Scotch College

Chaplain's Column April 2001

Chaplain's Column

I'm carrying a torch for you

I did a brief stint fighting fires on Ash Wednesday, February 16,1983. It was in Warburton. Mostly I did other things, but in frustration I had to try putting out the blaze. Like thousands of other Australians I have an image of the bush consumed by fire.

From earliest times fire has been a symbol for God. It was in the wilderness that Moses encountered God. From a bush that burned but was not burnt up he heard the voice of God. He covered his face at the sight. It was awesome. Moses had to remove his sandals. God called him by his name.

A burning bush surmounts our School crest. This symbol was chosen for our 150th anniversary. For Presbyterians this symbol represents the deepest mystery.

The God of Exodus 3 was not a generic, plain label religious presence. This God is identified by personal name. Y, H, W and H are the four consonants used to express it. Sometimes it is written Yahweh. The name looks like the Hebrew verb 'to be'. It is I AM who called Moses. His name is unmistakable.

Yahweh remembered his promise. He had come down so that his people might be brought up from Egypt. This was the redemption of Israel. Walter Brueggemann astutely notes 'The working of the God of the Bible is uncomfortably joined with human history. Moses will do what Yahweh said, but it is Moses who will run the risks that Yahweh seemed ready to take'.

Yahweh's call stunned Moses. Yahweh came to free his people, so Moses had a job to do?! When he found his voice Moses began to make excuses. Yahweh was asking too much. This passage speaks to us about divine purpose and human vocation. These most complex issues of faith are symbolized in our crest. In a sense, it is a torch we carry.

These most complex issues of faith are symbolized in our crest. In a sense, it is a torch we carry

It was in Van Morrison's song that I first heard the expression, 'Carrying a torch for you'. As I see it, the metaphor is about investing love, hope and faith in a person. This is what Yahweh did. He called Moses to serve. This was an investment of love, faith and hope. God was carrying a torch for Moses. Moses was great. He took the torch. In Yahweh's name he secured Israel's redemption.

On the Mount of Transfiguration Jesus followers understood that Jesus is greater than Moses. For him, in a unique way, Yahweh carries a torch. Moses was a prototype, but Jesus is the final reality. There was a bigger liberation for Jesus to accomplish. His call was to affect God's redemption for all humanity. The God of the Bible wants his people freed. Jesus was greater than Moses. Jesus fully works out God's love, faith and hope. He carried the torch. Van Morrison sings 'You know how much it costs'.

Yahweh calls us by name. We are to move beyond generic 'religion' and plain label 'spirituality'. In Jesus the eternal I AM calls us to be his agents of change. At times, like Moses, we demur with excuses. We know how much it costs. To wear a badge is only a beginning. It's time to carry the torch.

Rev. Graham Bradbeer