What would life be like?

This week in the news has been lots about this date 11 September, and it is often called ‘the day the world changed’. If September 11, 2001 is the day the world changed, in what way has the world changed? Where was light and hope amplified; where was peace increased; where was the proliferation of freedom? For me, in many ways the response to the actions of a few have created less hope, less light and more fear, then the events of that day.


As important and terrible as the events of 11 September, it is not the only day that the world changed. Every day has the potential to be life changing; every day is full of possibility; every day is a new day.

For the people of ancient Israel and the Jewish and Christian people today, the story of liberation from slavery in the book of Exodus was life changing and world changing. One of the intriguing things about this story is that Pharaoh is not named. In the Hebrew Scriptures many of the Kings are named, Kings of Israel but also Kings of other countries around Israel. Yet in this pivotal story in the history of the people of Israel, the name of Pharaoh is not recorded.

In many ways this story of the Hebrew people fleeing from Egypt refers not only to a particular group of slaves at a particular point in history; but is a common story. This is a story for people who are oppressed in many places, and many times in history. Sometimes for us to be free from that which binds us, we end up going through the desert. Taking the way that brings liberation and life can be fraught with danger and hardship. I wonder if the reason that Pharaoh is not named is so that this doesn't just become the story of one group of people, but a story in which many people can see their story. Maybe this is a story people in detention on Christmas Island[i] would relate to.

It wasn’t only Pharaoh that the people escaped from; they also were freed from their fears and doubts. This event was transformative in the history of the people of Israel, and in the faith journey of the people.

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The dramatic reading[ii] links with last week’s reading from Matthew, and this week’s reading. In asking ‘how many times do I need to forgive’, it shows that Peter had not understood the lesson on forgiveness from Jesus. Some translations say we need to give 77 times, others say 70x7, what it does mean is you just keep on forgiving.

When we are forgiven, it means we are able to take more risks. This doesn't mean we should go out and intentionally hurt other people. Hopefully being forgiven by God and being forgiven by other people means that we are able to try things that we are not sure will work. This passage is about forgiveness, and our need to forgive; but it is also about our need to accept forgiveness. Only in accepting forgiveness are we able to grow as individuals and grow in faith.

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In writing this letter to the Romans, Paul was addressing some specific issues. Divisions within the church are not new, the issues may be new, but division, unfortunately, has always been part of the church. In Paul's time it was about eating meat, not out of regard for animal welfare or human health. Most meat for human consumption was meat that had been offered to idols in the temple. Some Christians said the idols weren’t real so it didn't matter where the meat came from; others said we can't worship idols and therefore anything that could possibly be tainted by being associated with idols is taboo. Another point of division was about the day or days of worship. Are the Jewish holy days still to be recognised?

The divisions in the church in the last 10 or 15 years have been over quite different issues; issues of the ordination of women; the place of people in same gender relationships and baptismal practice. These are no more or less significant than the issues Paul was writing to the Romans about. At different times in history each of these issues has threatened to, or has, split Christian communities.

Paul tells the people of the Roman community that eating meat or not eating meat, worshipping on one day or another, does not make any difference to our relationship with God. We are told not to condemn one another because of different practices. We need to be discerning, but not judging or condemning.

Jesus tells us in Matthews gospel to forgive, and in a letter to the Romans, Paul tells us not to condemn one another because of our differences. It is our unity in Christ that makes us one with God and each other. Christ is Lord of all. We are to welcome those whom God has welcomed, not only those who agree with us on every matter, but everyone.

A story[iii]:

It was the final night of Vacation Bible School at Sweet Fellowship Baptist Church. Parents filled the sanctuary, eager to hear the songs and stories that their children had learned during the week. Four lively 5-year-old boys jumped up to offer their dramatic presentation of Moses and the Hebrew slaves leaving Egypt. Wielding their plastic swords, the boys especially liked playing the mean Pharaoh and his army who would not let the people go.

With a little prompting, Moses stood with his shepherd staff before Pharaoh and pleaded, "Pharaoh, the people are tired of being beat up. Let the people go." With the sword swirling, Pharaoh yelled, "Never!" Young Moses left the room, returning in a few moments to plead again. The teacher [I] whispered into Pharaoh's little ear: "Say ‘Never, never, never!'"

But Pharaoh had other ideas. He jumped down from his throne and said, "I'm tired of being mean. I don't want to be mean anymore. All of you can go, just go!" Then he threw his sword on the floor, walked over to Moses, and draped his arm around his shoulder and said, "Come on, let's go play."

“In many ways, we have felt trapped in the past ten years, in a cycle of fear and retribution (however we justify it), and yet ultimately left hungry for a better kind of justice that will lead to a more meaningful kind of peace.”[iv]
I wonder what it would be like if we welcomed everyone on a day when the media is focused on an event 10 years ago, an event that included devastation and loss of life?

I wonder what it would be like if we were people fleeing oppression, totally dependent on God for safety and survival?

I wonder what it would be like if we lived in the peace and freedom offered to us in Jesus Christ.

God forgives us, Christ offers peace and reconciliation, we are charged to welcome all people, to live as people of peace, compassion, freedom, forgiveness. I wonder what that would look like.

[i] Christmas Island is usually where Asylum seekers who arrive by boat are taken.

[ii] Re Matthew 18: 21— Nancy C. Townley, posted on Ministry Matters website

[iii] Let My Pharaoh Go! by Nancy Hastings Sehested [Sojourners: preaching the Word website]
[iv] Kathryn Matthews Huey in UCC SAMUEL

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