Universal

Universal

8th January 2023

Matthew 2:1-12

One of my favourite novels is Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ, written by Lew Wallace.

It’s an incredible story about a Jewish prince enslaved by the Romans who becomes a charioteer.

Ben-Hur’s life story parallels the Gospel narrative of Jesus’ birth, crucifixion, and resurrection. 

In the story of Ben Hur the visit of the wise men (named Gaspar, Melchoir, and Balthasar) expresses what early Christians believed:

that the coming of Christ Jesus was for everybody, everywhere, for all time.

The visit of the wise men is believed to be a sign of the universality of Christ’s kingdom.

This birth was not ONLY a minor incident in an insignificant little nation (of course it WAS that), but it is also a happening of cosmic relevance.

It was a revelation; an epiphany.

This specific event with universal meaning is of course consistent with the belief that other specifics have universal meaning.

For example, the fact that Christ is born in the specific town of Bethlehem, makes all towns holy.

Do you see how that works…?

In the specific details of the incarnation, Christ is fulfilling the holiness of ALL creation.

As beautiful and joyous as that truth is, in our diverse society this does bump up against other contrary beliefs.

At Christmas I was keen to watch the King’s Christmas Message.

I’ve always appreciated the way the Queen owned her personal faith in Christ, and usually expressed this in her Christmas Message with clarity and conviction.

What would King Charles say…?

Those who heard it will recall the King expressed he shares his late mother’s faith in God with his “whole heart”.

And he went on to recall a specific experience he had…

Some years ago, I was able to fulfil a life-long wish to visit Bethlehem and the Church of the Nativity.  There, I went down into the Chapel of the Manger and stood in silent reverence by the Silver Star that is inlaid on the floor and marks the place of Jesus’s birth.  It meant more to me than I can possibly express to stand on that spot where, as the Bible tells us, “The light that has come into the world” was born. 

While Christmas is, of course, a Christian celebration, the power of light overcoming darkness is celebrated across the boundaries of faith and belief. So, whatever faith you have, or whether you have none, it is in this life-giving light, and with the true humility that lies in our service to others, that I believe we can find hope for the future.  Let us therefore celebrate it together, and cherish it always.

If I’m honest (and don’t misunderstand me – I’m not bashing the king!), his message is theologically ‘muddled’.

Helpfully, King Charles mentions the very specific (the spot marked by the silver star)

and the universal “The light that has come into the world.”

However, he makes the explicit point that while Christmas is a Christian celebration, there is a universal truth of the power of light overcoming darkness.

I wonder if the King is uncomfortable with the specific claims of the Christian faith…?

Maybe you are uncomfortable with the specific claims of the Christian faith.

If you ARE uncomfortable with the specific claims of the Christian faith, I would commend you…

1.    for being sensitive to others around you who have different worldviews, and

2.    for recognising the claims of Christian faith are confronting; they are audacious!

How do we live in a world where people identify with other religious traditions, and some identify with no religious tradition?

Firstly, it’s important to remember that it’s not just Christians who make specific claims.

All religions believe they are uniquely correct.

Atheists also believe they are uniquely correct!

Perhaps you’ve heard the contemporary myth which says:  “Actually, all religions are the same at heart.”

That of course is nonsense;

an insult to every sincere Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist, Jew and Christian – and Atheist!

The second thing I’d say is that more tolerance would be good.

Dismissive arrogance has never been an authentic part of the gospel of Christ Jesus.

The Christian faith isn’t about asserting power, but living humbly.

Let us not be drawn into power-plays about whose religion ‘dominates’.

Instead, perhaps we can notice the good parts of other religions – especially those global religions that have stood the test of time.

Can we graciously try and understand other religions?

After the Christchurch Mosque attack, I joined a panel of representatives of different religions, as the government tried to find what improved social cohesion.

As we talked and shared and asked questions, we got to understand one another better.

And, curiously, we all expressed some cynicism in the government trying to relate in  a neutral/overarching way to religious people.

In fact, do you know what all the reps agreed on…?

We all felt a real problem for our society is the lack of understanding about religion.
And therefore, the government should introduce religious education into the curriculum of all schools.

Of course, even better than RE in schools, is when we get to know people of other religions.

It can be possible to then recognise they have more in common with us than people who do not identify with any religion.

So, tolerance is a good thing in our society.

However, (and I’ve said this before) I don’t think this extends to theological tolerance.

Social and relational tolerance is important,

but (as I’ve already reminded us) religions ARE different.

Acknowledging our specific beliefs frees us to have really interesting and meaningful engagements with others who are different.

(we see this in Jesus’ own conversations)

Jesus doesn’t want us to hold a neutral position in this world,

but to take his presence and purpose so seriously that we will treat others (all others) with the love he showed in his life, and in his death.

So, I urge you to ‘KEEP THE FAITH’!

Christ Jesus is a unique revelation of God, and it is our solemn privilege to witness to that epiphany.

Today, I rejoice to a Christian.

I rejoice to have had my eyes opened to the epiphany of Christ;

to recognise this presence of God has universal meaning,

and to respond in worship – with my whole life.

Jesus Christ truly is our joy and salvation.

Praise be to God!