The Taste of Shoes
Just after the new year started, a friend at my assembly on a Sunday morning asked me how my New Year’s Eve went. Joking, he asked me if I stayed up until midnight. “C’mon,” I said, “I’m not Al Birgham.” Al is a quite elderly man (in his late 80’s) in our chapel who just happened to be standing behind me as I spoke. That’s right, I spent the next few minutes taking my foot and half my leg out of my mouth. The next week I was at work remarking to a co-worker about how absent minded my dad is. Something had gone missing and I said that it was probably with my dad’s coffee mug that he seems to lose quite often in his wanderings around the office. You see, I work with my dad, and just as the words came out of my mouth I saw my dad sitting in a little office space right beside me that he normally doesn’t frequent. Once again, with a red face a tried to joke about it and do some quick back-pedaling.
I think we’ve all had moments like this. These were innocent enough (I hope!) and I don’t think either of these gentlemen were hurt by my comments, but still, I don’t think I would have said them if I had known they would hear. Both cases were me just trying to be funny, but you have to be careful with that kind of thing. We need to speak as though anyone listening would be edified, encouraged or endeared by what we say. They may not be due to the need for an attitude adjustment of some kind, but you try nonetheless.
It makes me think of the time when Jesus, while speaking to his disciples, uttered a quick prayer saying, “Father glorify your name.” God the Father then spoke from heaven saying, “I have both glorified it and will glorify it again.” It sounded like thunder in the ears of those who stood by. Jesus then said, “This voice did not come because of me, but for your sake.” God took the static energy of clouds and used it for vocal cords – for our benefit. You see, Jesus was once again addressing the topic of his death. He went on to tell his dear disciples exactly what kind of death he was going to die. “If I am lifted up…” he said. This was a direct reference to the cross. He was not going to shrink from it. He would not say, “Father save me from this hour.” The Father’s voice crackled through and split the air to declare his agreement with his Son.
This was not the only occasion where a voice from heaven was heard. Jesus didn’t need to hear it, but we did. We still do. We need to remain confident that the Father’s approval of His Son still stands. It stands so much so that He raised Christ from the dead. At the same time, we need to recognize that the Son of God speaks for His Father. The writer to the Hebrews begins that letter this way:
“God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son”
God the Father trusted His Son enough to let Him be the final word. We need to listen. On another occasion the Father said, “This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!” Christ alone has the words of eternal life, Peter said. Where else can we go? There may be someone listening that you didn’t plan for. Well - Dad, Al – I’m not going to eat my shoes anymore.
BJ
I think we’ve all had moments like this. These were innocent enough (I hope!) and I don’t think either of these gentlemen were hurt by my comments, but still, I don’t think I would have said them if I had known they would hear. Both cases were me just trying to be funny, but you have to be careful with that kind of thing. We need to speak as though anyone listening would be edified, encouraged or endeared by what we say. They may not be due to the need for an attitude adjustment of some kind, but you try nonetheless.
It makes me think of the time when Jesus, while speaking to his disciples, uttered a quick prayer saying, “Father glorify your name.” God the Father then spoke from heaven saying, “I have both glorified it and will glorify it again.” It sounded like thunder in the ears of those who stood by. Jesus then said, “This voice did not come because of me, but for your sake.” God took the static energy of clouds and used it for vocal cords – for our benefit. You see, Jesus was once again addressing the topic of his death. He went on to tell his dear disciples exactly what kind of death he was going to die. “If I am lifted up…” he said. This was a direct reference to the cross. He was not going to shrink from it. He would not say, “Father save me from this hour.” The Father’s voice crackled through and split the air to declare his agreement with his Son.
This was not the only occasion where a voice from heaven was heard. Jesus didn’t need to hear it, but we did. We still do. We need to remain confident that the Father’s approval of His Son still stands. It stands so much so that He raised Christ from the dead. At the same time, we need to recognize that the Son of God speaks for His Father. The writer to the Hebrews begins that letter this way:
“God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son”
God the Father trusted His Son enough to let Him be the final word. We need to listen. On another occasion the Father said, “This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!” Christ alone has the words of eternal life, Peter said. Where else can we go? There may be someone listening that you didn’t plan for. Well - Dad, Al – I’m not going to eat my shoes anymore.
BJ
posted by BJ at 9:56 a.m.
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