The problem with the sermon is, I think, a problem with the Christian faith. It offers us a demand that is radical. The demand is that we love our enemies and that we pray for those who persecute us. That isn't easy. Some would say it's impossible.
The issue created by a sermon that lifts up Jesus as having invited his murderer to the table and the assumption that we are called to do the same, makes Christianity run counter to the way we are put together. Generally, we are designed to protect ourselves against those who would hurt us. There isn't a parent who wouldn't do everything possible to ensure that their child would be protected against those who would do them harm. Here comes the Christian faith, and the example of Jesus inviting us to allow those who would harm us to harm us. Jesus invited Judas to the table knowing Judas was set to betray him and that betrayal would lead to his suffering and death. What do we do with this?
Jesus, being Jesus, has less relevance to us if Jesus, being Jesus, does what is impossible for us to do. Are we expected to act as Jesus acted? Don't we lift him up as unique, divine, Son of God? He has the capacity for that kind of behavior but does that mean we have the same capacity? Are we expected to act in a like manner? Surely not!
The fact is we are expected to act in a manner that forgives those who would harm us. The fact is we are called to act in a way that does run counter to the way we are programmed or put together. We are compelled to be Christian and that means something. It means we strive to be better than we are. We work toward becoming a person who would be able to forgive; even an act that is unforgivable.
Abraham Lincoln was one who had a larger outlook on the country and the world. His greatness as President was born of his ability to look at the bigger implications of the minor contingencies. He was strong in victory and took on the authority of an absolute ruler when the union was threatened, but he evolved in his thinking to become a compassionate leader when he dealt with the Confederacy after the war. He was decisive in leading the North to victory and he was compassionate in bringing the nation together to reestablish the union after the Civil War was over.
He was a shining light in one of this nation's darkest hours and I believe he would have been able to heal the wounds created by the war had he been able to live.
Christianity calls from us a Radical Obedience. It isn't easy. It never was.
If you have thoughts on this subject write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to have other readers see your response click on the box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles
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1 comment:
This doesn't address the assassination attempt exactly, but when Lincoln was elected, he asked a staunch opponent to be a member of the cabinet as Secretary of War. At his funeral, the Secretary spoke very favorably of Lincoln.
I think Lincoln's personal secretary also warned him not to attend the theater, but I only remember reading that on some conspiracy theory comparison of Lincoln and Kennedy, so I don't know how accurate that is.
Lincoln's death also slowed the healing of the nation. The vice-president didn't agree with the welcoming Lincoln had in mind. Former confederate states were given only partial representation for a number of years in Congress. I think each state had a military general from the union that had more power than elected leaders maybe?
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