CYPRESSWOOD CHURCH OF CHRIST
February 26, 2006
LIFT UP IN PRAYER THE FOLLOWING:
Our congregation James and Leon in the Army
Our students Various friends, relatives and co-workers
Our nation, military and leaders
HOW BEAUTIFUL
“And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death -- even death on a cross” (Philippians 2:8).
The title is from a song by Twila Paris. It is found in both our song books though one or two verses have not been included. It is a thought provoking song especially as we come together around the Table of the Lord. In the Lord’s Supper, we remember not only His death but His entire life, and this song captures those thoughts.
“How beautiful the hands that served the wine and the bread and the sons of the earth.
How beautiful the feet that walked the long dusty roads and the hill to the cross.”
In the accounts of the Passover meal and the introduction of the Lord’s Supper, we see Jesus breaking the beard and taking the cup and telling them the new meaning of these elements. Remember that each portion of the Passover meal had significance and meaning as the story is repeated. For our meal, the meanings are deep and rich, especially as we live a crucified life. No only does Jesus serve the wine and bread, but He served in many other ways. Previously to the meal He washed the disciples feet (John 13), probably because they were arguing over who was the greatest among themselves. His service took on various forms; healing the sick, touching the leprous, providing food for thousands and being friends with sinners and tax collectors. That idea is captured by the words of the song, “How beautiful the feet that walked the long dusty roads.” Jesus walked! >From village to village teaching, comforting, encouraging, and explaining how people were to act and live. Finally He walked that last dusty road to the cross, the ultimate in service, in giving Himself for us.
The second verse captures the cross. Unfortunately it is not found in either of our song books.
“How beautiful the heart that bled, that took all my sin and bore instead.
How beautiful the tender eyes that chose to forgive and never despise.”
The ultimate sacrifice is the ultimate example of service. His life was for this one event, this one reason. How we live before God is important, but it is a life of a “living sacrifice” (Romans 12:1), a crucified life (Galatians 2:20), a life that does not shrink from death (Revelation 12:11). Jesus showed us that because He was willing to bleed, willing to carry our sins. This idea is seen in the Old Testament when, on the Day of Atonement, the High Priest confessed the sins of the nation on the head of a goat, who then symbolically carried those sins into the wilderness. But Jesus went further in being our sin offering, He showed us the way of forgiveness. He asked that the Father would forgive them because they did not know or understand what they were doing, and what He was doing as well. He did not seek revenge, an idea far to easy and desirous among humans. Rather, He chose to seek the way of forgiveness for those not worthy of forgiveness, and by that, showing us how to forgive others.
Forgiveness is a difficult idea. How do I forgive someone who has hurt me so bad? How do I forgive those who only want to hurt me? How can I intercede for the angry, the enemy, the revengeful? How can I forgive myself when I have broken faith with God? The answer is to see “How beautiful the tender eyes that chose to forgive and never despise.” Many are faced by those who want forgiveness in one way or another. Simon Wiesenthal wrote a book called The Sunflower. He had been a Jew in a Nazi concentration camp when one day he was taken to a hospital to clean. A nurse came to him and asked if he would come into a room. There was a German officer dying. The German told his story of how he had murdered Jews and now facing death, wanted forgiveness. Wiesenthal walked out saying nothing. After the war he wrote this book and asked the question, “Was I right in doing this or should I have forgiven him?” I preached at a church in north Texas one day and after was asked by a grandmother, “Should I forgive the man who murdered my grandchild?” A couple in Tennessee had an only son who was killed by a drunk driver. They began to visit him in prison and through their loving example, converted him to Jesus. They too had to deal with the subject of forgiveness. How do we deal with someone who has hurt us so bad?
Then there was Peter, always ready with an answer, always willing to step forward without thinking. “I will never deny you Lord.” Then the rooster crowed, Peter had denied Jesus three times, and their eyes met, Jesus and Peter, and Peter went out and wept bitterly (Luke 22:54-62). How could He ever forgive me for what I have done? After the resurrection, we see Peter and Jesus (John 21). “Peter, do you love me?” Jesus asked three times. And Peter said that he did and Jesus knew that. Forgiven by those “tender eyes.”
“And as He laid down His life, we offer this sacrifice,
That we might live just as He died,
Willing to pay the price, willing to pay the price.”
“I want to know Christ…and to share in the fellowship of his sufferings,” Paul wrote (Philippians 3:10). Jesus asks that those who follow Him count the cost (Luke 14:25-33) and that they must be willing to give up everything to follow Him (9:23). The question is, “Are we willing to pay the price?” Are we willing to be physically and verbally abused? Betrayed by friends? Rejected by family and fellow citizens? Are we willing to not love life and die (Revelation 12:11)? Are we willing to be humble, to seek what is best for others and not my self (see Philippians 2:4 [in the TNIV or NRSV], and 1 Corinthians 10:24)? As He did so should we.
“How beautiful the radiant bride who waits for her groom with his light in her eyes.
How beautiful when humble hearts give the fruit of pure lives so that others may live.”
We all like weddings because they are such joyous occasions. Having done a number of them over the years, there are common sights in each. The groom stands nervously waiting to see the bride come down the aisle, but when she appears, he lights up. The bride on the other hand is radiant, looking forward to her walk down the aisle, and seeing the groom, she shines in her beauty. The church is the bride of Christ and should be “the light of the world” in lighting His love to those around. This comes from a humble and pure heart (see Matthew 5:3-12). Both humility and purity are something the church needs to work at. Paul sees this in his discussion of submitting to Christ (Ephesians 5:21-6:18). As a husband loving submits his wife and she in turn voluntarily submits to him, so the church submits to Jesus in purity. If we have a weakness today as God’s people, we have lost the idea of being the bride of Christ, and the responsibilities that go with it.
“How beautiful the feet that bring the sound of good news and the love of the King.
How beautiful the hands that serve the wine and the bread and the sons of the earth.”
The first part of this verse comes from Isaiah 52:7 in a context of the Servant coming to bring the salvation of God and leading into the very familiar Suffering Servant text of Isaiah 53. Paul quotes this text in Romans 10:15 in bring the good news to the world. Not only does Jesus fulfill this but so does Paul and all who bring the good news by word and example. That’s you and me. We live a radically different life that causes others to look and wonder and sometimes respond. A Roman named Pliny wrote a letter to the Emperor Trajan about his order to kill Christians. Pliny said that while they had some strange religious beliefs like worshipping someone risen from the dead, and eating His body and drinking His blood, they were not troublemakers. They take care of each other, visit the sick, and work hard. They brought good news by their lives and so should we.
The last part of verse four comes around to the beginning, reminding us of the One who “serve the wine and the bread and the sons of the earth.” Once again, the Lord’s Supper isn’t just about His death, but includes His life and resurrection and the hope for the future spent in eternity. The Supper should cause us to recall various aspects and teachings of the Savior. This song has captured some of those thoughts.
Twila Paris concludes with the following, and no wonder; it is true:
“How beautiful, how beautiful, how beautiful is the body of Christ.”
Is this referring to Jesus? Yes! Look at how He lived and died. Is it referring to the body as the church? Yes! Look at how we live and die. How beautiful should we be? Look at Jesus!
George B. Mearns