November 20, 2016

In reflection on a sermon preached by Rev. Dr. Bill Seel, Easley Presbyterian Church, entitled “Whoever Humbles Himself”, based on the passage in Matthew 18:1-14 in which Jesus responded to his disciples questions:  “Lord who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”   To which Jesus responded:  “Except you become as one of these little children, you shall not enter the kingdom of  heaven”, referring as Rev. Seel so preached to the necessity of humility in our attitude toward other men and women and also in our approach to the Living God.

 

“So Let’s Build A Wall”

Our president-elect, Donald C. Trump, not known for thoughtful speech, said in one of his speeches on the road to the White House, “Let’s build a wall on the Mexican border to keep the illegal aliens out and let us have Mexico pay for the wall!”

Considered incendiary speech towards many Hispanics across the world and particularly to our brothers and sisters in Mexico, Trump’s speech is an example of modern hate speech, hidden under the guise of ‘the real politic’.  Unfortunately, about 50% of American citizens responded to this hatred of minorities, under the guise of “immigration reform”.  This speech portrays the United States of America as a racist and bigoted nation.  It is one thing for someone without intelligence (in common parlance, “a fool”) to use such language.  It is quite another thing for the new President of the United States!  I am ashamed to be called an American with Donald T in the leadership of our nation.  His words and his temperament certainly do not represent me, nor any member of my family!

So in response to Donald T’s speech about a wall between the United States and Mexico (interestingly, Canada is not included as they are “white enough”), I propose today a different kind of wall, a wall built not on distrust, bigotry and hatred of our fellow human beings, but rather a wall made of the building blocks of human relationship, of love, goodness, kindness, humility, gentleness and self-control.  In the name and in honor of Jesus Christ our Savior, let’s build a different kind of a wall which joins together borders and cultures and builds bridges among people of all races, crossing the great divide of suspicion, hatred, warfare and greed which seem to separate so many of us.

In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, let us build a wall against prejudice!  Prejudice between peoples destroys community, hinders fellowship, and prevents loving kindness.  Instead of mistrust, let us come to know one another.  Instead of separate and unequal space, let us all meet on the level field of kindness, goodness, mercy and truth.  Are we really so different across the human race?  When you receive a life-saving transfusion of blood, do you ask if this came from a Mexican, an African, a Jew, a Moslem, a Christian or a Caucasian? Are you not simply grateful to be given the gift of life saving blood?

In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, let us build a wall against hatred!  In the old South, slavery based on hatred between the races almost destroyed our republic, “one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all!”  Abraham Lincoln, a very good President, even today is considered a man who saved this nation from its own self-destruction.  Is hatred ever justified for the Christian?  Jesus said, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him.  If he is thirsty give him a drink.  In so doing you heap burning coals of God’s convicting Holy Spirit upon his own conscience,” so if by any means our God in Christ may redeem him.  An enemy becomes a brother who may also become a friend.  In Christ, let us oppose all who exclude or enslave other men, women and children, whether by labeling them as “aliens” or by hatred seeking to destroy their way of life.  All who take the name Christian and worship Christ must keep this creed, “I will not discriminate, I will not destroy, I will not exclude my brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ!”  Hatred turns to love in the loving name of our Savior, Jesus Christ our Lord!

In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, let us build a wall against warfare among peoples and nations.  In the Middle East, for example Syria, little children and their families are fleeing the bombardment of their homes, their hospitals, their mosques, and their churches all because of mad men who somehow believe their place in the world is more important than anyone else’s place in the world.  Humility is no more in their hearts as they have become ruthless and merciless murderers of little children, and of their own people, tribe and religion!  They are producing another holocaust in humanity!  In the name of God in Jesus Christ, let us call for an end of violence and war.  Of what benefit is it when we kill and maim one another?  “Vengeance is mine, I will repay!” says the Lord.  It is our lack of faith in believing that God will bring evil to a just end that has placed us in such a dilemma.  We no longer believe in a God who will bring all men and women to judgment before the judgment seat of Christ.  If we believed, we would fear God more than we fear what a man can do unto us!

In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, let us build a wall against uncommon greed! Donald T lusts for power, for family, for wealth, for attention and for the praise of men.  Jesus Christ and his disciples live by a different creed, the creedal law of love for God and for all fellow humanity.  Where is greed in the Christian church when all of us “share all things in-common?”  It is Christ who makes us all one!  My cloak belongs to my brother and my sister who have need of it, as well as my home, my car and my job.  “Remember”, Jesus says, “the little birds of the field!”  “They neither toil, nor spin, but our heavenly Father takes care of each one, knowing even when one falls to the ground.  If God cares for the little birds of the field, how much more does God care for the little children fleeing for their lives from a ruthless enemy!

Many of us across this great land are very discouraged right now.  It is hard for us even to lift up our heads and pray, because of our deep distress.  “Why has God allowed such a man to be placed in the White House?”  Why has God allowed such evil, such darkness to descend now upon our nation in this time?

Of that question, and so many more, I have no answer, only many, many questions.  And yet, I find in this season guidance in the creeds of my church:

We declare that Jesus Christ is Lord.

His resurrection is a decisive victory over the powers that deform and destroy human life.

His lordship is hidden.

The world appears to be dominated by people and systems that do not acknowledge his rule.

But his lordship is real.

It demands our loyalty and sets us free from fear of all lesser lords who threaten us.

We maintain that ultimate sovereignty now belongs to Jesus Christ in every sphere of life.

Jesus is Lord!

He has been Lord from the beginning.
He will be Lord at the end.

Even now he is Lord.

 

“A Declaration of Faith” – Presbyterian Church (USA) Creeds and Statements of Faith

 

Let us go now and build ourselves a wall, except our wall is invisible, and it is built in the spirit and hearts of men, women and children all across this nation!  Our wall does not divide us, but instead it binds us together.  Our wall is no wall at all, but rather multi-colored strands of love, justice, mercy, goodness and truth woven together into the beautiful fabric of our one common humanity!  We are in Christ Jesus our Lord truly one nation, under God, with liberty and justice for all!

A Voice Crying out, “Make straight in this desert a highway for our God!”

Let all of God’s people say, “Amen!”  “Amen!  We praise you and glorify your name, Lord Jesus Christ!”