Sunday, June 24, 2018

Crossing to the "other side" - Sermon on Mark 4:35-41 - 06.24.2018

Mark 4:35-41
35On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” 36And leaving the crowd behind, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. Other boats were with him. 37A great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped. 38But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him up and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” 39He woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm. 40He said to them, “Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?” 41And they were filled with great awe and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?

Why did Jesus cross to the other side?  Sorry, that’s not meant as a set-up for a joke.  No punchline. It was a legitimate inquiry. Jesus is active along the shore.  He’s generating a crowd and a buzz. People are curious and intrigued. And for the most part, everything seems to be going well for his ministry.  Yet, today, he packs it up and sets off for the other side of the sea of Galilee. 
Today’s text is rich with metaphor and insight.  There is no shortage of comparisons or analogies for us to make between our lives and today’s lesson.  It’s one of those texts that frustrates a preacher...not because I don’t know what to say about the text but rather because there is so much to say.  There are so many nuggets in these 6 short verses to reflect on:
For starters there is the boat. 
·     A symbol of voyage and journey.  An icon of transition and movement.  Launching from a starting point, setting out for a destination.  Perhaps the boat represents a spiritual, physical, or emotional journey we are.  Traveling on roads as yet untrodden to places unknown.   Navigating the calm or even turbulent waters of life.  We sail the boat, and whether we know what is waiting at the other end or not, the journey is uncertain. The boat offers us comfort and security, for the most part.  It’s a new beginning or adventure.  Then again...maybe the boat is just a boat...a means of transportation
Or we can reflect on the storm:
  • A symbol of trial and tribulation. A Speed bumps, challenges, roadblocks. In our many journeys we encounter storms.  Hiccups in our life... our journey of learning and discovery. The storm that rocks us to our core.  It tests our faith.  The storm that makes us question stepping into the boat in the first place.  The storm, while scary and real, it will cause us to grow.  Perhaps it offers a lesson about where or in whom we place our trust in a time of storm. Then again, the storm could just be a storm.  The result of a low pressure system crossing paths with us on our journey across the sea. 
Or we could talk about the disciples:
  • Our companions on the journey. They give us comfort and hope, because even though they are Jesus’ closest friends and followers they are terrified in the storm.  Perhaps they give us a sigh of relief, as to say, it’s ok to be scared.  Maybe the disciples are a model of good faith because despite being scared, at least they knew to turn to Jesus in the time of storm. Then again, the disciples could just be a group of fishermen along for a ride, and like most people they panic when mother nature shows her strength.
And of course, we can reflect on Jesus:
  • The one who instructs us to step into the boat in the first place.  Jesus, who although sleeps through the storm, is there at our call to calm the storm.  The story reminds us that Jesus is always in the boat with us.  Wherever we may go.  Whatever we may encounter along the way.  Jesus is by our side.   He doesn’t push us out to sea alone, or stand on the other side waiting.  Jesus goes with us.  Or maybe we go with Jesus.

Today’s text is so rich, and if you give me a couple of decades at St. Mark’s to preach on this text, I might cover them all.  

But for this day, at this time, it seems relevant to reflect on the other side “On that day, when evening had come, Jesus said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.”  Why did Jesus cross over to the other side? 

Ironically enough, if your only experience and encounter with scripture is weekly worship, then the answer is, you may never know.  For whatever reason, in our three year cycle of readings we never read or hear what happens on the other side. In fact, next week’s gospel lesson will begin by saying, “When Jesus had again crossed over by boat to the other side of the lake.”

Jesus makes this intentional move to journey across the sea to the other side, and yet our lectionary never tells us what happens.  We never hear what is on the other side. Let’s call that your homework for the week. Read the first 21 verses of Mark 5 to find out what’s on the other side.  

Spoiler alert, on the other side of the sea, in the land of the Gerasenes, Jesus meets a man with an unclean spirit.  He was possessed by a demon named legion, for there were many. The man lived among the tombs and was so impure and so strong that no one could bind him.  But upon meeting Jesus he runs to him and falls to his feet and says “what would you have of me!? Please don’t torture me.” Jesus casts the demon out of the man and into a herd of pigs.  And when the demon enters the pigs, about 2000 of them, the pigs all run into the sea and drown. 

