Given From Heaven

After this Jesus and his disciples went into the Judean countryside, and he spent some time there with them and baptized. John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim because water was abundant there; and people kept coming and were being baptized— John, of course, had not yet been thrown into prison. Now a discussion about purification arose between John’s disciples and a Jew. They came to John and said to him, ‘Rabbi, the one who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you testified, here he is baptizing, and all are going to him.’ John answered, ‘No one can receive anything except what has been given from heaven. You yourselves are my witnesses that I said, “I am not the Messiah, but I have been sent ahead of him.” He who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. For this reason my joy has been fulfilled. He must increase, but I must decrease.’ The one who comes from above is above all; the one who is of the earth belongs to the earth and speaks about earthly things. The one who comes from heaven is above all. He testifies to what he has seen and heard, yet no one accepts his testimony. Whoever has accepted his testimony has certified this, that God is true. He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure. The Father loves the Son and has placed all things in his hands. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever disobeys the Son will not see life but must endure God’s wrath. John 3:22-36

Every community, tribe and nation (and individuals)) has had to learn that there are other people and other ways of living on this planet. Throughout the Gospels, people who knew exactly how the world was and what God expected had their views challenged. Their views were not changed by violent overthrow, colonialism, wars or occupation, but rather by the incarnate love of God living among them. We humans continue to resist God's radical inclusion. We shut the doors on people coming behind us. My we today turn and see God's love, sent from heaven, embracing those around us and behind us.

Wondrous Creator, you welcome and embrace all

you call us your children in our vast diversity

making room at the table for all sorts of people

and your love and care surrounds all creation.

We humans too often think we have control

yet we are dependent on those faithful before us

we are dependent on your constant love for us

and we are fragile, thickheaded children today.

Help us to look to you for a renewal of hearts

help us to see the stranger and alien as family

make us welcoming to even thiose we might fear

trusting that your love is enough for all. Amen.