Two's Company; Three is ...?

What begins with S, and is found in almost every newspaper you pick up? 

Forget about all the political claims and counter-claims; in the last decade or so, in a variety of formats, the Sudoku challenge has quietly conquered the nation.  Nine numbers in nine spaces, nine times; all you have to do is miss the ones that are already there.  There isn’t even the need to make them add up to anything: no calculation is involved!   The principle is so simple, yet so addictive.  I wonder how many man-hours this little square absorbs each day?

Simple it may be, but Sudoku can be far-reaching in its application, for doesn’t it reflect the very nature of life?  Life itself is a mixture: I’m sure each of us can think of nine different components – and more – that make it up.  For a happy and contented life these components have to be in balance: some of each, and not too much of any one of them, rather like each line and box of the completed Sudoku puzzle.  Some food, for example, is essential, but too much causes indigestion and obesity.  St Paul counselled a little wine for the stomach (1Tim. 5:23), but there is condemnation of drunkenness (1 Peter 4:3); and while laziness is to be discouraged, “all work and no play …”

It may be a contrived symbolism, but notice, too, that the Sudoku square is divided into threes: three squares by three; three smaller squares by three in each larger one.  In the church calendar, last Sunday was Trinity Sunday, when we marked especially the fact that our faith is Trinitarian.  Not three gods, but three distinct components of one God, seeing Him as Father, Son and Holy Spirit ... respectively the creator of the universe, the redeemer of mankind and the counsellor present within every believer. 

It’s easy to look at the state of world affairs and be discouraged.  It is important to  remember the balance of life, both international and personal, and see the good as well as the bad, to recall the presence of our triune God in it all.  We’re not alone.  In one of His final moments on this earth, Jesus said to His disciples, “I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matt. 28:20).  This wasn’t just a parting comfort to those few, who had spent years with Him in Palestine and now would see Him no more. 

If we look back to the beginning of Matthew’s gospel, we find lots of genealogies but, at the end of his first chapter, he gives the meaning and promise that Jesus came to fulfil.  Centuries earlier, the prophet Isaiah had told the people, “Look!  The virgin will conceive and bear a son, and they will call him Emmanuel” which means ‘God with us’ (Isaiah 7:14, Matt. 1:23).

Next time you pick up a paper and turn to the puzzle page – perhaps in frustration or despair – look at the Sudoku square and remember those three words, ‘God with us”.

Stones

If you’re planning a seaside holiday, you may well bring back some stones from the beach as a memento of your visit.  What will happen to them after the excitement they recall has faded?  They could lead you into worthwhile meditation.

The feast of Pentecost this weekend concludes the sequence of commemorations that began back in February with Ash Wednesday at the start of Lent.  We easily recall the good news of Easter, when the stone was found to be rolled away from the tomb (Matt. 28:2).

But the Bible has much more to say about stones.  For example, used with a skill born of experience, they can be an effective weapon, as Goliath found to his cost (1 Sam. 17:49)!  Spectacular as this story involving stones is, however, we mustn’t be deterred from thinking of their constructive use.

Stone is a strong material, and hence a very good structural basis for a building, but it doesn’t necessarily provide the fine finish that makes the end-product beautiful. Subject to strict guidelines (1 Kings 6:7), quarried stone was used by Solomon for the building of the temple, but this was all covered with cedar so that no stone was visible in the finished structure (v.18).

Writing about the perils of everyday life, the ‘Preacher’ of the Old Testament warned about the dangers associated with quarrying stones (Ecclesiastes 10:9).  Perhaps with the many powerful things that man has created in modern times, we should be even more careful, such as in driving fast cars, dealing with high electrical voltages or using potent drugs.  Stones are also a reminder to avoid temptation ... or at least to seek help in overcoming it.

During those long days in the desert, Jesus was tempted to use His divine powers for His own ends by turning stones into bread (Matt. 4:3), but He was able to turn to Scripture to defeat Satan: “Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” (Deut. 8:3).

Looking at those stones you bring back from the beach, there is much to learn from them.  One example is our responsibility.  Look at the story of Palm Sunday, beginning at Luke 19:28.  The crowds were cheering and rejoicing as Jesus entered Jerusalem but the Pharisees didn’t like this and tried to quieten them.  Jesus’ response was, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out!” (v.40).  The idiom of speaking stones is an echo from the Old Testament (Hab. 2:11), and tells us that we are to speak out about Jesus and the salvation he brings.  If we don’t, creation itself will take up the call.

Finally, if you are in any doubt about this implied charge, check out what Peter has to say (1 Peter 2:4-9).  He reminds his readers, “You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” (v.5).

Happy holidays!