We tend to imagine that God is on our side in disputes, so I’m sure most of the people thought God would side with them against the Babylonians, and even imagined that hating Babylon was part of what it meant to love God. But they are about to be reintroduced to one of the overarching themes of the bible; God doesn’t play favourites.
Of course, he has special relationships. That’s an essential part of what relationships are. But if some seem to know his love more intimately than others it simply means that he is using them, or at least trying to use them, in some special way to extend his love to everyone. And extending love, as all who have done it know, is among the most wonderful and painful things a human being can ever do. Ask any mother, father, brother, sister. In fact, ask almost anyone who’s been around a while.
So, here are three of the things I think God is saying to his people in Babylon, and to us:
- Don’t be angry at Babylon (the post-Christian world) for doing this to you. I did it. I put you in this place for my reasons. You are where I want you to be. So, stop complaining.
- I expect you to live full and productive lives in Babylon.
- I expect you to learn to know and love this place, to pray for its peace and prosperity, because now your life and wellbeing are intimately bound up in Babylon’s life and wellbeing. And that’s the way I want it.
It may seem strange that God would want us to even be in Babylon, let alone love the place. After all it’s Babel, the city that raised a mighty tower against him (Genesis 11:1-9). And it’s a cruel empire that terrorizes the most vulnerable people of the earth. But God wants us to see that Babylon is this, but also much more. It’s a beautiful city, full of beautiful people who suffer and dream and love and fear and worship. Babylon is the world that John is talking about when he says, in the famous John 3:16 passage, “God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life”. And then he goes on in verse 17 “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him”.
God didn’t come, or send us, to condemn Babylon (the world). He loves this “Babylon”, and so must we.
1 comment:
Hey Dan, Ronnie sent me the link to your new hobby...posting sermons online. You were always the smartest guy in the room (any room)and this latest effort reinforces that fact. I think you should come down to Calgary and preach here at Crescent...perhaps a series over a weekend. Just don't make anyone mad...for once. Love you, brother. Stan
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