Transcendence

God is Holy and Transcendent! This week’s readings shout that in no uncertain terms. The Nation of Israel declares the voice of God to be too awful, too earthshaking and too Holy to hear. They beg Moses to talk to God for them for if they were even to approach the Transcendent powerful presence of God they would surely die.

The Psalmist speaks of God’s wonderful deeds. His name is holy; his renown thunders through the land.

“He sent redemption to his people; he has commanded his covenant forever. Holy and awesome is his name. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever.”

It is in this context of fear and trembling, of the holiness and transcendence of God, that we must see Jesus as his fame starts to spread. The Gospel shines with power and might only when we see in Jesus the same authority, the same transcendence and the same awful and fearful Holiness that the whole nature of God screams out. Even the demons see it. “Have you come to destroy us?” They declare the secret; he is the Holy one of God. Isn’t it interesting that this truth is declared by the unclean and untrustworthy and kept secret (for now) by the Holy one?

“It is not everyone, however, who has this knowledge. Since some have become so accustomed to idols until now, they still think of the food they eat as food offered to an idol; and their conscience, being weak, is defiled.”

Paul’s exhortations about what we consider clean or unclean also need to be seen through the lens of holiness. Those who have been around the base and corrupt too long begin to no longer see into the awful abyss of God’s Holiness. They no longer let their minds see the transcendent. And this is the heart of idolatry. Let us be Holy! Let us fix our eyes on the Holy One!