It’s a truly interesting story, but it rarely gets told.  And perhaps we don’t hear the story often because it’s not necessarily about what Jesus finds or does on the other side, but the very fact that Jesus crosses to the other side.

The “other side” from what Jesus’ disciples were used to was a foreign land.  Although it was really only a few miles away, it was foreign to jews living on the West side of the sea of Galilee..  To cross to the other side of the sea meant entering into Gentile territory. Gentiles were not Jews, and were often considered unclean and enemies of the Jews.  They were viewed differently because they lived differently. Their culture was different. They ate different foods. The looked different. Sounded different. They weren’t circumcised and therefore their beliefs were also different.  And wrong. The other side of the sea wasn’t just a new piece of land, it was a land inhabited by an entirely different culture of people.

And yet, knowing the tensions and fractions in relationship between jews and Gentiles, Jesus gets in the boat, and crosses to the other side of the sea.  Extending his Galilean ministry to include a race of people that no one expected Jesus to approach. 

Truthfully, for the disciples and the followers of Jesus what was scary about the other side wasn’t the journey or the unknown.  What was terrifying and intimidating was crossing a boundary and border that had become so ingrained in their everyday life. They were sailing over and into a territory that they considered unclean, for no other reason than it differed from their way of living.

And I don’t think the lesson is so much about Jesus healing the possessed Gerasene man, but rather that fact that Jesus took the voyage in the first place.  It is what Jesus does. It is who he is. Jesus is one who chooses to cross boundaries and place himself in discarded, marginal, ostracized, feared, and unknown places people cultures and times.  Jesus calls the disciples well beyond their comfort zone into a land of uncertainty. He removes the cultural, economic, sociological, historical, and other divisions, and crosses to the other side.  Because Jesus’ ministry is for all people. 

Why does Jesus cross to the other side?  Because that’s what Jesus does. For Jesus, his ministry is one that not only crosses the divide, but works to remove all notions of side in the first place.  For Jesus there is no division, side, or other.

It seems to me that perhaps now, more than ever, there is a fear of the other.  The other person. The other side. The other culture or way of life. The other religion.  The other way of thinking. More than ever God’s beautifully created humanity has grown more and more divisive.  Digging holes between us. Dividing ourselves by our human-created differences. We label one another based on beliefs, perspectives, and lifestyles.  We generalize and stereotype. We tend to push each other apart until the void fills with such turbulent seas that deter us from ever crossing back.

I don’t know what or why it is about us that causes it.  Call it sin I suppose. But our culture has distanced us from one another.  We become grounded in our ways. We live, eat, play, breathe, and worship with those most like us as not disrupt the system and risk the violent storm.  We prefer stick to our shore.

But truth be told, friends, Jesus calls us to so much more.  Jesus would not have us distance ourselves from one another. In fact, that runs against what God created us for.  Jesus calls us to not only cross our divides but tear down all preconceptions and fears of the other side along the way.   Jesus doesn’t command us to go and wish us good luck, Jesus says “let us go.” He hops in the boat with us and gives us an example to journey into what we don’t know...into what we don’t understand.   Because what we often fail to acknowledge is that on the other side there are people of God in desperate need of healing. And it's an even more uncomfortable thought to think of ourselves as on the other side, desperately waiting for Jesus to come ashore.  

Beyond our barriers, divisions, walls, borders,..all the things that distance us from one another..the hesitations, fears, unknowns, judgments, misconceptions, and misunderstandings.. beyond it all are our siblings in Christ.  Siblings with stories to share. Siblings in whom we share one story. One faith. One baptism.

Taking up God’s call to cross to the unknown and uncertain is to risk the storm.  Extending past our comfort zone means facing potentially turbulent waters. But I suppose the alternative to riding with jesus and risking the storm is to stay tied up on the shore...where we’d rather feel safe than vulnerable.

Why did Jesus cross to the other side?  It wasn’t just a day trip across the sea.  It was an intentional move to sail across to the other side, to teach the disciples that God’s grace and love is mightier than anything that divides.  Even the strongest of storms.

And sisters and brothers the Good News is that Jesus is relentless in his voyage.  He never ceases to cross over. And each and every time, Jesus invites us along to see how great God really is.  

