Abundance - Sermon on John 6:1-21 - 07.29.2018

Listen to the gospel and sermon here.

John 6:1-21

1 After this Jesus went to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, also called the Sea of Tiberias.² A large crowd kept following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing for the sick.³ Jesus went up the mountain and sat down there with his disciples.⁴ Now the Passover, the festival of the Jews, was near.⁵ When he looked up and saw a large crowd coming toward him, Jesus said to Philip, "Where are we to buy bread for these people to eat?"⁶ He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he was going to do.⁷ Philip answered him, "Six months' wages would not buy enough bread for each of them to get a little."⁸ One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, said to him,⁹ "There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish. But what are they among so many people?"¹⁰ Jesus said, "Make the people sit down." Now there was a great deal of grass in the place; so they sat down, about five thousand in all.¹¹ Then Jesus took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed them to those who were seated; so also the fish, as much as they wanted.¹² When they were satisfied, he told his disciples, "Gather up the fragments left over, so that nothing may be lost."¹³ So they gathered them up, and from the fragments of the five barley loaves, left by those who had eaten, they filled twelve baskets.¹⁴ When the people saw the sign that he had done, they began to say, "This is indeed the prophet who is to come into the world."¹⁵ When Jesus realized that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, he withdrew again to the mountain by himself.¹⁶ When evening came, his disciples went down to the sea,¹⁷ got into a boat, and started across the sea to Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them.¹⁸ The sea became rough because a strong wind was blowing.¹⁹ When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were terrified.²⁰ But he said to them, "It is I; do not be afraid."²¹ Then they wanted to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached the land toward which they were going.

Sermon

A few weeks ago more than 100 million people worldwide celebrated a much anticipated holiday.  Well it’s not necessarily a holiday...yet. But it’s a 30 hour celebration of slashed prices, incredible discounts, next day delivery, and online consumerism at its finest.  Of course, I am talking about Amazon Prime day. 

Amazon is one of the largest and most profitable retailers in the world and for the last several years they have lured more than 100 million users into a mid-year shopping spree.  They offer incredible deals and discount prices and major, popular items. It’s sort of an online, mid-year, Black Friday, without the lines. And it’s a big deal for a lot of people. 

Last week I was listening to some friends talk about their Amazon Prime Day experience.  They were listing all the things they bought and how much money they saved by buying them.  They spent hundreds of dollars buying two of these and three of those, but they saved hundreds more.  And as they were boasting about all of their new toys, one person said, so how are you enjoying your new items?  They paused, also in a moment of conviction, and said “honestly I haven’t even opened the package yet.”   After thinking for a moment they said, “ I really didn’t need any of it.” “So why did you buy it,” a friend asked?  “Well, the deal was too good and I was afraid that if I didn’t buy one then they would run out of stock...so I bought two.”

I was afraid they would run out of stock...so I bought two.  Funny, isn’t it, how our culture and our society has developed in such a way to convince us that there won’t be enough.  If we don’t act quickly, we’ll miss out.  There is only a finite amount….a limited amount of supplies, resources, energy, people, hours in the day.  Act now while supplies last! Sale ends today! Everything must go! Once it’s gone...there will be no more! 

Once I was walking through the grocery store and there was one package of Oreos left on the shelf.  I didn’t need Oreos. Wasn’t looking for Oreos. Wasn’t craving Oreos. But my mind said if I don’t grab that last package someone else will and there won’t be any more.   I remember the same thing happening when I was kid around the holidays.  Mom and I would go to the store as we prepared for a holiday meal and she would buy up all of the cream cheese.  Granted her recipes were always rich with cream cheese, but there seemed to be this mentality that there would never be another block of cheese available to us if we didn’t act now.   To this day I find myself glancing at the cream cheese as I pass it to make sure there is plenty to go around.  But if the supply is low I have an urge to act.

When there is a natural disaster or sudden international conflict...there is a risk of gas shortage...so what do we do? We all fill up our cars and gas cans in case it’s the last tank we ever top off.  

Oo or have you ever eaten at a buffet?  And your cruising through the line, one item to the next, your plate is full...until you come across one of your favorite foods.  You know it’s endless, but there is only one serving left, and if you don’t grab it now… I think you get my point.

For better or worse, our culture and society has trained us to act out of fear of not enough.  Our gut reaction is often to act within a mindset of scarcity. 

Maybe we’ll implement this approach for council positions this fall.   Get your position while it lasts! There are only five openings! Act now!  Don’t miss your chance! 

It’s a strange mindset of Scarcity.  In fact, there is an entire theology built on scarcity.  A whole belief system that says God created a finite amount.  A pattern of behavior that makes us queasy and impulsive because we fear there won’t be enough.  And it’s more than just consumerism.  It permeates the various aspects of our life, and if we’re not mindful, we can unintentionally approach relationships, situations, opportunities with this scarcity.

I think today’s gospel lesson confronts the theology of scarcity in a way that challenges us and perhaps makes us uncomfortable.  Jesus and his disciples retire to the other side of the Sea for a bit of rest.  But they barely make it to shore before large crowds swarm him. These crowds had seen many of the things Jesus had been doing and their curiosity was so peaked that they dropped everything to see what he would do next.   So as Jesus and friends climbed the large mountain, sat down, and watched as thousands...literally thousands of people approached. 

