Trying to See (through the Eyes of Jesus)
Our Journey through the Bible continues. We completed the Old Testament; we traveled briefly through the “intertestamental period” between the Old Testament times and New Testament times. And now we have moved into and through the Gospel of Matthew.
Matthew frames Jesus clearly. He’s the Messiah, the fulfillment of Old Testament hopes, the new Moses, and the proclaimer of a new law for a new day. He calls on his followers to see the world differently, to live with others more gracefully, and to follow God more faithfully.
This past Sunday in our Sanctuary service, we delved further into hard words and difficult teachings of Matthew: “deny yourself; take up your cross; follow me.”
In many ways these words represent a summary of the latter part of this Gospel. What do they have to say to us today? These are tough concepts for any day, but especially now with all of our divided society and divisive rhetoric. What is it from Jesus’ words that speaks to us now? If you missed us in person or livestreaming, please visit our website as we do our best to learn from and rise this challenge Jesus places before us.
In the meantime, I’d like to share again a very unusual poem by Brian Bilston. I read this at the conclusion of my sermon that you can view online. Keep in mind, this reading comes in the context of our contention that Jesus isn’t just turning things upside down. He is trying to turn them right-side up!
Therefore, read the poem through first as it is written, knowing that it articulates a clear understanding of a certain perspective and a particular type of person represented in these words. Then read it again, only this time, backwards. You’re in for a surprise, and hopefully a valuable lesson (I’ve actually transcribed the reverse reading for you, too, if you prefer to read it the second time through in a more normal way).
See this as a creative illustration of upside down right-side up workings that Matthew places before us.
REFUGEES
by Brian Bilston
They have no need of our help
So do not tell me
These haggard faces could belong to you or me
Should life have dealt a different hand
We need to see them for who they really are
Chancers and scroungers
Layabouts and loungers
With bombs up their sleeves
Cut throats and thieves
They are not
Welcome here
We should make them
Go back to where they came from
They cannot
Share our food
Share our homes
Share our countries
Instead let us
Build a wall to keep them out
It is not okay to say
These are people just like us
A place should only belong to those who are born there
Do not be so stupid to think that
The world can be looked at a different way
(Now read bottom to top)
The world can be looked at a different way
Do not be so stupid to think that
A place should only belong to those who are born there
These are people just like us
It is not okay to say
Build a wall to keep them out
Instead let us
Share our countries
Share our homes
Share our food
They cannot
Go back to where they came from
We should make them
Welcome here
They are not
Cut throats and thieves
With bombs up their sleeves
Layabouts and loungers
Chancers and scroungers
We need to see them for who they really are
Should life have dealt a different hand
These haggard faces could belong to you or me
So do not tell me
They have no need of our help
Trying to see through the eyes of Jesus, let us see ourselves in a different light, even as we see others as Jesus would see them.
Bless you my friends. And thanks again for the honor of sharing life with you.