April 28, 2019 - INSCRIPTIONS FROM THE HEART

“For I have seen your face, which is like seeing the face of God, and you have accepted me.” (Genesis 33:10b)

Major news from this week was the organized Sri Lankan bombings of three churches and three hotels in quick succession early Easter Sunday morning.  This is a somber reminder of the frailty of human life for over two hundred and fifty souls on Resurrection Sunday.  While many Christians around the world (rightfully) took to prayer, it is difficult to imagine the appropriate and Christ-like response to events such as these.    How do we as a church respond like Christ, saying “Father, forgive them for they do not know what they do” to targeted, personal acts of antagonism and destruction?

In the book of Genesis, we learn about many brothers (from Cain and Abel to Joseph and his brothers) and their different responses to jealousy and blessing.  For Jacob, we learn that he is so in dread of encountering his brother, Esau (whom he had stolen from) that it not only affects him but his tribe also.  In Genesis 33, fearing the worst, he is surprised when Esau instead of meeting him with hostility and anger, runs to him and embraces him, and in effect blesses him.  What a turn of events?  Jacob’s response here is one of surprise and thanksgiving to God.  What happened? Esau forgave Jacob unlike Cain to his brother Abel when he missed out on blessing. 

What is a Christ-like response? Forgiveness.  When we don’t experience forgiveness, it has the power to hold and consume us. Only in Christ-like forgiveness is the grip of bitterness released and the kingdom of God extended.  As a church, we may not all be called to be apostles, prophets, evangelists, shepherds, or teachers.  But we are all called and equipped with the power to forgive.

On Palm Sunday, 2017, a suicide bomber detonated a bomb that killed 45 and injured 126 more in a church attack in Egypt. The widow of one of those killed (Naseem Faheem) had this to say on a secular national interview in what made international headlines, (her children by her side) she said, “I’m telling him, ‘May God forgive you, and we also forgive you. Believe me, we forgive you’… “  After stunned silence the host could only say this in response: “How great is this forgiveness you have!” his voice cracking. “If it were my father, I could never say this. But this is their [Christian] faith and religious conviction.”  Through Christ, we can all forgive.

“For I have seen your face, which is like seeing the face of God, and you have accepted me.” (Genesis 33:10b)

Major news from this week was the organized Sri Lankan bombings of three churches and three hotels in quick succession early Easter Sunday morning.  This is a somber reminder of the frailty of human life for over two hundred and fifty souls on Resurrection Sunday.  While many Christians around the world (rightfully) took to prayer, it is difficult to imagine the appropriate and Christ-like response to events such as these.    How do we as a church respond like Christ, saying “Father, forgive them for they do not know what they do” to targeted, personal acts of antagonism and destruction?

In the book of Genesis, we learn about many brothers (from Cain and Abel to Joseph and his brothers) and their different responses to jealousy and blessing.  For Jacob, we learn that he is so in dread of encountering his brother, Esau (whom he had stolen from) that it not only affects him but his tribe also.  In Genesis 33, fearing the worst, he is surprised when Esau instead of meeting him with hostility and anger, runs to him and embraces him, and in effect blesses him.  What a turn of events?  Jacob’s response here is one of surprise and thanksgiving to God.  What happened? Esau forgave Jacob unlike Cain to his brother Abel when he missed out on blessing. 

What is a Christ-like response? Forgiveness.  When we don’t experience forgiveness, it has the power to hold and consume us. Only in Christ-like forgiveness is the grip of bitterness released and the kingdom of God extended.  As a church, we may not all be called to be apostles, prophets, evangelists, shepherds, or teachers.  But we are all called and equipped with the power to forgive.

On Palm Sunday, 2017, a suicide bomber detonated a bomb that killed 45 and injured 126 more in a church attack in Egypt. The widow of one of those killed (Naseem Faheem) had this to say on a secular national interview in what made international headlines, (her children by her side) she said, “I’m telling him, ‘May God forgive you, and we also forgive you. Believe me, we forgive you’… “  After stunned silence the host could only say this in response: “How great is this forgiveness you have!” his voice cracking. “If it were my father, I could never say this. But this is their [Christian] faith and religious conviction.”  Through Christ, we can all forgive.

Pastor Tonyvic Tira