You are Salt and Light - Sermon on Matthew 5:13-20

Sermon preached by Pastor Daniel Locke on February 09, 2020 @ St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Jacksonville, FL

Listen to the Sermon here: 

Matthew 5:13-20 

13 "You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot. ¹⁴ "You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. ¹⁵ No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. ¹⁶ In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven. ¹⁷ "Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. ¹⁸ For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter, not one stroke of a letter, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. ¹⁹ Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. ²⁰ For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 

SERMON

On the North shore of the Sea of Galilee, as the small hills climb right out of the water there is a small town called Capernaum. The small town on the North East edge of Galilee became well-tread territory within the public ministry of Jesus.  It’s near these shores that Jesus called his first disciples, ate fish for breakfast with Peter, calmed the storm, and fed the crowds. This is holy ground to be sure. And today, from the sea of Galilee, as you climb the hill side full of banana trees, there is a Roman Catholic Church known as the Church of the Beatitudes.  It is a beautiful church with an incredible view. And it is there that Christian history remembers the beatitudes and Jesus’ profound moment of teaching known as the Sermon on the Mount. Research says that the natural curve of the landscape would have made for great acoustics for Jesus to teach and the shade from large trees would make it appealing for listeners to sit and learn.

This is one of the many sites we’ll visit when we take our trip to the Holy Land in October.  It’s the site from which our gospel text comes this morning.

And as we dive in, I want to say a quick word about where we are and why the Sermon on the Mount is so important.  I mentioned last week that we’ve been following the life of Jesus in a chronological sense. From the Advent of his conception, through the birth narrative and baptism, through calling his first disciples and beginning his earthly teaching ministry.  Today we continue that chronology as we Jesus gathers on the Galilean hillside to teach, and it marks a significant shift within Jesus’ ministry.

You see, in chapter four of Matthew’s gospel, once Jesus has been baptized and called his first disciples, the text tells us that he Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and curing every disease and every sickness among the people. 

Then it says, “His fame spread throughout all Syria, and they brought to him all the sick, those who were afflicted with various diseases and pains, demoniacs, epileptics, and paralytics, and he cured them. 25 And great crowds followed him. 

In today’s understanding, we might say that Jesus has traveled from town to town playing all the local coffee shops and small venues.  His name and reputation is spreading. And now, after much proclamation and teaching, rather than going town to town to meet the people, the people have come to him.  His proclamation of hope, demeanor of love and acceptance and his power to heal have drawn the interest and desperation of the crowds. They now follow and press upon him.  

And in the 5th chapter of Matthew, it tells us that when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak and taught them.  With the crowds growing in overwhelming numbers, the time had come for the disciples to understand and accept the responsibility of their discipleship.  

The implication within Matthew’s text is that he is teaching the disciples.  But certainly, we can presume the crowds are close enough that they can hear him also.  And through the teaching moment, Jesus is educating and equipping his disciples for the full weight of the ministry to which they’ve been called.  

Telling them not who they should become, ought to become, might think about becoming, or here try this...but rather telling them who they are now.  Discipleship without action is not discipleship. Disciple as a noun is good and well, but to be a disciple of Jesus is to embrace the verb, to go about the work of being a disciple.  Discipling. And Jesus calls the disciples, indeed us, to so much more. By the nature of being a disciple, they carry a great privilege and responsibility within the ministry of God’s kingdom.  Called with reason. Claimed for a purpose.

And this section of passage is incredibly significant.  For one, it is the longest continuous teaching by Jesus in all of scripture.  Three chapters in fact of Jesus teaching on an array of subjects. And because of that, this is one of the most well-known and highly quoted portions of scripture.  

Jesus’ sermon on the mount is powerful discourse, not only about the glory of the kingdom of God and God’s grace-filled redemption God’s people, but it is also a lengthy discourse on the role, the identity, and the responsibility of being disciple.  What it means to be disciples. These chapters are an impactful commentary on what discipleship in action looks like and the responsibility of the call. 

