A Fresh Perspective - 11/21/08
We can debate whether or not the President of the United States should meet with other global leaders without preconditions, but certainly God meets with us without preconditions. God doesn't say, "I love you - if you believe, say, or do the right things." There's no list of requirements we have to first achieve, no list of expectations we have to measure up to, no hoops we have to jump through in order to get God's attention. God accepts us without preconditions.
Paul Tillich was a renowned theologian in the last century (he died in 1965). In his most enduring book, "The Courage to Be," Tillich spoke of "the courage to accept oneself as accepted in spite of being unacceptable." Possibly his most famous sermon was entitled, "You are Accepted." He wrote: "You are accepted. You are accepted by that which is greater than you . . . Do not seek anything; do not intend anything. Simply accept the fact that you are accepted. If that happens to us, we experience grace."
The love that was embodied and incarnated in Jesus of Nazareth is an unconditional love. In John's Gospel Jesus performed an act of humble service when he washed the feet of his disciples. He instructed them to do likewise - to emulate his humility and readiness to serve.
Immediately prior to this scene the Gospel writer sets the context: "It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end" (John 13:1).
His disciples did not reciprocate Jesus' love. Jesus was loyal and faithful in his love; his disciples deserted him, denying their connection with him and fleeing the scene. It wasn't Judas only who betrayed Jesus; they all betrayed the one who loved them to the very end. And yet Jesus did not hold their denial and desertion against them.
After God vindicated Jesus' life and death by raising him up, Jesus appeared to his disciples alive. Jesus did not speak words of condemnation. He had already forgiven them. He reassured them of his living presence and the promise of his Spirit. He called them to a greater purpose and cause.
God is much more generous and gracious than we are. Perhaps the first great act of courage in an inhospitable world is to accept God's acceptance of us - to claim God's unconditional love.