Unexpected Grace

October 8, 2998

I Peter 2:1-10 (The Message)

“So clean house! Make a clean sweep of malice and pretense, envy and hurtful talk. You’ve had a taste of God. Now, like infants at the breast, drink deep of God’s pure kindness. Then you’ll grow up mature and whole in God.
Welcome to the living Stone, the source of life. The workmen took one look and threw it out; God set it in the place of honor. Present yourselves as building stones for the construction of a sanctuary vibrant with life, in which you’ll serve as holy priests offering Christ-approved lives up to God. The Scriptures provide precedent:
‘Look! I’m setting a stone in Zion, a cornerstone in the place of honor. Whoever trusts in this stone as a foundation will never have cause to regret it.’
To you who trust him, he’s a Stone to be proud of, but to those who refuse to trust him, ‘the stone the workmen threw out is now the chief foundation stone.’
For the untrusting it’s ‘a stone to trip over, a boulder blocking the way.’ They trip and fall because they refuse to obey, just as predicted.
But you are the ones chosen by God, chosen for the high calling of priestly work, chosen to be a holy people, God’s instruments to do his work and speak out for him, to tell others of the night and day difference he made for you—from nothing to something, from rejected to accepted.”

Infants at the breast, the living Stone, the cornerstone, priestly work . . . all of these are images of the Old Testament that the author of I Peter uses in order to give description of the church. He is working with a church that has known unexpected grace that has come in the form of relationship with Jesus Christ. These are people who have experienced a new level of goodness in their lives and like rebirth they are beginning to watch as their lives are transformed. But Peter has to remind them that it is not enough to enjoy the ride right now. They have to continue to encourage each other in their faith, they must be community for one another and they must remain rooted in their Source in order to maintain the exhilarating feel of such unexpected grace. It is not enough to be transformed. They must pay it forward.

The word came through the email just last night. It read: “Saudades.” It was addressed to me and to all of my friends who had recently gathered in Chicago for a week of sharing, encouraging and challenging each other. The week had been much like the experience of Peter’s church in meeting Jesus. It was transformative and conversional! But then we left each other. No longer could I sit with Rick and be encouraged by his spiritual perspective on life. No longer could I laugh to the point of tears with Craig and Sandy. No longer could have Michelle to hold my feet to the fire. Then came this word, saudades. It was a word of unexpected grace from my friend Airton in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Saudades is a Portuguese word that doesn’t translate effectively to English. It means “I miss you” but in a way that is stronger than what our English word can communicate. That simple word offered care, reaffirmed friendship and brought memories of joy. Wrapped up in that word was not only the gift of a moment of unexpected grace but there was also an admonition to pay it forward.

Peter’s church found transformation in their relationship with their Source and were called to live that out in community. I found transformation among a community of friends who offer sincere care for me and who call me back to my Source. From whence does your unexpected grace come . . . and . . . how can you or do you find ways to pay that grace forward? For what you mean to me, I share Airton’s word with you, “Saudades, friends, saudades.” Amen.