© Pastor Daniel Locke, preached 06.24.2018 @ St. Mark's Lutheran, Jacksonville, FL

Friday, June 22, 2018

It's not my fault - Sermon on Genesis 3:8-15 - 06.10.2018

Genesis 3:8- 3:15
8They heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden at the time of the evening breeze, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. 9But the Lord God called to the man, and said to him, “Where are you?” 10He said, “I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.” 11He said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?” 12The man said, “The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit from the tree, and I ate.”13Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this that you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent tricked me, and I ate.” 14The Lord God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, cursed are you among all animals and among all wild creatures; upon your belly you shall go, and dust you shall eat all the days of your life. 15I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will strike your head, and you will strike his heel.”

And God said it was good. God out of nothing created the world, the land, sea, stars and moon.  God created the skies, mountains, streams, and trees. God created it all out of nothing and repeatedly God said it is good.  And for no other reason than God’s own pure joy for creating, God breathed life into humankind to live in the good creation. Eve and Adam were created by God in God’s image.  Perfectly made to live a perfect life in God’s perfect creation. 

They were gifted a life without want. God provided all they needed, in fact God provided an abundance.  They were free to roam. To tour God’s countryside. Take in the view. Connect with nature. Live in perfect companionship.  For the sake of mutual love and care. 

God created Adam and Eve so they might experience pure joy and love both being poured out for another and being received by another.  It was God’s kingdom and it was good. Everything was good. At least for a short period of time, God’s kingdom was perfect, without fault, without blame, without shame.  For a moment it was as good as it gets.  In the book of Genesis, we read two stories of the creation.  Chapter one offers the most common telling of creation. A day by day illustration of God breathing life onto the canvas of creation.  And each and every day God reflects, it is good. 

Chapter two is a bit more generic about the creation of creation itself. Rather chapter 2 focuses in on the birth of humanity, as God crafts Adam and Eve in God’s image.  Eve and Adam were created by God out of pure joy for life. For a brief moment, in the first two chapters of Genesis, we are given the fullest glimpse of the kingdom of God.  I suspect we all know what happens next.  Adam and Eve don’t even make it past the third chapter of scripture without stepping in it.  Perhaps you’re familiar with the chain of events. God says, I give you this good creation. Do what you will.  Be fruitful and multiply. 

Eat from any tree in the garden except from the tree of knowledge of good and evil.  Adam and Eve are good until the crafty servant passes by. The serpent manipulates them to believe that God is holding out on them.  God said that eating the fruit means death. The serpent convinces them that they won’t die. 

As the story goes, the woman saw the fruit, it was pleasing to the eye.  Takes a bite. Passes it to Adam. He eats. Suddenly they view themselves differently as naked and they hide.
This is where we meet Adam and Even in our story today story from Genesis 3.  This whole section in Chapter 3 is one of my favorite stories, but in this particular scene I can’t help but chuckle.  God strolls through the garden looking for them. He calls out to them, “Where are you!” Adam responds, “I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.”  

God said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?” “The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit from the tree, and I ate.” 13Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this that you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent tricked me, and I ate.”  
I always think of a scene from Home Alone.  Kevin McCalister, the youngest of a dozen kids is being taunted by his oldest brother. Kevin is searching for a piece of cheese pizza and Buzz shoves the last piece into his mouth right in front of Kevin’s face.  

Out of anger Kevin shoves buzz and buzz runs into the table, which starts a whole chain events causing everyone to be made and point the finger to Kevin.  So Kevin points to buzz and says “he did it!”  How often have you seen kids playing, and in a moment something goes terribly wrong...something is broken or there is a new stain…and they both freeze.  Point to each other and say he did it!  It’s not my fault!  This woman whom YOU gave me….She made me do it.  It’s not my fault….The serpent tricked me! 
There is something oddly comforting about the third chapter of Genesis isn’t there?  God’s perfect creation becomes distorted and suddenly we feel a strong camaraderie with Adam and Eve.  There is a sense of relief as Adam and Eve point the finger…Not my fault! 

How often are we quick to place blame. How quick are we to throw someone else “under the bus” as they say?  How easy is it to deflect responsibility, undermine any control, choice, or influence we may have and in any given situation?  Our gut tells us to deflect blame to someone else so that they’re are held accountable and therefore we will be free of consequence.  And I know I chuckle at this story on the surface, but deep within this narrative is an honest lesson about the self that is worth reflection.   Pointing the finger like Eve and Adam is more than deflecting blame. 