“Hey Philip,” Jesus asks, “Where are we to buy bread for these people to eat?” 

Philip goes right past Jesus’ question as to say, even if there was a place for them to buy that much bread for the crowds, they would never have enough money to do so.  Even six months’ wages would not buy enough bread for each to get a little.  Philip responds that there isn’t enough!  We can’t do it! The resources needed are unobtainable and the resources available are too finite.

We know how the story goes.  Jesus takes a small amount of bread and fish from a boy in the crowd, gives thanks, and distributes it among the 5000 people until all ate beyond their satisfaction.  Following the meal, Jesus instructs the disciples to collect the fragments.  So the disciples collect...and they don’t collect the fatty, tough, uneaten bits of food, but rather they collect 12 baskets of leftover food.   The crowd had eaten beyond their satisfaction and there was still food left to be shared. 

Today’s story in John is a lesson of faith and abundance from Jesus.  From five loaves and two fish Jesus offers an abundance of food for the crowd.  Jesus offers so much food that there were 12 baskets full left after everyone was satisfied.   

And certainly the lesson that Jesus teaches the disciples and the crowd is that in Christ there is enough.  There is more than enough. Our God is one of abundance.  God created in abundance.  God saved the Israelites in the wilderness with an abundance of quail and manna.  God saved all people through the death and resurrection of Jesus with an abundance of forgiveness and grace.  An abundance of hope and love.   Such an abundance that all may be filled beyond satisfaction.  That all may have abundant life and life eternal. 

Now I say all of that, and I believe it to be true.  But it is admittedly difficult to live in this tension: wholehearted and faithful believing that God always provides in an abundance and the harsh realities of the world in which we live.  I am not naive, and I know God isn’t going to write a check for the mortgage when the budget is tight if I just believe that God gives abundantly.  I know that Jesus himself wasn’t leading games at VBS, or teaching Sunday school, serving on council, or stuffing backpacks.   I know that God, powerful as God may be, won’t be the one dropping food in the UCOM food wagon, scooping ice cream after church, or roasting the pig this fall for our anniversary.  

Don’t get me wrong, I have no doubt that God is present in all of things through the body of Christ, but I suspect Jesus himself isn’t physically present making sandwiches for the homeless, sleeping on the couch while family promise is here, changing the filters on our AC units once a month, or making bulletins if we just believe God will provide  

Philip, how are we going to feed these people.  Well, Jesus, we can’t. There isn’t enough.  It’s easy for scarcity to be our out.  It’s a good excuse, at best. There isn’t enough.  Simply can’t. Not enough volunteers. Not enough resources. Not enough money. Not enough time.  We’re all out. This is what the world would have us believe. Scarcity. 

So maybe today’s lesson is a bit deeper than simply saying “God will provide.”  I suspect Jesus’ lesson for the disciples is a bit more rich than “if you just wait...God will make it happen.” 

I think this mountaintop moment is meant to be a game changer for both the disciples and the crowd.  For weeks they have watched and listened to Jesus. They have witnessed some incredible moments of ministry...enough to make them follow him wherever he goes.   And now, on this mountaintop, they do more than just witness, they become participants.  Consumers of Jesus’s bounty, both in food and miracle. They experience Christ. They taste and see the power of Jesus.  

And I think the lesson to be heard today is not simply to trust in God and God will provide.  Rather I think Jesus is inviting to completely shift our mentality. To change the starting point of our actions.   Rather than place restrictions or limits on our ministry and outreach by a lack of resources, perhaps we first ask what would God have us do.  What are the opportunities for ministry? What is our community crying out for? What are the needs of those around us? Where is the crowd that needs to be fed? 

And once we see the crowd, once we know the needs. When we hear the pains.  Identify the hurting, the suffering, the last, the lost, the least. Once we discern what Jesus would have us do...we might prioritize our resources to respond faithfully.  Trusting that in faithful ministry, God will provide.

Because in God we have been gifted enough.  We have been washed in the waters of baptism, claimed as a child of God and received grace upon grace.   When we come to the Lord’s table we receive the body and blood of Christ and we are filled with strength and love.  In the bread and wine Christ consumes us...filling us beyond satisfaction… again and again. 

The Spirit continues to fill us with grace and mercy, love and forgiveness, hope and grace, peace and everlasting life.  And these gifts from God never run out. Never expire. We have each been blessed with gifts. Talents. Abilities. Resources.  Time. And our call is to be stewards of these gifts. Not just to follow Christ from place to place...watching, listening, tasting, and seeing,...but to believe, go, tell, and feed.  To be stewards of God’s abundance. To challenge the world. To proclaim that in Christ we have all we need. We have enough.

Jesus knew what he was going to do on that mountain top.  The text tells us so. Before he asked the disciples or gave them a chance to give up, he knew what he was going to do.  

Jesus takes the smallest amount of food and transforms it into an abundance.  That’s what God does. God transforms scarcity into abundance. Out of nothing, God created the world.  Out of the desert God fed the wandering Israelites in abundance. Out of a rock God struck an abundance of water.  Out of a forgotten town and a no-name girl, God became incarnate. Out of the nothingness of death, the very scarcity of life, God made way for abundant life.  Abundance is what God does. Abundance is what God will always do. 

