“Whoever serves me must follow me …”

In this morning’s reading from the Gospel of John [12:20-33] Jesus was clearly speaking to all of those who were around him, “Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also.”[1]  Both his followers and those who were present to challenge him in this time of conflict had heard these words.  The real shame is that all too often these words of Jesus are glossed over by both those who would attempt to claim that Jesus was simply a fraud and those who would falsely claim to be the real followers of the teachings of Jesus.  You see it’s all too easy to claim that following Jesus is simple if you believe that the teachings are only about the relationships that are to exist between “true believers” rather than how we are being both encouraged and challenged to treat everyone in the world.  Being a Christian is much easier if we are asked to treat with love and justice only those who are exactly like us; the same race, the same nationality, the same language, the same gender, the same level of education, the same faith traditions … and the sad truth is that this list can go on and on forever. 

Humanity has been, and continues to be, all too willing to discriminate against those whom they have judged as not being among the chosen.   But as true Christians, we are each personally called to discover that both the teachings as well as the actions demonstrated by Jesus, his disciples, and his early followers within their daily lives are continuously pointing to a total restoration of a truly deeper relationship between God and all of humanity.[2]  This relationship restoration isn’t just to be between God and some chosen group of individuals; rather it is God who is calling on all of humanity to be in a true and deeper relationship with both God and with each other. 

In Paul’s Letter to the Hebrews [5:5-10], we also heard that “[Jesus] became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him.”[3]  No mention was ever made of a restriction on this offer being established as to gender, age, race, ethnicity, color, wealth, occupation, faith or any other category of restriction.  The only restriction mentioned was that eternal salvation was offered to all who obey the teachings of Jesus.

We must be careful in our understanding of this call to action by Jesus; we are not talking about taking up one’s cross and heading for crucifixion, but rather we are called to live a life of serving Jesus.  Rather than being challenged to suffer punishment and isolation, we are being called to a life of real and active service.  We truly have been called to help restore the loving and compassionate relationship that should exist between not just ourselves and God, are rather we have been called to help in restoring the truly compassionate relationship between all of humanity and God.  This is the true goal of such service; we have been called to help in the restoration of our relationship with God, Jesus, and all of our Sisters and Brothers.

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[1] John 12:26a NRSV

[2] The New Interpreter’s Bible, Volume IX, Abingdon Press, Nashville © 1995, p.714

[3] Hebrews 5:9b NRSV

Do we really know John 3:16?

 

John 3:16 is for many of us the most famous verse of the entire New Testament.  I can still recall with many pleasant memories when I was a high school student in the mid 1960’s playing football for the North Syracuse Central High School team, and seeing that someone up in the bleachers had the bold letters of “JOHN 3:16” clearly written on their poster.  I know that no one on either team had the jersey number 316 on their uniform, but it wasn’t until several months later that I was to discover the true meaning of this sign.  That following spring my father and I were watch a New York Yankee’s game when I noticed that same sign was in the crowd attending the game.  I asked Dad what the sign meant and he told me to look it up in the Bible.  I did.  That was the first time that I ever read this famous verse.

The truth is that there are many of us who have watched a number of professional or collegiate football, baseball, or basketball games over the years, and we have repeatedly seen the John 3:16 sign many times.  Some of us may have known what it referred to while others may have asked questions of family or friends.  Either way, the sign was effective.

I have also seen a much larger version of this sign which had written on it the following: “John 3:16 – ‘For God so loved the World.’”  To be honest with you, though it might be a “nice thought,” it really has no true depth.  In fact its real value might be in that it could draw the reader into a mode of deeper questioning.  How does God love the world?  How much does God do for the world?  What does God love less than the world?  What does God love more than the world?  And don’t I also have a deep memory of being told to not fall in love with this world and its ever changing values?  No, that statement is just too short.

