Blogging Toward Sunday, July 24, 2016
The Amazing Faith Race:
Eyes on the Prize
Amazing Creativity Camp Sunday
Hebrews 11:1-3; 8-16 (NRSV)
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Indeed, by faith our ancestors received approval. By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was made from things that are not visible.
By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to set out for a place that he was to receive as an inheritance; and he set out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he stayed for a time in the land he had been promised, as in a foreign land, living in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he looked forward to the city that has foundations, whose architect and builder is God. By faith he received power of procreation, even though he was too old-and Sarah herself was barren-because he considered him faithful who had promised. Therefore from one person, and this one as good as dead, descendants were born, 'as many as the stars of heaven and as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore.'
All of these died in faith without having received the promises, but from a distance they saw and greeted them. They confessed that they were strangers and foreigners on the earth, for people who speak in this way make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of the land that they had left behind, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; indeed, he has prepared a city for them.
The sermon/letter called Hebrews has a big personality. Some have suggested that the anonymous preacher/author could be a woman, whose anonymity was preserved so the work would not to be discounted by a patriarchal society (Priscilla's Letter: Finding the Author of the Epistle of the Hebrews).
Hebrews is unique in the New Testament. This extremely long chapter starts with a definition of faith as "the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen (verse 1)," and then catalogues a chronological list of biblical heroes who have demonstrated such faith. These faithful ancestors provide evidence by their lives and witnesses that overwhelm the listener with the vastness and variety of people who have lived anticipating a promise that has not yet been fulfilled. From Abel to Jesus to us, the list builds a case for faith for a struggling church.
Abraham, the father of the Hebrew faith, is named often in the New Testament, and given a place of honor in the Hebrews hall of fame. He sets off with wife Sarah on a long journey without even knowing where they were going. He was headed for a city that he would never see, but believed that it had "foundations whose architect and builder is God" (11:10). For folks who had forever lived in tents, a dwelling with foundations was worthy of faith and hope.
In the Hebrew bible, the narrative points toward a certain holy city named Jerusalem. In the book of Hebrews in the New Testament points to the city-the New Jerusalem. The placement of the book, so close to the end of the testament and the Revelation of John reminds readers of this heavenly city, which Hebrews calls "heavenly Jerusalem" (12:22) and "the city that is to come" (13:14).
"The new Jerusalem that comes down from my God out of heaven" becomes the destination for the faithful in Revelation 3:12. It is a city that is "seen" by John of Patmos in his vision, but is on the other hand "not seen" because it is a vision rather than an actual visual sighting.
Keeping our "eyes on the prize" requires spiritual seeing-God "opening the eyes of our hearts" (Ephesians 1:18). The challenge is to imagine ourselves reaching that heavenly goal as we engage with the realities of how that vision contrasts with what we see in this city, in this world on our way there.
The prize, the goal awaits. "The experience of homecoming, of belonging, is not fully ours, but it will be. It will be, because God wills it so. The constant of our lives is not the wandering; it is God's rest" (Ernst Kasemann, The Wandering People of God).
This week, our young people at Amazing Creativity Camp have learned about the elements of worship, with a focus on this week's lesson from Hebrews. They have studied creeds, and have written one that they will lead during all services this Sunday. It's a blessing to me to be a part of our Peace family affirming the faith that is "the assurance of things hoped for, the confidence of things not seen."
See you in church!
LeeAnn