Because our God is a God of abundance, and in God we have more than we will ever need.   So while the world might trick us into thinking there isn’t enough of what we want, in God there is abundance of what we need.  The supply is infinite. It’s abounding. And in faith, it’s not about what we need or don’t have…it’s about what we do have. And today, it’s a generous God with 5 loaves, 2 fish, and an opportunity to feed the hungry.    Amen.

Speaking Prophetically - Sermon on Mark 6:14-29 - 07.15.2018

Listen to the gospel reading and sermon here.

Mark 6:14-29

14 King Herod heard of it, for Jesus' name had become known. Some were saying, "John the baptizer has been raised from the dead; and for this reason these powers are at work in him." ¹⁵ But others said, "It is Elijah." And others said, "It is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old." ¹⁶ But when Herod heard of it, he said, "John, whom I beheaded, has been raised." ¹⁷ For Herod himself had sent men who arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, because Herod had married her. ¹⁸ For John had been telling Herod, "It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife." ¹⁹ And Herodias had a grudge against him, and wanted to kill him. But she could not, ²⁰ for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he protected him. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed; and yet he liked to listen to him. ²¹ But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his courtiers and officers and for the leaders of Galilee. ²² When his daughter Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests; and the king said to the girl, "Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will give it." ²³ And he solemnly swore to her, "Whatever you ask me, I will give you, even half of my kingdom." ²⁴ She went out and said to her mother, "What should I ask for?" She replied, "The head of John the baptizer." ²⁵ Immediately she rushed back to the king and requested, "I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter." ²⁶ The king was deeply grieved; yet out of regard for his oaths and for the guests, he did not want to refuse her. ²⁷ Immediately the king sent a soldier of the guard with orders to bring John's head. He went and beheaded him in the prison, ²⁸ brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl. Then the girl gave it to her mother. ²⁹ When his disciples heard about it, they came and took his body, and laid it in a tomb.

SERMON:

The Gospel of the Lord?

This is one of those rare days where my call to preach and proclaim the good news of Jesus is directly challenged by a gospel text that isn’t really about Jesus.  In fact, Jesus is only mentioned in passing as a set up.  Ya know so often we read and hear stories of Jesus that teach us a lesson or moral, a lesson that challenges us or affirms our calling, but today rather we get a story that is a bit tangent to the rest of the gospel.

Mark’s gospel account begins with John the Baptist.  From the first verse of chapter one, JTB is proclaiming out of the wilderness.  “Prepare the way of the lord” he says. “Make straight his paths”. Recall the season of Advent when John the Baptist saying, “the one who is more powerful than I is coming after me and I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals.  I baptized you with water but he will baptize you with Holy Spirit.”

John spent his days as a prophet, proclaiming the arrival of the Messiah.  He was the one crying in the wilderness, prophesying a word of hope among the people.  With prophetic and faithful witness, he proclaimed the coming light into the world. A light not darkness can overcome.  And of course, Jesus arrives right on cue to be baptized.

And we hear this marvelous story unfold about Jesus emerging from the waters of baptism, and the heavens being torn apart, and the Spirit descending like a dove and God say, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”  Jesus wandered the wilderness, ignoring Satan's temptations.

And as Jesus leaves the wilderness to call disciples and embark on his Galilean ministry, there is one small, quick verse that is often overlooked.

The 14th verse of Mark’s first chapter says, “Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news…”   How subtle of Mark. The author begins his gospel with this wonderful prophecy by John the Baptist, but once Jesus arrives, John seems to become old news.  Oh, and he was arrested, but back to Jesus.

And yet, for some reason, four chapters later, Mark finishes the story of John.  It’s a side story, a flashback really. And if you’re reading the gospel of Mark straight through, chances are you have forgotten all about John, and probably don’t recall that he was even arrested.  

We’re so focused on Jesus being active and present as the Messiah, Jesus healing and teaching in the synagogue, Jesus sending the disciples out two by two….but all of a sudden Mark is says, “Oh by the way...remember that John the Baptist guy?...have you ever wonder what happened to him?”

Well as the story goes, King Herod married the wife of his brother.  In other words he married his sister-in-law. Her name was Herodias. And by the law in Leviticus, their marriage was to be considered unlawful.  

So, John the faithful prophet and witness calls attention to their unlawful marriage.  He spoke a hard truth to those in power and authority. This does not sit well with Herodias.  She held a grudge against John.

So Herod has John arrested, whether to appease his sister-in-law turned wife, or to silence the faithful prophet and save face among his people, he arrests John none-the-less.

But what is interesting is that the text tells Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man.  So Herod protected him. Even more so it tells us that Herod was intrigued by John the Baptist and enjoyed listening to him.  John made him think. As John prophesied and proclaimed, sowing seeds we might say...Herod thoroughly liked John’s company. Never-the-less, John spoke a hard truth to hold the king accountable, and he found himself imprisoned.