We could make it longer; like the one on the front of our bulletin this morning: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son.”  This too is a common mistake.  First, that is not what John 3:16 really says; there is more to this verse.  Second, stopping here could imply that there is no action required on our part.  Does that mean that we can continue to sin as much and as often as we want?  Is there even a need for us to repent of our sins?  After all, Jesus has already made the ultimate sacrifice.  And while I’m asking these questions, let me add this one: Is there really a need for us to reach out to others?  After all, why should we make the effort if Jesus has already sacrificed himself for our sins?

So just what does John 3:16 really say?  “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but have eternal life.”[1]  It’s this second part of John 3:16 that I’m talking about today.  This is the part that may be the most important difference in what I and others have been talking about this morning.  God gave us Jesus so that everyone who believes in him would not have to perish, but rather those who truly believe in Jesus would have eternal life.

But what does it mean to “believe in him”?  Are just words required?  Is the only requirement that we stand in front of a congregation and state that we believe in Jesus?  Or is it a requirement that our actions also clearly demonstrates that we are true followers of Jesus?  I can assure you that a deeper and closer study of the complete works of the New Testament will help you discover the true answer that the life and teachings of Jesus and his Apostles have to offer.  The Christian Faith calls for the followers to believe that the promises made by God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit are true and everlasting.

God has sent Jesus to us to help us understand the depth of God’s love, and to understand that we are also called to action … and not just to repeating words.

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[1] John 3:16 NRSV

“… God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom …”

I think that it is important for me to share with you just exactly what I believe that Jesus was so upset with in this morning’s reading from the Gospel of John (2:13-22).  I mean seriously; can you imagine coming into our Church, our sanctuary, or our fellowship hall and discovering that individuals have set up tables and displays, and that they are willing to sell to us cattle, sheep, doves, second-hand cloths, used household items, handicrafts, pies, donuts, or hot meals complete with fellowship?  Can you imagine discovering that there are also individuals here willing to exchange your Canadian, Puerto Rican, Mexican, or Chinese money into US Dollars?  Of course the truth is that each and every one of these individuals is not genuinely interested is making a “fair exchange;” after all they are here to make a living on each and every one of our completed purchases and/or exchanges.

Most of us would be outraged, and rightly so.  After all, unlike the temple that Jesus was entering into, we do not really practice making public sacrifices for our sins.  As United Methodist we believe that the forgiveness of sins is between God and each individual.  We also believe that Jesus has made the ultimate and only required sacrifice.

And yet, deep inside most of us believe that when we have done something wrong that we are somehow required to make some kind of sacrifice.  We know that we have to at least truly and humbly confess our transgression.  Sometimes not just to God.  Sometimes we are also led to confess to those that we have sinned against.  Sometimes there are additional actions which are required of us so that we can live with our own conscience.  Often the reality is that we can not undo the wrong that we have committed, but somehow we are deeply driven to seek true forgiveness no matter what the cost may be. 

Yes, I believe that Jesus was greatly upset with those individuals who had over the course of many years turn the house of worship into a house of profit.  But I also believe that Jesus was just as upset – and maybe even more – with those who quietly and willingly settled for an exchange of money rather than taking the true responsibility for seeking restitution for a transgression.  What kind of person would break one of the Ten Commandments, and then feel truly justified by simply paying $200 for a sheep that they turn over to a priest to offer as a sacrifice to God?  What kind of God would see this as justice?

And so Jesus was determined to clean out the Temple.  He once again wanted to make clear the real truth of God’s forgiveness; we can not buy God’s forgiveness, and we can not earn God’s forgiveness.  In truth the forgiveness of God is a gift given from God.  This should not be such a strange thought to us.  If we are willing to be honest with ourselves, then we will recognize that those whom we have forgiven are the ones whom we believe have made an honest apology.

To those who live a life revolving around the world’s rules – those whose beliefs are dictated by the flow of their current society’s every changing values – they will not understand what Paul wrote to the faithful community in Corinth (1^st Corinthians 1:18-25); “God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom”[1].  The choice is ours to make.  We can choose to follow the forever changing values of this world and it’s ever changing society, or we can follow the words of God and the teachings of the Holy Spirit.