When we distance ourselves from situations of trouble and remove ourselves from any sense of responsibility or blame, we feel, at least for a moment a sense of relief.  It’s not my fault. Not my problem. It’s someone else’s issue. There is nothing I can do about it.
And what we’re really doing is not taking any responsibility for the action or situation.  We’re denying to have any choice, control, or influence over the moment of conflict. We’re distancing ourselves.  Protecting our own image. Covering our own… well.
Adam blames Eve to say it’s not his fault, but he had a choice in the matter. 
Eve blames the serpent to say it’s not her fault, but she knowingly ate the apple.  
They share responsibility yet both deflect blame.  And deflecting blame ultimately does not free them from the consequence of our actions.    The truth of the narrative is, that we share a mutual responsibility with one another.  A responsibility to and for one another that began in God’s good creation. And it is further cemented into our very being by the water’s of baptism.  

When we are washed, named, and claimed as children of God, we belong to a body of people, called to live in perfect companionship with one another.  For the sake of mutual love and care. God created us, and saved us so that we may experience pure joy and love both being poured out for another and being received by another. This means that when one member of creation rejoices, we all rejoice.  When one member suffers, we all suffer. We are called into communion with one another.  Yes, even brothers and sisters whom we have never met, and will never meet, we are bound to them as God’s good creation through the waters of Christ.  Make no mistake…Just because we may not be physically present with our siblings in Christ in their moment of shame, guilt, deceit, depression, and tribulation.  Just because we’re not beside them when the serpent tricks and the apple is plucked, doesn’t mean that we are free from any responsibility. After all they are our siblings. When they hurt we hurt.  Surely it’s not my fault that some folks are from a poor and underprivileged community, it’s not my fault they live in a food desert, it’s not my fault they have been pushed out to make way for developments and now they have no access to public transportation, housing, or basic resources.  Surely it’s not my fault that my classmate or coworker suffers from depression because of a tough family situation or because look, talk, walk, or sound different.  Surely it’s not my fault they live in a country ravaged by war and are now displaced seeking shelter and safety.

The truth is friends that although we may not share the same experiences as our siblings in Christ, we do share in one baptism.  One communion. One body. We have different experiences, yes, but we have the same story in God. 

We have a responsibility to care for them because they are our siblings in Christ. We may not bite from the same apple and share in their everyday trials, but we do have the power to affect the systems that bring out siblings down.  

We do have the ability and gift to bear their burdens and stand firm beside them as the crafty serpent manipulates, tricks, and divides.  And rather than deflect the blame and say it’s not my fault, we have the freedom, the power, the gift to say forgive us God for we have sinned against you and against one another.  For things done and left undone. For things said and let unsaid.  Perhaps the biggest sin in that 3rd chapter of Genesis wasn’t just Adam and Eve denying God’s good gift of creation, but rather it is Adam and Eve turning on one another.  Refusing to accept responsibility for one another. Adam and Eve turned inwardly to protect themselves.

And in that moment the serpent was successful by driving them apart.  Disrupting the companionship. They turned inward on themselves. Denied their God-given, God-created companionship to one another.  

And look, my point is not to convict or make you feel guilty for the many pains in this good world. Rather, I want you to hear the good news, that not only did God create each and everyone of us to live in God’s incredible, abundant, and fruitful creation, and I mean all those whom we many never meet…but God claims us in baptism to be in communion with one another.   So that when you hurt, we all hurt.  When you fall to deceit, or suffer from guilt, shame, depression, sadness, loss, grief, pain…whatever it may be…the body of Christ doesn’t turn away from you, The Body of Christ doesn’t deflect blame.  
We don’t dismiss your story or your experience. 

We stand beside you.  With you. We surround you with mutual love and companionship.  We confront sin, navigate the turbulent systematic waters. Because in God’s good creation…in God’s kingdom… where for no other reason than God’s own pure joy for creating, God breathed life into each and every one of us…that is how God would have us live. 

God’s gift of life is too precious for us to spend it turning away from our neighbors.  Our family in Christ. And when we live lives the way God created and intended. When we turn smash the serpent and turn to God and one another then maybe, just for a moment, or a lifetime we may glimpse how good God’s goodness really is.


Small seed to mighty bush - Sermon on Mark 4:26-34 - 06.24.2018

Listen to the gospel and sermon here.