So it was Herod’s birthday, and during the party his niece, now step-daughter dances for Herod and his guests.  And to be clear, it is likely Not a suggestive or inappropriate dance. Rather she was a young girl, likely performing an innocent routine, hamming it up for Herod’s guests.  

So he summons the girl and says “whatever you ask me, I will give you.”  So the girl runs to her mother, seeking advice on such a big ask.

And Herodias, with her festering grudge against the truthful yet convicting prophet, says, I want John the Baptist dead, with his head on a platter.  

So the girl conveys her wish to her uncle, now step-father.  And rather than appear weak or face embarrassment, Herod is bound by his word.  Thus John the Baptist is beheaded and brought on a platter to the girl. I can only imagine her reaction.  The girl gives the platter to the mom and John’s disciples came to collect the body. The end..

Now, where were we with Jesus and his friends…

It’s an oddly placed story in the middle of Mark’s gospel.  Jesus is thriving in ministry. Sure he just faced a cold greeting in his hometown, but things are going well.  We, the hearers, along with Jesus’ disciples are learning more and more about this Messiah, his power, and his purpose.  Then out of nowhere...oh, do you remember John?

It’s a strangely-timed flash back that closes the book on a character we’ve long moved past.  And there is only a passing mention of Jesus in order to set the story up. So what could the author of Mark possibly be teaching his audience?  Then and now? What, if any, is the good news in today’s text?

Perhaps the key to first understand the author.  Mark is a brilliant writer, and part of his style is to bookend stories within his writing.  Throughout his entire gospel account, uses bookends to write in rounds. He has a clever and subtle way of writing the narrative so that the format tells as much of a story as the text does.  He draws subtext parallels and expands metaphors. He foreshadows much of what is to happen later. Today’s text is a perfect example in two ways.

First, the story of John the Baptist being beheaded foreshadows Jesus’ death.  From speaking hard truth the those of authority and power, to dying at the hands a timid and reluctant political leader.  John’s death prepares us for a greater and more traumatizing death that is to come.

Second, and this might be the key, the beheading of John the Baptist is preceded by Jesus sending out the disciples two by two, and followed by the disciples returning to Jesus and Jesus feeding 5000.  

Jesus encounters resistance in his hometown, making clear the difficult reality of the call to preach, teach, proclaim, and heal.  The message and work of the one called is not always welcomed warmly. Then Jesus sends his disciples into the villages two by two, to teach and heal.  To be vulnerable and risk everything. To take nothing for the journey and trust in God and the message of hope.

It’s precisely in that moment, as the disciples leave, that the author flashes back to the story of a familiar and faithful prophet losing his life to wealth, power, and authority after speaking hard, faithful truths.  The timing isn’t ironic. The placement of this story isn’t an afterthought. For Mark, the message is intentional. We may not know exactly what the disciples encountered on their journey, but Mark is sure to tell us what they risked.

It makes me think about the phrase “Don’t shoot the messenger.”  We always hear in a context that says, “It’s not my fault you’re receiving the bad news, I’m just delivering it.”  But when I think about John and the prophets it makes sense because history may kill them but the message never dies.

Even centuries before John came crying out of the wilderness, the prophets spoke truths.  Hard, faithful truths in the face of opposition. They challenged authority. They offered warning to the hard of heart and hard of hearing.  

And many of them were killed for their prophetic voice.  Isaiah was sawn in two. Jeremiah was starved to death. Even Amos, from our 1st lesson was said to suffer a violent death after giving a powerful word of warning to the Northern Kingdom.  But despite a cold welcome by a resistant world, the stories of the prophets have life and meaning today because of the message they proclaimed. Not because of who they were speaking to, but because of in whose name they spoke.

The voice and witness of those who are called to teach, preach, proclaim, and yes prophecy is more powerful than death.  The message is greater than any earthly kingdom or unlawful ruler that may feel challenged by their words.

Power, wealth, and authority may arrest, imprison, beat, challenge, oppose, belittle, smear, slander, dismiss, behead or even crucify the prophet, but the message that prophet proclaims is far greater.   

Yes, they risked their lives, but their story and their proclamation are still told.  Herod killed John, but John’s life and prophecy to prepare the way of the Lord is far more powerful.  They killed Jesus, but God’s story of hope was far too great for sin, death and the devil.

So what do we do with this text that feels out of place?  Perhaps there is truth to be told today? Jesus sends out the 12 disciples to teach and heal, and we are reminded of our call as well to journey village to village and share in the stories of God and our neighbor.

I always think the hard part of being a follower of Christ is being sent two by two to strangers homes and sharing in their time, food, and stories.  But in light of today’s gospel, perhaps that is is the easiest part of being a Christian. And the most challenging and vulnerable thing for us to do is speak with Christ’s authority to people in power.

As Christians, it is our power and privilege, our call to speak prophetically to unlawful powers and unjust systems.  It’s our call to preach, teach, and heal with authority. With passion. With fervor and power. We are called to name sin and sinful behavior.  To encourage and empower repentance. To challenge unjust and unlawful systems. To prophecy against oppressive power.

And the prophets message is always one of hope.  Hope in a God who is far more powerful, far more just, and far more fair than any Earthly kingdom or rule.

