Embracing the Both/And
Daily Advent Devotional
English - December 17, 2022 11:10 - 2 minutes - 49.3 MB - ★★★★★ - 1 ratingReligion & Spirituality advent christmas phillips seminary doc disciples of christ united church of christ united methodist church unitarian devotional Homepage Download Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS feed
Embracing the Both/And
John 3:31-33
The one who comes from above is above all; the one who is of the earth belongs to the earth and speaks about earthly things. The one who comes from heaven is above all. He testifies to what he has seen and heard, yet no one accepts his testimony. Whoever has accepted his testimony has certified this, that God is true. John 3:31-33
“In a world that tries to push us to either/or, the true gift we give ourselves is embracing the both/and.” These words from my late mentor, Gail O’Day, deeply resonate with me as I think about the invitations of the fourth canonical gospel. A quick read of this text may have us thinking that Jesus’ heavenly origin was more important than his earthly experience. But I believe the real wisdom is in the both/and.
John 3:33 says, “Whoever has accepted his testimony has certified this, that God is true.”
What is the testimony that certifies God is true? It was certainly that Jesus came of divine origin. It was also his practices on earth of attending to those harmed, engaging with those not popular, decentering normativity through his parables, and believing that a more just world was possible through our practices. These things and so much more were Jesus’ testimony. They are the signs and markers of a God that is true.
In the midst of this Advent season, as we find ourselves waiting and wondering while still working and trying to navigate the chaos of this world around us, perhaps we might find comfort, hope, and possibility in considering the both/and. Yes, Jesus is divine and also, Jesus’ witness to God’s nature is also shown through his life here on earth.
Yes, the world is full of grief and yes, we can feel gratitude for the things around us that spark peace and enliven joy. Yes, we may have some real questions for God about all that’s going on in this world and also yes, we can still believe God is love and is still calling us to be that love on this earth.
May we find an invitation this season in the beloved opening of the both/and and the testimony of Jesus that reminds us of who God is.
Dr. Chelsea Brooke Yarborough
Assistant Professor of African American Preaching, Sacred Rhetoric,
and Black Practical Theology
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.