GOSPEL: Mark 4:26-34
[Jesus] said, “The kingdom of God is as if someone would scatter seed on the ground,27and would sleep and rise night and day, and the seed would sprout and grow, he does not know how. 28The earth produces of itself, first the stalk, then the head, then the full grain in the head. 29But when the grain is ripe, at once he goes in with his sickle, because the harvest has come.”  30He also said, “With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable will we use for it? 31It is like a mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth; 32yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes the greatest of all shrubs, and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.” 33With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it; 34he did not speak to them except in parables, but he explained everything in private to his disciples.

With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable will we use for it?  In the 4th chapter of Mark, Jesus is in parable mode. He is fresh into his public ministry.  After resisting temptation in the wilderness, Jesus wastes no time taking to the streets to heal and teach.  The author of Mark’s gospel is eager to place Jesus in the public eye. Prior to today’s gospel reading Jesus has offered healings on multiple occasions, even on the Sabbath.  He has dined with sinners and driven out unclean spirits. His actions have ruffled the feathers of religious leaders. His own family even raises a stink and calls him out of his mind.

As baptised Christians reading back we can appreciate Jesus who heals the paralyzed, eats with the unclean and unwanted.  Jesus who speaks with authority and challenges authority. Jesus who embodies empathy and compassion for the least and the forgotten.  We know who Jesus is and what he is up to. We’re privy to the entire story. 

But for the crowds of Jesus’ day who gather around him, they flock with intrigue and curiosity, not really knowing what Jesus is all about.    They surround him with wonder and awe. And whether they’re supportive and empowered by this new radical, challenging, inclusive dude, or they are weary, hesitant, and fearful of his influence...they flock.  They gather. The surround him to see what’s going on.

In all of Jesus’ actions thus far he has shown what the kingdom of God looks like.  So the people have gathered, and now Jesus will use parables to teach them what life in God’s family looks like.   

With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable will we use for it?  Jesus says, “The kingdom of God is as if someone would scatter seed on the ground, and would sleep and rise night and day, and the seed would sprout and grow, he does not know how.  

The kingdom of God is like a mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth; yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes the greatest of all shrubs, and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.

Now I think it’s worth emphasizing that for the majority of the crowd that has gathered, the notion of God’s kingdom is not something of which they are well versed.  In fact, perhaps their best understanding of kingdom is limited to their experience with the roman empire and the jewish authorities. For them a kingdom was big and strong.  It was paved walkways with pillars, large stone structures. Rome’s kingdom was fortified and strong. It was wealth and status. It was militarized and political. 

And although the people surrounding Jesus may not have encountered Romans on a daily basis, they were certainly aware of Rome’s influence, persuasion, and power.  The kingdom, it would seem was impenetrable and solid. It was sturdy and stable. It was not to be messed with.

And so, in the shadow of this fierce empire, the kingdom of rule at the time, Jesus unsuspectingly comes from nowhere to stir up the crowds with intrigue.  And he proposes a different kingdom. 

This one, God’s kingdom…is like a seed.  Not just any seed. A small seed. The smallest seed, in fact.  For Jesus, God’s new kingdom would be a seed sown upon the ground….oh and when it grows….it would grow into the mightiest and greatest shrub of all shrubs.

For the longest time I had this child-like sentimental understanding of the mustard seed.  Jesus uses the mustard seed on several different occasions to talk about both faith and the kingdom.  And Growing up I remember children's’ sermons in which the pastor would show us the small seed in a jar and talk about how this tiny seed will grow into something mighty.  Something established and fruitful. As a kid I had no problem imagining such a transformation. And the connection to God working in the same was somewhat easy to see.

But as I’ve grown older something about this parable seems incredibly off.  In the shadow of the mighty kingdom that people are familiar with, Jesus proposes just about the exact opposite.  The mustard seed was far less than mighty, and Jesus implies that this tiny seed will yield a Kingdom...but the mustard seed doesn’t grow into a mighty tree like we might anticipate in Jesus’ parable.  No, the mustard seed yields a shrub. Albeit and impressive shrub. But a shrub none-the-less

I don’t know, but it feels a bit detrimental to Jesus’ point to pitch the kingdom of the almighty God as a tiny seed the grows into a mighty shrub, doesn’t it?


With what can we compare the kingdom of God?  So maybe Jesus’ illustration of the shrubby kingdom isn’t necessarily about its size and strength.  Perhaps there is something specific, unique, vital even about the mustard seed that teaches a valuable lesson about the Kingdom of God. 

