“An Evolving Spiritual Knowing”
August 18, 2024 – Northwood United – Rev. G. Scott Turnbrook – Acts 1: 1-7 & Mt. 16: 13-17
What do I hold in front of me? Many would answer this question by answering ‘you are holding a green
prayer shawl’ knitted by one of our wonderful prayer shawl folks as part of the pastoral care ministry.
But the answer, really, is not that simple…is it? What I hold up, is perceived by our individual senses
that are unique to each one of us. Many take information in through our eyes. And this information is
perceived differently between each one of us. Light touches the prayer shawl and is taken in through
one’s eyes and we interpret this as a particular shade of green. What is your green is different than
yours and yours and mine. What, seemingly, is a simple green prayer shawl is perceived differently
by each person here. For others who see in different ways, they might experience this shawl in an
entirely different way. They might take in the shawl with their hands and describe it in terms of texture
and shape and size. This green prayer shawl is uniquely perceived differently by each and every
person!
This morning, we are taking a deep dive into epistemology, or how we perceive knowledge. Quite
often we think we ‘know’ all about something only to later realize that which we know has been
shaped by our prevailing culture, our biases, science, religion, and so many factors. In biblical times,
there was an understanding of ‘knowing’ and…’knowing’. There was a knowing that originated from
the mind. It was a knowledge based upon prior learnings, biases, and teachings. So, we look at this
green prayer shawl and our knowing taught us that it was green, of a certain shape and size, and we
thought we knew it all. Yet, there is another form of knowing that scripture teaches: spiritual
knowledge. It is a knowing that comes, not from the brain ~ or the eyes. It is ‘knowing’ that originates
from the Spirit. A spiritual knowing that originates only from God.
The first scripture reading that Ian offered for us this morning highlights these two forms of knowing.
Gathered together, the disciples were in amazement. They had great hopes and expectations of how
Jesus would liberate them all, and they ask this knowledge question of their Lord. “‘Lord, is this the
time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?’ Jesus’ reply highlights the divergence of knowledge
that we so often forget. Jesus replies, ‘It is not for you to know the times or periods
that the Father has set, But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you”. The
disciples want to know, with their brain ~ the exact time when all will be restored. Yet, Jesus’ reply is
one separating our ‘knowing’ (up here) from our knowing (in here).
And this is the great spiritual quest that has increasingly become a challenge in the eras which
proceeded from biblical time. Back then, they wanted to ‘know’…and today we (even more) demand
specific knowledge and answers. Over the past 2,000 years the way we understand knowledge has
shifted and shaped dramatically. Political factors have taught us to view things in a specific light.
Think of Nazi Germany and the political factors that influenced the way a Jewish person was
understood. Social and cultural factors profoundly influenced our views as well. Consider the way that
that people of different colours were viewed and valued. What the study of knowledge throughout
history reveals is that so many factors have shaped what we thought was real. This simple green
prayer shawl…this specific colour…its usage…is not a simple green prayer shawl at all. It is an object
which has been interpreted through a myriad of lenses we wear.
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I think that is where Jesus’ words “it is not up to you to know” speak to me so profoundly this morning.
I think we all would like to ‘know’, but it is not always something that is available to us. Knowing (up
here) and knowing (in here) are two separate things more often than not. In the gospel text, Simon
thought he knew his purpose in life. Simon was a fisher. He worked hard for his family. He provided
good nutrition for his village. Simon was a fisher. He knew (up here) what he was. But he didn’t fully
know, did he? When he experiences the spiritual light of Jesus, he receives a new name. In fact, in
the 18 th verse, Jesus omits his given name “Simon” and says “and you are Peter, and on this rock I
will build my church.”
There is a knowing (here) that is beyond knowing (here). It is knowing that is beyond the cultural
prescriptions of what is right and wrong in the particular period of history in which we live. A knowing
that is beyond the political shapings of the day. It is a knowing that comes universally of the spirit.
And it is so hard because we are not patient…we want to know NOW! We are like the disciples who
shout at Jesus “Lord is this the time?” We need to know! What is right and what is wrong! Tell us
Lord…tell us now! Yet that is NOT the way things necessarily work with God.
Scripture teaches that spiritual knowledge arrives when the Spirit falls us upon us and we allow it to
shape how we view things. Micah boiled it down to a requirement for us to “do justice, love kindness,
and walk humbly with our God” Jesus taught it as a way of love…“loving God and loving neighbour”.
This morning, we go to the baptismal font. And as we do so, I would like to suggest that it provides an
opportunity for spiritual vision and deeper knowing. Water provides the opportunity to cleanse and let
us see clearly. Baptismal water reminds us of the universal love that God has for us one and all. This
love will not be confined or defined or owned or segregated. This love is a universal gift offered to all
creation.
An interesting thing occurs when we are baptized. We are named with our Christian name. While our
family name matters to our biological family, our 1 st name ~ our Christian name is that which lifts up
the unique and blessed you in your spiritual family. In a few moments we will be celebrating the
renewal of baptism for Barbara Fraser. Barbara was raised and taught to be male. Consequently,
Barbarba was baptized with a male name, not Barbara. 60 or so years ago, knowledge was shaped
by culture, religion, medicine and the like. And Barbara, along with many trans people were forced to
live as a person they did not identify as. It was only later in life that this liberation allowed her to
evolve and realize the person who God created her to be. Barbara bravely shared some of that in her
dialogue sermon with me earlier this year on June 30 th . Today, we will be renewing her baptism,
putting aside her ‘dead name’ and honouring her blessed identity as a child of God. God’s Spirit has a
way of revealing the truth in love. We lament the cultural times that caused Barbara to be unable to
be who God created her to be. And we also celebrate God’s liberating presence of love that has
evolved our society allowing us to be the unique and blessed gift to the world each of us are.
We talked a little earlier about God’s way of renaming. Perhaps we are ALL discovering ourselves,
and our calling, as we walk along this journey of life. For Simon it was the discovery of his identity as
Peter. Looking back much earlier, we can think of other ancestors in faith. Once known as Abram and
Sarai, they were renamed as Abraham and Sarah. And they would lead the tribes towards the
promised land. Jacob became renamed as “Israel” after he wrestled with God. And if time permitted, I
could continue with example after example through scripture! Barbara would find her identity that we
bless today. And YOU…you blessed child of God will also (if we listen) hear the voice of God naming
you and your call to live in ways of love, peace and justice.
Thanks be to God for the growth of spiritual knowledge we receive. For the gift of the Spirit that falls
upon each of us. And the bravery we have to follow that way.
Amen.