Dear Family,
I have a friend who tried to get into the PhD program at the University of Chicago. She was wanting to look at how theology could still impact and affect our society, even though many outside the walls of the church simply ignore anything and everything the church might have to say about certain topics. She had the grades. She had a strong reference, from an established and well-respected alum of the University of Chicago. And her written work/ thesis was above and beyond worthy of being published. It seemed a slam dunk, even in the prestigious standards of the University of Chicago. Perceptions are not always realities.
She didn't get in. They didn't accept her. They didn't have to. They had a long list of other "candidates" who were more University of Chicago style, and my friend went west, to California, where she earned her PhD at another strong university. I realize that higher education has these standards, these "yokes" if you will, which they place upon prospective students, to ensure the highest standards for those institutions. If one doesn't meet the "yoke," or if one can't carry the "yoke" well then one fails to either get in or one fails to leave there with a degree. These institutions have reputations to protect, and they just cant accept anyone, right?
We don't fault them, do we? We don't condemn for their stringent acceptance policies; we challenge the folks to raise their level of work and meet the institutions standards, but wont this always leave some people out, without a chance to prove their worth? Sure i hear the protests already, there are other places, other schools, so those who cant get the grades, do the work, or meet the requirements, should simply lower their expectations and go where they will fit. But how does this enable even the least likely to succeed to want to move beyond his failures to become something greater?
Which is what Jesus addresses when Jesus says, "Come to me all who are weary, and i will give you rest. For my burden is easy and my yoke is light." Jesus knew how hard it would be, for most of the population, to meet the high standards of the religious leaders, so what did Jesus do? He made an open door policy for any and all that would never be welcomed, accepted, or embraced in those places which require strict adherents to their "yokes." Jesus became the One who would accept and empower those persons who would never meet the standards. And Jesus, yes the One we claim to follow and believe in, this Jesus sought after those persons that not only the religoius leaders scoffed at, but society in general relegated and too easily forgot about. Jesus chased after them and said, "Hey you, yeah you, you, there, in that dusty hat, wearing those dirty clothes, covered in sheep dung, come here, and i will embrace you. I know the world has forgotten and dismissed you, but I, Jesus, want to empower you to build a Kingdom."
There is something powerful and amazing when people who have always been relegated to the margins all of a sudden become the center of what's happening. What is amazing? What is powerful? God moves in.
If thats how Jesus approaches the marginalized, what are we doing for them? If Jesus promises rest for the forgotten, how are we taking care of them. And if Jesus' words about yoke and burdens is true, that His are light and easy, then what demands are we putting on those who want to enter our church family? Can people say of us, the West Milton Church of the Brethren is a place for rest. It is a place where they create spaces for healing and restoration. It is a church family that carries the load with you. And it is a place of refuge. Can and do people say these things about us? They did about Jesus, and the people ran to Him, by the thousands...
Amen.
Shalom,
jerry
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