Peter Fitch, St. Croix Vineyard Sunday, October 29, 2017 Lion and Lamb Peter Fitch, St. Croix Vineyard Sunday, October 29, 2017

Revelation 5 (Different Perspectives!) 4 And I began to weep bitterly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it. 5 Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep. See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.” 6 Then I saw between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders a Lamb standing as if it had been slaughtered . . .

Revelation 21 and 22 seen in Hebrews 12 22 But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering . . .

Zoe’s story Why doesn’t God speak to me like He speaks to you? Ask Him . . . He will You ask Him for me Mommy, Daddy, Jesus spoke to me He said, One day the lion will lie down with the lamb and then all the people will be saved You need to write that in your journal That night . . . Isaiah 11 or perhaps 65

Later, on retreat, and then Rik’s painting What it meant to me then (Word and Spirit) What it might mean to me now (the longing for a post- liberal, post-conservative church; also the strength to face reality and make things right, yet the gentleness to treat people with kindness) Joel’s question for Brian McLaren: “Why do I have friends that love justice and friends that love miracles and they’re never the same ones?”

Rik Berry, Danger in the Storm . . .

Isaiah 42:1-4 (or maybe it could mean this) Here is my servant, whom I uphold,     my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my spirit upon him;     he will bring forth justice to the nations. 2 He will not cry or lift up his voice,     or make it heard in the street;

Isaiah 42:1-4 3 a bruised reed he will not break,     and a dimly burning wick he will not quench;     he will faithfully bring forth justice. 4 He will not grow faint or be crushed     until he has established justice in the earth;     and the coastlands wait for his teaching.

Gregory the Great (AD 540-604) . . . Gentleness is to be mingled with severity; a compound is to be made of both, so that subjects may not be exasperated by too great harshness, nor enervated by excessive tendencies. Pastoral Care, Book II, Ch. 6

Matthew 15 21 Jesus left that place and went away to the district of Tyre and Sidon. 22 Just then a Canaanite woman from that region came out and started shouting, “Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is tormented by a demon.” 23 But he did not answer her at all. And his disciples came and urged him, saying, “Send her away, for she keeps shouting after us.” 24 He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” 

Madi Smith How this lady felt halfway through the story How many people in many groups still feel today

Madi Smith

Matthew 15 25 But she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.” 26 He answered, “It is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.” 27 She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” 28 Then Jesus answered her, “Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.” And her daughter was healed instantly.

Lion and Lamb Speaks truth—these societies were full of racial misunderstanding and division; He doesn’t shy away from the reality of the situation Enters her world—He delights in her answer, then He acts empathically in spite of the cautions of others How is she a lion to Him? True authority is not challenged by a true, even harsh, word

St. Paul, too . . . 15 But speaking the truth in love, we must grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ

Richard Rohr, Falling Upward p. 13, Early stage religion

What about you? Are you facing any difficult situations right now? What would it mean for you to be a lion in this case? What would it mean for you to be a lamb? Is it possible to do both or should you focus on one of these at this time?