The Bad News Gospel

Doing something new can be great, but what about when God makes things new?

Variety is the spice of life. At least that is what some people like to say. In whatever relationship we find ourselves, whether it is with a loved one, such as a spouse or child, or even a friend, neighbor, or stranger, trying something new or different can lead to a new level of connection. This does not always go smoothly though.

I have heard horror stories, mind you never in my own relationships, about how one partner will try something new, only to have it blow up in her or his face. A doting husband attempts to make a home cooked meal, but only succeeds in getting the fire department to come put out the flames. A couple tries to learn the lyrics to a Taylor Swift song only to embarrass their teenage daughter. A woman does her best to buy lunch for a homeless man only to have him throw the food on the ground. Still, what steadily builds relationships are not times when we get it exactly correct, but times when despite fumbling the attempt we love one another. Even if or when the affection we show backfires, the “failed” attempt gives new life to that relationship.

Our relationship with God works in the same way. Often we require a new spiritual discipline, practice, or approach to give some energy to our connection with the Divine. We can no doubt think of countless times when we bought a fresh devotional, checked out a different prayer website, or joined a different prayer group, and these are helpful in jump starting how we perceive and relate to God. But, what about when God does something new?

Today’s Gospel story from Luke is a continuation of the tale that began last week. Jesus pulled into Nazareth. He went to the synagogue as was his usual routine. In the midst of the religious leaders he stood up and someone handed him the scroll from Isaiah. He unfurled it to the following passage:

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
Because he has anointed me
To bring good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives
And recovery of sight to the blind,
To let the oppressed go free,
To proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."

The prophet Isaiah foretold of the Messiah in many different ways (being born of a Virgin, one preparing the way, a Galilean ministry, undergoing suffering, and on and on); however, Jesus chose these words to talk about his own ministry. This in and of itself is a surprising autobiographical description, so when the people in the synagogue heard this of course their response was being amazed.

Imagine for a moment we too were there sitting at the local place of worship. Think about someone you have known for your entire life, then all of a sudden they read a hopeful message of redemption, and instead of saying, “Doesn’t this sound great?” she says, “This has been fulfilled in your hearing.” At first we might say, “Oh wow!” we are part of hearing God doing something new. And yet, the surprising thing that Jesus says to those who heard him long ago and to those of us who hear him today is not that this prophecy is fulfilled in their hearing, but in something more than just a certain group hearing some good news.

Jesus went on to talk about a widow at Zarephath in the time of Elijah and Naaman the Syrian in the age of Elisha. We might wonder why mentioning these two would make those in the synagogue indignant enough to try to murder Jesus. Simply put, these stories depict God including those whom the religious folk were not ready to accept. The problem for those synagogue-goers and for us church-goers is not that God extends the good news of releasing, lifting up, healing, and freeing to us. No, the dilemma is that God extends this good news to the people we do not like, understand, or respect. As Evan put it this week in a blog: “The good news of salvation is about you, but it isn't only about you. If you think it's only about you, then it isn't for you after all.” I would say it this way: God loves you. This is good news. However, if you think that God only loves you, this is no longer the good news. In fact, it’s bad news.

This is what was going on in Corinth when Paul wrote this bit we heard today about love. No, he was not writing to them about weddings. Some in the church thought that it was only about them. There was in-fighting, anger, and bitterness in this diverse church. Paul told them they could speak eloquently, prophesy boldly, and even understand mysteries; they could have faith to move mountains, sacrifice their bodies, and empty their bank accounts for one another; they could do every good work, but without love they were just noise; without love they were nothing.
The love that God gives to us is not meant just for us. We are meant to share that love. If we withhold that love, then even our best works turn to nothing. God announced through Elijah, Elisha, and most notably through Jesus that God’s love is for all. If someone says that God’s love is only for his group, her church, or a certain religion, then they are no longer speaking good news, but bad news. And, I have had enough bad news.

God is doing something new, but in some ways it is the same thing that God has always being doing. Jesus announces the year of the Lord’s favor, and in hearing it this Scripture has been fulfilled. This is Good News not just for us, but for everyone. God releases, lifts up, heals, and frees all. If we say it is for only us and our own, then it is no longer good news, but the bad news gospel. We are not called to preach the bad news, but the Good News. God shows love to all and our response is simply to share that love with all. This is the Good News.