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Today’s lectionary text, somewhat modified, is a good example as to why the Bible can turn people off. Or, for those more literary types fascinated by apocalyptic themes and symbolism, the Book of Revelation could be my equivalent to a chocolate store.

Needless to say, I did not choose this reading. I am, for the most part, a lectionary preacher. I find that God has a lot to teach me through grappling with texts that I otherwise would ignore. I also, with some frequency, find that the lectionary text can connect with the week’s situations with goose bump producing "Oh my’s…"

This week, I grappled. I find the Book of Revelation a difficult read. Leading a bible study on the book a number of years ago helped my attitude. Generally, this book is avoided because it is too bizarre and difficult to understand or, it’s the central book the believer harkens to for their hellfire and damnation theology. The end times are a comin’!

Perhaps some of you resonate with these statements.

Let me say from the onset that my message today, reinforced by the Revelation reading, is that God is a God of inclusivity, healing, and joy. When we allow God to be our life and center, justice will prevail. God’s compassion and tough love becomes us.

Now for the circuitous route. The first thing that drew me into this reading was talk of the holy city, a new Jerusalem. I now live in a new city. Silver Spring and the DC area are a tad more urban feeling than Minneapolis-St. Paul. I am identifying in a new way with what the proclamation, Bring forth the City of God might mean. I am part of a new city community. This will become more and more important as my life sinks roots here.

The verses, which I chose to omit, go into detail about this radiant city, the new Jerusalem. Its great high wall with twelve gates and an angel at each gate and the names of the twelve tribes of Israel inscribed on the gates. The city is built in a cube shape, three gates in each of the four directions, north, south, east and west. In reality, the literal dimensions given for this city are not architecturally feasible. In ancient times the cube was held to be the most perfect of all geometric forms. By this symbolism, John (not the apostle) wants the reader to understand that the new Jerusalem is perfectly splendid. Revelation is loaded with symbolism. It is so symbol laden and Hebrew Scripture nuanced, that I find myself having to work harder than I want in order to make sense of the paragraph.

Skip down a few lines. "I saw no temple in the city…" When God is with us, literally in this sense, there is no need for a temple. Think about it. What is the purpose of a temple, mosque, church? When God is with us, the city is a temple. All that it is and does is for God, through God, with God. There is no need to call us into the presence of the divine. In the holy city, the sacred is the city.

The book of Revelation was written in another time. The concept and reality of "city" bears unpacking. The Hebrew and Greek world cities were small by our standards. Five to ten acres maybe. The populations would vary from one to three thousand. How many students attend Blair High School? In the world of the ancient Middle East what made a city (as opposed to a village) was its role as a fortified guardian. Located on an elevated place or surrounded by a wall, the city meant security and defense from one’s enemies, not necessarily density and size. Religion and the city were interdependent. The city was a shrine. On its streets the gods and humankind lived in community. The citizen who passed through its gates approached the center of the world. As Judaism evolved, our ancestors pitched their tents on the city outskirts. It was a protest against the shrines to the gods that were not the One True God. Related to this, a case can be made that the Old Testament is anti-urban. The wilderness wanderings are central to Israel’s faith development. (and mine) Perhaps it is what defines and drives a city that determines its merit.

City building was the pinnacle of a society’s success. Magnificent buildings spoke of prosperity and power; its walls symbolized security and peace. Its rebuilding meant a return to life, restoration, and rebirth from chaos. The Garden of Eden simply expanded its borders. The new Jerusalem of the last book of the bible points to the garden in the first book of the bible. There is a river, the water of life. Its banks are lined with the trees of life. A perfect creation completed by God stood poised to host a community of inclusivity, healing, and joy.

Israel’s Yahweh introduces an urban renewal of sorts. The earlier cities were geographic centers for the divine. The city inhabitants were secondary. In contrast, Yahweh is not simply interested in a particular piece of real estate. Jerusalem becomes the holy city for God’s chosen people. People matter. Their dignity matter. Cities commit themselves to either greed or arbitrary power or to service and dependence on the one God. Jerusalem and Babylon play out the struggle between good and evil. A struggle that is rarely black and white, good guys and bad.

Judaism introduced into the ancient middle eastern cities a radical new religion. There was to be a covenantal relationship between a sovereign God and his servant community. This God would not tolerate rivals. This God ruled over the entire earth and its people, not just a specific city. There were new demands made by this God. Yahweh looks at cities and looks for justice, not bloodshed; righteousness and not cries of distress. (Is.5:7)

Over and against an urban world where justice and righteousness could mean oppression and disregard for the weak and poor, compassion came to the fore. In God’s new social order it was not only justice that must be maintained, it was love and justice. "He has showed you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." (Mic 6:8)

Okay. Let’s fast forward to the present. We are an urban community and an urban church. CCC has deliberately and faith-fully opted to remain an urban church. What might this mean? Living alongside Washington, DC and the beltway requires something unique from Yahweh’s people. How do we contribute to building God’s holy city on earth?

I have lived in this community four weeks this Tuesday. I have been surprised by the degree of welcome I have experienced outwardly and inwardly. This Midwesterner who very much values the northwoods of Minnesota is moved by the diversity of my new neighbors and called by opportunities in this city, Silver Spring and beyond. The first weekend of my residence, Jaime, my friend Eleanor and I ventured to the Capital Mall to witness the March for Women’s Lives. "I’m not in Kansas anymore." That weekend I interacted with some shaker and movers in the Christian feminist movement, not to mention getting to see Tyne Daily in person!

Last weekend I participated in the Anti-Racism Workshop along with several of you. This is important, fundamental stuff that impacts our lives, church and society. I find myself eager to build on the experiences I had working in an inner city Minneapolis congregation and our dismantling racism initiative. I find myself wondering with new intensity how people of color cope in Minnesota. In these four weeks, I have never encountered so many people of color in everyday contexts in my life! While we have miles to go, the inclusivity I experience in Silver Spring reflect more my vision of God’s holy city. I also acknowledge that our diversity is steeped still in racism. How good and exciting that we are risking conversation which leads to action.

Yesterday I sat in on a training day with the Youth – Global Learning Initiative crowd. Wow! What an experience of hope, surprises, and awe. These 24 kids and 8 adults are exploring issues of violence, faith, and justice making from a personal and global perspective. While I realize young people are capable of amazing things, I am still surprised by their insight and faith. That’s why I love my job… kids are better theologians than they would ever suspect. Y-GLI reflects God’s urban mandate. We are to build a city of God, where there is justice, not bloodshed; righteousness, not cries of distress.

"Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the city’s street. On either side of the river, is the tree of life … and the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations."

Shall we gather at the river? The Mississippi? The Potomac? The Cacapon? Shall we cultivate the tree of life and its branches? A new Jerusalem. Yes. Our God is a God of peace, justice and compassion. Let us practice what we preach. We will discover God does the same.

Amen.