Jesus, Moses, and Jay Leno (Reflections of Epiphany 6)

Gosh but I'll miss Jay Leno! I really enjoyed the goofy late-night talk show host and his topical humor. And, like millions of other Americans, I tuned in to watch his final performance on The Tonight Show last week. I was touched by Jay's farewell address in which he praised the show's staff and modestly claimed that any success he and The Tonight Show might have had over the years was due to the collaborative efforts and hard work of those behind the cameras. The myriad sentimental tributes paid on that broadcast to Jay's generosity and kindness led me to believe that the comic was sincere in his sentiments.

Jay's valedictory speech caused me to ponder how lucky I am to have such a good staff and so many pious volunteers to keep little Faith Lutheran Church of Philadelphia afloat. If we do any mission at all at this place, it's because lots of good folks are working their tails off while I stand around trying to look important. Jay Leno's farewell reminds me that it's all about togetherness—and not about me.

In the First Lesson for Epiphany 6 we see another legendary character saying his last good-bye. This time it's Moses bidding farewell. (Deuteronomy 30:15-20) The old boy has led the children of Israel out of slavery, through the Red Sea, and across the Sinai desert for forty years. Now it's time for him to step aside and let a younger guy take over. So what final words does he have? He reminds the people that it's all about God—and not about them. God is the giver, they are the receivers. If they're faithful to God and God's Law they will live in prosperity in the land God has given them. If they don't, they won't.

Of course, this then begs the question of how one is to live faithfully to God's law. In the Gospel lesson (Matthew 5: 21-37), Jesus gives a pretty darn strict interpretation of the law. You think you're not supposed to murder? Well even being angry with someone is a violation of the law. You shouldn't cheat on your spouse? Well even thinking about sex with someone is adultery. Oh, and divorce and remarriage? That sound like adultery, too. And don't even think about swearing an oath because pretty much anything that comes out of your mouth is demonic.

Say what..?

Those are pretty tough rules, Jesus. Just how are we supposed to be faithful to them? Either we'll become pious frauds by claiming to have kept the letter of the law even though our secret hearts are far from righteous, or we will be filled with despair, knowing that perfect fidelity is impossible for any of us.

Of course, that's rather the point. We can't be faithful to God's law. Our best intentions are never enough. So what do we do? We let our failure drive us to our knees and beg for God's mercy.

The good news is that God always grants such mercy. Our failure in achieving righteousness based on our own merits drives us to humility, and that humility drives us to the wonderful goodness of God. That's when we realize that it's never been about us. We're not the star of this show—God is.

There's an old story about Martin Luther trying to teach the concept of God's forgiving grace to his Wittenberg students. He explained that perfect obedience to the law of God is impossible, so the just must live by faith in God's loving care. One student supposedly asked him, “Then, Dr. Luther, do you mean to say we can do anything we want?” To which Luther is said to have replied, “Yes! But what do you want to do?”

(I don't know if this story is true or not, but, if it isn't, it ought to be!)

It's good, however, to take Moses' parting advice to heart. Choose the life that exists in being faithful to God's law. But be aware that we will always screw it up somehow. That's when we can be thankful that it's not about us, and that thankfulness will make us want to do better next time.

I find this doctrine enormously comforting. When it's all about me, there's just too much pressure and I'm never satisfied. When it's all about God, there's nothing but grace and blessings.

God is good. All the time.

Thanks for reading, my friend!

PS-Since we ALL need God's grace, why don't we ask for it in unison? If you're Lutheran or Roman Catholic, please sign my petition asking Pope Francis to allow Lutherans to receive the Eucharist with Catholics. Wouldn't that be a swell way to observe the 500^th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation? C'mon! What do you have to lose? Just click here.