False Fronts

In the book White Noise, the author tells about “the most photographed barn in America” (cited in this article). On going to see the barn, one finds that it is a pretty ordinary barn, plainly unremarkable. The reason that it is “the most photographed barn in America” is because of all the road signs pointing to “the most photographed barn in America.”  People flock to photograph this ordinary object primarily because it is advertised as “the most photographed barn in America.” Better barns exist.

Old, Western TV shows acquainted us with false fronts, or facades. The dusty main street of the wild west town was lined with two-story buildings - except that most of them weren’t. They were one-story buildings with a false front, a facade that gave the appearance of something more grand - and provided a great hiding spot for gun-slingers. This hasn’t changed much, since in our own communities we have men who are 5’11” with front doors double the height, as though perhaps a giraffe lived there.

Paul Tournier, in his book “The Meaning of Persons” makes a distinction between persons and personas. The person is the real you - the persona is the front, the stylized you, that you put on for one group or another. We tend to act different with our parents than we do our peers. We have personas, or false fronts.

Do you ever wonder what is real? How do I know if I’m being played? Or, perhaps worse, how do I know I’m not the one playing, putting on a front, pretending to be something other than the real me? Do I even know the real me?

Am I the same person talking one-on-one as I am speaking in front of a thousand? Does it matter if I’m being recorded? Do I talk differently if I’m recording my own Instagram story? Do I talk like every other person who is recording their Instagram story? Are we just imitating one another? Do we know that if a TV camera is pointed at us, we cannot possibly “just be ourselves?” And in this world when we are always being recorded or watched, can we ever “just be ourselves."

This is an instance when God being the God of truth is so important. He does not/cannot mis-represent Himself, and He knows us as we truly are. The world and those who live in it do not have a clue. But we can get to the bottom of things as we come to know Him, and are known by Him.

Unnecessary Equipment

Jesus spoke to 5000 men plus women and children on a Galilean hillside without benefit of a sound system. It makes me think that this particular troublesome technology may not be necessary in the new heavens and new earth. I wonder what else won’t be necessary. 

Let’s start with the obvious: pastors. Why would you need a pastor when you have immediate, face-to-face access to Jesus Himself? Nursing homes and funerals? I don’t think so. Pastors may need to be re-trained. But harder to think about: what about Bibles? Once you got married, did you still sit around reading love letters? Not when you could interact personally with your spouse. And so it seems that our devotion will not be so Book-dependent when in the company of the Person. 

I am not arguing against the present role of pastors or Bibles. These are appointed by God for a particular purpose, during a particular time. Perhaps an illustration would be Israel’s use of manna during those 40 years of wilderness wandering. God was good and faithful to supply this gift to them 6 days a week. But the day they crossed the Jordan into the Promised Land, the manna ceased, as they were to now live off the land they were inheriting. 

Well, what about faith, hope, and love? Do we still live by faith in that day when faith becomes sight? We will still take God at His word - a definition that I use of faith, - and yet the proper conclusions will be so much more obvious. And when hope is realized, is it still hope? I wouldn’t rule hope out, because each day holds anticipation for tomorrow, and in this glorious future, each tomorrow will hold its own promise. But what about love? Well, here we must insist that love will never be replaced, except that our experience and expression of love in the new heavens and new earth will be so much more glorious, that I wonder if we will even recognize the old in the presence of the new. 

What a release when a child “graduates” from sitting in a car seat and can use a regular seat and belt (perhaps the real release is for parents and grandparents not having to contort themselves trying to get them inserted and latched)! What a relief when the cast is removed once the broken bone has healed! What a reconciliation is enjoyed when sins are confessed and offenses are forgiven! All such things, and more, will be left behind, as followers of Jesus step into a glorious future. 

And, once more, think of it - no need for pastors. Glorious!

Point of No Return

We expect the best from God. For instance, He is infinitely patient. And He is. But He is also much else. He is also infinitely just, and wise, and He knows both the past and the future; the outside and the inside. Some of these can be called “competing qualities,” though never in conflict. We may not know how to resolve apparent conflicts, but He is able to be true in the perfection of all His attributes at all times, in every situation.

