"When the Fullness of Time Had Come" (December 31, 2023)
Location: United Church of Hyde Park
Scripture:
Psalm 147:13-21 (or 13-20) and Galatians 3:23-25; 4:4-7
Sermon
title: When the Fullness of Time Had Come
https://open.spotify.com/episode/3nWiRxChQJMSAN43EWmM5V?si=uhvZWIHER9W30J2KpncaKg
1.
Postexilic era -The context of Psalm 147
The first
scripture today is from Psalm 147. This Psalm begins with “Hallelujah” and also
ends with “Hallelujah.” Scholars put this psalm with other four psalm into the
same collection as “hymn of praise to GOD.” These five psalms are used for
daily morning service, to praise the kingship of God. From the context of Psalm
147, we can tell it was composed after the Israelites were allowed to return to
their homeland, and the Temple in Jerusalem was rebuilt under the permission
and assistance of the Persian Empire. It’s hard to imagine what that felt like
to be captured, and removed from your home, and reallocated to a foreign
country for years, and then come back to the place most of people never lived in.
However, the
vision here is real: the Zion, the city of David, the house of God, the Temple
in Jerusalem are now restored, and people “reunited” together and worship
together. And, after the wall of Jerusalem was rebuilt as long as the Temple,
the law and policing enforcement from the Persian Empire, the city is now a
safer place, and the “peace” is finally here. If we read this scripture
closely, we might also notice that God is described as the creator of the world
and nature; God is the rhyme of the world, good and bad, and the logic and
regulation behind everything.
The psalm
concludes with
He
(God/Adonai/Adonoi) declares his word to Jacob, his statutes and his judgments
to Israel.
He
(God/Adonai/Adonoi) has not done so to any other nation; to them he has not
revealed his judgments.
It shows that
only Jacob, who was given a new name as Israel by God in the Book of Genesis,
was the only and unique favored selection among many. And only Jacob knew the
secret of God’s words, statutes, and judgments. It implies that the superior
guide is revered for Israel only.
It is not
difficult to understand why the Israelites have this understanding of God,
after all they have experienced – the separation of the Davidic kingdom, the
invasion of foreign countries, being captive and now home. By reviewing their
experiences over generations, they figured out what God was and will be. They
felt the time of God’s promise had come.
2. New
Year Eve – the time of transition and review
Today is
also the New Year’s Eve. According to this Gregorian Calendar, it indicates
another transition of time: from the year 2023 to the year 2024.
How many of
us received emails from various organizations that mentioned what they have
accomplished in 2023 and asked for the last-minute donation and support in our
mailbox? Well, our church is going to ask for more financial support and
participation in various ministries in the following years as well, so (we)
shall not be surprised. Some might also receive postcards from our friends, and
they would like us to know what they have experienced this year, what the kids
are doing now, and what their future plans are.
I do. It is
now a tradition at this time of year.
In those
letters, most of them come with the arrangements like the following: (1)
Greetings, the long loyal supporter, (2) since this organization has started,
this is the most amazing year, (3) what we have planned and the results of the
year, (4) financial status and numbers that might bore those who receive this
letter, but they tried very hard to make it convincing that every penny is used
at the right place, (5) in a very gentle and lovely manner to ask for more
support, including sending more money and subscribing to their next season’s
ticket, (6) a vision or several impactful things we can do together in the
following year, and finally, (7) an appreciation and blessing in the end of the
letter. Is that right?
This is an
interesting structure. And, what do you think about the first five books in the
Hebrew Bible: Genesis, the origins of God’s creation story, and identity of the
first people; Exodus, the crisis of God’s people and the ways that they worked
them out; Leviticus, what are the regulations for a community in honor of God
and our identity; Numbers, yes, numbers, just like financial reports and
demographic changes, might be pretty dull or most of the people might skip that
section; and Deuteronomy, the amendments to the regulations and developments of
the community, and the promise for the future. Those life experiences reflected
in Torah for the Hebrew people are reminded and mentioned to the reader of
Psalm 147. Torah, the regulation and request from the God of Israelites, still
speaks to the Hebrew people, now and then. It is unique for them. As for us, a
gathering of Christians, we might have slightly different viewpoints and
stories to tell.
As the
tradition of New Year's Eve, it’s about time to review our lives and church ministries.
What do you want to say in this letter that you are going to send? Some of us
are drafting committee reports for the upcoming Congregational Meeting in
February 2024. It’s not easy, is it? We might have similar experiences, fears,
and doubts in our journey so far. Some might question God’s intention behind
all these challenges, and others might question: is there a God? To praise God
in the middle of nowhere is difficult. Think about Moses and those forty years
in the desert on their way from Egypt to the Promised Land. But, isn’t there
anything that we can recognize as the guide of God in our midst and ensure
ourselves to keep walking toward the destination based on the facts and evidence
we have collected and found? What items, incidents, activities, and numbers
would you like to include in this letter sent out to your family, friends, and
our congregation?
