One for All
One for All
Acts 10:34-38
Epiphany 1: January 10, 1999
“To each his own” touts a very popular slogan these days. It talks about a politically correct version of life that accepts everything as correct (except the view that says that everything is not correct). And, wouldn’t you know it, the claim of Christianity is that everything is not correct (except in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The Bible claims that “Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life.” This claim radically reverses today’s popular sentiments. Here’s what I mean: The trendy multiculturalism of today insists that all religions are of equal value and all religious claims are equally valid. This means that Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, or whatever religious persuasion you are, all have equally valid propositions in the midst of the rich diversity that constitutes the human race. On the surface that looks and sounds quite good. So why does Christianity say no to such propositions? Why does Christianity make the bold and politically incorrect assertion that God has chosen one way for all and all for one.
God Shows No Favoritism: Supporting the façade of goodness of multicultural sentiment is the ungodly root of favoritism.
The world has always had its favorites. And, it seems that God’s people have always been affected by worldly philosophies. The people, Israel, considered themselves the exclusive heirs to salvation as Abraham’s seed. In other words, their race is what set them apart. There are, of course, modern day sentiments much like that. Consider how people of color have been treated in America. Consider how even Christians in sectarian zealotry turn their backs on fellow believers. Is it any wonder that the world cannot see the God who shows no favoritism.
How neat it is, then, when Scripture opens the eyes of our hearts to see the truth that all people are regarded as equal in the eyes of God. All, equal under the compulsion of sin. Consider this Old Testament example: Jonah is upset with God for sparing the people and the city of Nineveh because they repented. The heart of God is made clear in Isaiah 42. The Servant of the Lord will not fail in restoring the bruised reed to strength and the smoldering wick to full flame. In true justice He calls each one by name. He reaches out His hand of life and Righteousness to all.
Even the New Testament gives us clear examples: Consider Paul’s clear statement in Gal 3:28-29: “There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” Peter’s vision makes it equally clear that God shows no favoritism. Even so, the Christian message is still scandalous to the world.
The Scandal of Particularity: Christianity has a universal message that applies to all people. Under the Law of God we all stand at fault and condemned as impudent slanderers of truth when we turn it upside down so as to say, all people have the same God. Quite the opposite is true. The one God has all people. And all of them are found in a particular person—Jesus. Verse 36 of our text says, “You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, telling the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all.”
Now, how is it that we attain to that peace? How is it that God reaches out His hand to us in Righteousness? Well, consider the significance of baptism.
Jesus’ Baptism and Our Baptism: Jesus Baptism does two very important things. It marks Jesus as the Righteous Servant who fulfills the Law of God in every way. Jesus submits to John’s baptism because it fulfills all Righteousness. In other words, Jesus is perfectly obedient to God in all things.
That truth by itself would not mean much to anyone without their being somehow connected to Christ. Remember, we are all sinners and fall short of the glory of God. But, the Anointed Servant Jesus is a sinless man. And that sinless man identifies with sinners by being baptized by John. The point is this. He is not ashamed to call us brothers and sisters of the most High God.
This is what our Baptism is all about. It’s about being connected to the sinless one. It’s about being declared Righteous in God’s sight because of His obedience. It’s about being forgiven for the sake of the Servant who opens eyes that are blind; who frees the captives from their prison; and releases those who sit in darkness to dwell in His marvelous light.
And what is the end result of this work of the Servant? The result is unity with Jesus and with all the family of God; Unity with all people who believe on his name. Thus it is that Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the life. God has provided none other.
In 1985, theologian Paul Knitter wrote No Other Name? The title was taken from Acts 4:12: “There is no other name in heaven given to men …” Knitter was essentially dealing with the problem of the exclusive claims of Christianity over and against the popular religious pluralism of our day. The interesting thing about the title of Knitter’s book is not the actual wording. It is the punctuation mark. No Other Name? A question mark gives the reader the hint that Knitter is calling into question the idea that Jesus is the only way to salvation. A response to this book was a book by Carl Braaten in 1992. Braaten’s book had a similar title, but a different punctuation mark. His read: No Other Gospel! What a difference is made when a question mark is replaced by an exclamation point. What a difference it makes when God in Christ Jesus is recognized as the One For All. Amen.
