Sermon From The Most Reverend Spiderman

Jeffrey Kurniawan, a good friend of mine, delivered an interesting speech at the morning chapel yesterday. He looked at the 27th chapter of the book of Numbers, exposing all the possibilities of Moses’ sin.

Indeed, Jeffrey was not able to conclude what was the definite sin of Moses. Whatever the sin was, however, the punishment is clear. Moses was prevented from entering the promise land. In the speaker’s perspective, Moses was not deserved for such heavy punishment. Why God was so angry? Why did God grant Moses a devastating end, after a long journey and career as faithful servant of Yahweh, great leader of Israel, and bearer of the Torah? A period of 40 years in the wilderness was not a short and easy time to pass. Moses was both the true hero of Israel and of God. He freed the Israelites from the bondage of Egypt. Beside his responsibility as God’s spokesman (as a prophet), Moses also acted as priest, offering intercessory prayers for the Israelites. God’s decision might have hurt Moses emotionally. God sent Moses ‘to die’ before reaching the promise land.

Jeffrey was correct, I think, in clarifying that it is not the content of the sin that sent Moses ‘to die.’ It is who did such sin that matter most. Not the action, but the actor (not what, but who) that was more important in determining the nature of the punishment. Then he quote words from his favorite movie, Spiderman, saying, ‘With great power, comes great responsibility.’ Exactly same sin would not have resulted in same punishment, if it were not Moses who did it. It is a great irony, isn’t it? Moses successful career of leadership, not his sin, had been the cause of his unfortunate fate. Please do reflect on it! In my own words, ‘your success may become your own suicidal weapon.’

Allow me to put Peter Parker’s words in a larger context. Here is the fuller quotation:

‘Whatever life holds in store for me, I will never forget these words: “With great power comes great responsibility.” This is my gift, my curse. Who am I? I’m Spider-man.’

These words explain everything.

(1) We are not called to fear of building our own success or career. Even Spiderman, who may not be a born again Christian is not afraid of exercising the power within him. God grants us power according to his sovereign will. The only responsibility is to be responsible.

(2) We cannot protest to God for what he has invested in our lives. We are not what we wear. We are not what we have. We are not what we do. We are what God has designed and called us to be according to his wonderful grace. And your power is somehow a reflection of God’s calling. Therefore, be faithful to God’s glorious call! Do not be glad simply because of your great power! But do not be afraid of great responsibility! Both power and responsibility define who we are. We cannot separate one from the other.

(3) Power requires responsibility, subsequently, the greater power we exercise the greater responsibility we have to perform. Ironically and sadly, many people these days are seeking power without responsibility, which is absolutely equal to ‘faith without morality.’

To Jeffrey, I (and perhaps also others) thank you for delivering again an inspiring sermon. But Jeffrey and I would like to thank you the most Reverend Peter ‘Spiderman’ Parker for helping us breaking the mystery of ‘Moses’ code.’

Keiko 3 Years

I and Esther praise and thank God for Keiko reaching her third Birthday yesterday. She is healthy and smart; shinny and gorgeous; cute and energetic. We are blessed to have such a daughter like Keiko. And it is a true delighted privilege to ops for the opportunity in bringing her up by ourselves. We are learning positive, enjoyable and firm process in raising her up with God.

Since months ago, she has been always asking for Birthday cake and Birthday candles. Yesterday, she was asked to make a wish before blowing the candles. Keiko, as her parents always do, prayed her wish to go to school this year. Her uncle said a little very meaningful and purposeful prayer: ‘Lord, please provide all things that Keiko needs for her life, and please help Keiko to utilize and maximize all potentials that You have given in her life.’ I call it an ‘in and out prayer’ – a blessing that produces fruits to God, the ultimate source of blessing; a promise that brings glory to God alone, the promise keeper. Your prayers for her are truly appreciated and precious to us.

Keiko enjoyed some Birthday presents presented to her. She got little dinosaurs, camera toy and Pluto doll. Her mother bought her shoes, sandals, a rain coat and a beautiful swimsuit. We also treated her for a horse riding and a hot-water fun swimming at Sari Ater. And certainly a tiramisu Birthday cake was there especially for her. In the picture above, she looks very happy with her mom.

Few weeks ago, I and my family went to Puncak for a family weekend. The main purpose was to entertain Keiko with nature. We visited Taman Safari Indonesia and Taman Bunga Nusantara. At Taman Safari Indonesia, Keiko was happy to see her ‘friends’ around. She fed some antelopes, zebras and deer. She also rode a pony horse, a camel and an elephant. She watched a tiger show and enjoyed a ride on an artificial train. Her happiness was complete when she was able to touch and feel the rain.

At Taman Bunga Nusantara, we introduced Keiko to many different beautiful flowers and plants. She ran here and there. It was a nice sunny day. It was not surprising that Sun Flower became her favorite. Keiko spent more than an hour dancing near the fountain. She was all wet. I think, it was the dancing that is most memorable for her.

The trip was nice and refreshing for all of us. For me, it is a reminder that we, human beings, are not the only living creature in this world. God created trees and animals too. God created the world (Gen 1); He loves the world (Jn 3.16); and through Jesus he reconciled all creatures (Col 1.20). We then need to love and care for other living creatures and for the earth that God has created for us to live with and to live in.

This trip was made possible because one of our best friends provided us with luxury accommodation for free. The treat was offered in celebrating Keiko’s Birthday next week. And I want to thank him for being part of our family’s journey of faith.

Johan Imanuel 19.9.2005-1.3.2008

Good friends of God, Ageng and Hesti lost their only child, Johan Imanuel last Saturday. As I did for hours, God might also cry facing this uneasy situation. God loves both the parents and the son, but he decided to separate them for a while. God certainly knew the consequences of his somehow ultimate 'controversial' decision: He let the brokenhearted parents cry tearfully, and subsequently, he allowed his very own heart 'tortured,' in sharing the deep sadness of his good friends.

Johan Imanuel is only two and a half year old. He was born on September the 19, 2005. I, my wife and Keiko visited Hesti in the hospital only hours before she delivered Johan prematurely. Baby Johan was born with serious abnormality. He survived for more than two years after going through some major surgeries both in Indonesia and Singapore. His parents had done the best efforts to cure Johan. Johan and his parents visited us for lunch on the first day of 2007. He looked healthy and happy. That was the only chance for me and my family to see Johan alive.

Ageng and Hesti are good friends of mine too. I and my wife cried with them. We had gone through similar experience 10 months ago when we lost our daughter, Mora. What happened to Ageng and Hesti, I realize, seems to be far more difficult, yet we felt that their feeling and crying are not unknown to us.

This posting is another proof that human suffering can visit all kind of people: to the believers or to the unbelievers; to the faithful or to the faithless; to good people or to the evil ones. It is not to us to judge the fairness of God's economy. Whether there is purposes behind human suffering or not, only God knows the mystery. One is certain, in allowing his friends to experience suffering, God is allowing himself to suffer with them - and absolutely it is not an easy and simple decision to be executed.