Remembering Who the Real Enemy Is
Before Katniss Everdeen stepped back into the arena for the 75th Hunger Games, Haymitch Abernathy offered her one final word of advice. While in the arena, the games forced its “contestants” (called “tributes” in the book) to battle each other to the death – for the entertainment of the Capital along with a means to control its citizens in the districts. In order to survive, tributes build temporary alliances. Katniss needed an alliance because she had a target on her back. As the popular tribute, too many in the arena saw her as the threat. As the face of a movement to challenge the capital’s reign of terror, President Snow saw her as a threat. So before stepping into the arena, Haymitch reminded her, “Remember who the real enemy is.”
In the arena disorienting the tributes is part of the Games itself. The game-makers ensure unexpected dangers keep the competition interesting. While only one will survive the games, formed alliances are not just essential for survival but clearly brings trust issues with it. Then there is the danger of simply surviving the elements; they are called The Hunger Games for a reason. All of that begs for her to remember who the real enemy is.
We’re living in our own arena. No, it’s not a battle to the death for the last man standing. But it is a battle. Sometimes we are the players and other times we’re being played. So we always need reminded as to be who the enemy really is.
In Paul’s famous military metaphor (Eph. 6:10-18) he takes his readers through the Armor of God images. Belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, feet fitted with peace, shield of faith, helmet of salvation and sword/Sprit of the word of God. While we’re less aware, the original audience were well aware of the imagery Paul uses. The focus is not on modeling the belt, breastplate, fitted feet, shield, helmet and sword, as we have often done. The focus is on the character of the “soldier” who models truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation and Spirit/word of God. Too often we have allowed the soldier image to drive the message instead of the character qualities that define the soldier, which ends us distorting who the real enemy is.
The posture of the soldier is never in the offensive position, but the defensive position. The soldier does not look for a fight, any more than a shepherd looks to fight the wolf or the bear. But if the battle comes to him, he is more than able to defend himself by standing his ground (mentioned three times). Note that the shield’s role is to extinguish the flaming arrows, to protect oneself from attack, and that Paul never authorizes “weaponizing” the sword. In fact, the only offensive posture mentioned in the passage is to pray, and Paul tells us to pray five times in verses 18-20. Because understanding the position helps clarify who the enemy is.
You are not my enemy, and I am not yours. As Paul clearly states, the struggle is not in the physical sense, though it may take form in the physical sense. The struggle is real and its source is the devil (v. 11; 1 Pet. 5:8). He implements his schemes through rulers, people in power, and evil spiritual forces that are at work (v. 12). Structures and systems assembled by the society, including the State, with the purpose to dominate, destroy and dehumanize people is the means for the devil to achieve his evil schemes. That’s why we are called to peacefully stand against evil systematically woven throughout our society. Since we’re not enemies, but allies, and as we are called to take our stand, we remember who the real enemy is.
During the games, Katniss became disoriented. Other tributes carried out an attack on her and her alliances. While under attack, her own allies looked to be turning on each other. Chaos was controlling the moment. In the confusion, Katniss drew her bow. Ready to defend herself, Finnick Odair entered her sights. He raised his hands, pleading, to stop her from killing him. She paused, trying to assess the situation properly. He called out using Haymitch’s own words, “Katniss! Remember who the real enemy is!” Sometimes, when we’re ready to turn on each other, we need that same reminder.
Soli Deo Gloria!
(i.e., only God is glorified!)
A Window for Your Light Or A Mirror for Your Love
Listening to the Mandolin Rain
Beyond the Four Walls
Jesus’ last words recorded in Matthew are referred to as The Great Commission (28:18-20). His statement is rooted in the imperative command to “Make Disciples,” followed by three participles stated with imperative force, “Going,” “Baptizing,” and “Teaching.” While it’s unfortunate our English translations fail to communicate Matthew’s intent, the essence of the Great Commission is still felt. The followers of Christ were far from restricting themselves to four walls.
In the days following Pentecost the disciple regularly met in two locations: temple courts and in each other’s homes (Act. 2:46). As an offshoot of the Jewish faith, these disciples saw the value of a large place like the temple grounds for gatherings, teaching and sharing. Many people naturally gravitated to the temple, so contact with them was possible in order to share the good news Jesus offered. But they also met in homes, where the setting limited the gathering so intimacy and friendship could deepen. Because of these two places, the early disciples understood that faith was beyond four walls.
