{"id":1214,"date":"2010-02-02T16:50:42","date_gmt":"2010-02-02T16:50:42","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/localhost\/?p=643"},"modified":"2010-02-02T16:50:42","modified_gmt":"2010-02-02T16:50:42","slug":"grace-makes-beauty-out-of-ugly-things-jon-unger-brandt-jan-31-2010","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tumc.ca\/?p=1214","title":{"rendered":"Grace makes beauty, out of ugly things – Jon Unger Brandt – Jan. 31, 2010"},"content":{"rendered":"


<\/font><\/p>\n

John 4: 1- 26<\/font><\/em><\/h3>\n

Grace makes beauty, out of ugly things. <\/font><\/p>\n

Have you ever really screwed up? I mean, not just done something you know you shouldn\u2019t have but something so big feel unable to look anyone in the face, especially the people that love you? Most of us have, and it is a difficult time to go through. <\/font><\/p>\n

Now I\u2019ve messed up plenty of times, and give you a long list of people who can vouch for that, but thankfully there have only been a couple of events where the world has felt like it is caving in on me. The pain here is not really about the actions, as wrong as they were, but about the relationship broken. <\/font><\/p>\n

Often when I screw up, I can handle it in certain situations, I acknowledge the wrongdoing and work to change, but then, in those moments when you face the one you have hurt so deeply, you just fall apart, unable to go on. <\/font><\/p>\n

A few years ago I did something that was really wrong, that hurt someone I love terribly. It is the most significant breach of trust I have ever committed.\u00a0 It was a painful time, and healing continues. What is most powerful to me is the grace extended to me by the one I wronged.\u00a0 It has changed me, made me a better person. Grace comes in the relationship. <\/font><\/p>\n

This morning we will spend some time exploring the story of the Samaritan woman\u2019s encounter with Jesus at the well along with hearing from some among us who have experienced grace. Maybe you too will want a share a moment of grace experienced. <\/font><\/p>\n

A moment ago I referred to the Samaritan woman\u2019s \u2018encounter with Jesus\u2019.\u00a0 And that isn\u2019t the right word. It is about a relationship.\u00a0 The time spent physically together may not have been long but the impact was significant and real.<\/font><\/p>\n

It has been suggested that this woman came at noon, during the heat of the day, because she knew no one would be there. All the other women would have drawn water in the morning, when it was cool. This was an opportunity to go to the well, most likely a common meeting place, alone.\u00a0 Now imagine with me, as I take some poetic license that I know the theologian in my family wouldn\u2019t do. A woman with five ex-husbands and living with another might not be the most respected woman in the city. Perhaps she would prefer not to run into too many people during her daily routine. <\/font><\/p>\n

Is there shame? Perhaps. I know that I have often avoided people when dealing with guilt. You just wants to run and hide don\u2019t you? One of the hardest things my kids struggle with is facing up to their mistakes. It probably isn\u2019t unique to me, or my children. <\/font><\/p>\n

So here is this woman, attempting to grab her water and high-tail it back to her home, and she is confronted by a man, a Jewish man no less. <\/font><\/p>\n

\u201cGive me a drink\u201d \u2013 What, no please? <\/font><\/p>\n

It sounds like a simple request, a tired, hot traveler at the edge of a well but no way to get water.<\/font><\/p>\n

And yet the woman is surprised, and rightly so. She wonders what a Jew is doing asking a Samaritan for water.\u00a0 I am not sure if I can make a good comparison for us today, as we try so hard to be open to all faiths and religions, but this is not a conversation that anyone would expect to see. Jesus is crossing gender and ethnic lines here, beginning a relationship that is quite unusual. <\/font><\/p>\n

As the conversation continues, and the relationship builds, it becomes apparent to the woman that she is not talking to an ordinary man. He knows things about her that shame her and yet he offers her life. There is no reason for this woman to expect this gift. <\/font><\/p>\n

Jesus says to her, \u201cEveryone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, 14but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”<\/font><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a015The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water so that I won’t get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water.”<\/font><\/strong><\/p>\n

