John 18:33-38,
Pilate entered the praetorium again and called Jesus, and said to him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus answered, “Do you say this of your own accord, or did others say it to you about me?” Pilate answered, “Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priest handed you over to me; what have you done?” Jesus answered, “My kingship is not of this world; if my kingship were of this world, my servants would fight, that I might not be handed over to the Jews; but my kingship is not from the world.” Pilate said to Jesus, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I come into the world, to bear witness to the truth. Every one who is of the truth hears my voice.” Pilate said to Jesus, “What is truth?”
Today is known as Christ the King Sunday in the United Methodist Church. A day to reflect on who Jesus Christ is in our lives as King of Kings, Lord of Lords. And as I reflected on this mornings Scripture Lesson I found myself Wondering; As we enter into the month of December and Christmas how do we portray to the world what is truth? What is truth to those who are not Christians, to those who are of different religions? Who is the King of Kings who is our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ? How do we describe the king who told Pilate that His kingship is not of this world… for if it is not of this world, if you cannot see His palace, then how can His kingship exist? And if His castle does not exist for those of this world to see with their eyes… How do you explain to those who are non-believers, of another religion or have been through a living hell and back not to live but to exist?
In the year 2006, the majority of our society at this very second consists of Baby Boomers, those born between 1946-1964, Generation X, those born between 1960-1981, Generation Y, those born between 1979-1999 who tends to be Generation X’s children, and the New Silent Generation also known as the “My space generation,” those born between 2000-2020. When walking with people of different ages, religions, people who are non-believers, people searching for something. Do you express what is truth to you as “My way or the highway to hell?”
Dear Abby, I am a Hindu woman living in the Bible Belt. Many of my friends and acquaintances are Christian, and they are all wonderful, except one thing. Some try in small, subtle ways to convert me to their faith. With Christmas approaching, I know what’s coming, boxes of baked goodies with brochures and pamphlets tucked inside all about Jesus and the Christian faith. I wish you would remind people that all of us in this diverse nation should respect the faith of others. To try to convert someone to your faith implies that you consider your religious beliefs superior, and that is just plain wrong. I know these gestures are meant well, but I wouldn’t dream of sending Hindu brochures with my holiday goodies. Abby, what is a tactful, but firm way of dealing with this? HAPPY HINDU IN THE BIBLE BELT
Dear Happy Hindu, Much as you would like, you are not going to change people who feel it’s a part of their religious commitment to “save” you. Ignore the brochures and enjoy the goodies, unless you have lost your appetite. If that’s the case, donate the treats to a homeless shelter or take them to the office. For many people believe, as Pilate, that “truth” is relative. Whose relative I don’t know, but it is relative to the situation, for truth seems to be based for many on who they associate with. Sadly, modern moral thinkers who believe they are relative often appear to give advice but do not appear to have moral guidelines for themselves to live by.
Recently I heard a commentary to the effect on the Christian Radio Station 90.3, The Path, out of Cedarville University. The discussion examined why our recent elections turned out as they did. Why the religious right did so poorly, and this is not a political statement, this is an observation on my part as your pastor. There were some very well known elected officials, pastors, of the religious right who are quick to verbally pass judgment for the world to hear and read and are respected internationally that do not walk their religious talk. Thus the American people spoke for the world to see their vote. For Pilate was seeking to know who was the king and Jesus told Pilate he is not the king but he, Jesus, is doing what His Father has placed him on earth to do. Not to bring attention to himself, not to condemn another, not to make a stance in hatred, but to show love in accepting another.
Dear Abby, Your advise to “Happy Hindu in the Bible Belt” whose Christian friends tuck religious articles into holiday boxes of baked goodies in an effort to convert her, was off base. You advised her to ignore the brochures and enjoy the goodies, unless she loss her appetite, in which case she should donate the treats to a homeless shelter or take them to the office. I disagree. That lovely lady should politely tell her friends that she likes her own religion and ask them to please stop with the religious literature. If they continue she should end the friendship. If converting her is more important than her friendship, there is no friendship. BEEN THERE, TOO, IN BEND, OREGON.
Dear Abby, I am Jewish. A friend from college kept sending me, “Jesus Loves You” Christmas cards. I told her it hurt my feelings that she didn’t respect my beliefs. I made it clear that I am Jewish and will always remain Jewish, as it is my religious and cultural background. Like “Hindu,” I know that some of these gestures are well intentioned, but I would never dream of sending my friends Hanukkah cards. I send cards that say “Seasons Greetings” or “Happy Holidays.” It’s good to learn about other people’s beliefs and be open to them, but not when they’re forced on you. Jill in Sacramento
John 1:10-14
He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world knew him not. He came to his own home and his people received him not. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God; who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. And the word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth; we have beheld his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father.
Dear Abby, Your answer to “Happy Hindu” offended me as a Christian. If the circumstances were different, would you tell me to ignore my Buddhist friends, but enjoy their treats if I didn’t gag first? Why is evangelical Christianity the only religion we shouldn’t tolerate? Mary S. Ellijay, Georgia
1 Corinthian 13:13
So faith, hope, love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
The way to show love is not my way or the highway to hell. The way to show love is by listening to God’s word, talking with God through prayer and then going out into the world walking what we have heard God say to us and speak to us through prayer.
In the Bible Jesus did not ride a white horse, a sign of a leader leading his troops to war, into Jerusalem. The Bible tells us in the Book of Matthew Chapter 21: 1-5 that our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ rode into Jerusalem on the back of a donkey, a sign of humbleness and peace.
The greatest sermon ever spoken has no words but millions will see it as they watch Christians, you and I, and our actions. This Christmas season let us approach others as our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ did, in humbleness and peace. Open to all around Him in God’s name. Let our actions be the sermon so that others may know what is truth and not feel judged or pressured but accepted in friendship. Diversity is what makes the world beautiful and exciting, being alike is what makes life an existence.
They will know we are Christians by our love, by our love, they will know we are Christians by our love.
Let us hold the hand of another and pray,
Dear God, I don’t always agree with that of this world and their advice. What I do agree upon is that it all begins with you Father God and how I conduct myself toward others. Others, who may not think, have the faith, that I have which does not make me better than anyone. Dear God as we enter into the season of Christmas, let us not turn to Dear Abby but to you Father God so that all may know what is truth in a loving manner. For if converting is more important, there is no friendship. What is truth? Truth is a that there is no friendship that grows from this world. For friendship grows from within God unto all the world. Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me; let there be peace on earth, the peace that was meant to be. With God our creator, children all are we. Let us walk together in peace and harmony. Let peace begin with me; let this be the moment now. With every step I take, let this be my solemn vow: to take each moment and live each moment in peace eternally. Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me. Amen
