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Lent/Easter 1996 |
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C is for
Cur, which is Latin for Why. That little word, Why, is the question which distinguishes human animals as rational. We ask for reasons. Not only philosophers do that. So do three-year-olds, maddeningly. "Why" is not only a diversionary tactic of the teen-ager. It is also the abject cry of his mother as he dies in her arms. It is the altogether reasonable question we ask when we are told that Jesus is the only one under heaven by whom we can be saved. Why Jesus? Why is it that at just his name every knee should bow? Not only are we not forbidden to ask that question. We are created to ask it. And scripture urges us to. Indeed, that is the question which motivates every Christian creed, animates every good hymn, is assumed in every prayer ending with "for Jesus' sake." Why Jesus? that is also,as the Augsburg confessors knew and as every preacher knows (or ought to) the chief purpose of every sermon: to "necessitate" Jesus Christ. Likewise when folks ask what Crossings is, I say clearly as I can, it is a way to "show the need [the why] of Jesus Christ." You should be receiving this issue of Crossings at about the time of Passion Sunday, as you prepare for The Resurrection "out of depths" of Holy Week. The Second Lesson appointed to be read on that day is from Paul's Letter to the Philippians, chapter two, one of the most challenging passages in the whole New Testament for addressing the question, Why Jesus? Herewith we reprint the whole excerpt, beginning with verse one. 1So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any incentive of love, any participation in the Spirit, and affection and sympathy, 2complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3Do nothing from selfishness of conceit, but in humility count others |
 better than yourselves. 4Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8And being found in human form he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross. 9Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name which is above every name, 10that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
R-O-S-S-I
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