So, Jesus says, YOU!  You are salt of the earth.  You are the light of the world.  You are. Not you should be. You could be. Or, you ought to be.  But, you ARE the light of the world. You are salt of the earth. And salt that has lost its taste cannot be restored.  It is thrown out and trampled upon. And light shines to give vision. Clarity. And Direction. No one lights a lamp and then immediately covers it.  A light by purpose is lit to shine and reveal. You are light. You are salt. 

What does Jesus mean?

Salt, in Jesus’ day was an incredibly important commodity.  It was necessary to their daily life, and not something to be taken for granted.  They would harvest salt by pouring water from the dead sea into big pits or cistern to let it evaporate, leaving only salt.  Salt, as it does today, had a wealth of purposes. Salt was used not simply to season food but to preserve it as well. When rubbed on food it preserves the meat and stops slows the process of decay.  It prevents corruption. Salt was used to treat wounds. The law of Leviticus instructs the use of Salt in religious sacrifice. Scripture talks about the use of salt in making covenants and establishing relationships.  Salt is a valuable product of trade. Even newborn babies were said to have been washed in salt. 

Light was also a necessity.  Obviously, without light, you couldn’t see.  Light enabled and empowered the necessary functions of daily living.  Light creates vision. Clarity. Direction. Light unveils the darkness and reveals the hidden.  Light guides and makes clear the path ahead. Light was essential. And as the natural light of the sun set, it was necessary to spark new light.  And Jesus makes the point to say, no one, no one having lit a lamp immediately covers it up with a bushel. That’s ridiculous. Why light it in the first place.  Rather, a light is lit for the purpose of shining. That’s what light does, and to inhibit a light’s ability to shine is to intentionally hinder the light’s ability to be effective.  To dismiss its power all together. 

Salt has a purpose.  In fact, it has many purposes.  Light has a purpose. And you, Jesus says, YOU are light of the world.  YOU ARE salt of the earth. You have a purpose. And to be a disciple, to be a salt and light, as one commentator noted is to "be tasty and lit."    Salt on a shelf is a waste of good salt. Light hidden is a misuse of light.  

Given the busy nature of our callings, Sarah and I don’t always have the chance to sit down of dinner together.  Even more rare are the chances to cook a home cooked meal together. So, we’ve been quite fond of a company called Hellofresh?  Anybody familiar with Hellofresh? Or Blue Apron? There are other companies, but they’re all essentially the same. These companies allow you to pick any number of meals from their menu and then they send you all of the pre portioned ingredients and recipes in order to make the meal.  These have been life savers for us as a family. And I really like them because it’s affordable and it pushes us to try new things. They provide everything you need for the meal except three things: Oil, Pepper, and Salt.

Now, I would guess that over the years I’ve cooked at least 60 or so HelloFresh meals.  And in my brief but vast experience, I have learned that you can always count on two things: First, 90% of meals will use an entire onion.  And Secondly, the recipe instructs you to Salt and Pepper everything at every step of the process. 

I cooked a meal the other night - roasted poblano pepper and pork tacos.  And, as expected, it called for the use of an entire red onion. And of the 3 steps in the cooking process, each and every one said, add Salt and Pepper to taste in bold.  It’s becoming a running joke for us to question the recipe when a step doesn’t tell you to add salt.  

When Jesus tells the disciples that they are salt of the earth and the light of the world, he is using very real and understandable metaphors to explain their discipleship.  He is giving them a clear and direct mission to, as the commentator said, be tasty and be lit.

So, what does it mean to be salt and light for the world?  It means to act and live in such a manner that your Christian witness is seen with clarity and understanding.  It means removing the bushels of the world that we put in place to squelch the light. It means shining light in the face of injustice and revealing peace and hope.  It means denouncing the bushels of hatred, envy, greed, oppression, exploitation, abuse, and shame...denouncing, as we do in baptism, the forces that defy God...so that light may be seen and reflected.  