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[1] 1 Corinthians 1:25a NRSV

Where are you setting your mind?

 

In this morning’s Gospel (Mark 8:31-38) reading we hear that Jesus has decided that it is now time for him to begin sharing with his Disciples and followers just what the future would have in store for him as well as what they should be preparing themselves for.  Jesus knew that he was going to have to suffer greatly.  He also knew and understood that both he and his teachings where already being openly and vehemently rejected by the orthodox religious leaders.  But then he crossed the line.  He began speaking to them about how he would be killed, and how he would then rise up again after three days.  It is not at all surprising to many of us that Peter had attempted to take Jesus aside so that he could rebuke Jesus.  Nor is it at all a surprise to any of us that it was Jesus who ended up rebuking Peter.

When we read this story, when we study this text, it is so easy for us to see why Jesus would identify Satan as the real source of the conflict.  We know that Jesus is not really claiming that Peter is Satan; rather we know that Jesus is identifying that the real source of the Peter’s actions is being driven by Satan.  And yet it is often so hard for us to identify when Satan is being an active force within our own lives and actions.

Remember that it is Jesus then who tells Peter, “For you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.”[1]  It is all too easy for many of us humans to become distracted by side issues rather than keeping our focus on the true objectives.  If you are having some difficulty believing this, than watch closely the next time you are with a friend and their grandchild; observe how easy it is for the child to bait and switch the adult.

Jesus than quickly uses this confrontation as a teachable moment.  He turns to all of those who are gathered around him and tells them some of the key points of this lesson.  If we want to truly be followers of God’s will, then it cannot be about ourselves!  We are going to have to learn how to set our egos aside, and we are going to have to be prepared to make sacrifices for others.  If what we are worried about is how to live the “good life” as taught by either our local community or the world at large, then we have already lost sight of being a part of the Kingdom of God.

One of the key questions asked by Jesus in all of the Gospels is this, “For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life?”[2]  Most of us would not be willing to trade our lives here on earth for a few brief moments of pleasure.  But then that’s not the way to advertise a product that will destroy your life.  Drug dealers do not want you to know about the side effects and the health costs of their products and activities … and neither does Satan.  Why is it that the unhealthy and unsafe habits are so easy to learn and practice, while the good habits are so hard to learn?  Learning to reach out to those in need around us with true love in our hearts is not easy to learn or to remember to practice … but it is what Jesus and God are calling us to do.

Being in relationship with God is not as much about laws and rules as it is about love and respect.  If we truly want to be with God both now and forever, then what we need to do is to remember to reach out to God and all of God’s chilren with genuine respect and with true love.

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[1] Mark 8:33c NRSV

[2] Mark 8:36   NRSV

“… in the wilderness forty days”

In this morning’s Gospel reading (Mark 1:9-15) we discover that after Jesus was baptized, after the voice from heaven declared “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased [1]”; it was then that Jesus was driven by the Spirit to go out into the wilderness for 40 days where he was tempted by Satan, and he was waited upon by the angles.

Our traditions of the Season of Lent have been with the Christian Community for many years.  The beginning of the season is marked by Ash Wednesday, and its end comes 47 days later on Easter morning.  Since there are 7 days of Sabbath between Ash Wednesday and Easter, and since the day of Sabbath is considered to be a day of rest, the length of the Season of Lent is commonly referred to as 40 days. 

I would encourage each one of you to observe some or all of the Christian Traditions of Lent.  For each of the 40 days of Lent you are encouraged to practice the following some or all of the activities: Prayer, Penitence, Self-denial, and Good Works.

