Sunday of Creation (Tues: NT)

1 John 1:1-10

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— ² the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us— ³ that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. ⁴ And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete. 

⁵ This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. ⁶ If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. ⁷ But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. ⁸ If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. ⁹ If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. ¹⁰ If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. 

What does it mean to be a witness? Most of the time we are called like John to bear witness to what our eyes have seen or maybe we have even touched or heard. But What does it mean for us to be a witness to Creation? I think this has two different parts. One has to do with us confessing our sinful behavior and the forgiveness of Jesus Christ with all of Creation. Two has to deal with the fact that we need to allow God to speak rather than man.

The first is being a witness to all of creation. Sometimes it is easy for us to think of the sins we commit against our neighbor. We can think of the times we have stolen from our neighbor, thought ill of our neighbor. But how many times have you done the same to God's creation? Maybe your thoughts like mine immediately drift to some idea of hunting is bad, but that is protecting nature and using the gifts God has given to us. I am thinking about killing animals for no reason other than personal pleasure. I am thinking about tearing up a forest to build a parking lot. Or even destroying a habitate just for personal wealth or gain. There is a fine line to walk when it comes to protecting and caring for the creation that we have been given stewardship over.

Second, is reminding ourselves that God has given us stewardship. We can bear witness about those who sin against us. But can an animal or plant bear witness about the sins you commit against them. God bears witness on behalf of creation. He talks about the mountains, trees, animals, and so forth singing his praise. St Paul likewise talks about all of creation groaning. We need to listen to God, who calls each of us a sinner. And if we don't listen to him, we make him to be a liar.

God's word clearly declares that you are a sinful human being. It also clearly declares the God created the heavens and the earth, not by chance, for us to protect and care for. And finally God sent his word to become flesh, so St John could hear, see, and touch him before he died on the cross and after he rose again from the dead for your forgiveness.