The conversation continues, and Jesus observes the sin of her life.\u00a0 And here, for me, is where it starts to get interesting.<\/font><\/p>\n

Grace can be offered, and often is, long before it is realized to be grace. At first this woman didn\u2019t fully understood the gift being extended to her by this man who not only knew all that she had done, but had the power to forgive her for it. <\/font><\/p>\n

Jesus was stepping into a relationship, wanting to build something powerful.\u00a0 What is amazing to me is that we have a God who, after all we have done, still wants a relationship. Still wants to talk to us and allow us to really develop intimacy. <\/font><\/p>\n

Grace \u2013 there has to be acknowledgement of sin, of wrong-doing, in order to make Grace real. I think the power of grace comes in not simply knowing how badly you have acted, but more significantly how deeply you have hurt someone. When you understand the burden they are carrying because of your actions. \u00a0<\/font><\/p>\n

It is looking to someone and saying, \u201cDo you know what I have done?\u201d<\/font><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I do, and I am paying for it.\u201d<\/font><\/p>\n

\u201cAnd yet you love me? And forgive me?\u201d<\/font><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, and I want a relation with you.\u201d<\/font><\/p>\n

Grace makes beauty, out of ugly things. <\/font><\/p>\n

Later, in the piece of this story we didn\u2019t read, she goes back to the city and shares her story with everyone.\u00a0 This telling results in many believing that Jesus was the savior. It seems she got it. <\/font><\/p>\n

For me, I knew I had screwed up, royally, and I felt bad about it. I lived with that guilt for a while and the forgiveness offered by the one I hurt was a healing balm and necessary. What blew me away, however, was when I realized, when
\nit finally hit home, how much I had hurt the one I loved. I could be forgiven, and the wrongdoing of my action is wiped clean. \u00a0<\/font><\/p>\n

The one I wronged, the person hurt by my actions, has to live, and in the case of Christ die, with that pain. <\/font><\/p>\n

For us, I think grace becomes cheapened when we fail to acknowledge that hurt, that intense pain. Knowing we have done something wrong is one part of the equation but if we know how much we are loved we will begin to understand how deep is the grace that is offered.\u00a0 It is not only knowing what you did was wrong, but understanding the depth of how someone was wronged. <\/font><\/p>\n

The Samaritan woman came to realize that not only did Jesus know what she had done, but by acknowledging him as Savior, acknowledging that saving act, just how much pain she has caused him. <\/font><\/p>\n

For us, admitting the sin, the actions that have caused pain is first step, the grace really starts to flow, to become real, to change our world, when we become fully aware of the depth of the pain we have caused Christ, and the yet how much Christ still desires relationship with us. <\/font><\/p>\n

It is in that relationship, it is in that love, that Grace makes beauty, out of ugly things. <\/font><\/p>\n


*\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0*\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0*\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0*
Moments of Grace<\/strong><\/font><\/p>\n

What are your moments of grace? How have you experienced this? <\/font><\/p>\n

A number of you have how come prepared to share, and I have a couple of pieces I will read from those who couldn\u2019t be here this morning. <\/font><\/p>\n

Audrey Wichert<\/strong> – has two minutes of something to share.<\/font><\/p>\n

Pepper Parr<\/strong> – sent me the following<\/font><\/p>\n

The Grace of God \u2013 I have to admit to not really knowing what that was before I walked through the doors of this church some six years ago.<\/font><\/p>\n

It was when Lydia Harder was telling an Adult Education class about an occasion when she and Gary were visiting with neighbours and left the house of the neighbours on poor terms.\u00a0 Lydia told us how she and Gary knew they had to return to their neighbours that night and \u201cmake things right\u201d \u2013 which they did.<\/font><\/p>\n

That was my first inkling of what was meant by God\u2019s grace.<\/font><\/p>\n

I learned that when I have offended someone the person I offend has an obligation to tell me what I\u2019ve done and I have an obligation to apologize to the person I offended.\u00a0 My apology must come from my heart.\u00a0 It must be visceral, real and the person to whom I make this apology must accept it.\u00a0 And their acceptance must be as real and profound as my apology.<\/font><\/p>\n

