May 15, 2024

GOD’S WORD FOR TODAY:

“Find out what pleases the Lord. And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that He who is both their Master and yours is in heaven. There is no favoritism with Him.” (Ephesians 5.10; Ephesians 6.9)

REFLECTION ON GOD’S WORD:

The story is told, and you may have heard of it, about a high-wire aerialist who decided to demonstrate his prowess on the wire by walking across one spanning Niagara Falls. Many a brave, or foolish, soul had attempted to ride over and beyond the falls in boats or barrels. No one had attempted to “go over” the falls from the air by foot. A wire was strung across the falls which was not small fete in itself. A crowd gathered and began to swell as word got out. Undeterred, he took his balance pole and began to walk the wire confidently step by step. He disappeared into the mist caused by the storming waters over the precipice. Its roar was deafening. Some watched the churning waters below for any sign that he had fallen as they could not see him until he reached the other side. There another crowd has gathered. Though their cheers could not be heard it was clear by the raising of their hands and the leaving of their feet that he was successful.

He then turned back with a wheelbarrow balanced in front of him. In it was three sacks of concrete equaling the weight of a medium-sized man. The crowd on the side of his first departure clapped in amazement at his skill and daring. He was thoroughly soaked by the waters rising up from the falls below. The wire itself was covered and dripping with the water. The aerialist was unfazed. He safely planted the wheelbarrow in front of the crowd. A local newspaper photographer captured his victory for print. He raised his hands to wave to the crowd on the far side and to silence the one in front of him. Asking them if they believed he could do it again, one voice came from them all “Yes You CAN!” He smiled as he removed the sacks from the wheelbarrow. Then facing the crowd with searching eyes, he asked, “Then who will go with me?”

It is in a similar fashion that I hear the Apostle Paul address the Ephesian community of faith in Jesus as the Christ. There would always be supporters lifting up their voices with “Amens” and “Hallelujahs” in vocal consent of the teaching of the gospel. But what happens when, as some may have heard or said before, “preaching becomes meddling”? You know what I mean, right. We are in the affirmative when the Word of God is “speaking” to others a voice of correction or instruction we see is needed in them. Suddenly, when we are the ones confronted with the risky truth of God’s word there is plenty of denial and opposition. Worse, there is the uncomfortable silence verbally and visually and physically that speaks volumes of “you have gone too far.” I mentioned the tension that must have existed between Paul, Onesimus and Philemon as Paul’s instruction was “heard” by both slave and slave owner. The sense of equality before the Lord somehow just doesn’t fit right when there is inclusion that accompanies accountability. It’s okay for others to be equal but we have to be different? That is the unbalanced point in human life and living. The truth of the gospel is that we are all sinners before God. Regardless of such “saintliness” as we may associate ourselves with for our own sake, no such title can be proven before God and the Judgment Seat in Heaven. We all will have to stand before the Throne of the Holy One. We all will be viewed with the accountability question of “In whom did you believe the most?” We all will be confronted with the inevitable question “Who believes enough in the one who can safely deliver us over to take their seat in the wheelbarrow of faith?” Who will do for others what God has done for you? Who will lay down their lives for another and demonstrate so great a love as the world cannot manifest and find the door of Heaven open wide to the eternal opportunity of dwelling in the House of the Lord forever?

There is that sense of trust in the accountability Paul afforded the Ephesian community of faith and not just them alone. There were others across the chasm, through the mist and beyond the field of vision who would be held accountable for walking in right relationship with Jesus as the Christ. He is the Lord and Master of us all just as He is mastered by His Father whose will He would never forsake. When Paul spoke to the slave owners that they must abide in faithful service to one another just as they would serve their own Lord and Master, Jesus the Christ, there had to be some uncomfortable moments where silence ruled verbally and non-verbally. There was no denying the truth forever. Sure, the words might be changed and challenged by some so as to alter the intent with the “wisdom” of it isn’t really about me. Some might edit them from the page of the letter or with the confusion of alternative interpretations and applications. But in the end, the truth wills out and we all stand in the presence of God whose Son demonstrated the call of mercy and grace over all life and living. He most certainly can say it. We can most certainly refuse it. The challenge comes in discerning to what and to whom shall be become slaves and what and who shall we master as craftsman of walking the fine line before us. The call of Isaiah and of John the Baptizer ring clearly “Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight the path upon which He travels to get to you.” In the words of Paul, “In Him there is no favoritism.” In other words, we believe and trust and obey or we don’t. Regardless, the end shall be the same; it will never change. The Master’s Word is final.

TODAY’S PRAYER IN RESPONSE TO GOD’S WORD:

Father, before we were conceived in the womb, You had already formed us in Your love and by Your Spirit brought us into being. Each one of us is blessed with the opportunity of doing right, being good and producing the fruit of the Spirit so that others may be fed the truth of that same love so that the two will become one. It is our soul’s sincere desire to embrace the oneness You have in mind that we would know that we are Your people and that You are our God. Lead us in that discovery of the truth and the manifestation of that love for us all. In Jesus’ name, we pray. AMEN.