Tell Us Plainly

John 10:22-30

Interesting that the Jews in the Gospel According to John should be saying exactly the same thing so many of us today are thinking. Why can't Jesus just tell them clearly and succinctly that He is the messiah? He says in his reponse in verse 25 that he has said this, but for the life of me, I don't know where it was ever stated that clearly. Jesus speaks to us in parables and through the way he lived his life. Jesus showed us repeatedly and often but doens't use the clearcut statement.

Messy thing faith. No wonder so many of us start trying to map out things that the Bible says to specifics in the world today and in history. As a former computer programmer, wouldn't life be grand if it were a series of clearcut if/then statements? There would be no ugly terrorist attacks without warning or explanation. Death would happen in its expected time and never too early.

I have heard so many people this week falling back to the Psalms - even did so myself. In response to the horror of the Boston bombs - Do not fear! I am guilty of fear and need to read these words over and over. Fear is exactly why terrorism works and why we want our bibles and scripture to be succinct and clear. If it were all laid out for us, we would understand. Wouldn't we? We could point to an action or experience that would cause evil.

What we have trouble with are the experiences where evil can't be explained away in our world. God is with me - I know this, but in times like these it feels much like a platitude. We turn to prayer, anger, we join together and honor the heroes. All of our responses to hurt and the fear of 'why' are realistic attempts to understand the why and overcome the fear.

In the valleys of life being angry at God is natural and healthy. Questioning and being there with one another is what faith is all about. Life as a series of clear if/then statements reduces the mystery of God. The wonder of miracles that surround us everyday shouldn't so quickly take a back seat to the horror when evil rears its ugly head.

'If/then' does not leave a place for miracles. It limits our God and tries to box God in to rules that we understand. We want to define the relationship. Wanting a God who announces that Jesus is messiah in a way we like and who doesn't allow terrorism is trying to not only force limits to a God we build - a mere idol who follows our rules. But it also is not acknowledging that we are a player in the relationship and given freedom of will by our God. God is not the author of disaster and terror.

God sits beside us and comforts us, mourns with us, struggles with us. But God is beyond our understanding and relates to us weak humans in ways that push and challenge. How are we stretching to meet God in that relationship? The Koinonia of our faith is working it out to be in relationship with those who hate as well as with those who love. How do we grow in the world to be in relationship together as God's tools  - as comforter, teacher, caregiver, friend to all? How do we work it out with one another to understand those who feel driven to desperate actions. How do our various religions work together to stop resorting to only a relationship of retaliation and action against one another?

This is a week of struggle and challenge with wanting clear-cut answers: Why did this happen? I picture a God who feels the same way of Her children. A God who is also asking - Why? God desires a relationship and love with all people. Rather than handing it to us on a platter defined for us, the mystery and wonder of our relationship with God is that it is genuine and something we have to come to with our whole selves.

God does not reach out and define our lives but gives us freedom to muddle or soar. Each of us in our own ways, working together in community in a mixed up world. Clear answers aren't always the best for us bumbling humans who are struggling through life with good intentions. Our journeys together are all about working faith out together. Working out how to live together in this world.

God does not cause the evil but cries and struggle with us as a dynamic part of the relationship with humanity. Koinonia calls us to table together, to life together to love one another in ways that explore and challenge rather than hand simple answers and coddle. We are still growing together in love.

Why didn't Jesus tell us exactly who he was? He did, just not in the crisp way I wanted to hear it and when I wanted to hear it. For after all if I look enough it is within the message: John 10:30 "The Father and I are one."

Look for the love, push ourselves this week to reach out in new and maybe uncomfortable ways. Expand the relationship in love, koinonia together as we struggle through difficult times with God

as the children of God. But bound together - always together.