I don’t know if you have noticed in our congregation – this year –
BUT we have had more Births than Deaths / More Baptisms than Funerals.
YES, This is GOOD – this is VERY Good.

And (Sunday) this morning we will be baptizing another infant…
…and ANOTHER 4th Generation Christian here…little Gavin Mark Kast.

I suggest we think about WHAT it is we are Baptizing Gavin INTO this morning.

I have always believed – since I don’t know when –
we Baptized INTO the Christian Church…not just into the Lutheran Church.
That we are, therefore, Lutheran-CHRISTIANS ~ till someday we may become
…a Methodist-Christian or Catholic-Christian…by virtue of Marriage or Choice.

And, for all those children we have baptized this year INTO the Family of God,
And all those baptized last year and all the years before… for the last 130 years
ARE CHRISTIAN CHILDREN who will one day KNOW what we did
on their Baptism-Day here AND become FAITHFUL FOLLOWERS of Jesus.

HOWEVER, being Baptized, and THEN BELIEVING is
NOT all that is needed in being CONVERTED into the Christian Faith.
In other words, Being CONVERTED and Being CHRISTIAN are not the SAME.

 If you are “converted” – you have JOINED the ARMY,
To be a Christian is to actually ENTER the BATTLE;
 If you are “converted” – you get a UNIFORM, but
To be a Christian is to so ‘act’ on the battlefield that
you get MEDALS for VALOR & BRAVERY to put on that uniform.

THAT is why St Paul told us last week in our Second Lesson
= to put on the whole Armor of God.
Because, BEING a CHRISTIAN is to be INVOLVED in Fighting EVIL…
…in fighting the powers & principalities of darkness in this world…& of this world.

That is why – JAMES, in our 2nd Lesson today EMPHATICALLY says =
“Be DOERS of the WORD, not MERELY HEARERS who deceive themselves.”

You see – each of us is to LET OUR LIGHTS SHINE that were lit during our Baptism.

THAT, then, brings us to Jesus’ words in our Gospel Lesson today.
Jesus wants you to be totally CONVERTED by your being UNITED with Him & God.

You see, the PHARISEES were worried MERELY about getting the EXTERNALS right.
Jesus, on the other hand, is CONCERNED with getting the INTERNALS right.
JESUS dealt with MOTIVES – not just “actions”.
He dealt with REALITIES – not just “appearances”.
To UNDERSTAND the DIFFERENCE between Jesus’ Desire & the Pharisees =
ASK YOURSELF THIS QUESTION:
 which would you prefer for a next door neighbor? A person with excellent habits OR a person with a Good Heart?
 Which would you prefer for a Wife / Husband? A person with excellent habits OR a person with a good heart?
 YES, it would be great for
 a neighbor to keep his grass cut and respect / return your property,
 a friend who always treats you with consideration,
 a child who has good manners, AND
 a spouse who is thoughtful and courteous and gracious…
BUT ~ DOES IT COMPARE TO ONE THAT HAS A “GOOD HEART”????

In other words =
Good Behavior reflects on a person’s SELF-CONTROL… WHEREAS
A GOOD HEART reveals the quality of the PERSON inside.

So THAT is the subject of the DIALOG with the Pharisees and Disciples in our Gospel.

Jewish law, was detailed, left room for interpretation in many situations. 613 Laws

The Pharisees, out of a desire to obey God,
established rules to clarify the law in those situations.
Their findings became known as ‘tradition of the elders’.
As time passed, these traditions hardened into a secondary set of law that
Jewish leaders regarded as equal to scripture… became known as ‘MISHNAH’.

In today’s example in the Gospel – the MISHNAH is cited in how the disciples
were eating with out purifying themselves properly.
You have to realize HOW this whole PROCESS of PURIFICATION first began =

Ex 30:19 requires priests to practice ritual hand-washing
before coming near the altar, but later Pharisaic tradition
expanded such observance to ordinary people on ordinary occasions.
The Pharisees gradually adopted this practice of ritual hand-washing as a way of
showing devotion to God -- and as a "boundary marker" – of who is “IN”…
a way for Jews to proclaim their identity as distinct from their pagan neighbors.

Furthermore – Ritual cleanliness has nothing to do with hygiene –
“Germs” will not be ‘discovered’ until the 17th century &
Even then there will be difficulty persuading physicians to wash hands before performing surgery.
SO REALIZE: Pharisaic hand-washing involves the use of only a small amount of water poured over hands to wash away ritual defilement, such as defilement caused by touching an unclean object or person
(i.e., a bodily discharge such as spittle or semen, a dead body, a leper, a menstruating woman, or a Gentile).
Most of us would want to wash our hands for hygienic purposes in these circumstances
BUT the manner in which ritual hand-washing is done offers no hygienic benefit.
THUS, By the time of the writing of this Gospel (probably 65 to 70 A.D.),
Christians have already begun to free themselves from the observance of such Jewish laws. Stories such as this one help to provide a rationale for the church to distance itself from Jewish law.

The CHRISTIAN CHURCH CHOSE, instead, to emphasize: Fulfill the Law IN Christ =
In other words, to DO WHAT LOVE REQUIRES… (ex.= have a “good heart” stuff )

It should also warn us to NOT hold so closely or dearly those things that
are typically Lutheran or Methodist – EITHER.
Too often: Denominational loyalties assume far too much importance.
Their SIN then was:
The Pharisees lost sight of the line between God's law and their opinion.

They also prove the AXIOM:
Rare is the person who can weigh the faults of others
without putting his thumb on the scales. Byron J. Langenfield

NO,
In the Jewish environment of the Pharisees, they emphasized PIETY
(honoring God by devout fulfillment of religious duties),
Which, unfortunately, creates an environment for HYPOCRISY.
HOWEVER, Jesus changed the emphasis to ETHICAL behavior
(honoring God by right actions in relationship to other people).

It is THAT kind of FAITH and FAMILY that we are Baptized into.

The church always struggles with knowing God's will.
What’s God's will concerning abortion? Or AIDS? Or Homosexuality?

Men & women of faith find themselves in opposition to other men and women of faith over such issues. How do we determine God's will in such matters?

May we realize on this day = We are baptized into Christ – who seeks to gain our hearts… SO THAT what we DO will be pleasing to God, as members of His Family.

We need not depend or trust on our human traditions or denominations
To offer simple answers to difficult situations.
May we TRUST, however, in a God who COMES TO SAVE US & Redeem us
In and From a world that would deceive us.

After all, Jesus does not just want his Name on our LIPS,
He wants HIS LOVE to be in our HEARTS.

Did you know = most new denominational hymn books – in the last 10-15 years –
including our new red ELW worship book – do NOT include “Onward Xn Soldiers”?
The reason given, usually, is that “Onward Christian Soldiers” is TOO Militaristic.
The images of ‘soldiers & battles’ aren’t ‘acceptable’ to many people.
Well, I guess it is easier to edit a hymnbook…rather than the Bible – also filled with
soldiers and battles…and wars…and we’re told to FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT.
That FIGHT is with the Forces of Evil…
…and for it, St Paul tells us to PUT ON THE ARMOR OF GOD.

Perhaps some would prefer Paul used a more agricultural metaphor =
 don the straw hat of Salvation,
 hold up your pants with the suspenders of Truth,
 pull on the barn coat of Righteousness, AND
 pick up the hoe of the Spirit…

HOWEVER, St Paul did not.
Paul DID NOT mean to glorify bloodshed and violence…
…but he DID MEAN to remind us that, in this world,
we are engaged in a real battle against EVIL.
THEREFORE, we need to prepare ourselves accordingly.

We need to be prepared for all the ATTACKS the Forces of Evil will LAUNCH at us…
…prepared for all the Flaming Arrows directed at us.

The QUESTION IS = are YOU so PREPARED?
are you UP TO THE CHALLENGE?
…IF there really is a “challenge”?

{ Perhaps IS – since many of us parents probably don’t know if our grown children – living
away from us are in a church this morning… cf. First Lesson }

That’s what the military has to ask itself – when designing it BOOT CAMP for recruits.
I suspect it IS preparing recruits because they are being shipped out immediately.
HOWEVER, 10-15 years ago, Basic Training IS NOT what it is now or used to be.

 Then recruits could RUN AROUND the Obstacle Wall if climbing was too difficult;
 Then the BAYONET Drills were called off IF the WEATHER was too hot; AND
 A STOOL was available to get to the Ladder Swing – if needed.

At the time, an Army spokesperson defended the “adjustments” because
Volunteers were not used to such Challenges – like recruits in previous generations.
…and they did NOT want the ‘volunteers’ to quit.
SO ~ at the time, one wonders: IF they were UP TO the Challenge?

More importantly – for us – the Question is =
ARE WE / YOU up to the challenges we are to FACE today?
SEEMS – like the Army – over the years we have tended to LOWER our Standards.
 not as many people attend church regularly.
 They don’t do “spiritual calisthenics” to build up their “spiritual muscles”.
 Folks don’t study their Bibles daily…
 They don’t know WHAT is IN the Bible…OR
 They don’t know WHERE to FIND it in the Bible. AND…
 Still others think the ‘Feast on the Bread of Life’ is some kinda FREE LUNCH.

The problem SEEMS to be that – we Christians have gone “SOFT”.
And with LOWER STANDARDS and Lower Expectations about Christian Actions:
C. Edward Bowen says =
“a lot of people who call themselves Christian these days have reduced their
level of morality to that of a BABOON…and that might be an insult to Baboons”

Yes, for a long time = life was GOOD and EASY and SOFT for us.
But NOW – with the economy – we are starting to see what DIFFICULT times are.

And maybe we don’t realize what DIFFICULT Times these are for FAITH EITHER.

PERHAPS we don’t prepare ourselves because we DON’T KNOW OUR ENEMY…
…or we don’t believe in FLAMING ARROWS…or know what to be suspicious of…

However – Paul IS Prepared & Alert…
He says the battles are not against Flesh & Blood…BUT
BUT the battle is with the Devil himself.
AND, the Devil “WINS” IF – during the battle – we sink to his level of warfare.

EX = Remember those KKK rallies in Skokie (and other places)?
The Klan…and the Devil…WINS if the Anti-Klan protesters swear & spit TOO.

That’s always the danger & threat whenever fighting the Devil…or any enemy of God.

But we see Jesus RESIST – on his way to His CROSS.
Jesus did NOT LOWER himself to the level of his enemies.
NOT did he call on an Army of Angels to rescue him.
Elsewhere Jesus tells us = DO NOT RETURN EVIL FOR EVIL.

INSTEAD of sinking to a morality lower than baboons…WHAT are we supposed to do?
WHAT are we supposed to DO when the forces of Evil lash out & threaten us?

WE ARE TO BE PREPARED ~ WEARING THE ARMOR OF GOD.
Even if we look like an 8-year-old who has put on his older brother’s football equipment
We are NOT to Turn AND Run…we are to STAND FAST.
THAT is what the Armor of God ALLOWS us to DO = Stand Fast / Hold our ground.
After all…
…all the pieces of ARMOR = shield, breastplate, and helmet – protect our front-side.
NONE OF THEM PROTECT OUR BACK-SIDE.

EX = it is kind of LIKE all my UMPIRE GEAR for doing the plate.
It is all facing forward…facing the pitcher.
It takes a lot of discipline to stay-in-there WHEN a pitch is in dirt, or a foul tip coming.
I WANT to TURN…but I know…all my equipment protects my front. (& grunt loudly!)

SO TOO the ARMOR OF GOD – it protects our “FRONTS”.

ALSO, do you notice – the ARMOR is PRIMARILY “DEFENSIVE”????
It is primarily designed to “protect” you…RATHER THAN
Being an ARSENAL of WEAPONS with which to destroy the opposition.
In fact, the only piece of armor as “weapon” – is the SWORD – that’s WORD of GOD.

THEREFORE, apparently, our MISSION is not to ATTACK & DESTROY…
…it is NOT to RETURN EVIL FOR EVIL…

OUR MISSION is simply to STAND FAST…HOLD OUR GROUND God has given…
…and to move forward & ADVANCE with the Kingdom before us.

Christ has already defeated the Devil and his Army. Jesus WON the WAR.
However, let us not become SO FOOLISH to think the Devil has given up all skirmishes.
AND let us not be so unprepared we surrender during a “surprise attack”.
LIKE YOGI says: “It ain’t over till it’s over” – now we’re in EXTRA INNINGS. Keep alert

LASTLY ~ perhaps the most crucial defense we have in this Battle with the Devil…
…is NOT any of our weapons…BUT IS THE DIET we as soldiers have.

As the Army of God – we Diet, we FEAST on the Bread of Heaven.
“…the one who eats this bread will live forever…”

To ABIDE in Him … and He in Us ~ is the greatest DEFENSE & OFFENSE we have
in the battle with cosmic powers and principalities and spiritual forces against God…
…as we BATTLE DAILY = materialism / contentment / and self-satisfaction.

We do need to be prepared for battle…BUT we ALSO need this Holy Sacrament
to keep us fed and nourished for the Life ahead…and Life Eternal.
It is, after all, the ONLY ANTEDOTE to the evil around us…and within us.

Andy Rooney once pointed out (I don’t know if correctly) that the two biggest selling
books at book stores are COOKBOOKS and DIET BOOKS.
Cookbooks tell you how to make food irresistible & delicious…
…and Diet books tell you how to avoid eating it.

What a comment on our society & culture.
But NOT EVERYONE is interested in AVOIDING it, NOR how DELICIOUS the food is.

THUS ~ Another “Comment” on our society & culture is this…McDonald’s.
For many of us here – McDonald’s is the first fast-food franchise we can remember.
In fact, we can hardly remember life-before-McDonald’s.

In 1962 – a McDonald’s opened in Davenport, IOWA – by our football stadium.
What a bonanza – especially on Friday nights after our games.
I remember sitting on the tile bench looking up at the sign = 2 million Sold.

{ McDonald’s ITEM }

Indeed, McDonald’s feeds (OR FILLS) the fast-paced people of America & world.
They have literally – and figuratively – served BILLIONS and BILLIONS of burgers.

THE CHURCH, on the other hand,
HAS ONE PRODUCT ON THE MENU (the Bread of Life)
and IS SUFFERING FROM A MARKETING PROBLEM.

McDonald’s may have been at feeding the multitudes since the late 50’s
BUT God has been in THIS Business since the beginning.

In the Wilderness – he fed the multitude with MANNA.
In the First Lesson – he fed Elijah with “cake & water”.
Two weeks ago – we heard about Jesus feeding the 5000.

TODAY Jesus says = I AM the BREAD OF LIFE…whoever believes will never be
Hungry OR Thirsty. Boy, that’s = SUPER-SIZED.

THAT is GOD PROVIDING for His people FOR the Struggle & the Journey.

HOWEVER ~ Jesus may be God’s MANNA for Life…
…BUT we are going for Big Mac’s and McNuggets as a culture.

Supposedly, the popularity of one over the other is because
WE DON’T ALL AGREE ON WHAT WE NEED FOR THE JOURNEY WE’RE ON.

NO, we don’t agree on PROVISIONS – NOR do we agree on the DESTINATON.
For those of us HERE in church on a Sunday morning (Saturday eve),
Jesus is the necessary Manna for SUBSTANCE & SUSTENANCE through Life.

HERE we are getting Grace & Forgiveness WITH the Bread of Life at COMMUNION,
= NOT carbs and saturated fats.

HERE, heavenly food FEEDS FAITH & Feeds SOULS – with strength for the journey.

The Bread & Wine of Communion are AS ESSENTIAL to our Human SPIRIT
JUST AS is wheat-Bread to our Human Bodies.

On the MENU at Church – Jesus Christ is not a SIDE-DISH.
He is the Bread of Life…the DAILY BREAD we desperately NEED and PRAY FOR.

{ compare the Small Catechism = Fourth Petition and First Article of Creed }

Yes, God provides the essentials for our Journey – IF
 IF we Accept them…
 IF we are Going where GOD wants us to Follow…and
 IF we are Doing what He wants us to be Doing…

Is there enough EVIDENCE that these Provisions are Essential & Valuable?
NOT according to society and culture.

Our DIET merely consists of things-that-money-can-buy.
Such THINGS may make our hearts race & increase our pride…
BUT they ALSO keep us Anxious and Hot-Wired… and FOR WHAT?

I remember one of my dad’s sermon illustrations – from a long time ago
(sitting in the front pew as an acolyte in high school)
He said, At the end of life we will find ourselves in line on a pier awaiting a ship
…to take us across…to the “other side”.
On that pier will be someone LIKE a customs agent.
That officer will inspect your Baggage & take out / discard things you won’t be needing.

He’ll be looking for the fruits of Manna – RATHER than fruits of the loom or of labor.
Perhaps we should be asking ourselves frequently ~ on this Journey of Life ~
…HOW MUCH BAGGAGE WILL I HAVE TO LEAVE ON THE PEIR OF THIS LIFE?

ALSO – REMIND yourself that WHAT GOD PROVIDES is Enduring & Eternal.
…and what God provides IS = THE BREAD OF LIFE.
NOT the physical kind of bread – grown with Seed and Soil and Sun.
BUT the SPIRITUAL KIND that comes down from Above…from Heaven.
INDEED – our manna-fed bodies will pass away…
…but our spirit-filled souls shall live on…because = what is OF God, will live on.

THIS Bread of LIFE Jesus gives is adequate and abundant…
…FOR THE RIGHT JOURNEY & RIGHT DESTINATION, FOR EACH TRAVELER.

Let us remember ~ EVEN IF you are on the Right Journey = there are DANGERS:

Highways here to the Hereafter GO OVER mountains and through valleys.
The By ways go through deserts and past canyons.
They cross roads and lead to interchanges.
There are Dangers & Delays due to = pot holes…and construction…and detours…
…not to mention = inexperienced drivers…reckless drivers…and drunk drivers.

By dining and snacking on the Bread of Life along that Journey
OUR FAITH will be fed and God will strengthen you THROUGH =
 trials and tribulations,
 tragedies and traumas,
 illnesses and injuries,
 disappointments and disasters…ALONG THE WAY TO ETERNAL LIFE.

Then, PERHAPS, you will realize that the VALUE of the Journey is
NOT measured by its LENGTH or our SAFTEY…but by the QUALITY of Time.

SO ~ as you continue your Journey – SEEKING to follow Jesus Christ –
in this world with MORE GOLDEN ARCHES than CHRISTIAN CROSSES =

COMMIT to a DIET that includes the BREAD OF LIFE =
The Body and Blood of Christ…

SO THAT you will not thirst or be really hungry again…
…in the Deserts of Life…or…on the Battlefields of Life.

Every once in a while – I should state the “OBVIOUS” =
…and one such obvious thing is that Jesus Christ IS
 concerned about the WAY we USE our lives,
 concerned about HOW we LIVE our lives, AND
 concerned about WHAT we DO with our lives.

The reason Jesus is so concerned is because – WE are SO CONFUSED about it.
Too many of us spend too much TIME going after the TOYS & TRINKETS of life.

It’s AS IF we are constantly looking down foraging for food when we have full stomachs
…and we don’t look up to contemplate the other wonders of life.
Our stomachs and material appetites obscure any other concerns in life…
So that we can’t distinguish “physical hunger” from “spiritual hunger”.

To those so CONFUSED, JESUS SAYS:
“You are looking for me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of loaves.
Do NOT WORK for the FOOD that PERISHES, but for the food that ENDURES for eternal life.”

