Crowns and palms

2 Esdras 2:42-47

          I often refer to all of us as sons and daughters of God and as Jesus as our brother. Of course we are not the One who was there from the beginning unless it is by God's design. That is, God already knew us eons before we were born of flesh and blood. We simply are not quite children of God the way Jesus was as close as we claim to come. We are loved no less no matter who we are though. We are all saints and we are all sinners. We are all beloved creations whom Jesus would willing die on the cross for again if it would achieve more than it has already but there is nothing greater to achieve than our salvation and the love that it expresses.

            Not quite sons and daughters but still welcomed with palms as Jesus was welcomed in Jerusalem. We are welcomed back as kings. Baptised as we are, "priests, prophets and kings". We are welcomed as the prodigal son was welcomed home. In fact God welcomes us all back with eager arms no matter who we are, no matter what we have done. Is it possible this is true even to our death? Beyond?  Is this why we are told to "walk to the light"?

             It is interesting that in this passage from ancient scripture, it  speaks of salvation through confession of the "Son of God". It is also interesting to me that this text is not always considered "canonical". That is, not an officially approved text or one seen as an official text or recognized as authentic by some churches, not unlike the Gospel of Thomas for example. Yet the text speaks of a confession of faith in the Son of God long before he walked this earth and nothing more.

             The confession of faith in Jesus is all that seems to be required. I am still not sure if even that is absolute myself. But for certain it does not mention attentiveness to holy days of obligation, being straight or gay, how well you can quote scripture, how many people follow your preaching on television or countless other useless labels.

               Walk toward the light, walk to God, we are all welcomed with crowns and palms.

          

      

I, Ezra, saw on Mount Zion a great multitude that I could not number, and they all were praising the Lord with songs. In their midst was a young man of great stature, taller than any of the others, and on the head of each of them he placed a crown, but he was more exalted than they. And I was held spellbound. Then I asked an angel, ‘Who are these, my lord?’ He answered and said to me, ‘These are they who have put off mortal clothing and have put on the immortal, and have confessed the name of God. Now they are being crowned, and receive palms.’ Then I said to the angel, ‘Who is that young man who is placing crowns on them and putting palms in their hands?’ He answered and said to me, ‘He is the Son of God, whom they confessed in the world.’ So I began to praise those who had stood valiantly for the name of the Lord.