Containers and Contents

I grew up in the Baptist church. When I was in junior high school my family was told we were no longer welcome (long story, but the stupidity of how that sentence sounds is a good enough statement). At that point, and throughout high school, I occasionally weaved in and out of the churches my friends attended. Catholic. Reformed Church in America. Christian Reformed Church. Wesleyan. And of course, non-denominational. Some were quite old, and a couple of them had just recently been started. Each with its own flavor, traditions, and practices. All holding firmly to, while buoyantly celebrating, their own ways and practices.

I received my ordination through The Wesleyan Church, and yet I currently serve within the Reformed Church in America. Some of my favorite scholars and thinkers and writers are Roman Catholic, Episcopalian, Celtic, Franciscan, Jewish, Anglican, Seminarians and Theologians of all backgrounds.

I am a theological mutt.

I enjoy the depth of contemplative practices and the breadth of serving circles. Wisdom, in all its forms, is such a tremendous gift.

Meaning. Purpose. Transformation and Formation. To be shaped, reshaped, and sent in and through the love of Christ, this is my engine.

The fender, bumper, hood, and trunk are all different ages, paint colors, makes and models.

This leads me to an interaction Jesus had that is both odd and very interesting.

In Luke’s biography of Jesus, there is a scene in chapter 11 in which Jesus casts out a demon from a man who was mute. The man then speaks, and the crowd is amazed. Then they start to debate whether Jesus is of God or whether he is in league with, “the prince of demons.”

Sure. Seems like a fun dinner discussion.

Jesus, in typical Jesus fashion, teaches and explains through images, metaphors and stories, then says a rather straight forward statement: “Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.”

Jesus, that seems a rather broad statement.

While he was saying these things, a woman from the crowd raised her voice. “A blessing on the womb that bore you,” she shouted, “and the breasts that you sucked!”

After the middle school part of me chuckles in hearing the second part of her blessing, I then nod my head at the blessing of the container that held Jesus. The praise of tradition, correct? Blessed is that container, yes?

“On the contrary,” replied Jesus. “A blessing on those who hear God’s word and keep it!”

Oh wow, Jesus says it’s less about the container and more about the living contents. Might this text have any reference points, or other texts that it is holding hands with?

Now then, my children, listen to me; blessed are those who keep my ways. Proverbs 8:32

For the word of God is alive and active. Hebrews 4:12

So, don’t put that which is living in cement… in the freezer… and call it finished? That seems helpful.

We should follow the Living Word, which will happen in many ways. So we are to follow Jesus with a living, breathing, fresh and new faith?

How… traditional.