In other words, in our PURSUIT of BREAD,
We better know WHAT we’re looking for…AND
We better know WHERE we’re going to find it.
THEN…we should live each day AS IF we are on some KIND OF Special DIET.

To understand THAT ~ takes some people a LIFE-TIME.
Do YOU UNDERSTAND IT?

Each of us is given a certain amount of days for your “LIFETIME”.
Perhaps it is 5,000 or 10,000 days.
Perhaps it is 20,000 or 25,000 or 30,000 days = 55 years / 68 years / 82 years.

The QUESTION IS – what will you DO with those days? – what will you LEARN?

Bessie Delany is quoted as saying =
“I thought I could change the world. It took me a hundred years to figure out
I can’t change the world. I can only change Bessie. And, honey, that ain’t easy”

It is worth noting that Bessie said that at her 104th Birthday celebration. [38,000 days]

So – what will you do with all your days…days that are an UNKNOWN NUMBER.

It is all the more poignant with the POEM I shared at Bob Kehoe’s funeral Wednesday.
The Clock of Time is wound but once. And no one has the power
To tell just when the hands will stop, On what day or at what hour.

Now is the only time you have So live it with a will,
Don’t wait until tomorrow – The hands may then be still.
Yes, HOW will you use your DAYS? WHAT will you PURSUE?

WHATEVER IT IS you DO – you are, indeed, USING UP your days?

…and you thought the COST OF LIVING was already HIGH ENOUGH!

The WISE person factors THAT into their “cost of living” expenses each month.

Actually ~ the ‘cost of living’ is greater than ALL your monetary expenditures…
… because, ultimately, the ‘cost of living’ will COST YOU EVERYTHING.
It will cost you everything you have EARNED and everything you have INHERITED.
It will cost you everything you have ever HAD and everything you WILL EVER HAVE.

It will all be left behind – because you’ll never see a hearse pulling a U-Haul trailer.

It MEANS that all those TOYS & TRINKETS & TRIFLES you work to AQUIRE
will become someone else’s…OR they will BECOME Rust or Dust.

In this life-long investment – the Final INSTALLMENT is paid with your DEATH.
When you MAKE that PAYMENT – you turn loose all those things you held onto.

You loose everything – UNLESS you have CONVERTED something
INTO SPIRITUAL COMMODITIES…commodities that have abiding power.

In other words, YOUR DAYS are no Short-term Loan or Short-term Investment.

Jesus tells us = our RETURNS are ETERNAL – whether GAINS or LOSSES.
SO, if you want to think of it this way – Jesus gives us a great INVESTMENT TIP =

“Do NOT WORK for the FOOD that PERISHES, but for the food that ENDURES for eternal life.”

Just like – if you have ever traveled abroad –
you must CONVERT your currency to LOCAL currency.
And Jesus is saying: the only UNIVERSAL CURRENCY are Spiritual Commodities…
…those things that will survive and endure IN this world…AND THE NEXT ‘Life’.

THAT is what you are doing when you come to Church & church activities.
You are CONVERTING what you have INTO GOD’S CURRENCY…for God’s purposes

You are offering the Raw Materials of your Life = Time & Talents & Treasures –
Into those words & deed & values that will SURVIVE in BOTH Worlds.

In our 2nd Lesson, St Paul put it this way =
“The gifts he gave were…to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up
The body of Christ, until all of us come to the unity of the faith and knowledge of
The Son of God…to the measure of the full stature of Christ.”

Elsewhere Paul says = “Faith, Hope & Love Abide; the greatest of these is Love”

Only THESE will survive the Refiner’s Fire…will have everlasting endurance.

Neither life nor death, nor things present nor things to come…CAN TAKE THEM AWAY

Even if you try to DENY or IGNORE the OPPORTUNITIES to Convert Currency,
the author of HEBREWS (ch 12) WARNS:

“The whole continuum of Time is in the Process of
REMOVING what can be SHAKEN so that what cannot be shaken may REMAIN”

So, it is a word to the wise, that
You begin NOW, Today to START EXCHANGING your resources
for those things which are IN THE CURRENCY of the Realm
to which YOU ARE GOING…where the RETURNS are Eternal.

It is a matter of good Stewardship.
Don’t be like SOME that squander their Time & Talents & Treasures
so that when THEY make their FINAL PAYMENT…
…there is NOTHING TO SHOW for it…there are NO ‘real REMAINS’ to be seen.

EXAMPLE:
It is great IRONY to remember that,
in 1912 – two people died in London, England – on the SAME DAY.
One was a SOCIETY MATRON…and the other was William Booth.
(founder of the Salvation Army)
The newspaper, the next day, published their two pictures on the front page.
The caption read:
“The woman lived one life and had a thousand dresses…
The man had one suit and lived a thousand lives.”

Jesus says: “Do not work for food that perishes, but for the Food that endures forever”.

If you don’t heed that command – you might finally wake up at HALF PAST 40
and stand in front of the mirror…only to be overtaken by Panic or Doubt.

Remember: you are a GIFTED STEWARD of 15 or 20 or 30,000 days in this life.
CHOOSE TO USE some of those days… OR all of them to CREATE treasures that
are PRICELESS… PRECIOUS… and PERMANENT – by the Grace of God.

THEN, at the End – when you make the Final Payment and life is PAID IN FULL…
You may know, with blessed assurance, that you have RECEIVED far MORE
than you ever PAID IN…far more than your living ever really cost you.

Remember when DRUGS were considered the easiest & fastest way to COPE w/ stress?
I mean, when Drugs were RECREATIONAL
… not Prescription drugs we consider necessary to cope with high BP & cholesterol.

You know – back when there was that bumper sticker which said:
“Reality is for those who can’t handle life with drugs”

The attitude THEN was = if things got too difficult = you could COP-OUT, DROP-OUT.
In other words, DRUGS provided an ESCAPE from Reality.

Well, we have all found other, healthy ways (hopefully) for dealing with STRESS.

For Christians – the most healthy way is to LOOK TO JESUS…for dealing with Stress.

One Post-Communion Prayer that is in our LBW puts it this way:
“You gave your Son BOTH as a Sacrifice for Sin…& a MODEL of the Godly life.”

I suggest to you that = TODAY’S GOSPEL LESSON gives us
an EXAMPLE of Jesus as a MODEL OF THE GODLY LIFE.

We SEE, this morning, in this Feeding the 5000 miracle,
HOW Jesus is a Model of the “Godly life” …in a way we may SHARE in it TOO.

FIRST – we must see that Jesus was really UP-AGAINST a gigantic problem.

A multitude of hungry and sick people were closing in on him & the disciples.
The disciples were OVERWHELMED and FEARFUL.
They know = it doesn’t take long to go from a Hungry Crowd to an ANGRY MOB.

There were logistical problems associated with the procurement & transportation of
such a large quantity of bread.
Even if the disciples could collect sufficient funds, they could hardly expect
to find bread already baked in sufficient quantities to feed thousands.
How many ovens required? How many bakers? How much flour?
How long would it take for dough to rise? Then to bake?

If disciples were to tackle this monumental task & gather the necessary food,
wouldn't it make more sense to dismiss them now, let them find their own dinner?

However, Jesus saw the situation differently. JESUS was FLEXIBLE.
Like the saying goes from our 2nd Gulf Mission Trip:
“Blessed are the ‘Flexible’ – for they will not be bent out of shape.”
No, needy humans were not a nuisance to JESUS – he always showed Compassion.

The DISCIPLES, on the other hand – were Stressed.
They wanted to Escape…get away…cop-out. THIS was too much “Reality” for them.
In their mind & heart = there wasn’t enough MONEY or FOOD to feed this Throng.

SO – LET US SEE HOW JESUS SHOWS US THREE STEPS IN COPING
WITH THIS KIND OF SITUATION.

NUMBER #1 = Jesus REJECTS our Strategy & Tendency to ESCAPE a Crisis.
Jesus doesn’t run away physically – OR – emotionally from a Crisis.
RATHER, he faced the problem squarely and openly.

The “MODEL” Jesus gives us – is that the WAY OUT is always the Way THROUGH.
For Jesus = the Good News always comes by FACING UP to the Bad News.
Jesus chose to CONFRONT this difficulty Head-On – rather than seek Escape.

The Second thing Jesus did was = IDENTIFY THE RESOURCES AVAILABLE.

Jesus tried to REFOCUS the disciples vision FROM what they did NOT HAVE…
…TO what they DID Have.

Remember how Andrew says: “There is a boy here who has 5 barley loaves and
two fish…BUT what are they…among so many people?”

Besides, Barley loaves are an inferior bread usually eaten by poor people.
It is less nutritious, less tasty, & harder to digest than bread made from wheat.

THIRDLY – Jesus
 took the available resources,
 gave thanks to God, and
 set about meeting the needs of the hungry crowd.

In other words, Jesus DID WHAT HE COULD WITH WHAT HE HAD –
AND – with God’s Help – that LITTLE BECAME ENOUGH.

This IS a story - one of many in both Old and New Testaments - about God's ability &
Jesus' ability to transform too little into more than enough.
When we bring our little gifts to Jesus, he transforms them
into "just enough" -- or "more than enough."

You could say = the DISCIPLES just looked at the PROBLEM…
…and JESUS LOOKED AT THE POSSIBILITY.
Jesus was NOT immobilized by the DISPROPORTION of Need to Resources at hand.

Even the longest journey begins with a SINGLE STEP – as the saying goes.

Summary =
With Jesus as the MODEL, we see him doing three things:
1) He rejected the response to ESCAPE the situation;
2) He identified the RESOURCES available; AND
3) He asked God’s help & blessing to satisfy the need.

By doing so = Jesus TURNED AN INSOLUBLE PROBLEM INTO A GREAT TRIUMPH

And THOSE 3 THINGS we TOO can APPLY to our own LIVES as well.

Jesus’ way of DOING LIFE / Dealing with REALITY and COPING with difficulty…
…was COLLABORATING with GOD…which WE can do TOO.

See that = the BIGGEST DIFFERENCE between Jesus and us – in this example,
IS NOT CAPACITY ~ BUT ATTITUDE.

To recognize THAT – we MUST:
 GIVE UP the childish FANTASY that LIFE can be lived WITHOUT CONFLICT;
 OR that there is a BED-OF-ROSES to ESCAPE to in difficult times.
 OR that life is JUST the PURSUIT of our own personal HAPPINESS.

RATHER, may we see that = LIFE IS PROBLEM-SOLVING and
PROBLEM-SOLVING IS LIFE.
In other words,
there’s NO EASY WAY OUT – IF Jesus is our “MODEL of the Godly Life”.

The ‘WAY OUT’ is the ‘WAY THROUGH’…according to Jesus’ model.

FURTHERMORE = Jesus’ different ATTITUDE for COPING also includes:
RECOGNITION that RESOURCES are ALWAYS PRESENT in problem-situations.

Too often we AWFUL-IZE our situation. We think the ‘worst-case scenario’.
We say: “ain’t it awful…this” AND “ain’t it awful…that”

Being so SHORT-SIGHTED reduces our Field-of-Vision.

TRUST THAT – God, the Creator of all – ALWAYS PROVIDES “5 loaves & 2 fishes”
Jesus recognized them…and so should we.
Have your eyes “peeled” and open to SEE WHAT God is Providing.

LASTLY ~ Jesus ACTS in the face of a problem.
Jesus wasn’t IMMOBILIZED by problems.

Immobility is that DEER-IN-THE-HEADLIGHTS reaction…
…and the longer you stand there motionless…the worse it gets.

Maybe that’s why someone usually says = “Don’t just stand there, do something!!!”

ACTION often “BREAKS THE SPELL”…
…and that can TURN the TIDE in the face of a problem.

Each of us needs that kind of ENCOURAGEMENT & TRUST~ in the face of Problems.

As the old saying goes:
FEAR KNOCKED AT THE DOOR…FAITH ANSWERED…NO ONE WAS THERE.

In other words, if you have FAITH to confront fears & problems…
…you usually aren’t as bad-off as you thought you were.

With such a POSITIVE ATTITUDE – even with limited Capacity –
PROBLEMS CEASE to be Hopeless Obstacles.

With such FAITH – obstacles become CHALLENGES that give
your life MEANING and PURPOSE.

Remember: “Life is Problem-Solving… and… Problem-Solving is Life”

Conclusion:

God CALLS US
to be His ACCOMPLICES and GIVES us no less than 5 loaves & 2 fish.

When we take Jesus to be our MODEL OF THE GODLY LIFE
God gives us even more as the task unfolds.

With those attitudes – your capacity is increased to … ‘handle Reality’.

You may wish you could make the grand gesture -- give the great gift -- but
Christ honors our gifts, large and small, and makes them great.

SO =
BE HOPEFUL & have COURAGE to COPE in healthy ways – with Jesus’ MODEL.

Then – in God’s Hands – like those first loaves and fishes –
our RESOURCES will be multiplied.

Trust Jesus to make something wonderful from what you can give.
Rather than begrudging the fact you can't do everything, do what you can.
Trust Jesus to do the rest.

And when you do ~ no telling WHAT kind of MIRACLES are just waiting to take Place

Let the LORD LEAD you into that kind of MIRACLE of Giving & Serving.

Well – it’s mid-July and summer is here…I think. No dog-days yet…like in August.
Old JOKE on the Range – northern Minnesota – “last year summer was on a Tuesday”

It really hasn’t been hot-hot…just occasionally “hot”, mostly just “warm”.
YET – I’ve been golfing in less than ideal weather…
…and people are still going to the Dells’ Water Parks…etc.

Somehow we feel “robbed” if summer isn’t a little more warm – for our VACATIONS.
Life is made so HECTIC that we need time to Relax…Recharge…Recover.

Ironically – life is so HECTIC BECAUSE we make it that way…
… almost neurotically we make life hectic…cuz we can’t “sit still” for long.

The old adage is true:
WE Worship our Work, Work at our Play, and Play at Worship.

Unless we WANT a fevered-life…we need to keep things in BALANCE.
And THAT is what our Gospel Lesson is about – partly – today.

After weeks of ministering to people & the disciples out proclaiming the Kingdom…
…Jesus says to them:
"Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while" (v. 31).

It was hard for them to get away THEN…and its also hard for US to get away NOW.
It is so easy to be CAPTIVE to the IMMEDIATE NEEDS of life = get Out-of-Balance.
And, somewhere along the way, we think it unchristian to “take care of ourselves”.

However, when we get that WRONG…we get lost… exhausted…and burned out.
Someone has said = (Rollo May)
“It is an old habit of humans to run faster when we have lost our way.”

So “REST” is an old Biblical Injunction – to SAVE US.

Even from the beginning, in the Garden of Eden – Adam & Eve were made on 6th day.
Then – the 7th day was for rest.
In other words, before they did any Cultivating or Multiplying…they rested.
YOU SEE – the pattern was going from Rest TO Work…NOT the reverse.

God told his people to rest on the seventh day.
God didn't do that to clip their wings -- to curtail their fun.
He just didn't want them to find themselves stranded at a stoplight -- their bodies seized up with too much work and worry -- candidates for a major overhaul.
He wanted to keep them healthy, wealthy, and wise…So he called them to rest.
In other words, we are not supposed to just keep going (like “energizer bunnies”)
UNTIL we collapse from exhaustion…and call that “REST”.
RATHER = we are to see = REST is preparation for Fruitful work – Effective work.

JESUS, TOO, knows how important that is.
Two weeks / 2 Sundays ago we heard Jesus SENDING OUT the disciples 2 by 2.
They proclaimed the Kingdom and Anointed and Healed many who were sick.

They were CARING – they shared others’ burdens…they had compassion on them.
HOWEVER – to prevent them and us from
THINKING we can STORM HEAVEN by doing Good Works…
There is a COUNTER-POINT to “Caring”…and THAT is “SOLITUDE”.

If “caring” is entering another’s pain – then SOLITUDE is entering into God’s Love.
It THEN is being with God…thereby RENEWING our forces for Caring –
– cuz we then know God cares for you…for us.

SOLITUDE MEANS = being “in” the world but NOT “OF” the world. Being separate.
It means not thinking your WORTH depends on your Productivity.

Yes, we are to BALANCE = Caring w/ Solitude…keeping ourselves “FRESH” spiritually

EXAMPLE =
A century ago – during the time of lumber-barons…
A young man challenged an old woodsman to a chopping contest.
They were to chop wood for 6 hours – with a lunch break.
Both worked hard chopping wood – except the woodsman rested occasionally.
At the end of the contest, it was determined the old Woodsman had chopped more.

The challenger was deflated and angry.
He cried foul and accused the judges of favoritism.
He said he saw the old woodsman taking breaks throughout the contest.
Old woodsman replied, “Yes I did, what you didn’t see was – I sharpened my AXE / saw”

We too need to Balance WORK and REST / Caring and Solitude =
with RENEWING…and sharpening our relationship with God – to be with others.

You have heard of R & R – usually stands for Rest & Relaxation.

Think of it ALSO in these terms ~

RETREAT and RECOVERY – that is what Jesus did with his disciples.
…this was Jesus’ way of maintaining BALANCE in their ministry.

Your leisure too should include Solitude at a key secret of your survival.
Set aside time on Saturday evening or Sunday morning to REFRESH in God.
You need R & R to REPLENISH and REFUEL…your spiritual RESOURCES.

You also need to RECALL and RECONNECT with God who created you.
Otherwise you will “run faster in the wrong direction”.
THAT is what being DRIVEN TO DISTRACTION means.

Be glad to come together in worship at least once a week to RECALL & RECONNECT.
Then your physical & emotional & spiritual batteries will be RECHARGED

Then you will be able to RETURN to the RYTHUM of Life as God intends.

All THIS – Jesus wants for us.
That is why HE calls himself the GOOD SHEPHERD.

Too many shepherds of “this world” SCATTER us SHEEP.
Too many “shepherds”
 PROMISE us the ‘best’ without ‘cost’
 AFFIRM and JUSTIFY our FEARS
 IDENTIFY ‘enemies’ they will victimize and vanquish, and
 Who REDUCE the COMPLEXITIES of life into SIMPLE RULES & ABSOLUTES.

That is why God sent Jesus – to be our Good Shepherd…and other good shepherds
 to lead us beside still waters & green pastures for REFRESHMENT…AND
 To guide us along right Pathways and through valleys of Darkness.
_______________________________________

I will close with a “story” about that 23rd Psalm =

At a social gathering – there was a distinguished Actor & a retired Pastor.
I envision Richard Burton and Billy Graham.

The ‘actor’ was asked to recite the 23rd Psalm – did so eloquently.
Awed filled the room of guests.

Then the ‘pastor’ also recited the same Psalm.
When he finished, eyes were filled with tears – cuz he spoke so tenderly & knowingly.

Turning to the pastor, the actor said:
“I know the Psalm, sir…BUT, Obviously, YOU KNOW THE SHEPHERD.”

By your life – may others see the BALANCE of DOING & BEING, Caring & Solitude,
So that others will know that YOU KNOW the Good Shepherd…
AND that you are RECHARGED and ENERGIZED for ministry the other 6 days.

Today’s Gospel tells us two separate stories in Jesus’ early ministry.

First = Jesus' visit to his hometown, and
Second = his commissioning of the twelve.

The first story has to do with belief and unbelief.
The second story has to do with the call of disciples & the proclamation of the Gospel.

Both stories have to do with the acceptance or rejection
of Christ or his representatives.
A preacher should choose one of the stories rather than trying to integrate both into a single sermon (Brueggemann, 418).

I have decided to deal with the SECOND story = the sending of the disciples.