3. The
adoption and redemption from God
Last Sunday,
we celebrated that the savior, Jesus Christ, had finally come. The church
tradition spends four to five weeks preparing ourselves for that moment. And
then, from today, it will be another transition of the church seasons from
Christmas and Advent, to post-Christmas time. The focus is moving from the baby
Jesus, to the broader and more comprehensive understanding of the Christian
community.
Here comes
the second scripture we read today. One of the challenges in Paul’s ministries
was the conflicts between Jewish and gentile Christians in the same worshipping
community. For the Jewish Jesus worshipper, the Torah was part of their
identity. For those male worshippers, to circumcise is mainly identical and vital
to them. They both represent the covenant with God and the relationship of
belonging. However, for non-Jews and Gentiles, the Torah was never on their
radar. Not following the regulations or law in the Torah should not be a punishable
disobedience. But now, these two groups of people are under the same roof. Paul
was forced, if you put it that way, to interpret the Torah and bring new
meaning to this new community. Paul advocates “by faith” we are no
longer “imprisoned and guarded under the law” (Galatian 3:23). The law
is no longer our “disciplinarian” and we are “no longer subject to a
disciplinarian” (Galatian 3:25). And now “the fullness of time had come”
(Galatian 4:4), the son of God has been born. Through the Holy Spirit, we call
God “Abba, Father,” and we were adopted as sons and heirs of God. This
interpretation broke the barriers of the Torah, which is restricted to merely
the Jewish/Hebrew people who are the only selected people and race to receive
salvation. The mercy and redemption from God are now, in Paul’s writings, not
only given to Jewish/Hebrew people, but also to non-Jew/Gentiles. Paul used
this standard language in the Roman Empire that adoption could be used to gain
the same identity, social status, and benefits. Julius Caesar adopted his
nephew, Octavian Augustus (the Roman emperor when Jesus was born), as his “son”
was one famous example.[1]
It’s a way to expand God’s ministries across the boundary of race, gender, and
social class.
It sounds
great!
But, how
about the Torah? Is Torah still important by all means? Maybe for some
Christians, there is a misunderstanding about it.
After the Reformation
in the 16th century (Martin Luther in 1517), Christians’ good works
would not be a factor into their salvation, and only their faith would count. “Sola
fide”, by faith alone, becomes the most significant difference between our
understanding of Judaism and Catholicism. The “old” protestant perspective
claims that Paul advocates justification through faith in Jesus Christ over
justification through works of the Law/Torah. The Catholic church behaved just
like the Jews who tried to earn their salvation through works of the doings,
such as by selling and purchasing indulgences.
However,
biblical scholars and theologians challenge this presupposition.
Since the
1970s, the movement of the “New Perspective on Paul” has provided us with a
different understanding of “by faith” and “justification/redemption” in all of Paul’s
writings. Krister Stendahl, Ed Parish Sanders, and James Dunn[2]
are some influential thinkers on this matter. By reviewing Paul’s writings, his
background as a Jew and a well-trained and educated Pharisee, his ministries in
the Jewish community (especially in Jerusalem) and mixed races new worshipping
community, and writings from Jewish traditions, these scholars believe that in
Paul and Judaism, the concept of redemption was not earned by obedience to
Torah or any regulations, or earned by following ethical requests. “Legalistic
righteousness or earning by doing” is a common misunderstanding of Judaism, and
it was not what Paul tried to accomplish in the first century. The parallel between
Martin Luther (1517) vs the Catholic Church in the 16th century and Paul
vs legalistic Jews / Judaism in the first century is inappropriate in any way.
Unfortunately, that misunderstanding still dominates among protestant
Christians and churches.
“New
Perspective on Paul” reminds us that Judaism relies on the mercy and covenant
of God, and “obedience to Torah/the Law” expresses the involvement of the
covenant/salvation; on the other hand, “obedience to Torah/the Law” is not the
means to earn salvation. What Paul tried to do is to shift and expand from
“being in the Covenant” to “being in Christ”, from “through fresh, the body
marks and connection with real Jewishness” to “all who are remaining in
Christ.” Therefore, the barriers of the racist Torah and restricted
salvation/mercy/redemption of God were broken and is now shared with all
believers.
Furthermore,
in Galatian 3:23, “Πρὸ
τοῦ δὲ ἐλθεῖν τὴν πίστιν” (Now before faith came, Galatian 3:23), τὴν πίστιν could be translated as “the faith,”
“someone’s faith to God” or even “God’s faithfulness.” This scripture could
also be translated into “now before the faithfulness of God came.”
