But as surely as God is faithful, our message to you is not “Yes” and “No.” For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us—by me and Silas and Timothy—was not “Yes” and “No,” but in him it has always been “Yes.” For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God. - 2 Corinthians 1:18-20
Corinth is located on the isthmus of Corinth, connecting the Peloponnese to the mainland of Greece. As such, it has occupied an important place in both overland and maritime trade for thousands of years. Although it has had its share of strife and conflict, it has also enjoyed long periods of commercial success and wealth. Paul pens his letters to them during one of those prosperous periods. When he writes to them, Corinth is a large metropolis with people of many different cultures, languages, ethnicities, and religions. Much like our community, it is a “melting pot” of people. Or, maybe, “mess” is a better description. It is clear from Paul’s letters that Corinth was wrestling with serious division and issues. Which sounds pretty familiar, doesn’t it? Yet into that mess, Paul writes that all God’s promises are made “yes” in Jesus Christ.
I am writing this during Holy Week. Our leadership is grappling with the next steps in discernment for Bethany. Our grandson continues to have good and bad days in the CCU at Dell Children’s Hospital. And we are preparing for all the services of the week. I feel like a bit of a mess! The uncertainty around the future is sometimes overwhelming in my heart.
At the same time, I know of many of you who are dealing with matters just as uncertain and unsettling. All kinds of personal issues, work-related challenges, financial struggles, major health issues, and death are all things that someone in Bethany is facing every day of the year. And some of you are facing several of them all at once. You, also, are feeling overwhelmed.
On top of that, we have all the drama that marks our current state of politics. The culture war in America continues to rage on. We read and see stories of natural disasters and the suffering of our brothers and sisters. We learn of atrocities committed against people – some right here at home. International intrigue and testing between nations as well as outright war fills our news. Some days it seems that humanity is simply unable to be humane to each other. Just the news, alone, on any given day can be overwhelming.
And into this mess of overwhelming struggle, Paul writes these great words of encouragement, “For no matter how many promises God has made, they are ‘Yes’ in Christ.” He reminds us that, above and beyond all we can fear or hope for, God is still God and He is still working for us out of love. The power of God that raised Christ from the dead is still bringing new life to us – and to the whole world. Death and evil do not win. God wins. On those days when I am feeling “wrung out” and “stretched thin,” I lean into God with all my heart and find peace and hope renewed. The Risen Christ is with me. What can possibly be too great for Him to handle?
As we celebrate the Resurrection this Easter, may the Risen Christ fill you with hope and peace and confidence to trust that in Him, all God’s promises have truly become “Yes!”
Be Blessed,
Tom