It reminds me of my 8 year ministry in Blue Springs, MO – developing an LCA mission
On several occasions – I challenged the Council to go with me on “COLD CALLS”.
We’d take a couple of blocks in a sub-division / neighborhood…& go door-to-door.
We’d ask if they had a church-home…and if they were interested in attending our’s?

My council president said: “I’d rather DIE than make COLD CALLS.”
Somehow, you know = I don’t think he was afraid of all the walking involved. 

Which is to say = some challenges, some instructions are HARD TO TAKE.

And THAT is what happened to the 12 disciples in our Gospel Lesson today.
Jesus sent them out 2 by 2 TO =
 to urge people to repent, (cuza some delusion that BLINDS them) and
 to turn back to God.

Jesus allowed them to take their SHOES, STICK & SHIRT…However
They were NOT to take a change-of-clothes, Traveler’s Checks or Credit Cards.

In other words = Jesus didn’t want them to PACK for every eventuality on their Trip…
…like we would as we pack for a Cruise or Vacation…

The disciples were to be faithful to their new mission – AND Jesus knew
they would encounter MORE things than even they could ever anticipate.

THEY HAD TO GO = OPEN TO & RELYING ON the Grace of God to “Provide” needs
They ALSO had to trust on the HOSPITALITY of those whom they would meet.

I am sure the disciples were wondering and confused by Jesus’ instructions.
Surely – they mis-understood OR Jesus mis-spoke??????????

However – it was NOT ONLY the disciples who have been confused by Jesus before.
More “recently” – back in the 1200’s – Francis of Assisi was
a priest of a small parish out in the woods.
He believed God had instructed him IN A DREAM to REBUILD that Church.
SO = Francis toiled with a hammer & broom & dust cloth to keep the place up.

Then, one day, as Francis was reading THIS Passage in Mark – it DAWNED on him.
God did NOT call him to rebuild that church of “wood & window” physically…
God was instructing him to REBUILD the church SPIRITUALLY.

THAT IS:
 REBUILD a church where people DID what Jesus SAID:
 Where people went out and announced the Good News of Jesus, AND
 Showed His love in their acts of kindness and generosity.

800 years later…if we CANNOT make “Cold Calls” - we can, at least,
Show His love in acts of Kindness and Generosity…can’t we?

IF SO ~ that will build up the Church – won’t it…
…if not with “new” members, at least with “renewed” ones.

YES, we need church-members EMPOWERED to “GO” and “PROCLAIM” the Word.
That REQUIRES not only the “right words” – but MOSTLY – it demands we first “GO”.

Mark Rosen (author: “Thanks for Being A Pain”) says =
“Spiritual MATURITY isn’t = WHAT we BELIEVE – it IS what we DO.”

…And WHAT we “DO” really isn’t OPTIONAL…according to Jesus.

As an LCA church document said some 30 years ago:
“We affirm that God has SENT us. We are not ASKED to CHOOSE whether
we will be “SENT”. IF we are the Church, THEN we HAVE BEEN SENT.”

That is WHY we exist…since Jesus first sent out his 12 disciples…two-by-two.

Sometimes we get “distracted” and other times we get “side-tracked” – BUT
If we want to exist for the Purpose we were created…we will stay focused.

EX = There are plenty of BAD EXAMPLES of getting “distracted & side-tracked”

A) A Chicago mother, several years ago, was charged with murder for
for allowing her 8 week old son to starve to death WHILE she had a manicure.
You see, the child (at 8 weeks) weighed less than 4 pounds.
A medical clinic told the mother to get her child to a hospital ASAP.
However, along the way, she decided to stop and have her nails done.

It is NOT JUST individuals that forget what their MISSION IS =
B) It also happened to the US Coast Guard.
For a long time the Coast Guard considered its ‘mission’ to be
inspecting boats…to make sure they were sea-worthy.
However, with a new director – they REDEFINED its mission to SAVING LIVES.
When that became their Main Purpose – they realized that meant training sailors.
SO – it became a TWO POINT Mission: Rescuing Lives & Educating Sailors.

You see, they found out that most deaths-at-sea were due to human error…
…And NOT faulty equipment.
Therefore – they are putting more emphasis on training people to avoid mishaps.

NOW – SINCE re-defining their mission – the Coast Guard has REDUCED
the fatality rate in the boating industry by TWO-THIRDS (2/3).

The QUESTION IS = will the Church be as “productive” IF
we define our Mission…AS JESUS DEFINES IT?
…which is, essentially: Rescue & Educate – just like the Coast Guard’s…sorta.

Well, it may NOT lead to such SUCCESS…there may be “RELUCTANT EARS”~
…because the world is a competitive place – AND HOSTILE TO GOD.
Therefore, Jesus says, you have to LEARN the DUST-DANCE.
Why? Because: despite your Best EFFORTS …you may see NO EFFECT.

Like “they” say: ‘You can lead a horse to water – but you can’t make him drink”

The National Park Service recognizes the battle in “WARNING” people of dangers.

Not a decade ago, Grand Canyon Rangers had to respond to 400 emergencies.
Those emergencies resulted in 4 deaths in one year.
Why? People don’t seem to realize the serious dangers around them.

Rangers see people walking down into the Grand Canyon in suits or high heels.
At Yellowstone a father wanted a picture of his daughter standing next to a buffalo
The buffalo butted the girl & hospitalized her.
At Yosemite, a man went swimming in a pool of water just above a 600 ft waterfall
He walked into the water – right past a sign that said:
“If you swim here…you will die”
Sure enough, the man got caught in the swift current & swept over the Falls to death

NO ~ NOT EVERYONE wants to hear the Proclamation of the Gospel
and they do NOT want to RECEIVE or DO acts of kindness or generosity.

Such a Message to Repent and Change Lives is painful in a Rebellious World.

BUT THAT is the Mission Jesus gives his Followers – & its been so for 2000 years.

Don’t we all think we are CAPTIANS OF OUR SHIP and
MASTERS OF OUR FATE…? …until DISASTER strikes.
Same for the disciples:
 first awed by the storm,
cf = Deadliest Catch TV show on Bering Sea – crab fishing,
those ships – bigger than disciple’s boat – gets tossed around.

 THEN awed by the One more powerful than the storm
They thought Jesus sleeping meant ‘lack of concern’.
His ‘casual attitude’ meant he’d be no help in an urgent crisis.

However, Jesus really did care and easily calmed the storm.
The WIND and SEA obeyed Jesus’ calm rebuke: “Peace, be still”.
The WIND and SEA obeyed the quiet voice of their Master LIKE a well-trained dog.
THAT is WHY the disciples were AWED by Jesus – who had power over the Storm.

Too often – we let FEAR DEFINE our lives.
We can’t / won’t do this or that = because of fear of water or heights or embarrassment
SOME have overcome their fears.

You’ve heard of “STORM CHASERS” – they ‘run’ toward storms
Most of us, however, are “STORM ESCAPERS” – we runaway from storms =
= those physical storms and threats to life AND
= those metaphorical storms and threats to life in our homes & workplaces, etc.

From an early age we let FEAR overcome us = JOKE:
One thundering & lightening night a mother was tucking in her frightened child.
Wanting comfort & safety – child asked, “Mommy, will you sleep with me tonight?”
The mother matter-of-factly told the child, “No, honey, I have to sleep with daddy.”
As the mother turned to close the door, she heard the child whisper:
“…the big sissy…” 

Even so, there are still “storm chasers” who can KEEP THEIR COMPOSURE.
For some it may mean they are “fear-less”…
…but, for the rest of us, it should be a matter of being FAITH-FUL.
FAITH is knowing the storm is more than you can handle – but we keep going.
FAITH is knowing Jesus Christ is in the BOAT of Our Life.
The EVIDENCE is COMPOSURE…Composure is the evidence of Faith.

Corrie Ten Boom put it this way:
“ Faith is like radar that sees through the fog –
- the reality of things at a distance that the human eye cannot see.”

OR, you can be like the guy who says:
“Every evening I turn my worries over to God, because
He is going to be up all night any way.”
OR you can think of your new crisis as a different crisis you have already survived:

LIKE the little girl who was impatient with her younger brother driving thru a Storm =
She said, “Calm down, it’s just like going through the CAR WASH”.
Indeed, we must have FAITH and not Fear…to regain our composure in life.
We need Faith SO THAT we can Survive & Thrive in Life.

Let us realize that: BELIEFS are what we have in Fair-Weather…
FAITH is what you need when the Storms come.
In other words,
Saying you believe in the Apostles’ Creed is the easy part…
…staking your life on it – is the hard part.

SO ‘LIFE’ – with all its “storms” has a tendency to FORCE THE QUESTION –
- whether you have just “beliefs” or real “faith”.

Today, our Gospel Lesson says = TRUST JESUS.
You have to have FAITH THAT
“Sometimes the Lord calms the Sea…
…and sometimes the Lord lets the Storm rage – but he calms the Sailor.”

Unfortunately,
Jesus does not promise to calm every storm in your life (LIKE WE WANT),
But Jesus does promise to CALM YOU in every storm of Life.

Know / Believe / Trust…that everything will turn out OK…everything will be alright.

Trust that Jesus is there to BE WITH you.
One of our favorite Advent / Christmas Carols is “O Come, O Come, Immanuel”.
You know what “Immanuel” means = “God with Us”

Today we are reminded that on this VOYAGE of Life =
God is NOT ONLY WITH us – God is FOR US…so that we may arrive safely.

Another way to look at it is in a poem I have seen on funeral folders for 25 years.
POEM by ELLA WHEELER WILCOX

One ship drives east and another drives west
With the selfsame winds that blow.
‘Tis the set of the sails And not the gales Which tells us the way to go.

Like the winds of the sea are the ways of fate,
As we voyage along through life:
‘Tis the set of the SOUL That decides the GOAL, And not the calm or the strife.

I don’t know how many movies you see a year –
but you know there are various genres & cycles that movies come in.
I prefer the “romantic comedy” genre myself. I don’t even consider the other genres:
Disaster movies (about infernos, earthquakes, tornadoes, or oozey-stuff).
Then there are Action-Adventures, Sci-Fi and Docu-Dramas.
Kids seem to be “feeding” on Fright Flicks or SLASHER movies…
…you know, the ones with FREDDY and JASON as the “monsters”.
Lately, it seems, the movies have themes about apocalyptic last days.

You / they could see I AM LEGEND – where a plague kills most of humanity.

Or CLOVERFIELD – an inexplicably angry alien destroys Manhattan.

Then there’s HELLBOY II: The Golden Army – where an ancient truce between
Hell and Heaven is revoked, resulting in mass destruction.

Or DOOMSDAY – when a lethal virus ravages England.
This one is reminiscent of 2 other films: 28 Days Later and Children of Men.

Others include: WAR OF THE WORLDS – which was a recent re-make…
Or the TERMINATOR series.

POINT BEING – these are all about apocalyptic doom – for the earth.
Such a destructive (not redeeming) end is Fate / fatalistic.
It is about an outnumbered few who can slow this IRREVOCABLE DESTRUCTION.

Filmmakers show us that: WHEN everything we know comes to an end…
…there is little else to live for…nothing else to love for… HOW DEPRESSING.

Maybe it was something LIKE that in the Disciples – a spirit of “everything ended”
When Jesus had been crucified…then raised…then ascended – when HE left.
They were lost and fearful.

WE KNOW how that kind of life goes.
We experience it when there is a DEATH of a loved one.
Life changes in a way that is ‘the end of life as we know it”.

Or if you or a loved one LOSES A JOB – life ends as you know it.

Or a friend (OR YOU) MOVE.

Or…humm, let’s say…YOU GRADUATE – life changes.
What about the “happy times” & “carefree-days” of high school?
What’s gonna happen now? “…I want the good-old-days back…”

Some make the TRANSITION better than others into the “work-world” or “college-scene”
Such TRANSITIONS can be terrifying – when “life ENDS” as you know it.

Remember what you thought or feared before becoming (a spouse or) a “parent”?
…sleepless nights, stacks of bills, dirty diapers…
It would be the end of spontaneous weekends with the guys, or romantic nights out.
…trading in the sports car for a mini-van.

THEN the baby arrives – and you are filled with love for this new child.
Then you check on the baby so often…the baby loses sleep.
And you might even regret “being such a fool” that you once were before the baby.

To MAKE THE TRANSITIONS of life – we need to be OPTOMISTS, not PESSIMISTS

After all, “pessimism” is very destructive.
 Pessimists blame themselves when things ‘go wrong’ or ‘change’.
 Pessimists believe bad events stem from permanent conditions (can’t do math).
 Pessimists believe good events are only temporary…fleeting…beyond control.
 Pessimists allow a disappointment in one area of life to pervade the rest of life.
 …they feel bad about losing their job…and start to worry that
their marriage is in trouble AND that their kids are out of control…

They always find reasons why “things won’t work” OR why “it’s going to get worse”.
They live those “apocalyptic last days” over & over, day-in and day-out.

However, you cannot BELIEVE in God AND be a pessimist.

On Pentecost Sunday we can say = THE FUTURE BELONGS – NOT TO THOSE WHO HAVE ALL THE “FACTS” – BUT TO THOSE WHO HAVE A VISION.”

And the ONE who Gives the “VISION” is Christ’s HOLY SPIRIT released in the world.

Before PENTECOST Sunday, the Disciples were LIKE SAILBOATS…
…anchored in the bay…and…sails trimmed.
BUT, Jesus’ promised them – that IF they hoisted their sail & waited…
…a Pentecost WIND would FILL THEIR SAILS and take them on great adventures.

Remember = we’re NOT created to be “ships anchored in harbor, bobbing on waves”.

The HOLY SPIRIT is the promise & presence of God’s Son to be with us…
…with us ON A GREAT ADVENTURE.

NOT ONLY is that Holy Spirit the WIND motivating us…
…the Holy Spirit is there to assure us along the way.

Parakletos is translated Advocate, Counselor, Comforter, Intercessor, Helper

…a parakletos is someone called in to help when the person who calls him in is in trouble or distress or doubt or bewilderment" (Barclay). LIKE a ‘life-coach’.
We depend upon psychology professionals to comfort us -
- to help us through life's difficult times.
Not only are such professionals expensive,
but they are available only by appointment and are subject to error.

The Paraclete is with us always, and
offers power & wisdom that are simply unavailable elsewhere at any price.

This is also good news for us. Neither our lawyer nor our psychiatrist welcomes a phone call in the middle of the night when terror jolts us from our slumbers.
The Paraclete, however, is always present and ready to help.

The Spirit of Truth keeps God's word alive and fresh through every changing circumstance.

That's what we need -- lives worth living:
faith to sustain us through good times & bad.
That's what Jesus offers. That's what the Paraclete gives.

As someone has said:
The true believer in the Holy Spirit is one who knows
how to hoist the sail of his own spirit to catch the winds of God. Ralph W. Sockman

Then KNOW that God GOES WITH YOU on that journey…adventure.

That life may NOT be a “romantic comedy” – BUT it WON’T be a disaster either.
By the power of the Holy Spirit that comes =
It could be a documentary of a faithful disciple with more rewards than scars.

Today is Good Shepherd Sunday – Jesus is likened to the GOOD Shepherd.
That is IN CONTRAST to a “HIRELING” – or a “Hired Hand” / “Man”.

We intuitively know there is a difference between the two workers.
Hired help isn’t always the most reliable…not always on time, looking for ways ‘out’.

Watching a hockey game on TV several (10) years ago.
There was a break-away and two-on-one situation coming down the ice.
The guy with the puck DEEKED the defenseman…who just fell into a pile.
It was a GREAT Deek. What I remember most is =
…announcer describing how great the move was & how bad the other guy got faked.
Then, during the re-play, he says…
“Look at that, WOW, he ‘went down like a hired-mans pants at quitting time’.”

Well, I just about spit my Coke all over myself.

Now, the UN-FAIR thing is – the defenseman wasn’t lazy – just really faked out.
It’s not that he didn’t care…he just couldn’t counter the “deek”.

BUT MY POINT IS = hired-help have a reputation for being = LESS THAN COMMITED
…DETACHED…MONEY-CENTERED…with SELF-INTEREST about work.
In other words, no Pride, no Commitment, no Investment in a “job”…and
…placing their own survival & advancement ahead of everything / anyone else.
____________________________________________________________________

Of course, JESUS brings this up for the purpose of saying HE IS NOT A HIRELING.
…that HE is the GOOD SHEPHERD…the real thing…with real concern for US sheep.

As the Good Shepherd = he reaches out to the Lost & Troubled sheep…
…he is Self-less and Generous,
…he is Compassionate and wants sheep to live without Fears or Doubts…
…he even LAYS DOWN HIS LIFE for the beloved sheep.

This is what he wants for his sheep.
He wants us to have the Faith & Confidence that the Psalmist had who wrote:

Read aloud: PSALM 23

But then we can take this all a step further:
Jesus wants us to be Good Shepherds to one another, as well…in His Name.

It is THIS POINT that struck me profoundly this week in preparation.
A lot of what we do in our HOMES, in our CHURCH, and in our NEIGHBORHOOD
…is SHEPHERDING.
We call it parenting…or teaching…or youth work…or being a good neighbor.
But it comes down to HAVING THE HEART OF A “SHEPHERD” FOR SHEEP…
TRYING TO PASS-ON THE FAITH.

It is on my mind because this Month of May seems to be all about our “children”.
 today is the First Communion opportunity for our 5th graders.
 Next Sunday is Mother’s Day,
 The next Sunday, Donna & I will be “marrying off” our third child.
 Sunday, May 24th is Confirmation Sunday for our 8th graders,
 The next Sunday, Senior Grad Recognition day (for high schoolers & college)

Yes, we have a REAL CONCERN – like Good Shepherds – for our Young People

This was emphasized for me with Liesa Stienmetz on Friday evening.
We went to a YOUTH Leadership meeting at our Lutheran church in LODI together.

The leader was talking about all the INGREDIENTS it takes for good Youth Ministry.
…ABOUT what it takes to be Shepherds to these young sheep.

 It begins with the congregation. Is such ministry / out-reach a PASSION?
Is there a desire to make children (and other adults) welcome, cared for & valued?

 Then, is youth ministry a PRIORITY for the congregation? Is it a “CORE Value”?

 Are there committed, competent & trained LEADERS?

 …SUPPORTED by committed, competent & trained VOLUNTEERS?
[ or, in terms of our Gospel this morning = is it just for “HIRED HANDS”? ]

 Then, we must answer: does the church SUPPORT and FOCUS on FAMILIES?

 Next Question: Do we FOSTER the values of RELATIONSHIP & COMMUNITY?

 AND Finally, do we OFFER Creative PROGRAMS for young people?

I know = I and the leaders and the congregation say YES to all of these.
We may not have all the INGREDIENTS in place…but we have the HEART for it.

And Jesus wants us to be the kind of Good Shepherds that HE is for us.
He wants to be the Shepherd for all these precious young people.

We just need to make the commitment to them – that Jesus makes to us…
…as The Good Shepherd…willing to make the SACRIFICES.

Hopefully many of you have seen the movie: MARCH OF THE PENQUINS…
…or have watched some nature show that documents their dedication.
The RITUAL is this: the SAME as they have for centuries…
All Summer – the Antarctica Emperor Penguins feast on fish in the ocean.

In Fall – they trek 70 miles inland to their breeding ground –

There, they choose mates and breed.

Once the mother produces a single, large egg – the father gathers it in – to shield it.

The mother, then, takes off for the ocean again.

For the next 2 months of Winter, the fathers incubate the eggs in freezing darkness

In Spring, the eggs hatch – as father & chick await the arrival of mothers to return.

