Day Twenty Two - Jesus is the answer for the world today

For the Secluded Place articles, Wednesdays in the weekly schedule coalesce around the theme of ‘The World Around Us’ and we have already had some good pieces and photographs on the subject.

At a young age these days children are encouraged to be inquisitive about the natural world around them, to discover the wonders of the universe and learn about the interconnectedness of all living things. There is an emphasis on being proactive in caring for the planet we inhabit these days - some would say ‘Finally the voice of the environmental prophets is being heard’ as Nature bites back.

In this article, however, I would like to look at the phrase ‘The World Around Us’ from a slightly different perspective.

In John’s gospel the writer skilfully interchanges the meaning of the word ‘world’ of the created earth with another meaning that of a human society opposed to God. The Greek word cosmos means by derivation ‘the ordered world’ and even the most ardent atheist would have to admit the universe does has an uncanny order and symmetry to it. The human world however, has long been dis-ordered just as our own planet is increasingly beginning to show signs of abuse. The laws of nature and the codes of civilized behaviour in society are what is supposed to keep the order. It is not surprising therefore, after so much neglect of these principles that such disorder affecting both our planet and our world/society exists.

In looking at the way John’s gospel uses the word ‘world’ in the societal context the New Bible Dictionary definition is helpful:

“Worldliness is the enthronement of something other than God as the supreme object of man’s interests and affections”.

Remember how God had to re-order the thinking of the Israelites after they had become over-influenced by the worldliness of their environment in Egypt. God called them and then spent years reshaping their priorities through the giving of the Law of Moses. We are all influenced by the era and geo-political context into which we are born. Jesus was born in a certain era too with a plethora of gods being worshipped by the Romans and there was gross inequality within the cultural world around him. Nevertheless, Jesus came to show how the rebalance needed could be achieved – it was the principle that would ensure individuals and society getting things into the correct order:

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart all your mind and all your soul this is the first commandment and the second is like unto it to love your neighbour as yourself.” (Matt 22:27-39 NIV)

When Jesus says “Follow me” it is an invitation to all his disciples to imitate how he thought, behaved and believed as Jesus of Nazareth. For us mortals if we are to obey the first commandment of Loving the Lord our God with all our heart, mind and soul, it takes a re-ordering of the focus of our hearts and minds.

John, the writer of two epistles, puts it like this:

“Do not love the world or the things in the world. The love of the Father is not in those who love the world, for all that is in the world – the desire of the flesh, the desire of the eye, the pride in riches – comes not from the Father but from the world. And the world and its desires are passing away but those who do the will of God live forever.” (1 John 2 : 15 NRSV)

Prayer:

Loving God,

As we recalibrate our Love for you during Lent, show us how to be ‘Your Kingdom Come’ in the ‘World Around Us’. Amen.

Elisabeth Sweeney Smith