What’s really interesting about the mustard seed isn’t necessarily its size, but its ability to grow.  The plant grows fast. Out of something small the plant quickly expands beyond its initial planting. The mustard plant grows rapidly and produces thousands more seeds.  And when those seeds hit the ground they germinate almost immediately. The mustard seed often spouts earlier than most seeds and requires less water than others. And something we don’t often know or think about is that in many countries the mustard plant is considered a weed.  Does that throw anyone off? The kingdom of God is like a tiny weed?

We experience weeds as a nuisance.   Ugly, relentless plants, vines, or greens that terrorize our gardens or yards.  Despite our every effort to rid ourselves of the weeds, they always seem to grow back.  Our experience with weeds make the idea of God’s kingdom being a weed a bit distasteful.

With what can we compare the kingdom of God? A small seed that grows into a weedy bush? I suspect that Jesus is actually very intentional in his usage of a mustard seed to describe the kingdom of God.
Much like a mustard seed, small and humbly planted, the breaking in of the Kingdom of God begins with Jesus.  God’s salvific plan planted among us in a tiny baby boy. 

And Much like a mustard seed, the kingdom of God will grow.  Quickly. Rapidly. It will spread. Like an invasive and relentless weed, the kingdom of God will grow.  It will grow into an impressive shrub that will produce a thousand more seeds just like it. Those too will grow.  Despite our every effort to impede the progress of the kingdom, it will grow.

As a new homeowner, I have the pleasure of mowing my own yard.  I recently got a lawn mower and about once a week I trek it around my yard to cut the grass.  I also pull out the weed eater and edge the driveway. Sometimes I even have pull climbing vines off the side of my house.  In the end it's some satisfying work. 

But what drives me crazy everytime is when I back the car out of my driveway, despite how beautiful my yard may look...I always notice the daggum weeds growing between the cracks of my concrete.  Between two poured concrete slabs...weeds find a way to break through. It’s obnoxious. Anybody know what I’m talking about?

What’s really remarkable about these weeds is not necessarily their ability to never die...or their perseverance to find the surface...but if left alone, these weeds have the power to put cracks in my driveway.  To unsettle my foundation. They can be incredibly disruptive. Seeking life even among, through, around, and in between the hardest and darkest places. Persevering through all adversity.

And if that’s true, them maybe it isn’t much of a stretch to think about the kingdom of God as a weed.  A kingdom that seeks life, especially among, through, around and in between the hardest of hearts and the darkest of places.  God’s kingdom that perseveres and not only survives but sets the mark for how every seed after it is to live.

Jesus isn’t naive and uninformed.  I think he knows good and well what he’s saying.  
The kingdom of God is completely contrary to the kingdom of his time.  The kingdom of God is not one of wealth, status and strength. 
It is one of humility, equality, equity, and love.  
The kingdom of God is not one of persuasion, deceitful influence, or personal ambition. 
It is on one community, equity, mutuality, support, and care.  
The kingdom is not fortified and impenetrable.  
It is humble, open, welcoming, inclusive, and empowering.  
The kingdom of God isn’t one that battles the earthy kingdoms toe to toe.  
No, God’s kingdom cracks the very foundations on which our earthly kingdoms rest.  Despite every effort to subdue it.

With what can we compare the kingdom of God?  A small, unsuspecting, mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground, grows up and becomes the greatest of all shrubs, and puts forth large branches, and most importantly, it offers life. Like the the birds of the air making their nests in its shade...the kingdom of God is one of life. 


And the good news my friends, is that it never stops growing.  God’s kingdom is invasive in the best way. 
It grows in all the places we wish it didn’t.  
It unsettles our foundation.  
It nudges us and makes us move.  
It calls us to speak out against earthy kingdoms.  
To fester in the cracks of powerful systems.  
To always be seeking life.  
Make no mistake, God’s kingdom is powerful...just not the same kind of power the world would have us to believe.   
It’s the power to choose love above all else.  God’s kingdom will find a way in. 
And it is always for the better.  
It does not, can not, and will not stop growing.  
Hard as we might try to stand in its way, build on top of it, divert it, rip it apart, or ignore it.  
Even on our darkest days as a humanity, the kingdom of God prevails.  

