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by David Jordan

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.

 

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