ephesians: I read from the Letter to the Ephesians 4:22-32
Dear Congregation, between the lines I read that God can be sad. I try to imagine that. Inside of me, I see a new picture of a God who cries tears. But is that even possible, a sad, yes even a weeping God? The other pictures of God are better known.
For instance, the ruling, creative and life-giving Creator. Or the angry God. In the Gospel reading of today, we meet the strength-giving, caring God in Christ Jesus, who forgives sins and gives life. And then there is the saddened, weeping God whose Son breathes out his life on the cross. Who-ever is filled with sadness, usually feels terrible. Thoughts of the day cannot be let go and hinder sleep. Then they are still present upon waking. It is hard to be freed from them.
One thinks constantly of them but to speak about them is also hard. Sorrow threatens to devour you from the inside. Sometimes we cry visibly, other times on our own and hidden from the world. This sadness or sorrow can be due to different things. When a loved one has an accident or is seriously ill or dies. One can also be sorrowful when there is a dispute or complete lack of understanding inside a family, when school causes total stress including teachers and class mates, when one is completely overworked, or one fears the loss of a job or absence of orders. The impact of the Corona-Pandemic has caused deep scars in many people. What does the future hold? For my family, my friends and me?
Sometimes it is good to let the worry out of your system. That includes crying, and it does not matter if you are female or male. One needs to allow the sorrow room outside of oneself. We often hear of the purifying and healing strength of tears. God knows that. And so, a picture can evolve of a weeping God in heaven, who cries his tears over the worry over his children. But how does this worry of God happen? It helps to go back to the start of the story of God and his people when he was full of creative strength. There was no worry, only a joyous hope in the future. God created man to continue and complete his work.
That story is the origin of the history and community of God with us. The fate of man himself lies deep in His heart. He loves man completely. And that is the reason why life on this earth is not of no consequence to him.
When man suffers, so does God. It is not by accident that Christianity reports from the beginning of a compassionate God. This results not only in a special image of God but also that of man.
Man is unique among the creatures in his assignment to God. That is an amazing gift and profound proof of His trust in and love for us.
However, hence also the instructions which follow this trusting love: Take care of other people's lives. Service to another human is always also service to God. The Apostle also knows that; he admonishes his congregation so emphatically, thereby creating a great panorama of community and togetherness.
The Corona Pandemic has awakened this consciousness in many again: What does my neighbour need? Does Mr XYZ have sufficient to eat or can I assist and go shopping for him? There was a great solidarity in many places in the world as well as in our community. There was so much friendly, caring closeness in word and deed, which leads to the simple conclusion: Yes, we are able to follow the instructions of the Apostle, to give to the needy and talk about what is good and what helps.
I wish it could stay like that. So often the reality of the 21st century kicks in and one must ask: Where is the blessing in talking and excluding people, when only guilty people are sought, and help is withdrawn? There is a heartless, loveless way we humans use with each other. The lovelessness particularly, is cause for grave concern. That is not only felt by us humans, even God experiences that. The suffering of his people touches and affects him.
It means a lot when people turn towards each other and do good to each other. That is why Paul presented this catalogue of a social programme. Hope for the future. And we hear it here and now in these times, in which we ourselves shape our future. Humans only thrive godly and properly in a friendly community. „Grieve not the Holy Spirit of God! He is the seal of your salvation.“ This should not be seen as a threat that he could break this seal.
However, when God sheds bitter tears over the heartless treatment of others and also over my failure in this world, then this only makes clear how much he cares for his people. Thus, the image in me that I have of God expands.
Paul ends: „Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God also forgave you.“ God sees what men do, where they fail, but he does not sink into anger and grief over it; he fights for us.
The cleansing, healing power of tears is often spoken about. Go knows that. So, tears also release him from his dungeon of great sorrow. Christ comes to our world here on earth. And with him also the forgiveness of God. Time and again he speaks to us, shows himself to us.
In the kindness of Jesus Christ, He is close to us. God becomes man so that we can become human beings. For the life God wants in the world. For kindness, sincerity, solidarity and forgiveness.
Amen