It’s an astonishing, natural phenomenon in the midst of such hardships

Yet, it is not just Penguins that endure physical hardships for the sake of their families.

AS PARENTS love for their children, AND AS Congregation’s love of young people…
EACH IS TO MIRROR THE LOVE OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD FOR YOU & Me.

May YOU know & believe that Jesus is YOUR Shepherd:
 to love you fully & totally,
 who loves you regardless of cost,
 loves you without limit or condition,
 even though such love & sacrifice & devotion is NOT deserved or appreciated.

Just as those Penguins SOMEHOW know & listen for the parent’s & chick’s call…
May all we do here and in our homes…
HELP US and our CHILDREN to recognize Jesus’ VOICE
…over all the competing voices and noises around us.

THEN, may Jesus open your Ears and Mind and Heart –
…to know Jesus AS YOUR ‘GOOD SHEPHERD’.
__________________________________________________________________________________________

Chronologically – this is the 3rd Sunday AFTER Easter…
But our Gospel Lesson is still JUST that first evening of Easter Sunday.

Before this appearance, the Disciples were defeated & afraid, dis-spirited & confused.
They were scared to death…after having bet their lives on Jesus – and LOST big.
The Gospel describes them to us AS:
“…startled and terrified…” AND:
“…in their joy they were disbelieving and still wondering…”

MIRACULOUSLY, after this appearance, they will find courage to preach publicly on a street corner in Jerusalem -- to bring thousands of Jews into the Christian faith in a public baptism. They will go on to change the world – afraid of nothing.

However, that is getting way ahead of our “story” at this point. This isn’t Pentecost yet.

It is awful difficult to take “on” this WHOLE Passage – so I’d like to focus on one part:
GIVEN the circumstances and condition of the disciples,
how amazing is it – that Jesus will say to them = “YOU ARE MY WITNESSES…”

Granted – these 11 disciples HAD BEEN CHANGED ALREADY by Jesus –
(having been with him for the last 3 years)
BUT the transformation is NOT complete YET.

In other words, as the saying goes:
“they are not what they were, but they are not what they will become either.”

Right now – consumed with doubts = LIKE driving car with your foot on the brake.

They would have been “content” simply “speaking well of Jesus” for rest of lives =
for a limited audience and with little impact.

STORY OF LUIGI TARISIO – collector of 246 violins in attic… (& one Stradivarius)
(PT: the Good News {Gospel} needs not just to be CHERISHED, it needs to be TOLD)

THAT is the purpose of Jesus’ Resurrection appearances =
YOU are my Witnesses…I need you to be Ambassadors.
Greek word for “witness” is our word for “martyr” = offer / sacrifice self.
Jesus doesn’t want ARCHIEVERS…he needs ACTIVITISTS.

Until this time – they were preoccupied with their SHORTCOMINGS on Good Friday.

LIKE = story of boy whose father died, child concerned about hurting dad’s thumb.
Given 5 mins to tell dad, what would dad say? Kid guesses: “Quit worrying about it”

JESUS says “you are forgiven…accept my forgiveness…be encouraged…”

AND there will be a “POWER” from on high to accomplish ‘my’ great MISSION.

Resurrection is not just story of HOPE for the FUTURE…
…it is ALSO about your commission to participate in God’s PLAN of salvation.

It begins HERE…and extends to the whole WORLD.

See that, Jesus did NOT command the whole world to GO TO Church…
Jesus did command the Church to GO TO the WHOLE WORLD. 

TO DO THAT – we need to HAVE =
COURAGE (boldness) -
COMPASSION - and
CONVICTION. (that Jesus IS the Way, the Truth and the Light…)

And YOUR discipleship / WITNESS should result in CHRIST-LIKE-NESS:
“You will not stroll into Christlikeness with your hands in your pockets, shoving open the
door with a careless shoulder. Christ-like-ness & Discipleship is NOT a hobby for one’s
leisure moments, taken up at intervals when we have nothing else to do, to be put down &
forgotten when our life grows full & interesting. (A.J. Gossip)

Until then = the PROBLEM with Christians in America is =
- NOT that Christians are NOT WHERE they SHOULD be;
- the problem is they are NOT WHAT they should be RIGHT WHERE they are.
(Os Guinness)

The Resurrection of Jesus CUTS A NEW PATH through the JUNGLE OF LIFE.
Let us be BOLD & BELIEVING and CHANGED…
…as we move / transition from Blindness…to a new kind of VISION.

It the difference of believing Jesus is EITHER: a ‘dead martyr’ or “Living Presence”.

Let his ‘living presence’ OPEN, convince, and reveal to you all the Scripture says.

AMEN.

DARKNESS is a great and prevalent THEME in Scriptures:
 the ‘Angel of Death’ came at night for the first-born Egyptians,
 Nicodemus came to Jesus at night because he was curious and afraid,
 Judas brought the armed guard to capture Jesus in the Garden… at night.
 NOW Mary began her trek to the tomb at night-time, at dusk & first light breaking.

BUT she will FIND at that Garden Tomb = that the DARKNESS was ROLLED AWAY.
By a mighty quake at “day-break”… the Power of Darkness was broken.
…and THEN the Light of God began to shine supreme. It was a Surprising Outcome.

You see, “EASTER” is not ‘born’ in the Sunlight; “EASTER” is ‘born’ in the Dark.
And it STILL COMES to us in the Dark…in whatever ‘dark place’ may be - in your life.
It can be a fearful / painful / uncertain “place” for you and your loved ones.
However, the power of Darkness & Death is broken by the Resurrection of Jesus.

And the SAME LORD who came to his Disciples…stands ready to come to YOU…TO
…TO EXPELL the Darkness and Death-dealing & Death-dwelling from your life.
____________________________________________________________________

Isn’t that what was happening to Molly and Ray in that doctor’s waiting room?
Their life was being CHALLENGED…but
…the experience brought them some clarity, some light, some hope.

Of course, we wonder AND want to know WHAT the blood test results are…but we don’t.
We know what the “happy ending” would be…
…and we know what the “USUAL ENDING” is…don’t we?

However, even without the “ending” –
we know there had already been a SURPRISING OUTCOME.
God was at work in their lives bringing WHOLENESS & CLOSENESS, if not HEALING.

Through their journey with Cancer – esp RAY had experienced the Resurrection HOPE
The LIGHT had dawned on him and he was sharing it with MOLLY.
And that Light REVEALS the Ultimate and Final ASSURANCE of God’s POWER…
…even Power over Dying…Death…and a TOMB.

Too often we are LESS than CONFIDENT in circumstances and tombs.
Psychologist William Marston asked 3000 people this question:
“What do you have to live for?”

Can you imagine that 94% responded that they were MERELY ENDURING their lives?
Each was HOPING things would get BETTER…SOMEDAY.
How sad is that?
…To live with only a glimmer of hope that their FUTURE would be
BETTER than their PAST or PRESENT.
They certainly have low expectations of Life …or of God.

But we Christians believe – like PETER preached – that =
…despite the fact that Jesus REALLY died…and was even buried…
…He was RAISED by God …providing the Surprising Outcome we only hope for.

AND, not only is Jesus Raised by God…
…WE are promised to ALSO be raised from death to BE WITH God and Jesus.

As that survey graphically indicates =
Many people, too many people SEE only a HOPELESS END…to life.
However, AS CHRISTIANS…we are to SEE and to HAVE an ENDLESS HOPE.

We’re to have an END-LESS HOPE – BECAUSE
we know the God of Surprising Outcomes.
Jesus TRIED to prepare his Disciples and OTHERS for this…
…and he TRIES to prepare US for this ‘Surprising Outcome’ as well.

HOW surprising & unpredictable was Jesus? Throughout his life he was “surprising”:

 He surprised the Pharisees because he didn’t ritually ‘wash’ before a meal.

 He surprised Nicodemus by saying he needed to be “born anew” to know God.

 He surprised the Disciples by talking to a Samaritan Woman by that well,

 He surprised Pilate by dying so quickly. AND, lastly:

 He surprised all his disciples & friends who came to the Tomb to find him.

The Matthew account says:
“The women were Frightened and YET very Happy,
as they Hurried from the tomb and Ran to Tell his Disciples.”

These two emotions co-exist at times in our lives, don’t they?
Remember how you felt
 when you graduated from High School or College?
 when you got married, OR
 when your children were born? …or your grandchildren? 
We are overwhelmed…with BOTH…a spirit of Celebration and of Responsibility.

Those two emotions should go together TOO when we hear about Jesus’ resurrection.
THEN, after that, it should be a part of your faithful life from then on…
BECAUSE Jesus has more surprises for you – in the “waiting rooms” of Life.
Once you are familiar with the Works and Ways of God – you should realize
GOD NEVER WORKS IN WAYS YOU CAN EVER FULLY ANTICIPATE.
Because God is ACTIVE in our lives and in our world…
…there are thousands of stories with UNEXPECTED RESULTS, and
…the TRIUMPH of Life over Death… and over Living Hells.

Most stories are rather “ordinary” – But some are extra-ordinary.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

LIKE the story of “little Annie” of many decades ago.

“Little Annie” was clinically judged hopelessly INSANE.
As a young girl she was kept in a CAGE on the lowest level of a Boston asylum.
She was confined to a damp, dark basement.
{ Oh oh, there’s that “darkness” theme AGAIN ! Watch out now! }
She lived in that cage with little Light and even less Hope.
In fact, “Little Annie” was like an unpredictable animal.
At times, she would violently attack anyone who came near her.
At other times, she appeared DAZED & SEEMINGLY UNAWARE of anyone’s presence.

Into this “dark dungeon” of “Little Annie’s” world CAME AN ELDERLY NURSE.
This nurse had a special compassion for this Hopeless cause.
So this elderly nurse began to eat her lunch just outside of Annie’s cage.
The child gave no indication that she even noticed the woman.

One day, the nurse left some brownies just outside “Little Annie’s” cage.
The little girl did not seem to care.
The nurse left them there anyway…and on her return, the brownies would be gone.

This became a regular appointment for these two people.
Each week the nurse brought brownies for Annie.
Sooner than later, the two began to EAT LUNCH TOGETHER…
…and the ‘hopeless cause’ began to talk to the nurse.
Shortly, the doctors began to notice a change in the young girl.
Then they moved her UP to the Main Floor.
There she began to show great improvement.
After several years of treatment – it was felt she was well enough to return HOME.

However, this “hopeless cause” decided she wanted to stay at the Asylum.
She wanted to HELP OTHERS who were without hope…as she had been helped.

Eventually, Annie helped many such ‘causes’ INCLUDING – one: HELEN KELLER.
You see, “Little Annie” was Anne Sullivan – now known as the MIRACLE WORKER.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

You and I are not INSANE – but we are SINNERS.
However, even though we are sinners…
Because of the Love of God and the Love of Jesus – we are Redeemed Sinners.

THAT makes all the difference in the world.
Now YOU can HOPE in the God of OTHER & More Surprising Outcomes.

YOU DO have something to LIVE FOR.
You don’t have to live – thinking all there is ahead …is a HOPELESS END.

You may have an END-LESS HOPE that Jesus GIVES as a GIFT to all who believe.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

As our Bishop – Bishop Bruce Burnside – writes in his Easter GREETING to his Flock
of the Easter Gospel and Message:

There is No word more hopeful,
No promise more pivotal,
No event more stunning,
No claim more astonishing…than “He IS Risen”.

This echo from the Tomb reverberates through
the canyons of time & the valleys of our own lives –
IT IS THE CRUX & CORE of our Christian Faith.

Christ is Risen from the Dead.
So pivotal is this that there is an ANCIENT REFRAIN and RESPONSE in the Church.

We began our Service with it = Christ is Risen. YOU = HE IS RISEN INDEED.
Let’s say again, lets say it together: Christ is Risen. HE IS RISEN INDEED.

In those words there is HOPE for tomorrow. Christ is Risen. HE IS RISEN INDEED.

In that refrain there is a daring courage to believe what is barely imaginable.
Christ is Risen. HE IS RISEN INDEED.

He is Risen to make the troubled – blest,
the fearful – calm, and
the restless – content.
Christ is Risen. HE IS RISEN INDEED.

AMEN.

For the 7:30am SUNRISE Service (Message) - below
we Christians believe – like PETER preached – that =
…despite the fact that Jesus REALLY died…and was even buried…
…He was RAISED by God …providing the Surprising Outcome we only hope for.

AND, not only is Jesus Raised by God… The GIFT:
…WE are promised to ALSO be raised from death to BE WITH God and Jesus.

Many people, too many people SEE to life only a HOPELESS END…
However, AS CHRISTIANS…we are to SEE and to HAVE an ENDLESS HOPE.

We’re to have an END-LESS HOPE – BECAUSE
we know the God of Surprising Outcomes.
Jesus TRIED to prepare his Disciples and OTHERS for this…
…and he TRIES to prepare US for this ‘Surprising Outcome’ as well.

Once you are familiar with the Works and Ways of God – you should realize
GOD NEVER WORKS IN WAYS YOU CAN EVER FULLY ANTICIPATE.
Because God is ACTIVE in our lives and in our world…
…there are thousands of stories with UNEXPECTED RESULTS, and
…the TRIUMPH of Life over Death… and over Living Hells.

CONCLUSION:
As our Bishop – Bishop Bruce Burnside – writes in his Easter GREETING to his Flock
of the Easter Gospel and Message:

There is No word more hopeful, ~ No promise more pivotal,
No event more stunning, ~ No claim more astonishing…than “He IS Risen”.

This echo from the Tomb reverberates through
the canyons of time & the valleys of our own lives –
IT IS THE CRUX & CORE of our Christian Faith.

Christ is Risen from the Dead.
So pivotal is this that there is an ANCIENT REFRAIN and RESPONSE in the Church.

We began our Service with it = Christ is Risen. YOU = HE IS RISEN INDEED.
Say it with me again, lets say it together: Christ is Risen. HE IS RISEN INDEED.

In those words there is HOPE for tomorrow. Christ is Risen. HE IS RISEN INDEED.

In that refrain there is a daring courage to believe what is barely imaginable.
Christ is Risen. HE IS RISEN INDEED.

We wonder, don’t we, IF ANYONE EVER feels ALONE, ISOLATED, or ANGUISHED,
IF OTHERS have your PHYSICAL PAIN, or are CONFUSED.
Our actors this evening did a great job of portraying that…
…each with their own issues & experiences conflicting with the words of their script.
Those were not “easy” parts to play-act.

BUT, of course, they EACH MADE THE POINT – in their own way – that
OUR LORD, JESUS, DOES INDEED UNDERSTAND THEM Individually.

Jesus became one of us = he became flesh & blood and moved into our neighborhood.
Jesus was “true God” but, even more amazingly, Jesus was “TRUE MAN”.
 He was MIS-UNDERSTOOD,
 He was BETRAYED and SOLD-OUT, and
 He FACED his DEATH with RESOLVE and PURPOSE.

Because he was “true man” … because of his human- being… HE WAS ALSO:
Hungry / Thirsty / Tired / Tempted / EMOTIONALLY MOVED / DENIED.

Very UNLIKELY for a SAVIOR, really…unlikely for thee Son of God.
BUT ~ Jesus became “one of us” = TO SAVE US.

Some can’t believe / can’t understand / can’t accept THAT God became “true man”.
However, it is so fundamental to our theology of Salvation that
anyone who believes or teaches OTHERWISE is called a HERETIC…
…EVEN as well-meaning as they may be…in trying to explain God to us.

Some HERESEYS over the centuries, have been that:
 Jesus was not really God, OR
 That God ADOPTED Jesus after he SHOWED himself WORTHY, AND
 That the Cosmic Christ CAME ON to possess the man Jesus at his Baptism AND
DEPARTED just before the man Jesus was Crucified.

All such heresies minimize the Life and Mission of our Lord, Jesus.
And THAT LIFE & MISSION was to “aid” us and to “SAVE US”.

You see, the Christ wasn’t sitting around Heaven and
SUDDENLY decided to become a human.
NO, He didn’t RISK Life and Limb for the THRILL of it.
Christ came to DESTROY the Power and Works of the Devil.
To do that – he had to have FIRST HAND Experience and Involvement in this life.

SO Jesus moved into our Neighborhood (on earth) to Destroy the ONE WHO was
Wreaking HAVOC on the rest of us neighbors.
ONLY Jesus is able to DESTROY the one who DEALS IN DEATH, AND
Only Jesus can FREE us from being DOMINATED by Death.

Jesus FREES US from Fearing Death and ENABLES us to LIVE Life Abundantly.
As St. Paul describes it:
“‘Death has been swallowed up in Victory’… ‘Where, O death, is your Sting?’
…God gives us the Victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (I Cor 15:54-57)

THAT is the FAITH we have in the face of the Devil’s Death-Dealing.
It is the Gospel we preach at funerals.

It is the KIND OF FAITH that BELIEVES =
 IN HEAVEN Jesus is PREPARING at Place for us, AND
 HERE & NOW Jesus is PREPARING us for that Place.
THEN we can rise above our current circumstances – whatever they may be.

In addition to SAVING us ~ Jesus came to HELP us.
He ministered and ministers to our needs as described in that Hebrews Lesson…
…where Jesus is identified as OUR GREAT HIGH PRIEST.
Jesus does NOT perform his “duties” like the Priests in the Temple…
…who minister WITHOUT Mercy or Empathy. They just did their “DUTY”.

But Jesus was not that OUT OF TOUCH with people.
He is merciful because he experienced Life FULLY.

AND, BECAUSE he knew HEAVEN too =
HE is the only one to SHOW US ~ the Way ~ the Truth ~ and the Life.

Jesus ALSO OPENS the Door to Heaven for us.
Before then – that Door was LOCKED.
It was LOCKED because God HATES Sin.
SO When we sin, we stir God’s Wrath against us.

However, when Jesus, who was without sin, DIED on the Cross,
(we explain it this way) = HE satisfied God’s Wrath against sin.

Because God can not Wink-at-our-Sin = Jesus PAID THE PRICE of His Wrath.
Jesus DID SO out of LOVE for God and for us.
That is why he is the Great High Priest for us now.
Thank God, Jesus came to both ~ HELP and SAVE us.

CONCLUSION:

SO ~ WHEN life gets …confusing or treacherous…
…and the seas are tempestuous…
…and WHEN, as a matter of survival,
someone yells: “Tie yourselves to the Mast”…
YOU will know to HOLD ONTO Christ…to hold onto the Christian Faith.

All other ‘supports’ and ‘options’ will FAIL.

But Christ will see you THROUGH because Jesus has been THROUGH it ALL too.

It is that which we are reminded of by His PASSION these last days of his Life.
It was the Price he was willing to PAY for each of you.

It is that CURE FOR SIN that we sing of now in our Hymn – this GOOD FRIDAY.

John 3:16 is perhaps one of the most beloved and well known passages in the Bible.
Most people EMBRACE it and CELEBRATE the way God SHOWS His Love for world.

HOWEVER, others RESIST…they turn away AND hide from that message.
They JUST CAN’T BELIEVE WHAT God is doing by sending Jesus into our midst.
They are AFRAID Jesus will come & EXPOSE what they are doing.
…SO these people do their best to Shut God OUT of their lives.

Ain’t nobody – including Jesus – gonna convince them that =
GOD is NOT a Cosmic Judge or Tyrannt who relishes punishing us for our sins.
They are SO CONVINCED of it = they ‘run from the Light’ like cockroaches do.