Sure, Proclaiming Christ, being a prophetic voice and witness of hope in a world that is burdened by wealth, status, power, greed, and destruction is risky business.  But what is far more risky, is if the prophet never speaks at all. If sin is never named. If truth is never told. If hope is never proclaimed. If repentance and forgiveness is never offered.

So as the disciples leave for their first missionary journey, Mark closes the chapter on John the Baptist not to say that being a prophet is too risky.  Rather, Mark reminds us that power of the prophetic witness is far greater than the risk of speaking out. Jesus calls us to be prophetic in spite of the risk.  It seems that in today’s world there will always be unjust, unlawful, and unruly systems of power. And if that’s true, then there will always be a need for prophetic proclamation too.  That is our call, here and now. No matter how strange the timing may seem.

Amen.

Come Away and Rest! - Sermon on Mark 6:30-34, 53-56 - 07.22.2018

Listen to the gospel reading and sermon here.

Mark 6:30-34, 53-56

30 The apostles gathered around Jesus, and told him all that they had done and taught. ³¹ He said to them, "Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while." For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. ³² And they went away in the boat to a deserted place by themselves. ³³ Now many saw them going and recognized them, and they hurried there on foot from all the towns and arrived ahead of them. ³⁴ As he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he began to teach them many things.

⁵³ When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret and moored the boat. ⁵⁴ When they got out of the boat, people at once recognized him, ⁵⁵ and rushed about that whole region and began to bring the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. ⁵⁶ And wherever he went, into villages or cities or farms, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged him that they might touch even the fringe of his cloak; and all who touched it were healed.

I suspect most everyone here knows by now that Sarah is pregnant.  We are expecting our first child any day now. In fact, Sarah are you here?  Ok, good, just making sure I’m not missing it!

If you didn’t know, Sarah is 39 weeks pregnant this week and we are so ready to meet baby Locke!

Ever since we announced our pregnancy, we have truly been blessed by this community.  Your love and support is incredible and we are truly grateful. Now of course, this being my first child, I am always open and receptive to everyone’s advice, and you have willingly offered it.  You’ve offered your experience and advice with everything from preferred diapers and books, to schools and childcare.

And of all the advice we’ve gotten, I think the most consistent and most beneficial piece of advice is to sleep while we can.  In fact, many of you have encouraged us to get extra sleep now, to take our rest as we can before the baby comes. What’s that all about?   There seems to be a consensus that a newborn will somehow compromise our rest? As though we are about to busier than ever. More depended upon than ever.   It’s as if all of you who are parents or teachers, aunts or uncles...it’s almost as though you know that my life is going to change.

It got me thinking this week, how often do we encourage one another to rest?  Out of genuine, mutual care for one another, how often do we encourage rest? Or better yet, how receptive are we to the invitation to rest?

I think more often than not our gut reaction is to be defensive.  When someone advises us to rest or take a break we perceive it as an insult, even if it’s doctor’s orders.  The implication is that we look tired, with deep heavy eyes. We feel convicted or accused because the presumption is that we can’t take care of ourselves.  Or we feel called out because we can’t be trusted to maintain good boundaries. Even when rest is prescribed in the best interest of our health we’re offended because how dare the doctor presume to know what’s best for me.

And to be clear, I don’t think any of us are opposed to resting.  Who doesn’t like a good night’s sleep, or a lazy day nap on the couch?  I think we love to rest. But our society and culture pressures us us to believe that rest equals weakness.  That somehow to take a respite or power nap, to care for ourselves is to ignore work that could be done.

Somewhere the script was flipped and rather that work being a burden to our self-care, we’ve allowed self-care to be a burden to work.  Our society is go. Go. go. And more often than not, the one who works over-time and risks their health to get a job done is rewarded. What’s the phrase...no rest for the weary?

Well, friends, as you have graciously encouraged me over the last few weeks, I want you to hear the same good news today:  Take a break. Rest. Relax. Refuel. Find your deserted place and rest awhile. But, you don’t have to take my word for it.

In today’s text the disciples return from their two by two journey.  We have no knowledge of where they’ve been, what they’ve done, or what they’ve seen or experienced.  As they return to Jesus, Mark tells us that they gathered around Jesus shared All that they had done and taught. I can only imagine the stories they shared.  Stories about families in hard times. Stories of being rejected, ignored, or dismissed. Stories of unexpected heeling. Stories of heartbreak or hope. Stories where the Spirit intercede and grace prevailed.  

And in all of these stories and experiences, I imagine the disciples to be weary.  Physically, mentally, spiritually. Tired from their mission. Exhausted, in the best way, from their two by two Ministry.  The text even tells us they worked so hard that they had no leisure even to eat.

So Jesus not only offers, but instructs the disciples to rest.  He says, “Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest awhile.”  Rest. Renew. Refuel. Recharge. You have worked hard. Mission and ministry is tiring.  Good and faithful servant, take rest. You deserve rest.

In seminary, every Lutheran candidate is required to complete a unit of CPE.  That’s clinical pastoral education. 400 hours of working in a hospital, hospice, or nursing facility as a chaplain.  

300 hours are spent on the floor, knocking on doors, and responding to calls.  The other 100 hours are spend in a class setting, evaluating your visits, learning about yourself, and most of all learning about yourself during visits.  But one big responsibility is being on-call.

