Shade Tree Wisdom 2/15/11

It was really pleasant this morning, and I even finished just before the yellow box came roaring along to pick up its precious cargo for the day. And even better, the forecast is for more of the same all the rest of the week, so it is a good time to trim those bushes out front. It was so nice after this period of cold, even my friendly dog appeared for a while to check the bushes and stuff for possible what I know not.

And that got me to wondering why there is such unease and unrest all over. Is it probably because we really have lost our way? There is much talk bout ‘spirituality’ around today. This spirituality replaces religion and is so much better than the old model because we invented it, don’t you see? Or did we. Is it new, or just ‘the same old’ in a different dress?

I remembered the story Jesus told about the king who invited guests to his son’s wedding feast. They refused, since they were busy with other things. So the king ended up inviting all those “on the highways and byways”, so the wedding "was furnished with guests”. When the king came, he saw a man “not wearing a wedding garment”. Evidently the king had supplied proper dress, and this man elected to use his own. I hear him say, “No, I’ll wear my J C Penney suit”. AND “He was cast into outer darkness, where there is wailing and gnashing of teeth:.” (Matthew 22)

Rather harsh, don’t you think? The man meant well. In the eyes of others he was dressed quite nicely. What’s the big deal? Why throw him out? That’s just the point.

The story is about “The Kingdom of heaven”, and there is but one way in, by wearing what the King already supplied. Jesus Christ, the King’s gift to the sinful world. It is the death of Jesus Christ on the cross that paid the debt the sinner owed. It is this death that is the proper wedding garment to attend the feast. Nothing else will do.

Spirituality is men’s invention. It is the JCPenney suit people wear, instead of admitting their sins, we call it confessing them, and receiving forgiveness offered because Jesus paid the price.

St. Paul in his letter to Titus explains. ”We ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another. BUT, when the kindness and love of God our Savior toward men, appeared, not by the works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ, our Saviors, that, being justified by His grace, we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” Titus 3, 3-7.

There it is, God’s gift to us. “Nothing in my hands I bring, simply to Thy cross I cling.” God bless this faith.

GPD 2/15/11