When the disciple began facing threats and persecution (Act. 8:1,3), many left the region taking the gospel with them. By the time Paul began establishing churches in gentile communities, the standard meeting places became the home (e.g. Rom. 16:5a; Philemon 2). That does not mean Paul never met outside the home. He went to the Synagogues (Act. 13:5, 14; 18:4), places of prayer (Act. 16:13) and to the marketplace (Act. 17:19; 19:9-10). Even still, the home seemed to be the cornerstone for the church as they were never caged within four walls.
The cornerstone of American churches has been the building. On the frontier, the first construction built was often the church, and it was usually situated in the center of the new town. To gain legitimacy, the religious groups needed a physical presence in a community. Carried over from the Latin was a misunderstanding of the word for church. In essence, the Greek word for church always referred to people while in the Latin associated itself to structure. The correlation between “church” and a building has been so strong that the structure became the source for faith and in many cases more important than the people who worship within the four walls.
For the past few months Churches in America have been sailing through uncharted waters. Social distancing have shut down our buildings, and only recently have they opened up again. Even still, most churches who have opened are implementing forms of social distancing (i.e., shorter services, seating is spaced, no trays are passed, etc.). Online teaching services continue and seem to be filling a void in people’s spiritual lives. Without seeing members at “services,” intentional contact has been on the rise. We text and call people just to “check-in.” We’re following up on neighbors and friends to make sure all is well. We’re finding that the church is far from the limitations of four walls.
What the future holds is always uncertain, though clearly God holds us in his hands. But that day will come when everything is set back to “normal” – and that day will come. Our Sunday morning services will be at full swing with Bible classes and potlucks. Groups will safely be using the facility throughout the week again. The fears of the COVID-19 virus will be a distant memory. Let’s remember, more than ever, how the life of the church is beyond four walls.
Soli Deo Gloria!
(i.e., only God is glorified!)
Rethinking Water
The Refrigerator Art Gallery
The Dangerously Necessary Journey through the Valley of the Shadow of Death
Sheep are vulnerable. Without protection they’re easy prey for predators. Without guidance they’ll break from the flock and find themselves lost in the wilderness. Without green pastures and quiet waters starvation is imminent. Without oil poured on an open wound infections will set in. Sheep are defenseless.
Valleys are dangerous. Predators hide in the shadows. Narrow paths make for treacherous journeys. Food and water may be scarce. Finding the sheep pinned in offers no escape route if attacked. With the long journey, sometimes you wonder if you’ll ever make it. Valleys are perilous.
Still, shepherds lead their flocks of sheep through the valley of the shadow of death. They must in order to secure greener pastures and fresher water for their flocks.
The valley of the shadow of death is a real place. Faith is challenged. Fears are exposed. Loneliness prevails. Danger is heightened.
We’ve all walked through this valley. You’ve been there and so have I. It’s never our first choice, but it’s an inevitable place to journey. Sickness. Death. Abandonment. Joblessness. Poverty. Backstabbing. Finances. Such a journey tests every fiber of our faith because every fiber of our faith needs testing.
When we find ourselves walking through the valley of the shadow of death, we remember how God’s rod and staff bring comfort. The rod was used to fend off predators, while the staff was used to gently prod and guide the sheep. With its hook at the end of the staff, it could be a rescue device for the sheep. Thus, with the Shepherd’s protective rod and staff present, the sheep will not fear the lurking evil.
When we find ourselves walking through the valley of the shadow of death, we recall how Jesus endured this same valley. As he prayed in the garden, he prayed for the cup he started drinking from to be taken from him (Lk. 22:42). Like sweat drops of blood, the anxiety took hold of Jesus. Instead of removing the cup, God sent an angel to strengthen Jesus (Lk. 22:43-44). While hanging on the cross, Jesus quoted Psalm 22:1, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Mk. 15:34) to express the status of his faith. Even the Hebrews writer commentary on Jesus is that his suffering helped make him perfect for our eternal salvation (Heb. 5:8-9). So while we’re called to the valley, we walk a road he himself has walked.
When we find ourselves walking through the valley of the shadow of death, we recount the presence, not only of the Shepherd who leads the sheep, but also our fellow sheep who walk with path with us. The Psalmist is clear that the Shepherd leads the sheep. Shepherds have flocks, not a single sheep. Safety thrives in numbers. So we walk this path with the shepherd and with the flock, knowing many other sheep have come this way. We walk paths others have trod. We face the same danger. We endure the same struggles. We are on this journey together.
We are vulnerable and defenseless. The road we walk is often dangerous and perilous. But we are not alone. We have each other. We have those who have gone before us. And we have a Shepherd. And we are going to make it to greener pastures with fresher water.
Soli Deo Gloria!
(i.e., only God is glorified!)