It is when an apology is given and accepted that the grace of God settles on the people involved.\u00a0 Lydia Harder taught me that and I am grateful.\u00a0 Does that mean I\u2019ve not offended anyone since that day?\u00a0 I\u2019m afraid not.<\/font><\/p>\n

But it is what I learned the Mennonite community means when they speak of being accountable to each other and for each other.<\/font><\/p>\n

It is not as easy as I just made it sound.<\/font><\/p>\n

If I did not mean to offend someone but they nevertheless felt offended \u2013 do I still need to apologize?\u00a0 I have learned the answer to that question is \u2013 yes.<\/font><\/p>\n

For if you feel offended,\u00a0 God\u2019s grace cannot enter into my relationship with you if I do not apologize.\u00a0 That I believe is what God\u2019s grace is all about.\u00a0 I hope I did not offend you by saying that.<\/font><\/p>\n


<\/font><\/p>\n

Ed Heese<\/font><\/strong><\/p>\n

When I was in my early 20s, I was hospitalized and Aeltester J.J. Thiessen from First Mennonite came to visit me.\u00a0 When he was leaving, he blessed me with the benediction from Numbers 6:<\/font><\/p>\n


“The LORD bless you<\/font><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 and keep you;<\/font><\/p>\n


\u00a025 the LORD make his face shine upon you<\/font><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 and be gracious to you;<\/font><\/p>\n


\u00a026 the LORD turn his face toward you<\/font><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 and give you peace.” ‘<\/font><\/p>\n


\u00a0I was young and at the time, it felt a little awkward.\u00a0 But it has become a memory which is, perhaps not quite a spring of living water welling up, but certainly a place to which to retreat and draw comfort and strength to continue. \u00a0<\/font><\/p>\n


U2<\/font><\/p>\n

Grace<\/font><\/p>\n


She takes the blame<\/font><\/p>\n

She covers the shame<\/font><\/p>\n

Removes the stain<\/font><\/p>\n

It could be her name<\/font><\/p>\n


Grace<\/font><\/p>\n

It’s a name for a girl<\/font><\/p>\n

It’s also a thought that changed the world<\/font><\/p>\n

And when she walks on the street<\/font><\/p>\n

You can hear the strings<\/font><\/p>\n

Grace finds goodness in everything<\/font><\/p>\n


Grace, she’s got the walk<\/font><\/p>\n

Not on
\na ramp or on chalk<\/font><\/p>\n

She’s got the time to talk<\/font><\/p>\n

She travels outside of karma<\/font><\/p>\n

She travels outside of karma<\/font><\/p>\n

When she goes to work<\/font><\/p>\n

You can hear her strings<\/font><\/p>\n

Grace finds beauty in everything<\/font><\/p>\n


Grace, she carries a world on her hips<\/font><\/p>\n

No champagne flute for her lips<\/font><\/p>\n

No twirls or skips between her fingertips<\/font><\/p>\n

She carries a pearl in perfect condition<\/font><\/p>\n


What once was hurt<\/font><\/p>\n

What once was friction<\/font><\/p>\n

What left a mark<\/font><\/p>\n

No longer stings<\/font><\/p>\n

Because grace makes beauty<\/font><\/p>\n

Out of ugly things<\/font><\/p>\n


Grace makes beauty out of ugly things<\/font><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

John 4: 1- 26 Grace makes beauty, out of ugly things. Have you ever really screwed up? I mean, not just done something you know you shouldn\u2019t have but something so big feel unable to look anyone in the face, especially the people that love you? Most of us have, and it is a difficult time to go through. Now I\u2019ve messed up plenty of times, and give you a long list of people who can vouch for that, but…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1214","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-sermons-a-worship-audio"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tumc.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1214","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tumc.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tumc.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tumc.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/9"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tumc.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1214"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.tumc.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1214\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tumc.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1214"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tumc.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1214"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tumc.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1214"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}