In other words – some people CAN’T BELIEVE that God would freely give a GIFT.
They figure that God is up to some SINISTER PLOT…
…that God must have ulterior motives…
…that God is trying to make us feel guilty before He condemns us.

But – the truth is – IT IS NOT GOD WHO CONDEMNS US.
It is WE who condemn ourselves…
…we condemn ourselves IF we REFUSE to accept what God has given to us.

We are condemned NOT because God has JUDGED US…
…BUT because WE have JUDGED Ourselves.

Perhaps THAT is why C.S. Lewis said:
“The damned, in one sense, are successful rebels to the end…[because]
the doors of Hell are locked [from] the INSIDE.”

OR, as someone else has said: {James Michener, in Space}
“An AGE is called DARK – NOT because the Light fails to shine, but
[it is dark] because people refuse to see the Light.”

That is what Nicodemus was struggling with – this student & teacher of the LAW.
He didn’t “refuse” to see the LIGHT… he just couldn’t ‘ADJUST’ to the LIGHT.

He would have to “give up” too much of his religious training & heritage.
His “DARKNESS” was “more comfortable & familiar” – than the ‘God-Light’ of Jesus.

So Nicodemus was not prepared to MAKE that kind of CHANGE in his “thinking”.
STILL – he had his suspicions…figured he was onto something…talking to Jesus.

BUT – he couldn’t make YET that final LEAP of FAITH needed to “switch sides”.
You know how it is ~ once you are “convinced” of something…
 that a co-worker or boss has it ‘out for you’, OR
 that your kids are trying to get your goat, OR
 that THAT political party is demonic…
…WE ARE HARD TO CONVINCE OTHERWISE.

But THAT is EXACTLY WHY Jesus came and dwelt among us…
…to CONVINCE US OTHERWISE…with LOVE.

That is why I love THE MESSAGE translation of the Bible by Eugene Peterson.
Sometimes when we hear a passage JUST a BIT Differently – it makes ‘more’ sense.

Let’s take, for example, not verse 16, but verse 17, which we read earlier as:
“Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world,
But in order that the world might be saved through him.” (NIV)

However, in THE MESSAGE, it reads this way =
“God didn’t go to all the TROUBLE of sending His Son MERELY to
POINT an ACCUSING Finger…telling the world how BAD it was.
God came to help, to put the world RIGHT again.”

Don’t you see, God sent Jesus to RELEASE us from the Prison of our SINS.
…God sent Jesus to RESCUE us from the Punishment of our SINS.

EXAMPLE:
It reminds of something all too common in this day & age - a CAR CHASE in California.
Maybe you remember it…if you watch Reality TV or read the newspaper closely.

Police were staging an INTENSE SEARCH / Dragnet for a STOLEN CAR Thief.
Police ran announcements on local radio stations – in case the thief was listening.
They even posted the vehicle description on the AMBER ALERT highway signs.

WHY all this FUSS?
 was it to recover the stolen VW Bug?
 was it to catch the car thief?
 was it to generate VIEWERS for a live TV car-chase?

NO, none of the above. The MOST COMPELLING REASON WAS =

On the front seat of that vehicle was a BOX OF CRACKERS…laced with Rat Poison.

The owner of the vehicle had those crackers on the front seat cuz he was taking them
to one of his properties…to set out for an infestation of RATS…when car was stolen.

Thus, the owner & police were more interested in catching this car thief
TO SAVE HIS LIFE… rather than to RECOVER THE CAR.
DO YOU SEE the similarity with our Gospel Lesson today = John 3:16 and 17 ????

 TOO OFTEN we are LIKE that CAR-THEIF trying to ESCAPE the police…
…while we are ACTUALLY ELUDING our RESCUE.

 TOO OFTEN we RUN FROM GOD to “escape” His PUNISHMENT…
…when He is really coming to SAVE us.

That’s what Nicodemus had trouble ADJUSTING TO – about that 2nd birth Conversion.

All Circumstantial EVIDENCE to the CONTRARY =
 God is NOT ABOUT Death & Destruction, BUT
 God is ALL ABOUT Life and Restoration…for us…all people…and for Creation.

God SEEKS = to MAINTAIN and RESTORE Life,
= to HEAL the Broken…and the Broken-Hearted,
= to RAISE UP those WHO have fallen down & those who are pushed aside.

In other words…Jesus comes to tell us = we’re GOD’S CHILDREN…he loves so much.

Jesus TELLS us = He DIDN’T COME to REVEAL our SIN…
…He CAME to REVEAL God’s FORGIVENESS.

HOWEVER…because of our SIN and IMMATURITY…we MIS-READ God’s INTENT.

It is LIKE a PARENT…
…trying to remove a SPLINTER from a hurting, crying child’s finger.

God, as the ‘parent’, does NOT want to compound the child’s pain.

EVEN SO, God has to HOLD our Lives up to the LIGHT so that God can
take away what has gotten UNDER our SKIN and INFECTED us. (Doug Mills)

Let us, in the Season of LENT, repent of our MIS-READING & Mis-Understanding God.

Let us REALIZE that SIN has gotten under our skin and, NOT ONLY INFECTED us,
…it has AFFLICTED us and even CONSUMED us.

Then – let us be aware that GOD has COME to RESCUE & CURE us as well.

Then, though Nicodemus was unable to comprehend it…
We will know = LIFE THAT IS ABUNDANT AND ETERNAL IS
THE LIFE THAT IS RECEIVED AS A GIFT – AFTER THAT 2ND BIRTH –
AND IT IS LIVED BY FAITH.

Wednesday, March 18 – THEME: Pursue Support Relationships with Other Believers (#3)
Drama: “SUPER MOM” Two wives / mothers conversing (2, 20-somethings)
Carol (“frazzled”): CARRIE JUDD Sue (“together”): THERESA JUDD

The CONCEPT of “Supportive Relationships” or “TEAMWORK”
has been around a long time.
Early-on in the Old Testament we read about:
 Moses and Aaron,
 Joshua and Caleb,
 Naomi and Ruth,
 David and Jonathan
 And DANIEL and his 3 friends (Shadrack, Meshach, & ‘into-bed-we-go’).

Moses even shared his Leadership and Authority with Elders helping him JUDGE…
…3000 years ago, at the suggestion of his father-in-law (Zipporah’s father).

SO ALSO in the New Testament – JESUS called together & developed
a TEAM of men to be supportive & encouraging while demonstrating His power.
Jesus selected 12 men into whom he poured his life.
He didn’t teach them everything HE knew – but he did teach ‘em all they knew.

And within that select group of 12, Jesus had a “sub-group” who supported HIM.
Besides these, Jesus also sent out a group of 70 who PAIRED UP
…to prepare people for Jesus’ coming into their cities & for the Coming Kingdom.

After Jesus was raised, during the establishing of the early Church,
MORE TEAMS were sent out =
 Peter & James,
 Paul & Barnabas,
 Paul & Silas,
 Paul & Timothy, and let’s not forget:
 Aquila and Priscilla.

DO YOU SEE THE PATTERN? ….Because God knows we need OTHERS in our lives.
We are NOT designed to “Go It Alone”
EVEN GOD made a suitable helper for ADAM in the Garden.

Unfortunately, there are those in the history of Christianity who have littered
the battlefields with their lives and ministries BECAUSE they chose to go-it-alone.

They got into some kind of TROUBLE because they tried to go-it-alone.
They became ISOLATED, then they were tempted or became weary, and they “fell”.
ON THE OTHER HAND ~ How many do you know WHO are
Closet-Christians…or Private-Christians – who are really ‘Inactive-Christians’
who are NOT DOING any Visible work-for-God. They are ‘going-it-alone’ ALSO.

What God NEEDS are Christians who are ACTIVE & COMMITTED & CONNECTED.

And, to BE AMONG THAT NUMBER, you need Christian Friends BESIDE you.
You need some Christians in your CADRE of friends…you need “friends” on your list.

I.

Interesting, wasn’t it, how “Friendship” & its value is spoken of in the Old Testament.

In Ecclesiastes the importance is LIFTED UP and almost “home-spun” advise:
“You are better off to have a friend than to be alone,
because then you will get more enjoyment out of what you earn.”

Like our project over at Dave’s = you will also get MORE DONE…working with friends.

EX = Bill Melvin tells about a HORSE PULL he attended in Canada.
ONE horse pulled 9,000 pounds, ANOTHER managed 8,000 pounds.
Together one would expect them to pull 17,000 pounds. Yes?
BUT NOT SO.
When yoked together – those two horses pulled 30,000 pounds.

The principle is that = together we have GREATER EFFECT
than we are able to muster with just INDIVIDUAL EFFORT.

In other words, WHEN WE TEAM-UP – our Ability to do Kingdom Work is ENHANCED.

II.

Ecclesiastes ALSO says:
“If you fall, your friend can help you up.
BUT if you fall without a friend nearby, you are really in trouble.”

Yes, having a “friend” CONNECTS US and SUPPORTS US.

Some of you already know that – especially our older members.
They may NOT have “Life-Line” – (or whatever that automated / electronic system is)
BUT they know who they can call for help…at any HOUR… for a ride to the hospital.

We all need such a “HELPING HAND” – like “Carol” (Carrie) in our little drama.

The “FALL” that Ecclesiastes is talking about IS NOT JUST about a ‘physical’ fall.
A “FALL” can also be EMOTIONAL or RELATIONAL / SOCIAL or SPIRITUAL.

And when we need such “help” – we don’t want to be Judged or Shamed or Shunned.
III.
The Wisdom author also wrote:
“If you sleep alone, you won’t have anyone to keep you warm on a cold night.”

Normally I wouldn’t touch ‘that’ with a ten-foot-pole…BUT
let us consider this “old preacher’s tale” – which you may have heard (tho not lately?)

EX = The pastor goes to visit an Inactive Member one winter eve.
They have known each other for a long time.

There was kind of an awkward silence –
because the old-member knew why pastor was there.
In that informal time, they both “STARED AT THE FIRE IN THE FIREPLACE.”

The Pastor was inspired…so he went over to the hearth, pick up the log-roller / pic,
and rolled one of the burning embers off to one side. Then he sat back down.

As they both gazed at that EMBER – it slowly lost its flame,
… then the Ember became dark, -- and eventually it was extinguished.

It had died of separation and starvation. REALIZING THIS:

The old-member then stood up – extended his hand to shake with the Pastor…
…and said, “Excellent point, Pastor, thank you for your visit & concern.
I will see you in church THIS Sunday. I Promise”

You see, the OLD-MAN was reminded of the lesson THAT
such pieces of logs BURN & GLOW WHEN they are with the rest of the firewood.

In addition to being NEXT TO OTHERS –
WE NEED EACH OTHER TO FAN-THE-FLAMES OF PASSION for Kingdom work.

IV.

More ADVISE from Ecclesiastes = (this time: verse 12)
“Someone might be able to beat up on one of you, but not BOTH of you.”

You have heard of “Holy Alliances” – BUT THERE ARE “UN-HOLY ALLIANCES” too.
There are people, everywhere and anywhere, who GANG-UP on you or others:
…in homes… in classrooms / schools…workplaces... the office…the assembly-line…
…the church…communities…the banks & Wall Street…Congress…& other nations.

SO – sometimes we need to make DEFENSIVE ALLIANCES with friends…
…so we don’t get too “beat up” …together.
However,
such Alliances ALSO provide us with some assurance of ACCOUNTABILITY too.
As CHRISTIANS – we need BOTH Alliances for: Defense and Accountability.

Remember at Summer Camp – on the Lakefront you’d have the BUDDY SYSTEM.

And when I was doing that fundraiser for Confirmation Camp – losing weight =
I had my own little “Cheering Section” –
- Donna, when she wasn’t saying, “geez, you men” AND
- Lucinda, who seemed real eager to tote that scale back & forth to church. 

We all need encouragement, don’t we, AND allies against the forces against us.

V.

Our Author of this Book of Wisdom ends with the familiar axiom =
“A rope made from three strands is hard to break.”

Hopefully we are, as families and as a congregation, we are
TRYING TO WEAVE OUR ENERGIES & IDEAS TOGETHER for the common good.

Such efforts pay-off when we DO THAT WEAVING to seek Solutions.

Some of those issues in our life together are financial problems.
But MANY other things get mixed in as well – as we are given opportunities to be
NEIGHBORS to each other…and fellow MEMBERS in the Body of Christ.

MAY ALL THOSE CHALLENGES DRAW UP TOGETHER – NOT PULL US APART.

That is why – this week – you are encouraged to Commit yourself to a Prayer Partner.

{ SEE BULLETIN INSERT for info & ideas…like Carol & Sue [ Carrie & Theresa ]. }

Such a partnership MIGHT JUST BE what you need at this time…
IF and WHEN you don’t know what to DO…on all the roads of life that lead to Calvary.

Remember = Jesus has gone THERE before you & knows all the Banes & Blessings.
And HE invites you to take these things to him in Prayer.

Then, MAYBE, you CAN be and WILL BE the KIND of Friend you’d like to have.

Wed, Mar 11 – THEME: Embrace the Great Promises of God’s Word
Drama: “MANUAL LABOR” Father struggles doing / Daughter reads instructions book
Dad & Mom: DAN & MARIANNE BAUMGARTEN Daughter: HALEY SELJE

Tonight our “family vignette” – of a father being out-smarted by a teenager –
is not that uncommon to many of us…well, concerning electronics, at least.
You may keep all those sheets & manuals & booklets that come with appliances & toys
…BUT NOT to consult in assembling or in operating…but for TROUBLE-SHOOTING.

Yes, you may need it when something goes wrong or you need the mailing address.
Of course, had the instructions been consulted earlier –
the trouble may have been AVOIDED…rather than the warranty VOIDED.

Perhaps IMPATIENCE or PRIDE take over an (male) “ego” and you bulldoze ahead…
…sometimes creating a “big wake” around you that impacts others (& yourself).

For those few / rare occasions when I have consulted the Instructions - its been helpful.
Most recently – I purchased a leaf blower / vac in October…from Sears…AGAIN.
But this one looked different from the last one.
And STARTING IT proved “interesting” – it didn’t have a “primer” / choke lever…
…and the routine to ‘start’ was quite particular. BUT I CONQUERED IT, sorta.
Yes, the DIRECTIONS were clear and accurate…and the machine worked.
THOSE ILLUSTRATORS were worth EVERY PENNY (the 99) they got from me. 

WELL, let’s get to our THEME for this Lenten evening service =
EMBRACE THE PROMISES OF GOD’S WORD.
The Bible is not – technically – God’s “Instruction Manual” for carefree use of life.
But it does have some similarities…on the surface.

Still by way of comparison = the IMPLICIT PROMISE of any “Instruction Manual” is
that your “job” will go more Quickly…Efficiently…and Effectively if you FOLLOW ‘em.

Of course – that implies and necessitates that YOU TRUST those Instructions.
“TRUST” is a fundamental feature.
Even so, we have some reason(s) to DIS-BELIEVE some promises…
Given our Economy & Environmental issues…
are you NOT having some trouble sitting through those commercials
on the TV machine lately…by Banks & Energy Companies…
Apparently THEY are not the ones who have caused this Collapse nor Global Warming
REALLY? These companies are so “SMOOTH” when they control the Message.
But – we have some reason to Dis-Believe…at least be SKEPTICAL, right?
You know the old saying: “Fool me once, shame on YOU,
Fool me TWICE, shame on ME.”

…Besides, we’ve all been lied to along the way…sometimes by our children, no?

EX = That reminds me of the father, on a Friday night, who
told his teenage daughter to be home by midnight with the car in the driveway.

The next morning – when she woke up at noon & came downstairs –
the Father asked her WHAT TIME she got home.
She nonchalantly replied, “Oh it was a little after midnight.”
HE asked = “HOW MUCH LATER?”

SHE: “Not too much, I promise. WHY? Don’t you believe me?”

The Father ended the conversation with this little / amusing observation =
“Well, I guess I will have to talk to the paper boy and tell him to
STOP PUTTING THE NEWSPAPER UNDER YOUR CAR TIRE.”

Yes, we all have reasons to NOT BELIEVE SOME Promises or Promise-Makers.

UNFORTUNATLY, TOO OFTEN when it comes to God and God’s PROMISES…
…God is our “LAST STAND”…and NOT our FIRST STEP.

In other words, God is OUR TROUBLE-SHOOTER to get us out of Problems that
we run INTO = for NOT Following His Directions in the first place.

SO ~ today we emphasize the THEME = Embrace the Great Promises of God’s Word.

I.

To do this WE MUST FIRST EMBRACE THE PROMISE-MAKER.

That is difficult – esp IF you don’t have a personal experience of the Promise-MAKER.

And it’s difficult – IF, knowing the Promise-Maker, you HAVE NOT trusted his Word.

By analogy = think of those kids that do Sky-Diving & Sky-Surfing.
They USE the laws of Gravity and Physics to perform stunts in the air.

THEY use them in ways I AM NOT Comfortable with…nor do I really understand them.

Besides, were I to do it = I would have to trust:
 not only the Natural Laws of aerodynamics, but also
 my own ability (that I do not think I have), AND ALSO, I’d have to TRUST
 the parachute PACKER.
However – THOSE are not “issues” or “problems” for these young dare-devils.
IT WORKS FOR THEM.
As hard as it is for me to ‘do’ what they ‘do’…
IT MIGHT BE AS HARD FOR THEM TO:
 “turn the other cheek”, or
 “take up their cross and follow Jesus”, or
 “lean into their pain of grief”, or
 “repent of their short-comings to receive forgiveness…AS ”hard” PERHAPS.
Compare other features of “trust” (doing) in Second Lesson from Peter.)

However, I KNOW the VALUE of those ACTS because I have experienced blessings.
I have also seen how others have TURNED THEIR LIFE AROUND doing those things.

BUT ~ before you “get there” ~ you HAVE TO KNOW & TRUST THE PROMISE-MAKER.

II.

NEXT, you have to KNOW THE PROMISES that have been MADE.
Of course, I should not have to mention that, THOSE Promises are in the Bible.

It contains PROMISES TO the
– the Afflicted & the Anxious,
– the Humble & the Hurting,
– the Sinner, and the Seeker.

Wherever you are in the Journey of Faith…
…there is a God-Promise to CHALLENGE you and DRAW you to…
…another LEVEL of Trusting the Promise-Maker.

Knowing WHERE the Promises ARE – and WHAT the Promises ARE
are necessary if you want to hold onto them = WHEN life gets confusing or
OR = WHEN your life gets out-of-control…and you don’t know what to do.

BECAUSE some people DO NOT KNOW WHAT God’s Promises are
and they DO NOT KNOW WHERE God’s Promises are…
…they may turn to other World Religions, OR
To Eastern Mystics, To New-Age Spiritualists,
To alcohol or drugs, OR
To idolized Angels…for messages to make decisions.

HOWEVER, they cannot ultimately “Deliver” or even “Satisfy” – they’re Human-Made.

There IS ANOTHER PATH though…another Way that CAN NOURISH & SATISFY
such Longings and Needs.

It is the GOD of the Old and New Testaments…who CAME to REVEAL Himself.
It was THIS SAME GOD that:
 Drove Abraham out of his homeland to seek a different Life.
 Sustained Joseph when he was sold into slavery in Egypt.
 Who lead the Hebrews in their Conquest of the Land of Canaan.
 Who suffered with Jesus on the Cross…AND who
 Was with Paul & all the Apostles as they went into all the known world with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

God was there each time – AND MORE OFTEN – revealing himself.