It is a bit of shock to us when we read the Lord’s instructions to Jeremiah, the prophet: “As for you, do not pray for this people, and do not lift up cry or prayer for them, and do not intercede with Me; for I do not hear you.” (Jeremiah 7:16 NAS95) You can read other translations if you want. They say the same thing. God is saying, “Don’t bother.” “Don’t waste your energy.” “Don’t waste My time.”

It seems as though Israel at this point had reached a point of no return. They were confirmed in their stubbornness. They weren’t going to change, at least at this point in their story. God would take them into exile, and they would feel the effect of their abandonment of God. “Don’t ask for a different outcome.” “The die is cast.”

This word from God causes us to ask some questions about Him. It also causes us to ask some questions about ourselves, or others for whom we are concerned. Is God really infinitely patient? Yes, in concert with His plan and purpose, which would remember and restore a fragment of this people, through whom Jesus would come. He is patient in more ways, on more levels, than we know. But what about us, and people like us? Could we come to a point where God would say, “Don’t even bother?” “It’s no use even praying for them.”

I do believe that a person can reach that point. But to be clear, I am not good enough or smart enough to ever make that determination myself. Nor are you. Remember, in the Scripture above, God expressly instructed Jeremiah not to go on praying for the people. God has never told that to me, or you. But again, on the other hand, it is a serious thing to go on thumbing one’s nose in God’s face, consistently rejecting His Word, shaming His honor. It is a tribute to God’s patience that we do not immediately receive the punishment that we deserve. And when we receive a second (or, second-hundred) chance, we should glory in His mercy and grace.

With regard to our prayers, we are on much safer ground to say with Samuel, “Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by ceasing to pray for you; but I will instruct you in the good and right way.” (1 Samuel 12:23 NAS95)

From Water to Wine

Last week Jesus turned water to wine. Evidently, it was really good stuff. Now, I don’t think Jesus sinned when he turned water to wine. Also, I don’t think if was fake wine, or non-alcoholic. I suppose that if someone drank a sufficient amount of Jesus’ wine, they would have been drunk. I don’t think those who drink wine or other alcohol (short of drunkenness) are committing a categorical sin. 

Our current context is very different from Jesus’ day. Alcohol today is not so much part of community life as it is a part of commercial life. What does that mean? It means they want your money. The drink-pushers, whether full of alcohol or sugar, care little about your health or enjoyment. They want your money. And they will spend gross budgets for advertising to convince you and your friends that you just have to imbibe, just like your friends do. It appears that we are suckers for advertising, and for following the crowd.

Last week’s message was about moving from a mere “water” existence to a more rich “wine” existence. There were several points, and you can listen to the message here. All were encouraged to embrace a “wine” existence. I choose to do so without actually drinking wine or other alcohol. 

My choice is based on what is good for others. I am often  involved with those who have struggled with alcohol. So are you. It pains me that there are more people who attend our church building in a given week to attend meetings to help keep alcohol-demons at bay than those who attend to worship God. And also, for the sake of children. I don’t want parents to justify doing what children shouldn’t by appealing to some arbitrary “drinking age.” I don’t want children to have to listen to arguments between parents about drinking too much. And children shouldn’t have to watch adults cross some invisible line that loosens inhibitions so that one acts more foolish than usual in front of them. 

Scripture clearly teaches that, one day, those who follow Christ will enjoy a new society which will be ruled by our Redeemer-King, not by profit- or pleasure-motives; dark passions or demon-addictions. We will join together in a grand banquet. It will be a wonderful gathering of interesting people with fascinating stories, but most importantly, Jesus Himself will be the Head of the table. I don’t know all that will be served at that banquet, though I expect there will be really good wine. He tended to save the best for last. And I will be very happy to raise my glass and enjoy a sip, right after He does. Now, please, tell me: what am I missing?