Restoration of Greatness

Recently talk about restoration of greatness has been popular in some political circles, and some connect it with recovery of attention to the Bible. Isaiah 58 (the lectionary reading from the Hebrew Scriptures/Old Testament for next Sunday February 9, 2020) is presented as the formula for restoration of reputation. All people of faith, take heed!

Is such the fast that I choose, a day to humble oneself? Is it to bow down the head like a bulrush, and to lie in sackcloth and ashes? Will you call this a fast, a day acceptable to the Lord? Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of injustice, to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover them, and not to hide yourself from your own kin?

Then your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up quickly; your vindicator shall go before you, the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. …

If you offer your food to the hungry and satisfy the needs of the afflicted, then your light shall rise in the darkness and your gloom be like the noonday. … Your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt; you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; you shall be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of streets to live in.

Clearly, this was written to ancient Israel in their time of distress. I do not believe the US is, ever was, or ever should be a theocratic (“Christian”) nation, nor do I expect its government leaders to share my faith in Jesus. I do however expect integrity and authenticity, competence and humility. These qualities, and I believe the words of Isaiah 58, are not limited to people who identify themselves as followers of Jesus but speak to profound human qualities and dynamics. Nevertheless, in the current climate of longing for restored greatness, I do believe we who follow Jesus have an opportunity to point the larger society toward true greatness, as Jesus himself described it. (Matthew 18:4; Mark 9:35; 10:43-44; Luke 9:48)

Whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all.