Resurrection
Jesus' resurrection gives the Rev. Melissa Maher the ultimate example of God's challenging grace.
“Grace would not be grace if it did not often surprise, confront, challenge and even frighten us. It would only be a human projection and illusion.”
This statement from theologian Rodney Clapp in Border Crossings rattles the reader to consider God’s grace displayed through the life of Jesus as radical unnerving. The unmerited favor of God will not be confined by our expectations and, perhaps more comforting, not diminished by our limitations.
When I read through the gospels, I’m astounded by Jesus’ pronouncement of salvation and healing—generally on the wrong day of the week, in an unholy place or to an “underserving” group of people. And before I can make judgments, the scriptures are reading me. Pointing out my places of hypocrisy or self-reliance. When I place myself in a position of defending God and determining who’s in and who’s out, I no longer stand on solid ground of faith. Instead I stand on my own fragile certainty. I become lured into thinking it’s a foundation strong enough to withstand any tide of ego, yet too many times it crumbles under the weight of God’s perfect glory and grace.
In recent months, I’ve grown weary of the conversations we are having within The United Methodist Church. Too much debate, too little listening. So much discussion about winners and losers come February and not enough attention to our own powerlessness and ego-driven hunger for being correct. And I do not mention that to point a finger out there. I quickly look to my own heart. My own fear. My own lack of compassion.
I believe there is Room for All in The United Methodist Church. I believe in the authority of the scriptures to show us the pathway of repentance, confession, salvation and restoration. I believe the grace of God falls on us all and will do for us what we cannot do for ourselves. I stand on the life, death and resurrection of Jesus as a sign that the grace of God will surprise, confront, challenge and at times frighten me. I remain hopeful for the days ahead. Why? Because the radical grace of God is resurrecting the congregation I serve. Not a day goes by where we aren’t depending on the grace of God to be a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path.
This post is republished with permission from the Uniting Methodists' newsletter.