With what can we compare the kingdom of God?  
That’s something to think about today when you pray, “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as is in heaven.”

Amen. 


Friday, June 1, 2018

Relationship - Holy Trinity Sunday B Sermon - 05.27.2018

Listen to the gospel reading and sermon here:

Romans 8:12-25
12So then, brothers and sisters, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh— 13for if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. 15For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ—if, in fact, we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him. 18I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed to us. 19For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God; 20for the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and will obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labor pains until now; 23and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. 24For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what is seen? 25But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

John 3:1-17
3Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. 2He came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God.” 3Jesus answered him, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.” 4Nicodemus said  to him, “How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother’s womb and be born?” 5Jesus answered, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. 6What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7Do not be astonished that I said to you, ‘You must be born from above.’ 8The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”9Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” 10Jesus answered him, “Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things? 11“Very truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen; yet you do not receive our testimony. 12If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? 13No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. 14And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. 16“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. 17“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.

Grace and peace to you in the name God, the father, the son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Happy Holy Trinity Sunday.  Today is a festival Sunday dedicated to celebrating our triune God.  Three-in-one. One-in-three. Simple enough, right. God is the creator of all things, known and unknown, seen and unseen.  God became incarnate in Jesus Christ, the Messiah. Jesus, fully human AND fully divine walked this earth to teach, preach, and offer a new way of life.  By the power of God, Jesus conquered the grave and rose to new life and ascended to heaven. Of course, we can’t forget the presence of the Spirit. In creation the breath of God blew across the waters like a wind.  The Spirit descended like a dove into Jesus at baptism. Jesus promises that the Spirit will abide with us, and at Pentecost that promise is fulfilled as the Spirit descends, dances, and swirls.

It’s the Holy Trinity.  A Sunday dedicated to this uniquely perplexing doctrine of faith. One-in-three, father son and Holy Spirit working together seamlessly yet individually.  Father, son, and Holy Spirit as God, Three-in-one. Remarkably Interconnected and intertwined, yet distinctly individual and unique in their ways. The three-in-one, each completely dependent upon the others, and yet the one-in-three, each completely self-sufficient and independent.  And today we celebrate this beautifully complicated yet simplistically divine doctrine of God. Seems simple enough. So, happy Holy Trinity Sunday everyone.

The Holy Trinity as a doctrine is incredibly elusive.  It seems that any time we get close to understanding, defining, and explaining it we find ourselves trapped in some form of heresy.  How is that three distinct beings can wholly be one. And one distinct being can wholly be three. 

I think that second to Holy communion, the doctrine of the Trinity is one of the most widely debated doctrines of faith in all of Christian history.  For example, the Nicene creed, which we typically use for festival seasons and Sundays..it was initially written and approved in 325. It was edited, debated, argued, and fought over for another 50 years until they settled on a the Nicene creed.  But even in the 6th century some churches changed the language about the relationship between God and the son. As of 20 years ago, the Vatican was still having debates and discussions of proper grammar of the creed to avoid heresy. In a few moments we’ll confess together the Athanasian creed. It was written in the 6th century and it goes to incredible lengths to shed light on the Trinity.  For nearly 2000 years, since God became incarnate, Christians have dedicated their lives to explaining the divine doctrine of the Trinity. The three in one, the one in three.

And yet today, we’re supposed to celebrate the Holy Trinity.  How do you celebrate something that doesn’t make sense. So on this celebration of the Holy Trinity, I feel confident is saying two things about the Trinity. 1) I can not fully explain the trinity to you.  Just being honest and 2) There is nothing I can say about the Trinity that hasn’t already been said or debated in the previous 2000 years of Christianity. 

The other week I was in Tony’s office and we were talking through the events of upcoming Sundays.  As we got to Holy Trinity Sunday, I sat down in the chair and lamented, “Oh what can I possibly preach on about the Holy Trinity that isn’t heresy.  This incredibly complex yet beautifully simple doctrine of faith is a nightmare for pastors, and I would bet that 9 out of 10 would tell you they lament preaching on Holy Trinity Sunday more than any other Sunday.

So what is it about the Holy Trinity that makes it so elusive...so unable to define?  What is it about the trinity that has the power to cripple our language and imaginations at every effort to define it.  What is it about the Trinity that makes it feel so close to us yet so distant. Why dedicate a Sunday to the Holy Trinity and call it a festival?

