January 3, 2010

“Empowered by the Word” – John 1:1-18 – January 3, 2010

I recently heard about a simple task that could save your life. Someone has suggested that when you go to bed at night you put your car keys beside your bed. This only works if you have a keyless entry system complete with a panic button. If you hear a noise outside your home or hear someone trying to get into your house, just press the panic button for your car. The alarm will be set off and the horn will continue to sound until either you turn it off or the car battery dies. It's a security alarm system that you already have and requires no installation. Test it. It will go off from most everywhere inside your house and will keep honking until your battery runs down or until you reset it. It works whether you park your car in your driveway or your garage. When your car alarm goes off when someone is trying to break into your house, odds are the burglar won't stick around. After a few seconds, all the neighbors will be looking to see what happened and you will not be alone.

Of course there are many other things we do to protect ourselves since life is sometimes dangerous and scary. However, try as we do, it is not possible for us to defend ourselves from everything. For example, we cannot control the weather.

Recently my wife and I were flying from Charlotte to Wilmington, North Carolina and we flew through a severe storm. The plane was experiencing rough turbulence and we were being jolted from side to side. All you could see through the window was dark, gray clouds. We had no idea where we were or how high up we were. It was scary and we held each other’s hands tightly and we prayed. During the experience the captain said, “We will be on the ground in about 15 minutes.” It seemed like an eternity but nevertheless his words gave us assurance that our roller coaster ride in the air would not last much longer.

There are times when we all need a little reassurance. A comforting word can give us hope and peace of mind. In the gospel of John we hear about the “word.” “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

“And the word became flesh and lived among us,” John said. You do not have to be a theologian to understand that the “word” to which John described was Jesus. The “word” in Greek is LOGOS. Logos means much more than a phrase, definition or announcement. Logos means a way of being. Therefore a more accurate translation would be: “And, Jesus, (the word) lived in the world as a human and experienced what we experience; pain, suffering, sorrow, loss, joy, anger, and loneliness.” In other words, Jesus did more than encourage us to believe in God and preach the good news. “He became flesh and lived among us.”

God’s words can give us reassurance but John’s gospel also reminds us that Jesus is with us in our everyday lives. He feels what we feel. He cares, he understands, he comforts, he inspires us as he walks in our shoes. He has empathy for us. He has experienced everything we have experienced.

One time there was a man named Henry Carter who was a counselor in a home for disturbed children. It was Christmas Eve and they were preparing for a service of carols, followed by a meal and opening presents. One of the children, who name was Tommy, crawled under his bed and refused to come out. Henry went to the room and announced that there were packages under the Christmas tree and great food was waiting for everyone. But, there was no response. Henry returned later and this time he got down on his knees, lifted the bedspread and there was Tommy. Henry recognized that what Tommy needed was trust and reassurance. He told him of a special gift that had his name on it and described in detail all the goodies that were waiting for him. But, still there was no response.

Henry was beginning to feel a bit foolish. After all, he was a man of authority and this was an undignified position to be in, kneeling on the floor and peering beneath the bed especially as members of his staff were not watching. Nevertheless he continued to tell Tommy about all the Christmas festivities that had been planned. He was getting impatient. Finally Henry wiggled under the bed along side Tommy. He waited and then Tommy slipped his little hand into Henry’s. He then said, “You know Tommy, it’s a bit of a tight fit in here, how about you and me go out where we can stand up together.” Then the two of them slid from beneath the bed. Henry realized that he had been given a glimpse of the mystery of God’s love. God comes down to our level to be with us when we are afraid.

“In him was life,” John said, “and the life was the light of all people.” Jesus lives among us to open our eyes and our minds. He is a beacon that helps us to find our way. Instead of being critical or judgmental he wants us to be tolerant. Instead of being stubborn he wants us to be flexible. Instead of living in isolation and fear he wants us to trust and depend on God and be hopeful.

One thing I asked for this Christmas was a flashlight to keep in my car. Since my birthday is only four days before Christmas my grandchildren surprised me with a small package. It was a flashlight. But this flashlight is unique. It doesn’t require batteries or electrical power. It has an internal generator that is activated by turning a little handle on the flashlight several times. The flashlight suddenly turns into a bright beacon, one that will continue to shine. All you have to do is give it a few turns now and then to keep it glowing.

And so it is with God. God does not require batteries. God is always available to us. God only asks that we trust in His word and live with the assurance that God is with us. All God asks is that we make a few little turns in our lives, living in faith and love instead of fear and hopelessness.

As we begin a new year we are empowered by the word of God, a word that gives us hope in times of despair. God is with us in every circumstance. Just as he was with little Tommy beneath the bed, God is with us in our times of darkness as well. Jesus is also the light, the one who helps us to find our way.

The year 2009 is now past. There is nothing we can do to change it. Perhaps we made some mistakes. Perhaps we said some words that we regret. For certain there were times when we were afraid and doubted God’s presence. Let us remember that John also said, “From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.” Jesus forgives us with God’s unconditional love and gives us hope to move forward. His word empowers us with His saving grace.

Dr. Keith Wagner, St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, Sidney, Ohio

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