For this season of lent I encourage all of us to say at least one prayer each day.  It is not necessary to say a formal or complex prayer each day; rather you are encouraged to speak at least once each day with the Creator.  Maybe you could say a grace or even a thank you before you eat a meal.  Maybe you could pray each day for guidance, strength, or patience.  Some individuals would say that they do not know how to pray, but the truth so far for me has been that every individual I’ve ever meet, even those who have lost their power of hearing or speech, know how to articulate or express, “Now I lay me down to sleep … I pray the Lord my Soul to keep …”

I would also encourage each one of us, for the forty days of Lent, to make reparations for wrongs that we have done; the fancy word used is penitence.  The simplest examples I would share with you would include:

(1) Making an honest admission of having done something wrong,

(2) Giving a truly honest apology,

(3) Doing something “creative” to correct a wrong

(4) Accepting the “punishment” when the wrong cannot be “corrected.”

The classic practice during the season of Lent has been self-denial or sacrifice; which is not the same as penitence or punishment.  Many of us have in the past “given up something for Lent,” but we should be careful and honest in our choices.  We should “choose” something “meaningful” to give up.  We should not choose to give up “proper English,” rather we should give up cursing or swearing.  Don’t say that you are giving up “beats and turnips” for Lent, rather give up candy and wine.  One of my friends once told me that for Lent he was going to give up “going to bed early,” but I suggested that he should rather choose to “get up early in the morning.”  During this season of Lent, if you are going to give up something, then I’d suggest that it be something meaningful that will actually improve your relationship with God and with your sisters and brothers.

As for “Good Works” or the “Giving of Alms,” I’d suggest that for the next 40 days you look closely for ways to give someone else a “hand with their work,” or maybe you could give a little something special to someone else.  But the real key here is the motive for “Giving of Alms” or the doing of “Good Works.”  The best ones are done so that no one else knows about who actually did them; after all the Season of Lent is really about your relationship with the Creator.

Yup, I honestly believed that Jesus had a great idea when he went off by himself for 40 days.  But then he was really alone.  None of us are really ever alone if we are willing to be in relationship with the Creator, the Redeemer, and the Sustainer.  To be totally honest, those who are not in a relationship with God … they are the ones who are truly alone.

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[1] Mark 1:11b NRSV

The Temptation of Solitude and Isolation

     In this morning’s Gospel reading (Mark 9:2-9) we find ourselves no longer at the beginning of the ministry of Jesus.  Rather we now find ourselves somewhere in the middle of this fast paced, deeply personal, and yet openly pubic ministry of Jesus.  We have arrived at a point in this story which will rapidly become a transition point both for Jesus and for all of his followers.  Jesus is in deep need of time to seek rest, but more importantly he is seeking guidance and counsel.  He has left behind a large crowd of believers and doubters, and now he has taken only three of his disciples to be with him.  They now have gone in search of a place far away from the pressing crowds so that Jesus can freely have an opportunity to discern the true will of God for his future, his ministry, and for himself.

“And he was transformed before them, and his clothes became dazzling white, … And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, who were talking with Jesus.”[1] To us these are not surprising events; after all, we’ve either read all of the Bible or at least the major parts of the New Testament.

But for these three disciples, at this time and place, this vision must have caused them to wonder at first if it was possible that they were seeing a false illusion.  However, I’m also sure that once the three of them agreed that they were all seeing the same event unfolding before them; it was Peter who was elected to interrupt Jesus and offer to build shelters for Jesus and his guests.

And this is where I pause to question the very motives of these three disciples.  When I read these passages, when I listen to this encounter unfold, I am reminded of the temptations of solitude and isolation.  Where the three disciples offering to construct a Holy Place of isolation for these three individuals?  Where they suggesting that Jesus, Elijah, and Moses should remain on this mountain top for the rest of eternity?  Where the disciples suggesting that they should also remain isolated from the rest of the world?  Where they suggesting that none of them should return to the world at large?

Now just to be sure that I’m not misunderstood at this point; I do believe that there is such a space as “sacred space.”  I believe that a Church’s Sanctuary is such a space, and that it should be treated with respect and reverence.  That said, I also believe that a Church’s Sanctuary should be open to all who come to worship God in respect.