I did my CPE chaplaincy at level one trauma hospital that had nearly 1000 beds, and it was my turn for on-call.  My first overnight, by myself. So as 5:00 O’clock hits and all the other chaplains hand-offer their call sheets and pagers, I was left by myself with a stack of visit requests, 4 pagers, and two on-call phones.  

So I went to work.  Visit after visit. Saw patients, and responded to emergencies.  I say with families as they waited. And others as they grieved.

Before I knew it, it was morning, and as the other chaplains arrived they commented how tired I looked.  The room got quite as I gave my report.

Everyone seemed shocked and my supervisor stopped me and said, “how late were you up?”  

Well I was on-call all night...so I was awake all night. There were lots of request visits and emergencies and families...”  

She stopped me and said, “Wait. So you didn’t sleep or nap at all?”   

I was appalled, “How could I, I said, when there was so much to do!?”   

She smiled...and then she taught me a lesson.

“Daniel, there will always be families in need. Always be emergencies. Always be visits to make.  There will always be a need for a chaplain. There will always be stories to share. There will always be ministry to be done.  But you simply cannot care for others, if you do not care for yourself. It is ok to rest and sleep.” It is ok to rest.

We don’t often think about the ministry of resting.  God’s mission to sleep. Have you ever thought that perhaps God may be calling you to sleep.  To rest. To relax. Refuel. Recharge?

I think it’s certainly within reason for us to discern that at times God is stirring within us a holy slumber.  Even God, on the 7th day, God finished the work and rested. On the seventh day God rested from the all the work that God had done.  So God blessed the 7th day, hallowed it, because on it God rested from all the work done in creation.

Mark’s gospel story is a very fast-paced account of Jesus’ life and ministry.  Even from the beginning Mark wastes no time with lineage, birth announcements, or even a birth.  

Mark begins by saying “The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ,” and from then on it’s a non-stop race.  John announces Jesus and Jesus jumps right into ministry. And with a quick recap we might notice that almost every story of Jesus in Mark’s gospel begins with a quick transition… “And then he...”  “Immediately…” “On that day..” “When he crossed…” Even today’s text says, “When the crossed…” Jesus is always on the move. And Mark writes with urgency in the stories of Jesus.

So when Mark takes the time to intentionally tell us about Jesus recognizing the disciples’ weariness, and inviting them to come away to a deserted place to rest awhile..I think we should listen.  I think Mark is lifting up a valuable, essential piece to ministry - self care. Rest. refueling and recharging. Jesus encourages the disciples to take a break. Cool their jets. Take time for themselves to rest.

What’s important to discover here is not necessarily that Jesus empowers them to take a nap, but he says “come away to a deserted place by yourselves to rest for a while.”  A deserted place. A place that’s set apart...apart from crowds, work, and business. Apart from streets and buildings. It’s almost of middle of nowhere. Because in the deserted place there is no distraction.  There is no wifi, netflix, Facebook, or email.

Come away to a deserted place, and if you need a nap, then nap.  But in the deserted place you are free from distraction, freed from the stress of life, free the pressure of society and culture to be “on” all the time.  You are free to rest in the comfort and care of the shepherd. Free to refuel the mind, the body, and the Spirit. To reflect, pray, confess. To feed on the word and rest in the one whom created you,

It’s always easier to look on from the outside isn’t it?  Easier to be the one encouraging and advocating for rest than it is to confront your own exhaustion and name your own need for spiritual, mental or physical respite and renewal.  And the hardest part about naming your need for rest...is claiming it and not feeling guilty.

The call to discipleship is tiresome.  It’s a non-stop journey because you’re not called to work as a disciple, but rather to be a disciple.  And rather that take a break and rest from being a disciple...I think resting is in the nature of the disciple.  It’s in the nature of the one who created us and a necessary discipline in the life of the apostles.

Volunteering for family promise, VBS, back to school Sunday, UCOM, LSS, office volunteer, fellowship meal, or Saturday morning men in mission...it’s hard work.  Serving on a committee, council or team...it’s hard work. Living out your vocation as a teacher, doctor, engineer, musician, waiter, security, parent, grandparent, garbage collector, or student...it’s hard work.   

Now you might be thinking...well wait a minute...Jesus invited the disciples away to rest but as soon as they did the crowds swarmed in and overwhelmed them with a hunger for Jesus.  Well...you’re right. Jesus encourages a well-deserved rest not only for work well-done, but because there is more work to be done. It’s almost as though Jesus knows there will be more work ahead of them.  Crowds who hunger for healing. Crowds who hunger for justice. Crowds who hunger for the word of hope, grace, peace, and love.

It’s as though Jesus knows they are about to be busier than ever before.  More depended upon than ever. It’s as if Jesus knows that their lives are going to change.  It’s true. Because in the ministry of the gospel, there will always be work to be done

But the good news friends, is that Jesus first teaches them to rest.  And if you never hear it, hear it today: Well done, good and faithful servant, now come away to a deserted place and find rest. Because spiritual care is an important part of being a discipleship. Never feel guilty.

Amen.

