Devotion - Thursday, November 29

I continue to read from Zechariah.  Today it was Chapter 13, verses 1-9.

These speak of the shepherds being struck down, and the resulting scattering of the sheep.  You may recall that this imagery is used in reference to what happened to Jesus' followers, when he was arrested.  "Two thirds" of the sheep will "be cut off and perish."  Two thirds!

The other third will be put into the fire.  God will "refine them as one refines silver, and test them as gold is tested."

Some within the Church see the need for such a process in today's Church.  They speak of turning our attention away from gathering the masses and to focus on refining those who are of pure heart.  Their proclamations of the Gospel say it matters not how large we are; what matters is how faithful we are.

Two weeks ago I spoke to you of the Gospel reading in which Jesus' disciples were warned not to be "led astray."  I was asked, "How do I know if I am being following a false teaching or teacher?"  In those conversations, I acknowledged my fear that the Word I speak might lead astray, rather than leading into all righteousness.  These verses from Zechariah expose one of the areas where there is great debate about what has passed through the refiner's fire, and what is of our own desire.

There is a teacher, followed by many, by the name of Yoder.  He was at Union Seminary, reaching the height of his prominence about 30 years ago.  He had many admirers, one of them taught at our Lutheran Seminary in Columbia.  Another like-minded professor was one of my teachers.  To him I owe my understanding of the Trinity and Christology.  Brilliant man and wonderful teacher.  While it is not Yoder who influenced him, Pope Benedict (while still the Bishop of Passau, Germany) wrote of a similar need for the Church to be devoted to purity of teaching, rather than to be focused on gathering as many as possible under its wings.

I do not share their zeal for doctrinal purity.  I am much more inclined to seek including others, and even to allow my own statements of faith to be adjusted so as to allow the continually forming community to speak to and for all of its members.

While wanting to avoid (completely avoid) labeling one as "right" and the other as "wrong," there are choices to be made.

I have a captive audience - you read these humble offerings.  In them, you are surely collecting some of the revelation given to me.  I am convinced it is a revelation from God.  But form time to time I need to acknowledge there are other voices, and I need to make sure you realize I am self-reflective enough to wonder, "Would these words make it through the refiner's fire?"

It is the question we each must ask yourselves - of what we read, of what we think, of what we say, and of how we live our lives.  Zechariah lifts up the image - we are the one who applies it to our lives.