“Left out?”
By Rev. Michael Stonhouse
Meditation – Saturday, November 25, 2023
Revelation 22:14-21(Forward, p. 27) CEV p. 1314
Frankly, given the somewhat ‘liberal’ bent of the New Revised Common Lectionary, I am surprised that this particular passage ‘made it’ in terms of being included in the church’s daily readings. I say this, not only because it portrays, in a ‘no holds barred’ manner, the judgment of God upon sin and sinners, but also because it states, in no uncertain terms, that there will indeed be some who ‘don’t make it’, who are ‘left out’ of the heavenly city. So much for universalism, the idea that everyone will be saved, no matter what. It says, in no uncertain terms, “But outside the city will be dogs, witches, immoral people, murderers, idol worshippers, and everyone who loves to tell lies and do wrong” (verse 15).
But even so, even after this rather stern warning and rebuke, the Spirit and the bride [which is the redeemed, fully purified Church), still say to anyone who hears this warning, ‘Come. Come. If you are thirsty, come! If you want life-giving water, come and take it. It’s free!” (verse 17). And so, to me at least, there seems like the offer of another chance, and well, if a person refuses it, well, it is ‘upon their own head’. They have freely chosen to be ‘left out.’ My prayer that this would be none of us—and no one that we know or associate with. May we, you and I, be sure to pass on the gracious and loving appeal of Christ, an appeal to come, and enter, no matter who are what we are. Amen.
Forward notes: “The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come.’ And let everyone who hears say, ‘Come.’ And let everyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who wishes take the water of life as a gift” (verse 17).
“God and the Church offer the water of life, free without cost, to all who are thirsty. No sacrifices, no self-abnegation, no down-payment required. The king in today’s gospel reading [Matthew 18:21-35] forgave his slave all his debt; he didn’t even extend the period of the loan—he just forgave it outright.
“We are given the same offer, with only one thing asked of us: that we whom the Spirit and the bride have invited should also invite others. Everyone who hears the invitation should pass it along to those who
haven’t heard it, those who have heard and disregarded it, or—perhaps especially—to those whom the bride [here our author applies this to the unredeemed, hopelessly flawed church] has harmed: the fallible human beings who make up the Church. Because, unlike God, we humans cannot say, ‘Before they call I will answer, while they are yet speaking, I will hear’ (Isaiah 65:24). We need to hear the Good News from each other.”
Moving Forward: “How will you share the Good News this week?”
[Note: The Book of Revelation repeatedly speaks of the church as the Bride of Christ (19:7-9; 21:2,9; and 22:17), as one who has made herself ready and who is clothed with deeds of righteousness. And so, this is hardly the rather flawed and imperfect ‘bride’ that our author speaks of! Nevertheless, to me at least, it is of great joy—and anticipation—that we, the Church, will one day be that perfect and radiant bride that this Scripture speaks of. Thanks be to God!