Finding our Bearings
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Stars
Stars
5 He brought him outside and said, “Look toward heaven and count the stars, if you are able to count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your descendants be.” 6 And he believed the Lord; and the Lord reckoned it to him as righteousness.
In this moment - as the LORD speaks to Abram - he makes a promise - and Abraham receives that promise as reliable and true.
In the timeline of Biblical things it is important to note just how early this moment is.
This is before Moses and the giving of the law. This is before Egypt. But just after the pre-history phase… Just after the Noah’s and the Babels and the floods.
And we also know that if it weren’t for Abraham we wouldn’t have the 12 tribes of Israel. The story of slavery in Egypt and Exodus.
The whole story wouldn’t happen.
St Paul refers back to what Genesis says…
6 Just as Abraham “believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness,”
He says this in the context of the Galatian church sometimes forgetting who they are.
Or maybe - where they are.
Lets read the verses that come before and after:
Galatians 3:5-7
5 Well then, does God supply you with the Spirit and work miracles among you by your doing the works of the law, or by your believing what you heard? 6 Just as Abraham “believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness,” 7 so, you see, those who believe are the descendants of Abraham.
And a little before that:
2 The only thing I want to learn from you is this: Did you receive the Spirit by doing the works of the law or by believing what you heard?
In the letter to the Galatians Paul is reminding the Gentile Christians of Galatia of their identity in the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
He is reminding them - because within the community some have emerged who say that to be a ‘proper Christian’ you need to be circumcised.
You need to follow the Jewish law.
You need to do this and that…
But Paul reminds them.
The Holy Spirit filled you when you believed.
The Holy Spirit worked miracles among you when you believed.
Now when you did things.
But when you put your trust in the LORD.
On our faith journey we need to take a moment to remember who we are.
And then - in knowing who we are - we can take stock of where we are.
And where we are going.
Who am I?
Where am I?
Where am I going?
On Sunday I didn’t dig into the gospel reading for the day.
And it is an interesting one.
As we think about Jesus’ fast in the wilderness.
And Jesus’ journey to the cross.
Luke 13:31-35
Luke 13:31-35
31 At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to him, “Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you.”
32 He said to them, “Go and tell that fox for me, ‘Listen, I am casting out demons and performing cures today and tomorrow, and on the third day I finish my work.
33 Yet today, tomorrow, and the next day I must be on my way, because it is impossible for a prophet to be killed outside of Jerusalem.’
34 Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!
35 See, your house is left to you. And I tell you, you will not see me until the time comes when you say, ‘Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.’ ”
From Abraham feeling a little lost - and wondering what is next. Receiving the consolation of a visit from the Lord and a reaffirmation of his promise.
To Jesus. Being reminded:
31 At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to him, “Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you.”
In a moment of threat like that we don’t normally stop and consider:
Who am I?
Where am I?
Where am I going?
We get up and get the hell out of there. Because we are not ‘anchored’ in understanding who we are in God.
Jesus knows so well who he is and what he is doing.
His answer:
32 He said to them, “Go and tell that fox for me, ‘Listen, I am casting out demons and performing cures today and tomorrow, and on the third day I finish my work.
Jesus is first talking about who Herod is: A fox.
This is part of a larger picture which he is painting - Herod is the fox (verse 32)
Jesus is the hen (verse 34). Jesus - in knowing who he is - knows what he is called to do and knows how to respond to those who threaten him and his people - with love and protection.
34 Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!
Jesus knows that Jerusalem is fooled as it always and often will be - even in today’s world.
By foxes like Herod.
Foxes who sneak in and kill and plunder and steal - using their political power and influence to break down. And even to kill the prophets who speak the truth.
From who he is in God.
Jesus is able to also talk about where he is in history - in Geography - even in politics.
As the Pharisees warn him of the danger of speaking as he does and working as he does.
he doesn’t register fear - but registers resolution…
I know who I am.
I know where I am.
And I know what I am called to do.
And he keeps on keeping on… with what he is called to do:
32 .’..Listen, I am casting out demons and performing cures today and tomorrow, and on the third day I finish my work.
And of course - the language is deeply symbolic. Casting out demons and curing - symbols of the way in which Jesus restores order in all the world. In all of creation. In bringing restoration and wholeness.
But - obviously - ‘on the third day I finish my work’ - a reference to his resurrection. A bold proclamation - I am not afraid of death. I know who I am and what I am called to do.
Closing
Closing
As you go out tonight - or as you go through the rest of this week - take a moment to step outside, look at the stars, and reflect on these three questions:
Who am I? (A beloved child of God, just like Abraham)
Where am I? (In a moment of faith, challenge, or transition?)
Where am I going? (Trusting God’s promise, with courage and purpose)