Go in Peace to Love and Serve - Mark 6:1-3 - Pentecost 07.08.2018 Sermon

Mark 6:1-13

6He left that place and came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him. ²On the sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astounded. They said, “Where did this man get all this? What is this wisdom that has been given to him? What deeds of power are being done by his hands! ³Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon, and are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. ⁴Then Jesus said to them, “Prophets are not without honor, except in their hometown, and among their own kin, and in their own house.” ⁵And he could do no deed of power there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and cured them. ⁶And he was amazed at their unbelief. Then he went about among the villages teaching. ⁷He called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. ⁸He ordered them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belts; ⁹but to wear sandals and not to put on two tunics. ¹⁰He said to them, “Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave the place. ¹¹If any place will not welcome you and they refuse to hear you, as you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them.” ¹²So they went out and proclaimed that all should repent. ¹³They cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them. 

Today’s Gospel lesson is BOGO.   Two stories for the price of one as the lectionary links two stories together.  In the first part of today’s lesson Jesus returns to his hometown, preaching in the synagogue on the Sabbath.  He is not met with a warm welcome. 

In the second story of today’s lesson Jesus sends out the 12 disciples, two by two, instructing them to leave everything behind for the journey.  To travel from house to house and remain as long as they are welcome. This morning I want to explore both of the stories a little bit. 

Jesus has crossed to the other side of the sea and back.  While on the other side of the sea he heals a man possessed by a demon, by sending the demon into a herd of swine.  The swine they run down the bank into the sea and drown. 

Upon his return from the other side of the sea, Jesus heals a woman who has been hemorrhaging for 12 years while on his way to raise the daughter of a synagogue leader.  Jesus has been busy. So he returns home. 

Jesus, since birth has been growing into and living out his identity as the Messiah.  Preaching, and healing, performing miracles and casting out demons. He’s been busy and now he returns to his hometown, perhaps for a bit of respite.   And while he is home he teaches in the local synagogue on the Sabbath. 

And as he teaches, the text tells us that all were astounded!   Astounded. Some translations choose the word astonished. Or Amazed, or even overwhelmed.   

The son of man was in his hometown teaching in the synagogues, and the home-crowd that gathered was astounded.  Astonished. Amazed. Even overwhelmed as this Jesus guy. 

I suppose being astounded, amazed or astonished is a reasonable reaction when the son of God is teaching on the Sabbath in your hometown.  It is perhaps no surprise that they would react in such a way. 

But what’s interesting here is that the home crowd isn’t reacting because they are blessed to be taught by the Messiah himself.  They’re not amazed or astonished because they were able to get tickets to the most popular book reading in town. 

No, their reaction is purely rooted in the fact that this young boy of a carpenter is living well outside of his class.   Jesus, the lowly, illegitimate child of a peasant girl, was living way outside of the social boundaries. They were astounded because this homegrown kid was overreaching his status and their expectations. 

I think it’s incredibly ironic, that in Jesus’ hometown of all places, the Messiah and son of God teaches and proclaims the good news, and rather than celebrate their kinship, they question, challenge, insult, and diminish him all because he is not what they expected.  All because he reaching beyond social norms. 

And it’s not that they question his knowledge, or dispute his wisdom.  It’s not even that doubt his healings and miracles. 

Rather, they just can’t get over the fact that such power and authority is coming from a commonplace boy like Jesus.   And it is so ironic, because you would think of all the places Jesus might go, it would be his home crowd that knew him best.  That would celebrate his arrival. Eager to hear what he might have to say. We could assume that His hometown might be the first to see, hear, and believe. 

And Friends, if Jesus, the son of God and messiah, faces that much opposition and unbelief ...if Jesus encounters that much resistance in his own hometown, then what might we say of God’s call for us to teach and preach the gospel throughout the world.  What challenges and roadblocks might we face. What level of disbelief or astonishment might we encounter as we proclaim? Surely there is a world eager to resist.

In the BOGO portion of today’s lesson, Jesus sends out the 12 disciples.  Immediately after being rejected by his hometown. Jesus now turns to the disciples.  He sends out the 12, 2 by 2, for a journey of their own into the unknown. 

These 12 are the ones whom Jesus called by name, hand-picked to be his disciples and followers.  Since the beginning of Jesus’ ministry he has been preparing them for such a time when they would be sent into the world to teach, preach, and proclaim a message that may not always be received warmly. 

Here is the part I always find a bit intriguing.  Jesus sends the disciples out into the unknown with power and authority to teach and heal.  He instructs them to enter households and remain there until they are no longer welcome. 

Call me crazy, but that sounds like an intimidating adventure with a lot of responsibility and trust.  And the curious part, is that the last time Jesus directly addressed the disciples, 2 chapters ago, was when a tremendous storm rocked the boat at sea and caused the disciples to fear for their lives.  Jesus calms the storm and calls them out saying, “Have you no faith!?” “Why on earth are you afraid?” “Where is your faith and trust in God?” 

Here we are 2 chapters later and Jesus turns back to the disciples and says, I have an idea...you who were scared and without faith….your turn!   Two by two, take nothing and go. 

I think it’s curious that Jesus sends the same bunch of guys who had no faith only a few days ago...and Jesus sends them to teach, proclaim, and heal.  No faith? Great, grab a partner and hit the streets! 

