Thought for Today
Genesis 2:9 Out of the ground the LORD God made to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food, the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
Genesis 3:4 But the serpent said to the woman, "You will not die; 5 for God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil."
Matthew 5:21 "You have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, . . . 22 But I say to you . . .
Colossians 2:2 I want their hearts to be encouraged and united in love, so that they may have all the riches of assured understanding and have the knowledge of God's mystery, that is, Christ himself, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
This morning, my mind is focused on the science of physics. Please do not stop reading and go on to something that sounds more interesting! There is a simple explanation for why I’m thinking about applied physics.
In college, I was required to take 2 semesters of physics. The first course focused on the basic principles, primarily in terms of motion. The second course focused on electricity, magnetism and optics. In that second course, the professor challenged all of us to bring in some example of an old wives’ tale pertaining to the unit we were studying and we could analyze it from the perspective of physics. I know ‘old wives’ tale’ is no longer politically correct, but ‘ubiquitous, universal knowledge’ is far too bulky a phrase with which to deal.
I don’t remember much from that course beyond how much fun it was. The one commonly accepted ‘truism’ I remember analyzing is that if one put hot water into an ice cube tray, the ice cubes would form more quickly. For those unaware of what an ice cube tray is, ask your oldest living relative or friend. That ubiquitous, universally accepted knowledge about using hot water proved to be false.
The Bible does not use the phrase ‘common sense.’ I have previously suggested that of all the senses, ‘common’ is the most rare. Jesus may never have said that, or even suggested that, but I believe he would have agreed.
In yesterday’s sermon, I suggested that everyone go home and read chapter 5 in Matthew’s gospel. I know they all did! That chapter includes Matthew’s version of the Beatitudes and a series of comments about the current ubiquitous, universally accepted knowledge of the day. Everyone at that time accepted as common knowledge that perfect obedience to the Law was the path toward salvation. Jesus offered that series of corrective explanations of the Law, "You have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, . . . But I say to you . . .”
As Jesus explained the Law, it quickly becomes obvious that in our humanity, we cannot possibly attain perfect obedience to the Law. In fact, since Moses came down off the mountain, stone tablets in hand, the scribes and priests had continuously been offering explanations and illuminations on every conceivable detail of that Law.
Maybe the best example of the problems and issues involved in perfect obedience to the Law revolves around honoring the Sabbath and keeping it holy. “Exodus 20:8 Remember the sabbath day, and keep it holy. 9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work. 10 But the seventh day is a sabbath to the LORD your God; you shall not do any work . . .” Of course, that required details about what constituted work. By Jesus’ time, walking more than 3.0 miles had been defined as work. But, of course, there were work-arounds. One could pause a journey, eat a meal, and then when one again got up to walk, it would constitute a new, separate journey.
In terms of common knowledge, of ubiquitous, universally accepted knowledge, the hot water thing seems more true to me. Even though it is not proven true by physics. God’s people are saved by God’s freely given grace though faith. God’s grace is inextricably connected to God’s love for God’s Creation and creatures. The same God who created everything we studied in that long-ago physics class.
Stay safe, accept God’s gift, trust God,
Pastor Ray