Rev. Don Campbell
Luke 24, John 20-21
THOUGHT FOR TODAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2019
“DIVINE ALCHEMY”
The word “alchemy” refers to a medieval chemical pseudo-science and speculative philosophy aiming to achieve the transmutation of the base metals into gold. By association, it has come to also mean: “a power or process of transforming something common into something special.” Jesus had drunk the cup and his body had been laid in the grave. He was raised and appeared incognito to two of the disciples on the road to Emmaus, and when he asked what they were discussing, Cleopas was incredulous and asked if he was the only person in Jerusalem who had not either witnessed or heard of the crucifixion (Luke 24:18). After recounting the events, he said, “But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened” (Luke 24:21).
Earlier, Jesus had spoken cryptically to the apostles: “A little while, and you will see me no longer; and again a little while, and you will see me again”, speaking of his resurrection (John 16:16). Some of them were asking one another what he meant. He takes the initiative: “Is this what you are asking yourselves, what I meant by saying, ‘A little while and you will not see me, and again a little while and you will see me’? Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy” (John 16:20).
Consider the divine alchemy wrought by the resurrection: Their sorrow was turned into joy, and their weakness was turned into strength, and their panic was turned into peace. They who had fled on the night of his betrayal, stood fearlessly, looking the enemy in the eye and saying, “We must obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29).
The 11 had been through the fire, going in as base metal and coming out as gold. Peter tells us that the divine alchemy is also at work in our lives: “So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world. You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy” (1 Peter 1:6-8).
CONNECTIONS
1. The “divine alchemy” is not an instant transformation from that which is base into gold, but a gradual change brought about by God’s working in, as we work out (Philippians 2:12-13). As God works in and we work out, what must we guard against? (Philippians 2:14)
2. If we are never tested, how can we know that we can stand the ultimate test?
