Rain
Originally scheduled for
October 11
It
seldom rains in Southern California. It rains a great deal in Iowa. The
farmers in Iowa usually welcome the rain as necessary for growing corn; once
in a while there is too much, but usually “no rain” is bad news in Iowa.
It’s
different in Southern California. Rain is welcome – in the abstract. You’ll
hear things like, “We really needed the rain – there’s been such a drought, you
know.” But rain in person is not welcome – especially on the freeways. Rain
lifts the large accumulation of road oil and other things. But there is
usually not enough rain to wash this away; just lift it. This turns the
freeways slick, like glare ice. Traffic accidents pop up everywhere.
Our
reaction to Christ is somewhat like that reaction to rain. Some of us, to be
sure, welcome him unconditionally. When life seems to be one long drought of
love, Christ is welcomed like rain in Iowa. But for most of us, Christ is more
welcome in the abstract than in the personal. We nod agreeably as the
Communion meditation is delivered – thankful that it has no personal impact on
us. Because if we let it, we’d find that Christ is not so convenient in our
daily lives. We’re sinners; we want to let sleeping worms lie.
Now is
the time we meet him in person, so to speak. Our abstract approval must give
way to the knowledge that we are sinners – and sin makes us uncomfortable
around the sinless man. We want to hurry through this part of the service.
But he
established this reminder not to show us that we are sinners; we already knew
that. He established this meal to remind us of his forgiveness, and the price
he paid for it. It is not our sin we commemorate but his grace. So, don’t be
uncomfortable as you partake; rather, be grateful. It’s not about us; it’s
about him, and all he has done for us.
