A fellow in one of the churches I served years ago didn’t like us singing “the Battle Hymn of the Republic”. He was originally from Georgia; he thought it was too hard on the south with its violent imagery. I remember him citing a line from it: “He is trampling down the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored.” He asked me, “Where does that stuff come from?”
As a matter of fact, that very graphic image derives from the last book of the Bible: the book of Revelation. It’s in Revelation 14:17-20, to be specific. Revelation is famous for its graphic images of judgment, sin, the forces of evil, destruction, and damnation. Some people don’t like all this and they don’t want anything to do with it. This is why it’s important to see how the book of Revelation begins – which reminds me of an expression: “You get only one chance to make a good first impression.” Revelation doesn’t begin with a harsh, graphic word of judgment and damnation, but with a word of blessing. Revelation 1:3 is the first of seven beatitudes in Revelation. (The others are in 14:13, 16:15, 19:9, 20:6, 22:7, and 22:14). They’re not as famous as Jesus’ beatitudes in the Sermon on the Mount (in Matthew 5:3-12) because they’re not all bunched together. But they’re just as important; all scripture comes from God. And the first one sets the tone for the whole book by identifying one set of blessings that God sends.
One part of my routine with the church newsletter has been to ask for deadlines. Deadlines are a great motivator. If I know it’s coming, I can make sure to get my things in on time. The same thing is true with the Christian life, but in a different sense. Jesus could return at any moment – and what’s more, none of us knows our time. Occasionally people say to me “I hope you can do my funeral when I pass.” It’s an honor to be asked, but I always feel obligated to clarify something: You may have the chance to come to my funeral before I get the chance to do yours. None of our time is guaranteed on this side of eternity. So we live faithfully, knowing that at any moment we could meet our maker. And the word of God shapes our course, and there’s great blessing to be found in it. God bless you, Andrew McHenry, Pastor First Congregational Church of Oroville
0 Comments
|
Andrew McHenryI am a husband, a Congregational pastor, and a native Kansan currently living in Thermalito, California. In the past I have also been a prison chaplain and a youth pastor. Interests include reading, railroads, prog rock, KU, and the KC Royals. Archives
March 2024
Categories |