Sermonette for January 8, 2018

Thousands of years before Jesus’ birth, the Old Testament prophet, Isaiah, begs God: “O that you would tear open the heavens and come down…!” (Isaiah 64.1)

 We too understand this cry, the deep desire that God would enter into our dark and lonely experience. That God would not sit so lofty on a throne that we cannot understand, we mortal humans can not touch or reason or even comprehend God’s grandeur.

 God does, in fact, tear open the heavens and come down. In his baptism, the heavens are torn open (Mark 1). In his crucifixion, the curtain is torn (Mark 15).

 While these reveal the supernatural power of God, they also reveal God coming to us in our darkness. God radically aligns himself with us in his baptism, a ritual for those who are indicating their need for repentance, which Jesus did not need. Baptism is a sign saying we cannot do this alone, God. Jesus understood this, declared this, and deeply aligned himself with us by going through this, tearing open the heavens.

 Just as Jesus aligns himself in our birth and baptism, He aligns himself with us in death. He knows what it feels like to see his loved ones suffer and die. He knows physical suffering.

 As we enter a new year, back into welcome routines, maybe even interested in new ones, let us remember that we have a God who enters this journey with us. No matter who you are, the pain you’ve felt, or the inadequacies you bring, God tears open the heavens to be with you. There is no place where God is not.