We also believe that God revealed himself MOST CLEARLY in Jesus Christ…
…WHOM we KNOW AS the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

The WRITTEN and LIVING WORD OF GOD is always NEAR…and Knocking.

And we still need to HEAR from Him and be LEAD by Him.
We may be BIGGER than former generations and races,
and we may TRAVEL faster…and…LIVE Longer…BUT…
we are STILL the same God-Created and God-Needing people we’ve always been.

Like St Augustine said of God & our hearts, “We will not REST, until we rest IN YOU.”

To us God has already:
 REVEALED what is ESSENTIAL;
 Given INSTRUCTIONS for our Journey; AND (Troubles)
 PROVIDED ways of OVERCOMING any & all the OBSTACLES along the way.

Everything we need God provides –

 IF we are not TOO IMPATIENT or filled with PRIDE.

 IF we will EMBRACE the PROMISE-MAKER,

 KNOW WHERE His Promises are found, AND

 BELIEVE His Promises…

 …and TRUST His Promises…AS IF OUR LIVES DEPENDED ON THEM.

After all, God gave His Word & His Promises SO THAT we could NAVIGATE Life
more efficiently and effectively and, even, happily.

WC Fields was “wrong” – He should NOT have been reading the Bible…
…(in his old-age) merely to look for LOOPHOLES.
Let US READ God’s WORD…then TRUST God’s Word…and FOLLOW God’s Word.

…Then your days will be long upon the Land which the Lord our God has given you…

Our Gospel is a familiar text – part of familiar episodes occurring at the “same” time…
 where Jesus asks Peter, “who do YOU say that I am”, and
 Peter on the Mount of Transfiguration with Jesus – we heard 2 Sundays ago.

It is so very important HERE as we are so near the beginning of our Lenten journey.
These particular “episodes” in Jesus’ life happen, in Mark’s Gospel, at MID-POINT.
Up until now, Jesus’ popularity and impact have been GROWING.
After this point – it steadily goes downward – like a bad-fiscal chart.
People start “dropping away” from Jesus because of his words and the opposition.

BUT, for now, Peter wants the WAVE to continue to CREST.
So he REBUKES Jesus for being so “negative”…with this “suffering & rejection” talk.
He thinks there is ‘still a buck to be made’ by continuing with the Miracles & Parables.

And – just as pleased as we were this past Wednesday to hear Jesus rebuke
the critics of the woman who poured expensive perfume on Jesus at dinner –
We are surprised, at least, that Jesus NOW REBUKES Peter.

WHY? Because Peter has the “wrong” kind of Vision of what the Messiah will be.
HE THINKS the Kingdom of God can be ushered in “pain-less-ly”.
HE THINKS the Son of God should be ALL POWERFUL and UNTOUCHED by PAIN.
Besides, WHO is going to want to “follow” an unsuccessful “messiah”?

In fact, Jesus REBUKES Peter in the same way Jesus rebukes DEMONS he casts out.
WHY? Apparently, Jesus’ definition of “Messiah” is the exact OPPOSITE of Peter’s.

And Peter looks ahead and says = this isn’t what I wanted when I signed-on.

It REMINDS me of a great little story a friend, Mark Trotter, tells
ABOUT GEORGENE JOHNSON of Cleveland, Ohio, a number of years ago.
{42 y/o, trained for 10K race…got in Marathon group…“this isn’t the ‘race’ I trained for”

Has THAT ever happened to you?
…gotten involved in something you weren’t prepared for? LIKE:
 if you volunteered to teach KFC, or
 run for Church Council, or
 when you were thinking about getting married or having children?

Were there some surprises there that made you say: “THIS isn’t what I signed on for”?

St Peter must have been feeling like that = listening to Jesus talk about Discipleship.

ANOTHER EXAMPLE: Clarence Jordan… established KOININIA FARM in 1942.
…near Americus, Georgia – a white man, 4 people & 1400 acre cooperative commune
It operates still today – 20 adults = producing & mail-ordering pecans & fruit-cakes.
raise cattle & hogs, grow corn & wheat.
Have a Day-Care and Pre-school – and Housing Projects = 2 villages / 30 houses ea.
Forerunner of Habitat for Humanity – with many, local chapters.

Clarence Jordan died in 1978 (of heart attack) = “COTTON PATCH version of Bible
He was not only creative, innovative and prophetic – he was on the “cutting edge”.

In the early 1950’s, he tried to organize an inter-racial community near Americus, GA.
He faced many hardships…and a heap of trouble…it was TOO “cutting edge”.
 he was excommunicated from his church,
 boycotted,
 isolated,
 refused services, and
 the object of KKK (Klan) demonstrations.

He asked his brother BOB, a GA State Senator, & later a GA Supreme Court Justice,
to represent his farm in some litigation.
BOB shook his head and said, “I can’t do it, it will ruin both my business & career.”

Clarence, thought about it, then asked his brother:
“Bob, when we went to altar to be confirmed, the minister asked both of us
‘if we would follow Jesus Christ’. I said “yes” – WHAT did you say?”

Bob answered, “I FOLLOW Christ, Clarence…I follow him UP TO A POINT.”

“Could that point be the CROSS, Bob?”

“Yes, I follow him TO the Cross…BUT NOT ONTO IT…I’m not about to be crucified.”

Clarence concluded the conversation with this SUGGESTION =
“Then I suggest that you go back to that preacher, Bob, and tell him…
…you are an ADMIRER of Jesus…NOT a FOLLOWER.”

No one could accuse Clarence Jordan of ONLY being an ADMIRER of Jesus.
RISKING one’s life, he believed, was PART OF BEING A DISCIPLE.

HOWEVER – it was NOT what Brother BOB…had signed on for / what prepared for.
And we know Peter, Saint Peter, had trouble TRANSISTIONING into TOO.

The POINT IS this = every person COMES TO A CROSSROAD in life…

…Jesus it was coming down from the Mt of Transfiguration, to go toward Calvary;
…for the Disciples, including Peter, it was whether they would continue to follow him;
…for Bob Jordan, it was whether he would follow Jesus ONTO the Cross;
…for YOU, it is something else…that DEMANDS A CHOICE.
AT that Crossroads – you DON’T WANT TO ASK = “what’s in it for ME”…NOR
you DON’T want to suggest to Jesus –
(according to the ‘human wisdom’ of this ‘adulterous and sinful generation’)
that HIS way is the WRONG Way to Go or to Follow or to Heaven…

It reminds me of the story of = A lost TRAVELER was in the OZARKS of Missouri.
He asked a native: “CAN I GET TO KANSAS CITY ON THIS ROAD?”
The NATIVE HILLBILLY said, “Weeelllllll, not exactly, Bud. This road moseys along for a piece … then it turns into a hog trail… then into a squirrel track…
it finally runs up a scrubby pine tree… and ends in a knothole.”

Perhaps YOU THINK THAT is where Jesus’ directions will LEAD YOU…
…BUT, according to Gospel,
JESUS IS TELLING YOU THAT IS WHERE THE ROAD YOU ARE ON – IS LEADING YOU. To AVOID such a ‘disaster’, Jesus says = Come and follow me.

The “CHOICE” is to make a COMMITMENT to FOLLOW in Jesus’ steps.

It is a time WHEN you have to =
 stop “learning” and start “doing”
 stop “talking” and start “acting” …when you CHOOSE
 BETWEEN “playing” Christian and “being” Christian;
 …it is when it is time to quit “AIMING” and to start “PULLING THE TRIGGER”.

THAT is NOT a “once in a lifetime” decision…FORTUNATELY.

It presents itself frequently – EITHER to
Help you REDEEM a previous choice, OR
to CONFIRM your previous choices.

On this Sunday, let us be certain what Jesus is INVITING US TO DO.

We CANNOT just “understand” or “accept” the ‘Jesus of the Miracles’
and “reject” or “ignore” the ‘Christ of the Cross’.

As Garrison Keillor says – to each of us and to all of us –
“…there comes a time to GIVE UP your GOOD Christian life…and FOLLOW Christ.”

May YOU be PREPARING and Prepared for the OPPORTUNITY…
…may you realize that THAT IS what you ARE TRAINING FOR…
…so that you can rightly claim YOU ARE MORE THAN JUST an ADMIRER of Jesus.

THEN your life will TRULY BE SAVED and you will NOT FORFEIT your life.

One of the problems with modern life (as we know it) is =
THERE ARE TOO MANY “BANDITS” – that seem to ROB the JOY out of life.

Little wonder that many, even most, of us can identify with Rich’s character in drama.
For YOU it MAY be some LOSS…or PAIN…or a THREAT…or a TRAGEDY.

HOWEVER REAL that may be – you need to remember THIS =
EVERYTHING IN LIFE IS NOT “RIGHT”…
…BUT NEITHER IS EVERYTHING “WRONG”.

SO ~ HOW do you REFRESH your Spirit…when everything in NOT alright?

The first thing to be said is this = SEPARATE what you understand as
HAPPINESS and JOY…because they are NOT synominous.

“Happiness” is largely based upon things that HAPPEN TO us…
…therefore = “happiness” is CIRCUMSTANCIAL.

“Joy”, on the other hand, carries a deeper SENSE of Inner Peace & Harmony.

St Paul described it this way in our Lesson from Philippians:
“…because you belong to Christ Jesus, God will bless you with Peace
that no one can completely understand. And this Peace will
control the way you think and feel…”

It is also shown in one of the stories involving Jesus… (read from “The Message”)

Apparently – JOY & PEACE BUBBLED OVER in her for what Jesus had done for her.
She is, therefore, an EXAMPLE for us.
We can benefit by making several observations ABOUT HER ACTIONS.

I.

As she did…REFLECT YOUR ‘JOY’ BY YOUR ACTIONS.
Too often our ‘words’ & our ‘actions’ don’t match…there is a “break-down” / disconnect.
A child may say “thank you” for a GIFT – BUT never use it or play with it.

You may say “I love you” = BUT actions are missing that the other recognizes…

…or you say “I know you’ve had a hard day” – BUT you don’t pitch-in & vacuum, etc
When you have been touched – deeply / profoundly – with a sense of JOY…
…you need to EXPRESS it with actions – to avoid words that “ring hollow”.

THEN, when there is HARMONY between your ACTONS and your WORDS –
AMAZING THINGS HAPPEN…even physically.

In a book subtitled: “Happiness is An Inside Job” by Elizabeth Brown, she writes =

We – like that woman ‘thanking’ Jesus – must choose to Reflect our Joy with ACTIONS

II.

Another amazing thing about her EXAMPLE is that SHE DID SO in a hostile room.

Remember the Gospel lesson says:
“Some of the guests became furious among themselves, saying,
‘That’s criminal! A sheer waste!’ …[and] they swelled up in anger,
nearly bursting with indignation over her.”

HOWEVER – that didn’t stop her.

WE TOO must REJECT “JOY-BUSTERS”.
There are plenty of ‘joy-busters’ in life…aren’t there?
John Maxwell calls them “Fire Fighters” – always trying to put out the fires of passion,
& inspiration & creativity.

Maxwell, in fact, tells the story of woman at one of his conferences;
She came up to him during a break and pointed to her plastic name badge.
She was so moved by his talk about “fire fighters” that SHE COMMITTED herself
to be a “FIRE-LIGHTER”…
…and in her name badge = she put an un-lighted match…TO REMIND HER
and …TO WARN OTHERS.

Like this woman, and the woman with Jesus – YOU need to continue to DO
what you are inspired to do DESPITE all the “FIRE-FIGHTERS” & “JOY-BUSTERS”

What a difference that would make IF YOU did things FOR GOD – rather than
listening to those around you that are so ‘negative’ and ‘pessimistic’.
III.
Thirdly – notice whom Jesus REBUKES = and it’s NOT the woman with perfume.

Jesus says: “Let her alone. Why are bothering her and giving her a hard time?
She has done something beautiful and wonderfully significant for me…
…You can be sure that wherever in the world this Message, the Gospel,
is preached, what she just did is going to be talked about admiringly.”

In other words, Jesus REBUKES THOSE WHO have their priorities UP-SIDE-DOWN.

Jesus “turns the table” on those who live by the ASSUMPTION that =
“possessing wealth…is far better…than spending wealth.”

Jesus said HER ACTIONS were NOT wasteful OR frivolous.

By extension, we can hear Jesus say:
“…giving to Christ or to His Church is NOT NONESENSE…unless its NO CENTS”

There are OTHER ASSUMPTIONS we may be reassessing in these economic times.

 Perhaps we are slowly realizing that PRODUCING wealth
does not necessarily produce JOY. AND =
 Perhaps we are giving up on the adage
“the more stuff you have…the more joy you will have.”

EXAMPLE = Hagar the Horrible cartoon (Feb 15, 2009) Son, Hamlet, to Hagar:
“Dad, will I be a success in life?” Hagar…”I promise you’ll be…”
“Dad, will I be happy?” Hagar…”THAT I can’t promise”

ALSO: the average “starter home” in this country has MORE THAN DOUBLED
IN SIZE since 1950…from LESS THAN 900 sq ft…to more than 1800 sq ft.
…not to mention what we consider “Standard Features” of “new” homes.

BUT = are we any HAPPIER????
We “should” be – IF happiness is found in possessions…BUT ARE WE?

IV.

The LAST POINT is this=
The woman in the Gospel GAVE WITH SACRIFICIAL ABANDON.

The “PRINCIPLE” is this = SACRIFICE BRINGS JOY.

She gave the Lord the best perfume…she anointed his body…(for burial).

We too have the SAME CHOICE to make AS we search for JOY in Life.
The story is told that – in the early 1930’s…
…a man was admiring a stained glass window he had donated in his church.
The IRONY is that – just after donating the window he LOST his money in the Crash.

The pastor came up to him and, putting his arm on his shoulder, said,
“Do you wish you had that money back?”
And the man said – profoundly,
“NO, WHAT I GAVE THE LORD…I STILL HAVE”
(pointing to the window & his heart)

In conclusion =

The Question for this Lenten Season is:
“WHAT TO DO When You Don’t Know What to Do –
it is sub-titled = Trusting Christ When Life Gets Confusing”

This week our THEME is: Look for the Joys that Refresh your Spirit

This week, WHEN Life gets confusing…and the Joy gets sucked out of it…

JUST REMEMBER =

 Everything in Life may NOT be RIGHT…but NEITHER is Everything WRONG.

 Let your JOY be reflected in your ACTIONS.

 Reject the JOY-BUSTERS and FIRE-FIGHTERS around you. AND

 BELIEVE the Joy-Producing Principle THAT SACRIFICE BRINGS JOY.

So we are initiated this evening into “WHAT TO DO…?” by our mini-drama: “Captain,
My Captain”… a hapless fella in the high back chair day-dreaming & fantasying
about other things than his own mundane, ordinary, harried life.

You can’t blame him, can you, for day-dreaming a bit?
We are used to packing a lot into a day.
Between doing our own thing… and helping our kids to do their thing –
we put in busy days.

When you think about it, it really is amazing how much we do pack into a day…
…especially if you consider the fact that YOU COULD =
 see both oceans in one day – if you had the money & need to fly that far. OR
 you could drive to Minneapolis and back…which may not seem like a big deal EXCEPT for the fact that there was the day when going to Cazenovia from here would not have been a round-trip excursion – would it?
Now we can even “go to the moon” …and beyond.
Imagine the possibilities WHEN we can be “BEAMED” somewhere – ala, Star Trek.

With this increased potential AND the increased PACE of life
we have “problems” that “grow” in magnitude and complexity = exponentially.

Modern conveniences haven’t really made life “simpler” –
they’ve made life more Confusing & Complicated…more Vexing & Perplexing.

And, with modern medical advancements, some things that were “lost causes”
now help to give us hope for loved ones…but also the associated countless worries.

Not to mention all the issues & crises we struggle with
as a nation with unforeseen outcomes on the economy & health care & education…
WE EACH HAVE OUR OWN PLATES FULL WITH PERPLEXITIES =
 choice of career
 lingering illnesses
 rebellions in the home
 little free time – or little disposable income
 an implacable boss or co-worker
 lost love, or
 disloyal friends…to name a few common perplexities & conundrums.
We deal with all this on a daily and weekly basis – besides eating, sleeping & working.
When we find ourselves in situations that
DEFY our “Normal” techniques for problem-solving – we have 5 Basic Responses =

I. The first is to IGNORE the situation…and hope it goes away or resolves itself.
[ …like the man in our drama – some things just worked out by themselves. ]
However, some things “don’t” and other things “won’t” work themselves out.

It happens in our homes, in our schools, communities, and now in our country.
Decisions need to be made – Solutions need to be tried.

Early on there are OPPORTUNITIES to be PRO-ACTIVE.
BUT, if we dawdle too long before being “pro-active” – then we will simply RE-ACT.

To ignore a strategy OR to NEGLECT implementing a strategy is
One means of ‘self-preservation’ – but it bears the fruit of self-destruction too.

II. A second choice for problem-solving is to MINIMIZE a situation.
It is a little more “active” than IGNORING or NEGLECTING a problem,
BUT it too sows seeds that can be self-destructive.

Minimizing a problem is saying something like = “Oh, it couldn’t be all THAT bad”.
However, THINKING something is “small” doesn’t make it so. IMAGINE SAYING:
“O, its just a little cavity” “I don’t need any stitches for this” or “It’ll burn itself out”.

When we reduce the size of the threat – or exaggerate our own resources –
THEN we are headed for TROUBLE.
So THAT is the down-side to “problem-solving” by MINIMIZING a situation…
…when we don’t know what to do.

III. Our third choice for dealing with a myriad of life’s situations is to
DO MORE OF WHAT WE ARE ALREADY DOING.
BUT that implies doing the same thing over & over AND expecting different results.

You can double your time & effort... throw more money at a problem OR read books.
YET, management consultants suggest a different tact: work “smarter” not harder.

Besides, sometimes you have to realize there has been a “Paradigm Shift”. After all, there came a time when the PONY EXPRESS couldn’t get or need faster horses.
A wise person can read such signs or tea leaves…or take the old saying to heart =
‘ when you find yourself in a hole…STOP DIGGING.’
Unfortunately (to mix metaphors) – when we get to the END of our ROPE…
…instead of tying a knot & hanging on – some people LOOK FOR MORE ROPE.
In other words, KNOW ‘WHEN’ to say “WHEN”.
Know WHEN to “repent” of wrong-headed-ness and be ready to Change Direction.
IV. The 4th Option or Response when situations defy your normal problem-solving
techniques = is to PANIC.
It is called = “the-SKY is FALLING” Syndrome.
It is mostly motivated by FEAR and ANXIETY – which often propel us willy-nilly…
…rather than down some constructive course of action.

V. The 5th and final and often least used Response is =
ADMIT YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT TO DO.
Isn’t that hard for each of us to do…about some things?

Yet – that may be the BEST thing for Christians to say.

However, AFTER you ADMIT you don’t KNOW what to DO…
…we should ALSO ADD = WE DO KNOW ONE WHO DOES…know what to do.

It is the choice to PROCEED BY FAITH – like Charli sang about Sunday (the LEAP).
It is NOT just Wishful Thinking,
NOR is it Blind Optimism.

You need to be rooted in God as you travel through this FALLEN World.

In deed, you may not KNOW what to do – BUT YOU DO KNOW WHERE TO TURN.

SUCH knowledge and faith can put things & situations back into perspective.

THAT IS WHAT THIS LENTEN PROGRAM SEEKS TO LIFT UP FOR YOU.
Imagine IF Jesus were to come here to speak to us over the next Wednesdays.

