Bent and Straight: Two Ways to Write the Same Letter
Prayer of Preparation
Healing Lord,
By your goodness you healed many who were ill, even raising the dead to life. Restore us to new life, healing our hearts, minds, and spirits, so that we may proclaim praise and gratitude for your compassion to all who will hear. In the name of the one who is himself new life, Jesus Christ our savior. Amen.
(Prayer from Working Preacher)
Bent and Straight: Two Ways to Write the Same Letter
Sunday Scriptures from the Narrative Lectionary:
Psalm 119 is an amazing passage from scripture. It is 176 verses in length and divided into sections, one for each letter of the Hebrew alphabet. For example, the first letter in the Hebrew alphabet is “aleph” and the “aleph” section is verses 1-8. Each of those eight verses begins with the letter aleph. This runs throughout the Psalm.
The section we will be reading from on Sunday is the “nun” section. Nun is the 14th letter of the Hebrew alphabet. It can mean 1. deceit 2. kingship 3. fish 4. miscarriage 5. Miracle.
There are two types of nuns (ways to form the letter nun) – one that is bent and one that is straight (sometimes called “final). It is said that the two nuns represent the two fundamental approaches to serving God – fear and love. The first person (bent) serves God hunched over out of fear or awe. The second person serves God out of love and so stands straight. This is also because love represents openness. Another interpretation says that the bent nun represents one who has fallen and the second, the straight nun, represents someone who has straightened back up.
We might think about the content of the verses 105-107 as well as the formation of the two nuns, the two approaches to God, and the positive and negative connotations that might come with considering our presence or position in front of God – bent or straight.
In our Gospel we continue our reading in the Gospel of Luke, with two stories from chapter 7, verses 1-17. As Luke has written his Gospel with intention, that we might understand, it is most important to note that between our reading last week and our reading this week is the “Sermon on the Plain” in chapter 6 in which we find a lot of information on what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. This is important for consideration as we enter into the two healing stories.
Bringing in the two positions of “nun” – bent and straight – into our consideration, we might note that how we perceive the characters in these two stories, whether they are “bent” or “straight” in their position before God might influence how we read of the events that occur in these two stories. The Centurion, for example, is part of the Roman military, an occupying and life-taking force in Palestine that was often oppressive to the people, either physically or financially or both. Note how those who approach Jesus on behalf of this Centurion present his case to Jesus – how do they perceive him? How does the Centurion perceive himself in relationship to God, and to his being bent or straight before Jesus? Does his position according to others or in the eyes of Christ impact what happens?
The widow is very different. She is alone, which is a very unsafe and unpleasant place to be. Her only son died and is being carried out of the village to be buried. She does not approach Jesus, nor does anyone on her behalf, and yet, he is moved to act for her. Does her position before God play a role in what Jesus does?
Bent or Straight? Fear or Love? Fallen or Back Up?
We might find ourselves having a preferential option for one or the other – the Centurion or the widow. Our culture often presents us with dichotomies – two groups or categories or paths – of which one is more right or worthy or just than the other.
But are these stories more about the recipients of Jesus’s grace and healing or about the nature of Christ, his mercy and grace, and the nature of God? If we look back to the Sermon on the Plain, it seems that Jesus’s instruction is focused on how those people who say they follow Jesus Christ are to live their lives and interact with others. God in Jesus Christ has come to bring the Kingdom to the entire world, including those who we might believe are worthy of Christ, and those who we want nothing to do with.
Whether we are bent or straight, afraid or standing in love, is reflective of our understanding of Jesus and what it means to be his disciples.
Consider the following from Luke 6:27-45:
Love for Enemies
27 “But I say to you who are listening: Love your enemies; do good to those who hate you; 28 bless those who curse you; pray for those who mistreat you. 29 If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. 30 Give to everyone who asks of you, and if anyone takes away what is yours, do not ask for it back again. 31 Do to others as you would have them do to you.
32 “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34 If you lend to those from whom you expect to receive payment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again. 35 Instead, love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return.[e] Your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, for he himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. 36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
Judging Others
37 “Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven; 38 give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap, for the measure you give will be the measure you get back.”
39 He also told them a parable: “Can a blind person guide a blind person? Will not both fall into a pit? 40 A disciple is not above the teacher, but every disciple who is fully qualified will be like the teacher. 41 Why do you see the speck in your neighbor’s eye but do not notice the log in your own eye? 42 Or how can you say to your neighbor, ‘Friend, let me take out the speck in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your neighbor’s eye.
A Tree and Its Fruit
43 “No good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit; 44 for each tree is known by its own fruit. For people do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they pick grapes from a bramble bush. 45 The good person out of the good treasure of the heart produces good, and the evil person out of evil treasure produces evil, for it is out of the abundance of the heart that the mouth speaks.
What do these verses have to say to us about how we walk with God? Bent or straight; where do you position yourself and why? How does Jesus impact your posture before God?
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