Sermon for October 4, 2009

                     Scripture:       Job 1:1, 2:1-10

                    “The Prince of this World”                                

                         Rev. Christopher Fazel                             

The book of Job is unique among the books of our Biblical canon.  In the literary circles, it is widely esteemed as possibly the greatest masterpiece of world literature.  For Jews, it addresses the central concern of innocent suffering.  The New Testament makes frequent references to it.   It has influenced such notables as Goethe, Byron and Jung, whose essay, “Answer to Job” is a most provocative read.  In Job, we have this troubling portrait of God who bargains with Satan and allows an innocent man to suffer just to prove a point. 

For a few Sunday’s in November, our own Douglas Victoria will offer an adult education class on this important book.  Several years ago at a different church, I organized a special class on Job, and it was a profound learning experience for me.  And I have come to believe that Job is a pivotal book in our Bible.  In a way, it is the linchpin connecting the Hebrew Bible (our Old Testament) and the New Testament.  The book of Job raises the ultimate questions of life, which, for me, are finally answered in the person of Jesus Christ.  One of the central questions in Job is, "If God is good and if God is powerful, then why do the innocent suffer?" 

            Now, to understand the book of Job, we first must get clear that it is a work of literature.  It is a story.  "Once upon a time, there was a man named Job, who was blameless and upright."  This book is like the greatest parable in the Bible.  And like all other parables in the Bible, we need to look at the characters and events in the story symbolically.  We can't read it like a newspaper report. 

            Now, the word "satan" is a Hebrew word that means "opposer, obstructer or accuser," – in other words, one that sows discord within a relationship.  And that's just what Satan does in this story.  He sows discord between God and God's servant, Job.  Jesus himself uses the word Satan in just this symbolic way.  In Matthew when Peter tries to discourage Jesus from accepting the cross at Calvary, Jesus turns to him and say, "Get behind me Satan, for you are a stumbling block to me."  In other words, Peter, with the best of intentions – and yet through fear – was obstructing the work of salvation that Jesus had accepted from God.  So the Bible understands Satan to be a spirit -- the spirit of fear, discord, accusation and hatred.  If Christ is the spirit of harmony and unity, then Satan is the spirit of hostility, suspicion, fear and condemnation. 

            Now, the odd thing is that in Job, Satan is described as having quite a bit of authority in this world.  And even Jesus refers to a "prince of this world" that seems to be the spirit of Satan.  In other words, the spirit of discord and condemnation and hatred seems to have a strong foothold in this world of ours.  Is that news to anybody?  That's why the church often refers to this world as a "broken world."  Things here are not as they should be.  The innocent too often suffer, and the wicked too often thrive -- for a season.

            So, into this broken world comes Jesus.  In the New Testament book of Hebrews, the author describes Jesus as "the exact representation of the character of God in human form."  That's why we Christians declare Jesus to be the Christ.  In getting to know Jesus Christ, we finally get a clear picture of the character of God."  And what do we find in the character of Jesus Christ?  We find one who is not afraid to stand up to and oppose oppression and injustice, but who never sows discord, never preaches hatred or violence, and who prescribes this radical antidote to the satanic spirit of hatred: "Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you and pray for those who abuse you."  I cannot imagine a more difficult assignment.  How about you? 

            Today, it seems to me that fear and hatred are having a field day.  But to quote the great sage Yoda who said to the troubled young Anakin Skywalker, “Fear leads to anger; anger leads to hate; and hate leads to suffering.”

            In these times, we must all be vigilant in resisting the temptation to slide down into fear, anger and hatred, for these currents are strong.  Yet, into this veiled world, the light of the Christ does penetrate.  We find it within us.  We cultivate it by sharing it among us.  We celebrate it as it flourishes around us.  And together we sing the great old hymn, “O God, our help in ages past, our hope for years to come, be thou the guide while troubles last, and our eternal home.”  Christ has shown and will show and does show us the way.  It is the grace of God, that we may follow.  Let us pray. 

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