Each and every single week our worship revolves around the Trinity.  I stand up there and say “the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.”  We talk about the Trinity. We just sang about the Trinity in our opening hymn: Holy and blessed three, Glorious Trinity, Wisdom, love, might! Boundless as ocean’s tide, Rolling in fullest pride, Through the earth, far and wide, Let there be light!.  We pray in the name of the Trinity.  We confess the Trinity. We believe in God the father almighty...I believe in Jesus Christ God’s only son.  We believe in the holy Spirit…Our worship is drenched in Trinitarian language.

The truth is, we may never fully understanding the Holy Trinity.  The three-in-one and one-in-three. If 2000 years of debate haven’t sorted out some form of Christian consensus then the reality is that we may neverput the power of the Trinity into a complete and comprehensive definition.  And honestly, I think there is something completely freeing about that. 

So rather than devote ourselves to gaining knowledge of the trinity and how it works...rather than over analyze and stress about the details of the divine, I think we are well off to devote ourselves to embracing and sharing our experience of the trinity.  Rather than how the Trinity works, we might consider what the trinity teaches us. 

Because deep down, as the foundation of every theological attempt to define the trinity..at the core of each creedal statement is relationship.  

The Holy Trinity...the three-in-one, one-in-three is about relationship.  It is all about relationship. God and the Trinity of God is first and foremost a witness to us of the relationship that God created us for.  The type of relationship that God invites us to participate in. 

The creeds teach us that the three persons of the trinity are so interconnected and interdependent, spiraling togethering in a divine dance, and God invites us into that dance--the dance of the Trinity. 

This relationship begins for us in baptism.  In the waters of baptism our very lives in Christ are tied to the  Holy Trinity. When we were washed and named, we were claimed in the name of God the father, God the son, and God the Holy Spirit.  Our new birth into the body of Christ is rooted in the Trinity. We are born anew as relational beings, and God created us and deeply desires for us to be in relationship with God and one another. 

In our gospel text, Nicodemus approaches Jesus with theological curiosity.  Now Nicodemus is a Pharisee, with all the rights, privileges, and responsibilities.  He has scriptural and theological education and training. And yet, he has observed something new and intriguing about this jesus character that urges him to know more.  So he asks Jesus about being born anew, about the kingdom, and how one comes to participate in the kingdom. 

So Jesus says, “no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.”  According to Jesus there is some different way of living that makes one aware of the kingdom of God.  There is something different about a life apart from God and a life within God’s kingdom.

Life in the kingdom of God is a life rooted in and created for relationship.

You and I are created to be relational beings.  We are created to care for, depend on, nurture, love, sustain, encourage, lift up, compliment, and accompany one another.  In the waters of baptism we are interconnected and interdependent beings. We are welcomed into this divine dance between God, the father God the son and God the Holy Spirit. 

We are welcomed into a relationship that is so filled with love, that God would even sacrifice part of God’s self for the world.  A sacrifice of God for something God created in the first place. And in the death and resurrection of Jesus, the savior, God welcomes all nations, all peoples into the relationship of salvation. 

God’s salvation means living a life of relationship with God and one another.   And when we come to understand the Trinity in light of this relationship of God’s love for the world, we begin to have the wisdom of the trinity.  

Whereas generations before us have sought knowledge of the trinity, seeking facts and definitions…. it is our experience of God’s love poured out for the world in creation, God’s love through Jesus Christ to offer salvation, God’s love in the Spirit to accompany us in our journey of faith that gives us wisdom of the Trinity. 

Martin Luther suggested that the Holy Trinity is the greatest mystery in heaven and on earth.  We celebrate the Holy Trinity today not strictly as mystery of theological doctrine that we may never fully understand.  But we celebrate the trinity because it is a true witness to the outpouring of God’s love between God the father, God the son, and God the Holy Spirit that we may never fully understand.   Each member of the trinity empties itself of love for the others, but is in turn overflowing with love poured out. Love for a world in creation. Love for a world in salvation. Love for a world that continues to try and figure it all out.  

And until we do figure it all out, perhaps God would have us live into the kingdom created for us.  A kingdom built on a relationship of love. A kingdom inviting us to be in a loving relationship with God and one another.  And perhaps...just perhaps...once the whole world has come to witness and participate in that relationship of love, we might truly know God.

Amen.