Trash Theology

So I was thinking about Jesus at the recycling center.

I know. It's strange. But stay with me here.

(image from wikipedia.com)

Here in Hawaii we have to put a five-cent deposit on plastic bottles and aluminum cans, which we can get back when we recycle them. I think a few other states do this too.

(Oh and they also tack on a little one-cent tax that you don't get back, but that's another post.)

So a lot of people go to the recycling center. It's not just for the homeless anymore.

Anyways, I was thinking about the theology of recycling.

Does anyone remember a long time ago when they had returnable glass bottles? I know, we're talking a LONG time ago.

I'm dating myself a bit here, but when I had my first job at a grocery store there were still a few people using the old glass Coke bottles.

Here's how that worked: People would pay the bottle deposit when they bought the Coke and then bring back the empty glass bottle to the store and get the deposit back. Then the store would send the bottles back to the plant to be sterilized and refilled with Coke.

(Image from dnkvariety.com)

Okay, all you young people are shocked. "The SAME bottles?" you say. "To be USED again?!"

Yep. Back in the day, we used to WASH things.

But nowadays, when you bring back your used bottles and cans, they melt them down and make them into new bottles and cans.

Are you seeing the link to Jesus yet?

Here's a hint: 2nd Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

Get it?

Did you ever see that bumper sticker? You know the one that says, "Jesus saves; Buddha recycles."

Now that's clever. But actually it should be THE OTHER WAY AROUND.

Because Jesus doesn't just wash us out and stick us back out there in the world.

He actually REMAKES us into a NEW creation.

And that's why the recycling center is called....

The Redemption Center!