The Three Buts of God
By Elizabeth Kaeton
Tuesday, March 1, 2005
Lectionary Reflections for the Fourth Sunday of Lent (A)
Readings for Lent 4, Year A, Mar. 6, 2005
- Samuel 16:1-13
- Psalm 23
- Ephesians 5:(1-7), 8-14
- John 9:1-12, (14-27), 28-38
"But." Three little letters. One little word. A hinge on the gateway to hope.
This morning's scripture lessons present us with three "BUTS" of God. The story of the man born blind is a convoluted tale in John's Gospel, a presentation on the nature of sin as darkness and the role of Jesus as the light of life.
But . . . there's so much more.
We are challenged at every turn of these scripture lessons to reconsider our understanding of sin. Paul echoes the theme of darkness and light in his epistle to the church at Ephesus, the capitol of the Roman province of Asia, most likely while he was in jail: "Once you were in darkness, BUT now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of Light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to learn what is pleasing to the Lord."
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| Sin is no longer as simple as keeping God's rules, one through ten, or a matter of a scrupulous following of the Levitical codes of what to eat or what to wear. Rather it is about the messy and confusing matter of being in relationship with God. | |
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The story of the anointing of David by Samuel, the least of the brothers, explains this and whets our appetite for the Gospel story of the healing of the man born blind. Samuel is sent to accomplish the awesome task of anointing a King to replace Saul, who has lost favor with the Lord. Jesse called forth seven of his sons to come before Samuel, but each, in turn, is rejected.
It is David, the youngest, the one who was tending the sheep, who is finally selected. He is chosen on the basis of the three-letter word, BUT. God said to Samuel, "Do not look upon his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for the Lord sees not as man sees; man looks on the outward appearance, BUT the Lord looks on the heart."
"But the Lord looks on the heart. . ." In John's Gospel story of the man blind from birth, it is not just his eyes which were opened. The heart of the blind man was opened to new visions, a clarity of new understanding about his relationship to God. When grilled by the Pharisees as to the nature of his healing, the man answered, "We know that God does not listen to sinners, BUT if any one is a worshiper of God and does his will, God listens to him."
Belief opens the eyes of the spirit. The opened eyes of the spirit opens the heart to love. Love opens the soul to new behavior. Light shines in the darkness, and we try to learn what is pleasing to the God. "I once was lost, BUT now I'm found, was blind BUT now I see." Words written by a former slave trader, who became a fierce proponent of the abolitionist movement. The eyes of his heart were opened to see what was displeasing in the sight of God and he worked to abolish the laws which permitted slavery.
Humankind looks on the outward appearance, BUT God looks on the heart. You were once in darkness, BUT now you are light in the Lord. We know that God does not listen to sinners, BUT if any one is a worshiper of God and does God's will, God listens to that one.
But. Three little letters. One little word. A hinge on the gateway to hope. A pathway to a new relationship with God. A journey to an amazing grace where God meets us in the places of our greatest resistance
The Rev. Elizabeth Kaeton is a regular contributor to The Witness, and serves as president of the organization's board of directors. Elizabeth may be reached by email at EMKaeton@aol.com.