Wednesday, August 21, 2013
Monday, August 19, 2013
Jesus & Couch Burning | a sermon on Luke 12
A sermon on the time when Jesus says that he's come to set fire to the earth and bring division (Luke 12.49-56).
As I canvassed the neighborhood on Monday morning, I was confronted with signs of this prophecy being fulfilled. With the return of students, moving truck upon moving truck was stacked in the streets. Concerned parents prepared for battle as they marched with mops and brooms and industrial strength cleaners into well lived-in University Hill residences. As parents gave their parting hugs and handshakes, I saw this prophecy coming to pass. I saw God’s people divided; fathers leaving sons and sons leaving fathers; mothers leaving daughters and daughters leaving mothers.
The charred remains of furniture deemed too dilapidated for college life, left in alleyways and on street corners, appear to be indicators that returning students are also aware of this week’s prophetic readings and are embracing Christ’s mission to bring fire to the earth.
How are we to interpret the appearance of these signs? Are they signs of doom? Are they signs that we are preparing to enter into another nine months marked by division, of students turned against community members, undergrads vs grad students, Buffs against Rams and Huskers? Is the present time a time of late night parties, litter in the church parking lot and a time and world in which student driven traffic congestion adds an extra five minutes to our commutes?
Or do Christ’s stern words this morning carry some measure hope, some good news, through which we might interpret the signs of this time?
Thursday, August 1, 2013
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