He’d bring a message to give us solid footing on the slippery road of life, wouldn’t he?
He’d help lay a firm foundation and give us a clear word in these confusing times.

After all, the way to be ROOTED in God – is based on some pretty basic premises.

Those are the titles of each mid-week service – as listed on your bulletin insert.
(READ DIFFERENT TITLES / weeks)

This is the last Sunday of the Season of Epiphany.
“Epiphany” is the season of Revelation – revealing Jesus to the world as God’s Son.
The symbol is the Star – meaning Jesus is for Jews and GENTILES (Wise Men).
Our lessons have been about Jesus’ Baptism, calling of disciples & miracles.
All of these REVEAL who Jesus really is – the Savior & Light of the world.

Now even the business community has adopted the term “epiphany” –
– I’ve seen it in commercials and quotes by business leaders.
They may say they have had an “epiphany” – a “new understanding” / a new “outlook”.
…the “symbol” of such a new, bright idea is = the LIGHTBULB… OR as

CARTOON: old guy pouring over old book volumes…looks up, declares…
“By God, it all made ‘sense’ for a minute”

THAT’S what this Season in the Church Year is all about = RECOGNIZING Jesus.
Our Lesson on the Last Sunday of Epiphany is the Transfiguration account.

The transfiguration is located almost exactly at the mid-point of this Gospel,
It is the turning point, which began with Peter's confession (8:29).
Until now, Jesus has been teaching and healing.
Now he will begin his journey to Jerusalem, where he will die.

In case there was any doubt for the disciples then, or for us now: shouldn’t be.
Jesus appears on a mountain-top…transfigured = face & robe glowing / radiant.
(Grk: metemorphothe / metamorphosis - changed or transformed)…

~ in other words …what was concealed / incognito, is now UNVEILDED.
Jesus is the One who “stood out in that crowd of 6” - 3 disciples with Elijah & Moses.

Of course – Elijah was there cuz he was the greatest of the PROPHETS…
And – Moses was there cuz he was the LAW GIVER…
… these two men embody the Law and the Prophets – were national heroes.
HOWEVER – given the choice of who was “greatest” and who to “follow” –
there was that Voice from the Cloud = “THIS is my Son, my beloved, Listen to him”

If this were a “stage-production” the spot-light would be pinpointed on Jesus.
There’d be no question or confusion about whom the Voice was selecting.

Neither are we to be confused or question…
WHO is the One WE are to Listen to & Follow.
…the transfiguration reaffirms Jesus' identity, reveals his glory, and
calls the disciples to listen to him.
"It meant validation of Jesus, that Jesus' interpretation of role of the Messiah was true”

In the transfiguration, Peter, James & John catch a glimpse of kingdom glory.
They "are privileged to see Jesus in a new light" (Moule, 69).
"The transfiguration reveals the kingdom by unveiling the king" (Witherington, 262).

This section is bounded on both ends by the healing of a blind man (8:22-26; 10:46-52) --
but the disciples remain blind throughout.
Rather than Jesus suddenly being invested with glory,
we have a situation where the disciples are suddenly able to see his glory --
glory that Jesus possessed all the time but that has been veiled.

Until now, Jesus has conducted a ministry of teaching & healing.
It is also clear that Peter, in spite of his confession of Jesus as Messiah,
does not really understand what that means.
He is struggling to come to grips with Jesus' true identity & role, his confusion surfaces.
He doesn't know what to say but, being Peter, he feels compelled to say something.

Who among us has not been so terrified – so unsure of what to do –
- so desperate to find something to do?

Old “joke” = “…don’t just ‘do something’…’STAND THERE’.”

So Peter was in great danger of really MISSING the MOMENT & the POINT…
…which he did anyway…as did James & John.

WHY? Cuz they thought the MESSIAH was a triumphal warrior over the Romans…
…one who was going to establish an Earthly Kingdom for the righteous.

Therefore, they were NOT Blinded BY the Light revealed in Jesus, BUT
because of their EXPECTATIONS – they were BLINDED TO the Light of Jesus.

They were UNABLE to SEE the Light they needed to see…
…because they had been wholly duped by a “god” / an idol… of this world.

The disciples continue not to see -- not to hear -- not to listen.
Only after the resurrection will they begin to understand that
the way to glory IS through suffering and sacrifice.

As well meaning as we may be – we get duped too – even if we “know” Jesus.
We get “duped” RATHER THAN DISCERNING the Truth or Jesus.
We need to improve our ‘powers of Discernment’.

EX = We think we hear Angel Choirs singing when we meet someone – A SIGN ! ?
However, your friends or parents tell you “that someone was not good for you”?
Yet, you stayed together…thinking you could change the person…which you couldn’t.

Or you choose a career or degree program because you like the MONEY you’ll make.
However, your gifts are just not suited to – being behind a desk, always on the road…

You think “money” would solve all your problems, OR
You Fudge on your taxes, OR
You look for “the easy way out” of just once on a particular issue at home or work.

At every stage of our lives we are tempted to be BLINDED TO the Light of Jesus.
THEN we get our priorities scrambled and our PURPOSE becomes fuzzy.

Which is NOT what the Creator INTENDED for you or anyone else.

Too often we are BLINDED TO the Light…not BLINDED BY the Light.
To have that REVERSED is an “epiphany” – which may become a Transformation.

For INSTANCE = YO YO MA – 19 y/o, student at Harvard – concert in NY.
He was determined to give a flawless, PERFECT Performance.
Half way (2 hours) through concert …was reaching goal, but he was BORED.
“I realized then that “perfection” is not the GOAL of a performance.
…You have also have to have something you really want to share through the music.
The “goal” is NOT perfection…but “EXPRESSION”.
In other words, “Yo Yo Ma realized – the goal of a performance – is
MORE THAN a good REVIEW – the goal is to touch the human heart.”

The same is needed by preachers.
The purpose of a Sermon is NOT WORDS ABOUT God,
…but to let the words BECOME Words FROM God.

WE TOO need to come to a new understanding of God and the things OF God.
Jesus comes to reveal them to us – IF WE’RE WILLING TO BE BLINDED BY his light.
…SO that IN the HOLY Spirit of God – God can ENLIVEN & ANIMATE our hearts.
That is more & better than building “monuments” of wood or stone,
& “memorials” in brick and mortar…to commemorate an event or epiphany.

Then we will become what Bishop Desmond Tutu calls: “agents of transfiguration”.

THEN we can =
 transform despair into hope, sadness into joy,
 anguish into healing, AND estrangement into community.

When that happened, it changed the disciples lives.
These disciples had been a bunch of bumblers, but after they saw the resurrected Christ they became what Jesus had called them to be –
- the light of the world -- the salt of the earth.

My point is= God who revealed Jesus in all his Godliness to those 3 disciples on a mountaintop 2000 years ago is still revealing Jesus in all his Godliness today - through scriptures - through nature - through the sacraments - through the witness of Godly men & women. …in ways Ordinary & Dramatic = DISCERN them.

We need to DISCERN his Presence and Calling to change our own lives…and lives of others.

There are two themes in the Gospel to consider: Jesus’ preaching & that exorcism.

Let’s take the first / FIRST =
Mark tells us that when Jesus “taught” in the synagogue –
“they were astonished…cuz he taught as one with authority.”

So – what were the people used to – that Jesus was so different?
They were USED TO the Scribes (and Pharisees) = the official teachers of the Torah.
They’d teach what they had learned from their Masters / Mentors, in Scribal tradition.
They were the KEEPERS of the COMMENTARIES on Scripture – the Old Testament.
Doing so, they gained a dominate place in society – one they cherished & held onto.

They were DOCTORS of the LAW.
They used that Law to LIMIT and RESTRICT the life of the people.
They would “put” on the people, laws they did not have to adhere to themselves
OR laws that didn’t affect them like ordinary folk were affected.
Over the years – it had been DISTORTED from their ORIGINAL job-description.
They HAD been given the Privilege of PRESERVING the traditions of God’s people.

However, they’d turned the “privilege” into a “right” & used it to CONTROL people.
They became “corrupted” by their power & privilege…
…and oppressed the people with their (613) rules & regulations.
You could say they even BULLIED the people…with abusive / punitive authority.

They taught the people DOGMATICALLY –
- out of a RIGID PAST and an UNIMAGINATIVE PRESENT.
Compared to Jesus’ style = they gave TEXTBOOK / Stale Answers.
Hard, agonizing questions were reduced to =
Superficial solutions - quotable quotes - familiar formulas.

The distortions that occurred were SIMILAR to this modern biblical distortion =
from: “love your neighbor as yourself” - BECAME - “God helps him who helps himself”.

EX ~ Brits had to use a piece of “light artillery” from Boer War in So. Africa for WWII.
Needed 5 men to fire canon…2 only stood at attention (“they held the horses”) 

They were “PLACE-HOLDERS” …and so were the Scribes for Scripture…
they were also “preachy” – and not in a ‘good way’ […IF there is a “good way”] .

I’m reminds of the little ditty =
“I’d rather see a sermon - than hear one any day,
I’d rather one should walk with me - than merely tell the way” (Edgar A. Guest)

These Scribes & Pharisees were unashamed – because
that’s what they thought was ‘faithfully dispatching their duties’.

BUT - it was the “PAT ANSWER” approach of a “DRY FAITH” (not a “living faith”).

They’d so defined the “religious LANDSCAPE” that all looked desolate & despairing.
They were so ORIENTED to the quotations of the (dead & gone) Elders
…so out of touch, now, with what GOD DID want for his people THAT
they were UNFIT to Guide the Conscience NOR able to Satisfy the Soul.

SO ~ IMAGINE what a difference Jesus would represent in their midst.

“They were astounded at this teachings,
for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the Scribes.”

Whatever his “teaching” / his “interpretation” / his “sermon” that day –
the people immediately perceived a shocking difference of “message”.

They recognized an AUTHORITY that was CENTERED in
Jesus’ own COMPASSION and EMPATHY for those he had come to serve.

Where does that “authority” come from?
…From ‘tried & failing interpretations’ of a “DRY FAITH of the past? NO.

Such “authority” comes not from the POWER TO ENFORCE…
…but it comes from the POWER TO INSPIRE.

That is what was so shocking about Jesus.
In the face of such a “shocking new approach” was
the leaders were “RESISTANT to CHANGE”.

A new era was dawning with the arrival of Jesus – & they were unprepared to change.

We see it even TODAY AS WELL.

During this WALL STREET COLLAPSE – it seems some are unprepared to change.
 Bankers are holding onto monies intended to be distributed to homeowners,
preferring to re-possess empty homes rather than renegotiate affordable mortgages

 Executives are making the same kinds of out-of-touch decisions =
 Renovating office bathrooms,
 Leveraging other banks,
 Purchasing new corporate jets, and
 Handing out bonuses to upper-echelon management…

They are either unable to change their approach OR unwilling to re-align their priorities.

AND it isn’t much different from the day Jesus taught in that Capernaum synagogue.
Execs and Tycoons are as unwilling to SEE how the World has changed – AS –
the Scribes and Pharisees would not recognize how Jesus was changing everything.
Both “groups” think / thought it was still ~ “business as usual”…

Jesus was the DOCTOR OF GRACE…in a world of LAW.
but the Law was going to have to “move over”… because of Jesus.
HE was THAT kind of Force – JESUS was paradigm-bending & boundary-breaking.

To “get along” in this new – GOD BLESST – Reality,
…people must REALIGN their lives and values around the ONE who Comes.

It happens in different ways in different times – but the same dynamic is apparent.
…WE AREN’T GONNA GO WITHOUT A BATTLE…a fight…
…because two Kingdoms are in conflict.

AND THAT BRINGS US TO THE DEMON-POSSESSED man in the Gospel.

He represents the forces of DARKNESS & RESISTANCE that afflict the world.

And he recognized that it was TIME FOR BATTLE – “have you come to destroy us?”

YES, Jesus has come to OVERCOME such resistance – by the authority of God.

In Jesus, the TIME is FULFILLED and the KINGDOM of GOD is at HAND.

Then Jesus backs up his mighty claim, his MIGHTY WORDS with mighty DEEDS.

 He DOESN’T JUST TALK about healing powers…HE HEALS;
 He doesn’t just talk about forgiveness…HE FORGIVES;
 He doesn’t just ‘talk a good game’…he PLAYS it…all the way to a Cross.

May WE be among those who recognize the TWO DIFFERENT SIDES now,
And BELIEVE the Claim Jesus makes on behalf of God.

By delivering that man from that Evil / Unclean Spirit,
Jesus demonstrated that he was MORE THAN a golden-tongued speaker
with an audacious message…

HE WAS TRULY THE ONE WHO COULD DELIVER ON THOSE WORDS.

SO ~ take the Challenge to “walk with Jesus” AS ONES WHO believe & are satisfied.
…AS ONES WHO will REALIGN your life and values
around the One who CASTS OUT the DEMONS of false-prophets & false-gods;
WHO ALSO ushers in the New KINGDOM OF GOD into the world.

Besides, with Jesus here – it is no longer “business as usual” in HIS Kingdom.

Most of the people here today are the people you meet in the supermarket.
Most of us don't get our picture in the paper very often.
You won't see us on the national news ~ OK, maybe local news…like Monica. 

But we are good people -- the salt of the earth.

The salt of the earth! Those were Jesus' words.
Salt is ordinary, isn't it -- just as we are. But it is also important -- just as we are.

The verses just ahead of our scripture text tell about Andrew coming to follow Jesus.
You probably don't know much about Andrew.
He was pretty ordinary -- a fisherman.
We know of only two things that Andrew did =
He invited his brother, Peter, to follow Jesus (John 1:40-42). And
he directed Jesus' attention to a boy who had a few loaves and fishes –
- the loaves and fishes that Jesus used for the Feeding of the Five Thousand.

You see, Andrew was pretty ordinary.
He did only two things that we know of.
YET, the Holy Spirit touched those two things, and we are still blessed by them today.

And then, in our text today, Jesus invites Philip to follow him, and Philip does so.
Philip was another ordinary man -- an apostle, but an ordinary apostle.
We don't know much about him either.
Our text tells us Philip invited Nathanael to come & see Jesus, and Nathanael did.
Later, Philip introduced some Greeks to Jesus (John 12:20-22).
Then -- we think it was the same Philip -- he baptized the Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8). That's about all that we know about Philip.

My point here is that =
Andrew and Philip ( and Nathanael / Bartholomew ) were ordinary men –
- but Jesus chose each of them to be apostles.
None of them did a great deal, but
each of them, by the grace of God, did what God called him to do.

Why should that matter to us? It matters for this reason –
- from the beginning, God chose ordinary people -- people like Andrew and Philip
- people like you and me -- to do God’s work.

1) The fact that God most often chooses ordinary people is no accident.
There are so many ordinary people it would be
a shame to leave us "on the shelf"-- unused.
2) But there's an even better reason why God uses ordinary people.
If we hit a home run, they know that God must have caused a favorable breeze to carry the ball into the stands.
So people are more likely to give God the credit he deserves when
he uses an ordinary person to do his work.
{ compare: Capt. “Sully” who landed an AirBus in the Hudson River on Thursday – w/ 150 survivors.
He had all the qualifications and training…even so…STILL it was “miraculous” }

3) Another reason why God loves to use ordinary people to do his extraordinary work.
God gets great joy out of taking the little thing that we do and
turning it into a miracle. God gets a kind of joy out of transforming some
thing we did into a masterpiece.
There are more miracles lying around than we could ever count -- and
God has used ordinary people to accomplish most of them.

HOWEVER – to be part of that “CROWD” – one has to be listening to THE VOICE.

Too often ~ we’re just concerned about our JOB – making a living… a paycheck;
Others may be more fortunate – they have a CAREER – indicating a series of jobs that
increases your experience and responsibility…with greater reward.

THERE IS A THIRD “OPTION” – whether you have a JOB or a CAREER…
YOU ALWAYS HAVE A “CALLING” ~ that is
~ IF you hear The Voice – use your gifts for the Common Good.
With a “calling” – you have a LINK to the public world…
…making “real”… the reign of God… in realm of work.

Frederick Buechner calls it =
“The place God calls you WHERE YOUR deep gladness AND
the WORLD’S deep hunger MEET.”
In THAT sense – even an un-baptized person has a “calling” –
– whether they acknowledge it or not…they are still gifted & have ‘potential’ / opening

As someone has said:
A CALLING is there when you may not even have a JOB;
A CALLING is there when you have never had a CAREER;

It is a ‘CALLING’ BECAUSE someone calls you,
and keeps calling you, so that =
“the phone in your heart rings incessantly.”

And we call the ONE on the other end of that phone = GOD.

The misconception is “a calling” is a ‘religious’ thing that only happens to pastors.
The misconception is that the rest of you don’t have to worry about “hearing” it.
However – that just isn’t so.
It is NOT just clergy who get “called”…and “call” isn’t always about a “CAREER”.
In other words, WE ALL – EACH OF YOU – HAS A CALL…IF you are ‘listening’.

MONICA heard a “call” to help with the Reedsburg FOOD PANTRY…and got on TV. 

We all can understand, don’t we, that RON Kruse has answered the CALL in Sauk Co
with his flood-relief “part time job” as a volunteer.

And ~ what about all our wonderful Nurses & Teachers in this congregation.

For others’ skills, we have “crews” over at Dave’s working on his apartment.
Many of you have heard of the need & have some gifts (even if it is just ‘time’) to share.
Many are those who have been on our “mission trips” South…to the Gulf Coast.

Others answered the “call” to help with the Flooding around here =
 at Mallards after the ’07 flooding of Narrows Creek,
 others helped during and after the Baraboo River flooded in Reedsburg – ‘08.

You see – it is ORDINARY people listening and answering the CALL.

Just LIKE… Samuel heard the call – and became a great prophet for Israel.
Andrew heard the call – and invited Peter to see Jesus.
Philip heard the call – and found Nathanael.
Simple, ordinary people…called to do extra-ordinary things FOR God & WITH God

Don’t be under-whelmed by apparent SIMPLICITY of your Gifts & Needs around you =

Some of you have heard of Elisabeth Kubler-Ross. Kubler-Ross was a psychiatrist who did ground-breaking work in the care of dying people. Most of us don't like working with dying people. It makes us uncomfortable, because we feel helpless in the face of impending death. Even doctors and nurses feel uncomfortable around dying people. They feel as helpless as the rest of us.

But Kubler-Ross understood that we can help those who are dying.
We can help them by our presence -- our touch -- our love.
She helped to transform the way dying people are treated in hospitals and nursing homes.

While working in a Chicago hospital, Kubler-Ross came to know a very ordinary woman –
a cleaning lady responsible for mopping floors and emptying wastebaskets.
But Kubler-Ross noticed something quite extraordinary about this ordinary woman.
When this woman would spend some time cleaning the room of a dying patient,
the patient would almost always become quieter, less agitated, more content, more at peace.

Kubler-Ross questioned the cleaning lady to find out how she did it –
- how she had such a positive effect on dying patients.
The woman explained that she had lived a hard life. She had experienced fear. She understood grief. The worst thing that had ever happened to her was the death of her three-year-old son. The little boy had developed pneumonia, so she had taken him to a public health clinic. He died in her arms while she waited her turn.
The woman told Kubler-Ross:
"You see, doctor, the dying patients are just like old acquaintances to me,
and I'm not afraid to touch them, to talk with them, or to offer them hope."

Kubler-Ross got that woman promoted. The hospital created a new position for her.
She was no longer a person on the custodial staff. She became "Special Counselor to the Dying."
I tell that story as a way of saying that
each of us, no matter how ordinary, has something special to give –
- a special reason for being alive.