Paul
demonstrated a similar thought in the Book of Romans as well, “Ὁ δὲ δίκαιος ἐκ πίστεως ζήσεται.” (The one who is righteous will live by faith. Or, The
one who is righteous through faith will live. Romans 1:17) This scripture
is a direct quote from the Hebrew Bible, Prophet Habakkuk 2:4, “וְצַדִּיק
בֶּאֱמוּנָתוֹ יִחְיֶה”, (but the righteous man is rewarded with life for
his fidelity. Habakkuk 2:4). Paul gave a more straightforward meaning in
his writings.
In the
Galatian context, the “faith” is the newborn Jesus, the promise from God to the
whole world. The entire world is waiting for the fulfillment of God’s
faithfulness, the time of salvation and redemption. Therefore, in Paul’s heart,
neither the good doings of a person nor your belief in Jesus Christ could earn
you salvation or redemption. It’s God’s promise and mercy alone that makes salvation
possible. “Sola fide,” by God’s faithfulness along, is the only key to
our redemption.
This “review”
and “New perspective of Paul” transformed some mainline denominations since the
1980s, such as accepting infant baptism. The sacrament is justified without the
consent of the individual and receiver, and the open and inclusive communion
table for all people. It is God’s faithfulness makes all of these possible
and meaningful. We, human being along with all creation, are invited to
witness and participate in it. One of the missions and ministries of a
Christian church was shifted from Christian-centric doings to finding those
outsiders, introducing the unconditional love, and forming a “family of faith”
with diverse backgrounds. It is not individualism that could dominate the
Christian community, but the world's wholeness is the solo concern of Jesus
Christ and his followers.
For us, “the
fullness of time had come” (sermon title); our celebration last week is one of
evidents in our review. We enjoyed the Christmas carol and cookies and knew the
savior had been born. We keep providing Open Breakfast and sandwiches to the
Night Ministry. In 2023, we have
delivered 1,075 sandwiches and breakfasts for 121 guests since July. We do not
only have fun ourselves alone.
But, churches
in Nazareth and in cities across Israel and the West Bank have canceled their
public celebrations of Christmas, against the backdrop of the bloodshed in Gaza
and Israel.[3]
Including the Christian leaders in Jerusalem and Bethlehem, they called off the
celebration of any kind. We are reminded that “the humble and harsh
circumstances into which Jesus was born,”[4]
now and then. Peace is coming, but not yet.
4. The
Review and the “By Gentle Power”
Today is the
New Year’s Eve, a time for reviewing and moving forward. Therefore, we have a
special treat today. Our musicians will perform the Anthem in German. You can
find the lyrics in the insertion today. The title of the Anthem is “Von guten Mächten wunderbar geborgen“ in German, and “By Gentle Powers“
in English. The lyrics are from one of the important Lutheran theologians in
Germany, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, written in 1944, several months before he died.
He was executed by Nazi German government two weeks before Germany’s surrender.
During World
War II, the National Church of Germany swore to the government, which was led
by Nazis and the church obeyed and honored the leadership of Adolf Hitler
without second thoughts. They believed that the church is to serve the
government and before the new order comes to the world, there must be certain
chaos and sufferings, which manifested in the European war. The national church
became the backbone of Nazi Germany, in certain way.
However, a
tiny group of Christians disagreed with that status. They called themselves the
“Confessing Church” that “in opposition to government-sponsored efforts to
unify all Protestant churches into a single pro-Nazi German Evangelical Church.”[5]
They are the symbol of Anti-fascism. Dietrich Bonhoeffer was one of them. He had
been in jail for 18 months when he wrote the lyrics. Imaging his context: his
friends and colleagues were either arrested or killed, or fled away to foreign
countries. Some of his friends in the same jail disappeared one by one. None knew
when all of this ridiculous would come to an end. At this very moment, on the
eve of the uncertainty and new year, he wrote the following words:
Surrounded
by such true and gentle powers,
so
wondrously consoled and without fear,
Thus, I
will spend these final hours
and then
together enter a new year.
By gentle
powers lovingly surrounded
with
patience we'll endure, let come what may.
God is
with us at night and in the morning
and
certainly on every future day.
That is the
first verse. There will be four verses in Peter’s performance today. Let us
take this opportunity to meditate, and review our personal life, our
congregational life, and our country and global community this year. May we all
be sure that although the cup was heavy, God’s light shines in the night. Amen.
[1] Rigby,
Cynthia L.. Connections: Year B, Volume 1: Advent through Epiphany
(Connections: A Lectionary Commentary for Preaching and Worship) (p. 125).
Presbyterian Publishing Corporation. Kindle Edition.
[2] Dunn, J. DG. "The new perspective on Paul." Bulletin
of the John Rylands Library 65, no. 2 (1983): 95-122.
[3] https://www.jta.org/2023/12/19/israel/churches-in-israel-and-the-west-bank-are-canceling-christmas-celebrations-due-to-the-war
[5] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Confessing_Church
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