Lichtstrahl 134 - The wrath of God remains on him

​LICHTSTRAHL 134          GOSPEL:  John 3 (22-36)            ST.  JOHN                   2. July 2023
THE WRATH OF GOD REMAINS ON HIM
 
Dear friends!
 
It is exactly such a saying, such a statement – the wrath of God remains on him -  that is making it extremely difficult for us human beings to hear and believe in the words: “ It was not to judge the world that the Father sent the Son into the world, but to save the world.”  Are we not all longing for the light to end the time of darkness, for the saving from disorientation, from fear through disconnectedness.  Where can we find that light?  Is it not because of the wrath of God, that we have to walk in this darkness?  Do we not have to accept this?  We are all aware  that the human being has to a great extent become very guilty in regard to the world of creation, both the physical and the spiritual world.  And there is this almighty being, which is himself spiritual - physical and is the ground of existence of the heavens and of the earth  (as is said in the Creed).  And is that not exactly the God of whom John says, that his wrath remains on the human being not trusting in the Son.  That  does not make us feel free, does not release us from darkness, fear and denial. 
 
There is no other way to relate freely to today’s content of the gospel reading, than starting to differentiate deeply between the working of the Father and the Son God.  If we fear the wrath of God remaining upon us, we do not realize that we have the power to escape that feeling.  The moment we decide to believe in the Son and acknowledge that he is the beginning of a completely new relationship between God and humanity, we will always fear and interprete the challenges in life as a sign of the wrath of God. 
 
We have to prepare for a challenging future, a new level of human responsibility through becoming very aware of the relationship of the Father to the Son and the difference between them.  The Father has given all existence into the hands of the Son.  Yes!  That does however not mean, that he has withdrawn.  It also does not mean, that he stays the final judging instance.  It means, that he is carrying, for ever being the undestructable  ground for the Son to fulfill his task.  For the human being to fulfill their task.  If John says, that the wrath of God remains upon those, who do not trust the Son, he is indicating that the only way to go into the future is the connection with the Son and change the inner relationship with him.  There is no wrath, there is just the inner pain of not moving on.    We can trust, that the Father is holding, but we have to join the Son to start moving.  How can we do that?
 
We can listen to His word.
We can experience Him as living inside our own personal being.
We can get prepared to experience death in a completely new light.
We can prepare to understand the working of the evil forces in a completely new light.
We can realize, that the time of preparation soon will come to an end and the time of willpower and deed needs to enter into the life of those, who are truly placing their faith in the working of the Son.
 
Christine Voigts