It is my belief, and the belief of the United Methodist Church, that we, as a people of God, are called to be “Holy” and to be “set apart from the world.”  And yet we are reminded by Jesus and the Holy Spirit that we are also called to be within the world as a beacon of light and hope.  Our Sanctuary has been set aside as a place for us to worship, but it is also open to all people who would seek to be in relationship with the Creator and with each other.

As Paul wrote, “For we do not proclaim ourselves, we proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and ourselves as your (servants) for Jesus Sake.”[2]  There is a temptation of retreating into solitude and isolation which comes to every community of faith.  When struggling against worldly temptations and sins, some individuals have found it much easier to retreat from the world and thus surround them-selves with a faith that does not call for them to reach out to their brothers and sisters.

But the voice of God is still calling to us: “This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!”[3]  Jesus called his disciples back into the world, and he is still calling to us today.  Jesus is calling to each one of us to reach out in understanding, compassion, and love to all of our sisters and brothers.

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[1] Mark 9:2c, 3a, 4 NSRV

[2] 2^nd Corinthians 4:5 NRSV [Use of the word “servant” in place of “slave” for a positive implication. Rodger White]

[3] Mark 9:7b NRSV

“so that … I myself should not be disqualified”

In this morning’s Gospel reading (Mark 1:40-45) we heard about the response of Jesus to a single man who had come before him begging to be made clean once again because he was suffering with leprosy.  Most of us gathered here today, though we may not have ever meet face to face with anyone who has been suffering the devastating effects of this seriously infectious skin disease, we do know and understand something about the effects upon an individual when they have become an outcast of their society.  Jesus warned this man to tell no one what had happen; he was to only quietly present himself to the local priest and make the required offering for his cleansing.

But this man could not contain himself.  We have no idea how long a time he had been suffering, nor how many times he had asked others to cure him, and so he now spreads the truth far and wide within his own community.  As a result Jesus could no longer openly go about within this community, and he was forced to stay in the country-side.  However, even then he found it hard to find solitude, for the people from all over would continue to seek him out.

And when they eventually discovered where he was staying, he could not turn his back upon them.  Jesus understood that he was sent to be among the people to help them, to encourage them, to heal them, and to lead them into a close relationship with God.

This brings me now to our reading this morning from Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians (9:24-27).  We must be very careful in how we interpret what he has written.  He has chosen to use as an illustration at this point in his writing, the concept of individuals running in a race.  I have only ever had a very limited personal contact with racing.  As a high school student, I was required to take Gym as was everyone.  Over the course of nearly ten years I was slowly introduced to the very subtle differences between running and racing.

Indeed Paul’s statements are correct; there is only one racer who will receive the prize.  I can remember being entered into a cross-country race while I was a Boy Scout in Syracuse.  We all lined-up in an open field, and when the director of the event said, “Ready – Set – GO!” we all ran as fast as we could to finish the two mile race.  During the first half I was among the top five boys, but at the half way mark I began to pull ahead until I was about a hundred yards in front of everyone else.  Then I discovered that the last two hundred yards of the race where uphill to the finish line.  I remember that I finished seventh, and that our Troop received no award; nor even recognition.  Paul was right, “but only one receives the prize”[1]. 

However, there is another way for us to understand what Paul is writing about.  He also shared with his readers that he and they needed to “exercise self-control in all things … do not run aimlessly”[2].  I did not finish in first place for my troop, but I did finish the race. 

In life we have choices to make.  We can choose to live by the ever changing values and the continually shifting rules taught to us by our present day society or by the world at large.  However, I’d rather believe that Paul is encouraging us to choose to live by the rules given to us bu our true Creator; God.  I believe, like Paul, that the greatest values in life are ones shown to us by our brother Jesus.  And the greatest prize of all is the gift given to us by the true Creator; the choice is ours to make.

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[1] 1^st Corinthians 9:24b NRSV

[2] 1^st Corinthians 9:25-26[edited from] NRSV