Uncomplaining eunuchs

Isaiah is my favourite prophet, maybe because in the midst of his grim message of judgment he also abounds with positivity; his vision sparkles of a renewed Zion; one day the sun will shine again on God’s people – and when it does what a glorious day it will be. And here, in the midst of Isaiah, so full of mysteries, I find another mystery. It is the word about eunuchs (just bear in mind that any priest with impaired sexual organs was not allowed to serve in the temple in the days of Isaiah.)  

“And let no eunuch complain,
   “I am only a dry tree.”

 For this is what the LORD says:

To the eunuchs who keep my Sabbaths,
   who choose what pleases me
   and hold fast to my covenant —
 to them I will give within my temple and its walls
   a memorial and a name
   better than sons and daughters;
I will give them an everlasting name
   that will endure forever.

Isaiah 56:3, 4, 5

I’ve always thought this refers to celibates. After all, Jesus spoke of His followers making themselves eunuchs ‘for the sake of the kingdom’ (‘denying sexual activity and partnership for the sake of’- Matthew 19:11-12. )

 A memorial – a sort of plaque or memorial stone placed on the wall so people can be remembered and honoured forever? I think of my trips around Westminster Abbey in past years where the names and deeds of the most highly acclaimed and notable of the land are enshrined for ensuing generations to remember. And a place ‘better than sons and daughters – what on earth does that mean? The only thing closer than sons and daughters is a lover or partner. Maybe that’s it. I really don’t know. Celibates will have a place of great everlasting honour, a relationship with God that is very, very intimate – where?  In the very temple of God, the heart of the heart of the place where God dwells – his church and highest heaven. O to be a faith-filled, uncomplaining ‘eunuch!’

One more day in the life of ..

Note: I never use people’s real names:

Tuesday .. an early start as Dave shares his tears and feelings of dejection of yesterday along with a CV improvement; going through First Steps (a booklet explaining what it means to be a Christian) with Balbir, a Sikh with lots of questions and more than an interest in Christianity; just as we are finishing a lady who has just begun classes this week comes in needing a pair of shoes (she has only been in the country five weeks.) Unfortunately there are no ladies’ shoes in our store today. Then Mikhail wants some help as he is mastering a few computer skills (hard work but he is getting there now); then two beginner readers arrive at 12:30. This is pleasure as one of them is my most–grateful Chinese friend; today we read and write ‘I am at the class;’ yes, and he looks so pleased as he leaves; a quick lunch over brotherhood (team get-together at 1:30pm each Tuesday) and then ‘English for Work, with a fair amount of hilarity (I was acting out what the word ‘unreliable’ means .. I usually end up acting to explain unknown words) and finally … home to agapé  (love feast) … the haven of brotherhood … much needed too. Where else do we find, except there, the fuel and fire needed .. for another day?

In from the cold

Minus 15 ^o. I remember it so well, the sub-zero night temperatures of last winter’s bitter spell; I remember, too, as I  lay back on my pillow, enjoying the luxury of a central-heated flat, how my thoughts dwelt on those I knew who were sleeping rough; how could they ever survive? One such man was a 60 year old Czech, Mikhail, (not his real name) who I knew was sleeping in a tent by the canal. Mercifully, at that time, after a short stay in hospital, the consultant had allowed him to stay a little longer when he heard where he was living.

It’s good news now, in fact, very good news. Mikhail has got a temporary home at least these days. More than that, he has turned from his atheism and decided to become a Christian. He was baptised last night – a really great occasion. God really can turn people’s lives around. I hope that he has not only come in from the winter’s cold; he has come in from the raw and isolating chill of loneliness and found the warmth of family, God’s family. After all, that’s our calling – love for Jesus – love for one another – love for those who God brings along our path – forging family – in short, to express the warmth, the drawing heat, of Jesus-love. If we get that right, well, things are looking up and I reckon we enjoy God’s smile.

Don’t be sorry

One thing visitors at the Jesus centre love to ask is, ‘How many kids have you got?’ Well, I’m a respectable (fairly), grey-haired, middle-aged teacher and so it’s most likely I’m married to some respectable well-paid geyser and, anyway, I wear a silver ring on my left finger – perhaps a bit misleading. Well, this week it happened again, Monday in fact. Two Eritrean Christian refugees asked the old question: ‘How many kids have you got?’  ‘None, actually.’ …. embarrassed silence… me adding, ‘I’m not actually married either.’   ‘O I’m ..er ..er ..sorry..’ to have asked, they said. ‘Don’t be sorry,’ I said cheerfully and blurted out, perhaps a bit to my surprise, ‘I actually am a Christian celibate; this is the way I have chosen and I am very happy. I live a bit like, well ….you know, nuns and monks? .. A little bit like them.’

Maybe I should wear the ring on the other finger. Bygone days, less grey hair, you know, a few blokes just hanging in there, hoping in vain .. I did it for a little self protection but these things don’t happen so much as you get older (relief – there are advantages in age.) No, I think I’ll keep it on the left. Why not? And after all, what a great conversation point.

Won't forget that smile

It’s only the second time it has happened in my ten year teaching life – one of our students has died. Jane (not her real name) came to ‘Your Learning’ at Coventry Jesus Centre to learn the computer – and she was really keen. She hardly said anything but her body language and the little smile that crept across her face from time to time told me she was enjoying herself. Her husband Rick (not his real name and also who very sadly died) told me she loved learning at the Jesus Centre because when she got home she made up for lost time and talked and talked about it.

When I heard Jane had died I set off walking on my own to reflect. Had the time I spent with her been a waste of time? No, no, of course not. Our lives only crossed for a short time – just like so many others in our busy lives. And yet, reflecting, I sensed that nothing, nothing is wasted if it is done for Jesus and for those who He described as ‘the least,’ the weakest, the most vulnerable, of His brethren – and I think that probably includes us all.

 Indeed, I believe, every act of Jesus-love is eternal; moments pass by and we forget, yet something eternal is ‘grown’ – wonderful, wonderful, eternal fruit. I’m not enjoying that now but, Rick and Jane, I know you are. What comfort!

Heartfelt ‘Thank yous’

A smiling Chinese man came for the first time to the ‘English for Work ESOL’ course at the Jesus Centre. I was giving the class a short spelling exercise and I noticed the English script meant nothing to him at all. Quietly, after the session, I drew him on one side: “Would - you – like - me - to - teach - you - to - read?” I said very slowly with gesticulations. His face lit up. He speaks very little English – and I mean that; actually he understands very little either.

So today we began c-a-t, d-o-g, s-a-t. It was a start. At the end my new friend grabbed me by the hand twice over and, smiling broadly, said ‘thank you’ – a word he knew. It was one of the heartiest handshakes and ‘thanks yous’ I have ever had in my life. “See you next week,” I said. Yes, certainly, I’ll be looking forward to that.