From The Pastor. . .

     The cross is central to our life and work as Christians. I may not like its implications for my life—suffering and death on behalf of others—but I cannot live without its significance for me and this world. In his letter to the Colossians Paul says that through Christ “God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross” (1:20). Traditionally, we have emphasized this as a wholly personal action: I have been reconciled to God by Jesus’ death and am graced by a peaceful relationship with God, if I choose to live into it.

     As I said in the sermon Sunday, however, this is only part of the story. The cross casts its shadow over the entire world, including our institutions, businesses, governments and organizations. Jesus died from their actions, and for them, too, strange as it may seem. “In him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones, dominions, rulers or powers—all things have been created through him and for him” (Col. 1:16). Just as with individuals, the church is called to remind those institutions, businesses, etc. where they came from and what they exist for, the common good not self preservation.

     It is great news to realize that God has not given up on the world we live in, but is continuing to work in our places of employment, our schools, our government and other human organizations. As human beings, we cannot exist without our social structures, but sometimes those structures are so messed up we cannot seem to live with them. Things can seem so badly fallen and misshapen by sin as to be beyond redemption . Given the news that assaults us daily, we can easily fall into despair over the shape of our world.

     In the cross is our hope. God is at work in myriad ways transforming our world, not just our souls. So, no matter where you work or play, no matter what organization or institution you are a part of, and no matter how terribly messed up it seems to be, God is still God. We can go to work, take part in politics and participate in human organizations (including the church) with the knowledge that God made all of this through Christ, none of it is currently as God intended, but all things are being redeemed by the blood of the cross. This is the Word behind the words of my sermon Sunday, and for the next few weeks. It is the good news of Jesus Christ in a world that despairs that all is lost. Good news indeed.

           Peace….Chris

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