To uncover our special gift, we need to listen for Jesus' call.

We need to hear him say, "Follow me!" That’s why we call it “discernment”.

Jesus MIGHT call us to be a minister or a missionary / a physician or a teacher.

But we can be sure that he DOES call us to love our neighbor –
- to help the needy -- to serve quietly in a thousand small ways.

When we heed his call, Jesus will make something important of our lives.
He will transform us from ordinary people into angels of mercy / or
“saints” / or painters….

It is AS SIMPLE AS telling someone = COME & SEE….but,
…then, be sure to ADD = GO & TELL.

When that happens, we’ll find we are the ones who have been truly blessed.

SO ~ Sing it with me === “Here I am Lord…SEND ME” (WOV #752)

(Saturday Eve’s Service Intro – when Dale was present…)
I have known that this congregation is “above average” since our first meet in 2004.
Reinforced yesterday – at Burmester’s – working beside Dale Meyer.
We have been working at Dave’s…reclaiming room after room from water damage.
Dale is more eager than skilled – so he wants me there to “do my thing”.
Couldn’t be there long Saturday cuz I had to prepare this sermon.
He asked, “what’s the Lesson?” I said, “Baptism of our Lord”.
He thought about it a bit…and began to say:
“that’s about Jesus being shown as God’s Son…and our being His children too by Baptism…”
I said, “right, are you trying to help me write my sermon?”
“Sure” he said “…then you stay here and work longer…”
All of what he said is true – and, in fact – was what I was going to preach on anyway.
I just have to make sure there is “a Beginning…a Middle…and an Ending” SO ~ here goes =

Life is strange and mysterious and fragile…isn’t it?
Life is filled with perils that threaten our health and our life…along the way.
Life is ALSO filled with opportunities and possibilities…right beside the dangers.

Even if we “CLONE” ourselves, HOWEVER, will NOT result in the ‘clone’ being us.
WHY? Because we are NOT JUST our DNA.
We are ALSO the product of our experiences. IT’S “NATURE” AND “NURTURE”!!!

And, as we grow up, there are DEFINING MOMENTS that
affect the whole OUTCOME of one’s life…
Only as you / OR when you HEAR and RESPOND to those Defining Moments…
…do you BECOME who you are.
They may help you know = WHO you are, or WHAT to become, or what to desire…

Jesus, too, must have struggled with WHO HE WAS for about 30 years.
“struggled” – NOT because he was “true God” … but because he was “True Man”.

That “confusion” changed when he was 30 years old.
John the Baptizer was out in the wilderness…the latest and last OT Prophet.

John was saying: (in so many words)
“Prepare the WAY of the Lord… God is about to ACT… God WILL fulfill his Promise…
God will provide a LEADER who will usher you into a New Age…
If you want to FOLLOW this Leader – you must repent – you must change your ways.
IF you want to JOIN with this One God will send – show it by stepping into the
Waters of the Jordan to be baptized. Wash & be Cleaned”

JESUS TOO came to the River – for a different reason =
Not for repentance or forgiveness…but to be CONSECRATED for that New Age.
There he received: Validation & Verification ~ his Commission & Certification.

No one realized it AT THE TIME…ONLY Jesus had the Vision & heard the VOICE.
He must have described it to his disciples some weeks or months later.
Then he spoke of it in symbolic terms & “picture language”…he used “imagery”.
A VISION was revealed to him – the SKIES split apart, and a DOVE descended.

AND he heard a VOICE coming from Heaven:
“You are my Son, my beloved, my chosen, with whom I am very pleased”

I interpret that to mean =
Jesus came up out of the river with a VISION, and a VOICE ringing in his ears that
DECLARED GOD’S PURPOSE & DESTINY FOR HIM.
Before – there may have been confusion or uncertainty…wonderings what to do.

NOW he KNEW.
It was AS THOUGH God – like a Dove – descended UPON HIM…
AS THOUGH something from above, greater than himself,
Came down and took possession of him.
AS THOUGH a power filled him, giving him strength-of-purpose.
And it all came upon him AS GENTLY & GRACEFULLY as a bird’s flight.
NOT like an addict hitting “rock bottom” – the signal of desperation…
BUT a message where PURPOSE & OPPORTUNITY converge.
It was the Holy Spirit that SPOKE to Jesus that day – coming out of the Waters.

YOU TOO MAY “HEAR” that VOICE – if you are listening for it ~ if you are attentive.

You first ‘hear’ that VOICE as a child =
 when you wanted to sneak a piece of candy, or
 tried to ‘push’ your boundaries to cross the street to play, or
 punch your younger brother.
The VOICE sounded an awful lot like your mom’s or your dad’s voice…
And it said: “DON’T DO THAT” or “we will be very displeased if you do…”
You heard it, didn’t you…I know you did…

Then some years later, the VOICE became a little more “CRITICAL”. It said =
 “That was dumb” or
 “You really came off like a jerk that time” or
 “What were you thinking?”.
That “critical Voice” also was ENCOURAGING and AFFIRMING at times, saying =
 “Nice work…that’s a good job” or
 “You’ll be glad you did that” or
 “Wow, you didn’t deserve that zinger”

Eventually you make “friends” with the VOICE – you don’t just listen ~ you converse.
 “I’m not sure what to do in this situation” or
 “What was THAT all about?” or
 “Hum, how can I make things better?”
It’s at this point that you FIND A WAY TO MOVE ON and to work things out.
Finally, you will HEAR the VOICE speak more comforting & consoling words, LIKE =
 You are loved, or
 You belong, or
 You are MINE.

YES, the VOICE of God through his Holy Spirit is there to =
NUDGE or PROD … CAJOLE or URGE you in dramatic & less dramatic ways…
…before you come into the FOLD, into that KINGDOM where
…God’s rule & reign are present and supreme – when you YEILD to it.

And WHEN you begin to LISTEN FOR and begin to CONVERSE WITH
that inner VOICE of God – these are DEFINING MOMENTS.

And WHEN you have those VISIONS of God’s purpose & presence…
…it is something that is VERY DESIRABLE and HAS LASTING VALUE.

FOR SOME ~ it has come when you were a child or teenager.
FOR OTHERS ~ you might have been 20- or 30-something or even 50-something.

The POINT is NOT “WHEN” it happened – BUT WHETHER IT HAPPENS AT ALL.

As someone has said =
“Knowing when you were born is NOT as important as knowing WHY you were born.”

The ANSWER to “why” – you may imagine – comes figuratively with Voice &/or Vision
LIKE an inner compulsion, or an incessant urge to BE or to DO something that is
worthwhile and consistent with God’s Will as we Know it & as it is Revealed.

EX = Reminded of my dad’s assistant’s daughter, Amy Erickson… (Wauwatosa)
She was in the Peace Corps in Africa…and a native was so smitten by her…
…he told her, “God gave me a dream that you will marry me”…
AMY SAID: “If God did it…then he should have given me the SAME DREAM”.

SO ~ having the VISION (the DREAM) and hearing the VOICE correctly interpreted, MEANS you will have STRENGTH for making some difficult decisions…
…and sticking to them through difficult times.

For INSTANCE, Jesus’ Baptismal vision SUSTAINED him throughout his ministry =
 along dusty roads traveled among the SICK, HUNGRY and DEAD;
 through the opposition & oppression of the Religious Establishment;
 in the darkness of Gethsemane on Maundy Thursday;
 despite being abandoned by his friends and the blackness on Good Friday.

Yes, if you will follow the WAY of Jesus – YOU TOO must be prepared to
“walk through the Valleys shadowed by Difficult Decisions and Death.”
Not doing so well on that ‘score’ – of living such a purposeful life –

EX = I have heard that RUSH LIMBAUGH was discussing Tom Brokaw’s book:
The Greatest Generation, calling 20-somethings a bunch of whiners…
…and knowing nothing of the hardships like the Depression or WW II.

Then a 20-something called him and argued that his generation has greater hardship.
HE SAID =
His generation’s hardship was LOSS OF HOPE; that
His generation has stopped believing things would get better; that
His generation didn’t expect to live AS WELL AS their parents had lived; that
They were not expecting a brighter future… THAT THEY HAD GIVEN UP HOPE.

Then he said =
“…maybe my generation can’t imagine anything worth dying for,
and maybe that is why we are committing suicide in record numbers,
BECAUSE many of us can’t imagine anything worth living for – either.”

You see, it’s not enough to know WHEN you were born,
It is more important to know WHY you were born.

This 20-something never HEARD the VOICE nor had a VISION of his purpose.
He had not had a DEFINING MOMENT to sustain him through difficult times.

WHY? Maybe it’s because as parents WE HAVE DROWNED OUR CHILDREN
with Luxuries and Ease…RATHER THAN
with the Waters of Baptism or with the Words of God.

Maybe he was filled more with SMOKE than with the FIRE of the Holy Spirit.

BUT Baptism shows us = THERE IS A PURPOSE FOR EACH OF US…
…that God JOINS us to Jesus Christ and joins us to the Family of God & Mission.

THIS Purpose is WORTH LIVING FOR…and it is WORTH DYING FOR as well.

___________________________________________________________________

Just as the heavens opened for Jesus ~ at his Baptism…
…Jesus is seeking to OPEN HEAVEN for each of us.
He wants to be our VISION…and wants us to HEAR his VOICE of “calling”…
…to sustain us through all our hardships and decisions.

KNOW that JUST as Jesus was Consecrated and Called at his Baptism ~
SO TOO are each of YOU consecrated and called in your Baptism into Christ.

May we each be listening for and respond with greater confidence EACH TIME.

What were your thoughts this week as we have been snow-upon, if not snowed-in?
Depending on your age: youngsters screamed = “yippee”… or “WOW” – 
Or, if you are a little older = you may have muttered: “…trapped like rats…” 
It was EITHER a DREAM-come-true……or life had just become a NIGHTMARE.

Kit Kuperstock poem (ADAPTED):

Like clockwork clowns We curtsy quick
To the nervous, Hypnotizing tick
Of the clock on the desktop – tick, tick, tick –
Restricting our seconds, Ticking decrees:
Make a gift or a deadline, A stockholder’s meeting,
Sprint a mile before breakfast, Pick up duplicate keys….

Buy presents, send cards, Parties to host and to make,

And God laughed, And drifted snowflakes down to earth –
Each flake so fragile That they huddled together Into foot-high drifts.

We woke, captive To that sudden loveliness we never quite believe,
And a new Agenda Etched by ice across the crystal day,
With no apology – the voice said: “Be still, KNOW THAT I AM GOD, Be still”. (Ps 46:10)

Even here in Southwestern WI – you may not have been “ready” – fully “prepared”.

You may ask: does God intend to CREATE such confusion & mess?
Poet Kuperstock believes so.

But whether God is such a “tinkering god” with things concerning ‘weather’…
We recognize there are occasions we need to understand =
“Be Still…Know that I AM God…Be Still…”

THAT IS WHEN our AGENDAS are adjusted / put in turmoil / abandoned.

SUCH A TIME was 3800 years ago [OR SO] – when Angel visited Abraham.
God had promised this 100 yr old man would be the Father of a Nation,
And his wife, Sarah, at least 90 years old, was barren.
They were to have a baby ………… What COULDN’T HAPPEN – was happening.
Sarah “laughed” – but God did what God had promised.
…maybe not when she expected it…and not according to our “time”
…but God did it according to HIS TME – his “KAIROS”.
GOD KEPT HIS PROMISE…

SUCH was A TIME 2000 years ago too – first to Zechariah (like Abraham) and
then to Elizabeth (like Sarah)…an Angel announces the birth of JOHN (the Baptizer).

GOD WAS RENEWING HIS PROMISE TO “COME” AND TO “DELIVER”.

Then the time came FOR MARY – God’s intervention definitely
Created a NEW AGENDA for her too…and for the world.
This time – the Angel was NOT visiting a barren, old lady…
But to a nubile, young maiden – perhaps 13 to 16 years old.
YOU SEE,
God was “doing something completely different” as he fulfilled his Promise.

God was “changing” his M.O. - his modus operandi…his “means of operating”.

THIS TIME – God comes to a peasant ~ not a patriarch,
to a woman ~ not man,
to a young maiden ~ not a barren woman.

This young peasant girl becomes the TYPICAL CANDIDATE for the Kingdom
of God that was about to DAWN in Bethlehem.
HER Response was different than all those others – in OT – before her.
Yes, she was confused & perplexed…but she did NOT Doubt.
She believed: NOTHING WAS IMPOSSIBLE FOR GOD.

IRONICALLY,
while Rome was the seat of government & Jerusalem the religious center of life,
GOD WAS TRANSFORMING THE WORLD BEHIND THEIR BACKS
IN LITTLE NAZARETH.

The message then and now WAS: God KEEPS his Promises…and…
…God acts any place…and…through any whom he CHOOSES.
God can “MAKE THINGS HAPPEN” with willing servants and followers.

So long as we can be “MADE STILL” – God can break-through our
 stubborn
 narrow-minded,
 mean-spirited,
 dull-witted,
 near-sighted, AND
 un-imaginative spirits.

The reason that MARY has been lifted-up and even Revered over the centuries,
is that SHE MODELS RECEPTIVENESS TO GOD’S CALL and PLAN.
It is with almost CHILD-LIKE Openness that she accepted the Angel’s Message that:
GOD HAD CONCIEVED “THE WORD” GOD WANTS TO SPEAK TO HIS PEOPLE.
And God had CONCIEVED that WORD in her…Mary.
Little did she know that God would answer her prayer to send a Savior, a Deliverer…
…and that SHE would play so pivotal a role in that DIVINE DRAMA.

Because of her Faith and Trust – Mary has been deemed the FIRST DISCIPLE
of Jesus – even BEFORE HE spoke a word or performed a miracle.

Mary accepted the Message of the Angel as a Gift from God…
…she would walk in the direction that God pointed her REGARDLESS
of the danger…regardless of her own desire…regardless of her own situation.

If Mary had NOT been that kind of spirit – we would never have heard of her.
You see, GOD DID NOT NEED a Brilliant Woman, or a Beautiful Woman,
ALL GOD NEEDED WAS A FAITHFUL WOMAN… to say “yes”…
…that she would be the “hand-maid” for the Lord.

Little did she know where it would take her…or to what it would lead.

EX: Nor did ROSA PARKS know what kind of “movement” she would initiate by
remaining seated on that city bus in Montgomery, Alabama on Dec. 1, 1955.

But it did, indeed, begin the Civil Rights movement in these United States.
And she has been honored (even venerated) by the likes of Julian Bond (NAACP)
saying: “SHE IS PROPERLY THOUGHT OF AS THE MOTHER OF
THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT BECAUSE WHEN SHE SAT DOWN,
SHE REALLY STOOD UP FOR THE REST OF US.”

That is also why we honor (and venerate) MARY, the MOTHER OF OUR LORD,
on this 4th Sunday in Advent…when she is approached by an Angel
to become the “hand-maid” of God.

God called Mary of Nazareth to “meet her hour” ~ to accept God’s Call to be the
Mother of Jesus Christ.

It was the beginning, not of a “movement” – but the beginning of
humanity’s RE-CREATION in the love & life, plan & purpose of God.

We TOO are asked to possess such TRUST & FAITH so we can meet OUR HOUR
when we are called to bring the TRANSFORMING HOPE of the Gospel
INTO OUR TIME & PLACE.

Imagine: a cop has pulled you over one evening.
He saunters up beside your driver’s door with his flashlight in hand – peering inside.
Then he takes the battery-end of it and tapes on your window…to roll down.
Then, he speaks: “License & registration, please.” …AND that’s ALL he wants…

He’s getting to the bottom of this “issue” for which you are pulled over.

Maybe he saw something you did…wrong = no headlight, a rolling ‘stop’, illegal turn…
Maybe someone called in a complaint – weaving, erratic driving, cut-off someone…

First thing he wants to know is WHO ARE YOU – IDENTIFICATON.
He doesn’t want to hear your excuses or reasons or explanation.

It’s something LIKE THAT going on in our Gospel today with John the Baptizer

He’s “pulled-over” by the representatives of the Pharisees, Priests & Levites.

John FITS the DESCRIPTION… of a MESSIAH…at least a Prophet.
The authorities were GUITLY of “PROFILING” – thought they “had their man”.

EX: …when he “looks” like prophet, “eats” like a prophet, in “wilderness” like a Prophet
….MUST BE the MESSIAH, or A PROPHET? SO ~ they are “asking”.

They consider themselves the = Judge / Jury & Prosecutor.
All the EVIDENCE pointed at him =
 he was popular,
 he was eccentric
 he was unconventional, AND
 he sounded like a prophet.

He matched the “description” of the MESSIAH – a.p.b. out on him (all points bulletin)
Now he’s pulled-over and they are INTERROGATING John =
John tells them = YOU HAVE THE WRONG MAN… (like they haven’t heard that before)

Instead of acting like a SUSPECT…he was acting like a WITNESS.
He was NOT defending himself…he was giving TESTIMONY about ‘another’.

AND THE MOST DISTURBING TESTIMONY WAS…THAT:
THE MESSIAH… STANDS AMONG YOU…AS ONE YOU DO NOT KNOW…

He says – the Messiah is apparently IN HIDING, IN DISGUISE, IN COGNITO. Indeed…the Messiah was INCONSPICUOUS to them – slipping through their fingers.
INDEED, we have come to know Jesus as the MESSIAH - and he’s UNLIKELY:

From the beginning of his life he was DISGUISED =
 He was born in a MANGER…NOT a MANSION,
 His parents were PEASANTS…NOT ROYALTY,
 He was dressed in swaddling CLOTHS…NOT royal PURPLE, like a king,
 He was RAISED “down state” in Nazareth…NOT in cosmopolitan Jerusalem.
 He didn’t really LOOK or ACT LIKE a Messiah;
 He walked humbly, without pretense;
 He spent time with the wrong crowd – people with bad reputations…

The WHOLE POINT of John the Baptizer in our Season of ADVENT…
…is to PREPARE you to RECOGNIZE the right “suspect” whom God sends.

And – to do that – you MUST KNOW HOW GOD OPERATES.
That is another “police word” = MODUS OPERANDI – M.O. = way of operating.

Most things God does are INGONITO – UNDER-COVER…

THAT is how God operated THEN…2000 years ago & before,
AND it is how God operates now.

Everything “from God” and “for God” – are NOT ALWAYS easily Identifiable.

That is frustrating for many of us – EVEN TODAY…
We say, with Kitty O’Neill Collins,
“WHAT I AM LOOKING FOR IS A ‘BLESSING THAT’S NOT IN DISGUISE’.”

Why? Because too many of our ‘blessings’ are disguised.

LIKE – 2 years ago, at the beginning of the presidential race…
Each Party (Democrats & Republicans) EACH HAD about 12 CANDIDATES.

It took 18 months for ONE from EACH SIDE to emerge – it was a painful process.
(& we may or may not have selected the “right” candidate or even president in process)

BUT – when it comes to RECOGNIZING the MESSIAH – we’d better get it right.

KNOW GOD’S M.O. = when some “have entertained angels unawares”.

After all: If God can come to us in a Manger…He can show up anywhere!”

And when it “happens” AGAIN, you don’t want to say: “THERE’S NO ROOM IN INN”.
...and you don’t want to “turn away” those who are Hungry, Thirsty, Naked, Sick…”
BECAUSE “when you do it to the least of these…you have done it to ME…”
REPENTANCE for mistaken expectations…makes us OPEN TO GOD actions.