Now that’s a scary model of ministry, is it not?  Could you imagine me coming to worship next Sunday and saying...does anyone feel unqualified to preach the gospel, unprepared for the world, anyone scared, worried, or afraid for teaching about God, anyone uncertain or doubtful about your faith… If so raise your hand.  

Great, pick someone next to you.  You are the newest members of the evangelism committee.  Go, house to house, I give you authority to teach and heal.  Go in peace and serve lord. Wait, no one responded with Thanks be to God?!

But that’s the reality of the call right?  Jesus knowingly calls by name the most unsuspecting of people to be his followers, and in the end his apostles.  And thanks be to God, because if the ministry of proclaiming, teaching, and healing was reserved for only the most educated, knowledgeable, and well versed, ...if the ministry were reserved for only those who have perfect faith, then the message of God’s salvation through Jesus for the world would never be shared.  No one would ever experience healing. 

Jesus didn’t send out the scared, fearful, unknowing disciples to watch them fail.  Nor did Jesus send them out to convict them for struggling with their faith. No. Jesus sent the disciples to show that the power of God is not dependent upon our own faith. God is more powerful.

_____

Last week our youth attended the ELCA Youth Gathering in Houston, Texas.  During the Gathering each group rotates through three full programmatic days.  One of those days is service, where 10,000 youth dress up in matching orange shirts, board buses, and embark on a service project for the day.  

Each morning, I would grab my coffee and walk over to the convention center for a full day of work.  But I was walked to my office, the entire lobby was filled with youth in orange shirts. Volunteers were spread out across the lobby holding numbered signs.  As youth arrive they would find their sign and wait patiently for the bus to arrive. 

By the time I walked in at 7:00am each morning, the lobby was full.  Thousands of teenagers, eagerly waiting to board the bus for service. In Gathering language, it was called a launch.  Launching 10,000 youth daily into service. Simply put, they were being sent.

Now the comparison is an exaggeration since Jesus only sent 12 and he sent them 2x2.  We were launching 1,000 times that amount, and sending them 200 x 200, but the call and the sending was the same.  

As youth gathered each morning in their groups, waiting for the bus to arrive, they had no idea where they would be going, or what they would be doing for the day.  They would not find out their service project until they were on the bus and well on their way. Much like the disciples, it was hard to be prepared for the unknown.

They didn’t know if they needs gloves, sunscreen, hats, or old clothes.  They didn’t know if they need tools, water bottles, or change of shoes.

And yet 10,000 youth were launched across the city each day.  Some when to clean up parks, or build fences for dog parks. Some went to nursing homes, dog shelters, or fire and police stations.  Some went to local schools to read and interact with children. 

Some painted, or did yard work, some cleaned up streets, cemeteries, churches, schools, home.  Some sorted books for local literacy while other sorted food. But no matter where they served the emphasis was the same.

Jesus instructed his disciples to go in groups and trust that all would be provided.  He told them not concern themselves with the specifics or logistics for the journey. Above all, Jesus told them to go house to house...meet people...and remain with them as long as they were welcomed.  Jesus launched the disciples to hear people’s stories and connect their story to that of God and Jesus Christ. 

For the ELCA, we call this model of ministry, accompaniment.  It is the foundation for both our global and domestic mission units of the ELCA, and it was the emphasis of service day for 30,000 youth at the Youth Gathering.  

No matter where they were launched or sent.  No matter what they did or didn’t do on their day of service, the call was not to fix, impose, correct, enforce, or override the community and their needs.  Rather the call was to go, serve alongside those in need, and share with them in their stories and the story of God. Just like the disciples the call was and is to accompany.  

And I promise you, healing took place in those days of service.

The same is true today, my friends.  God chooses us. God chose each of us in the beginning through the waters of baptism.  God called us by name to follow and learn. And to be sent. 

God sends us out, not because of our ability, qualification, or strength….our preparedness, understanding, or even faithfulness, but simply because we are God’s chosen.  

Let me be clear, I am NOT implying or suggesting that you or I or any of us are unprepared, uneducated, unfaithful, or otherwise.  In fact, I am not insinuating anything about any of us in anyway. All I mean to say is that we belong to God, and it is not about us at all.  It is about God and what is doing and will do through us to heal the world around us. 

And I know, that’s a scary call.  And the truth is, we might be dismissed and rejected.  But perhaps the good news tonight is that Jesus knows how that feels too.

We are sent be God purely because we are God’s people.  And in God’s name, the time to be sent is always Now. This is our launch site.  Worship is where we hear the story of God again and again and we affirm God’s faithfulness.  God launches us as we are. Sends us out to be who we are. Regardless of where we go or what we may do or what we may see or say.  Regardless of our worthiness, faithfulness, or other. God sends us in the name of Jesus so that the world may experience healing.

And rest assured dear friends, wherever the disciples, the youth at the Gathering, you and I, or we are sent, God is sure to be there with us to offer healing.   Because our God is a God of accompaniment. 

So God in peace, serve the Lord.  Amen.

© Pastor Daniel Locke, peached on July 08, 2018 @ St. Mark's Lutheran Jacksonville, FL