To be salt is to season the world with flavor.  To spice up the despair of life. It means preserving the natural goodness of God’s creation.  It means stopping the world and our neighbors from the decay of sin. It means acting in the waters of baptism and promise of salvation to work for justice and peace.  It means seasoning grief and despair with hope, flavoring loss with accompaniment, oppression with freedom, and injustice and justice. It means rubbing the powerful systems of injustice with the healing power of God’s kingdom. 

Salt is such a powerful metaphor.  I was visiting someone in the hospital the other day, and it dawned on me…when you’re admitted to the hospital, what is one of the first things they always do no matter your symptoms or illness.  They start and IV. And what is an IV? It’s a saline solution. Essentially, saltwater because salt is important to your body’s natural healing.  

And if salt has lost its saltiness it is worthless and thrown out to be trampled on.   It’s said that untrustworthy vendors would sell salt diluted with white sand, rendering the salt useless and saltiness-less.   Therefore thrown out to be trampled under foot. Salt was essential to life. And if salt lost its flavor or saltiness, then it was worthless.  

Think about it, we don’t take things and add them to salt to dilute salt and make it better do we?  No. In the same way that we don’t cover a freshly lit lamp. Rather, a lamp is lit to shine, and salt is applied to preserve, season, nourish, and heal.

And I think for Jesus, he is teaching the disciples that as disciples they must denounce the bushels of the world.  They must reject the sins that dilute their calling. Rather than be impressed by the world around them, they’re called as disciples to form and reform the world and their neighbors.  Called to usher in the kingdom of God. To shine and season. To be light and to be salt.

My friends, YOU, You are salt and you are light.  In the waters of baptism, God removes the bushels of sin, and through confession and forgiveness, God calls us to season the world with God’s grace.  And like the recipe calls for...Salt everything, every step of the way.

And being salt and light looks like the ordinary acts of Christian witness in everyday life.

It’s serving at the food pantry or habitat build, working with volunteers in medicine.  

It’s being guardian ad litem, giving rides to the elderly to the Dr. and grocery store. 

It’s taking altar flowers to shut-ins, tutoring at our local school, and making chili to raise almost $400.  It’s a red wagon overflowing with food week-in and week-out.  It’s empowering a preschool that nurtures 120 kids and families.  It’s adopting children, caring for grandkids, and teaching Sunday school.  It’s baking a meal or sleeping on a couch so that homeless families may have a safe place to rest.  It’s singing the promise of God, leading the community of faith in worship, taking communion to our sisters and brothers.   It’s praying by name for anyone who asks. Salt is powerful and it doesn’t take a lot to be effective.  Light is powerful and once lit it stands for all to see. 

So, my dear disciples, You! You are salt of the earth.  You are light of the world. And as you were charged in baptism: Let your light so shine before others so they may see your good works and glorify your father in heaven.  Amen. 

©Sermon preached by Pastor Daniel Locke on February 9, 2020 @ St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Jacksonville, FL

Going Fishing - Sermon on Matthew 4:12-23

Sermon preached by Pastor Daniel Locke on January 26, 2020 @ St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Jacksonville, FL

Listen to the Sermon here: 

Matthew 4:12-23

12 Now when Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. ¹³ He left Nazareth and made his home in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, ¹⁴ so that what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: ¹⁵ "Land of Zebulun, land of Naphtali, on the road by the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles— ¹⁶ the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned." ¹⁷ From that time Jesus began to proclaim, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near." ¹⁸ As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen. ¹⁹ And he said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you fish for people." ²⁰ Immediately they left their nets and followed him. ²¹ As he went from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and he called them. ²² Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed him. ²³ Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and curing every disease and every sickness among the people.

SERMON

Let me preface today’s sermon by saying I am not a fisherman.  In fact, I have only been fishing a handful of times and I’ve learned that I am most successful if the rod is plastic, the line has a magnet on the end, and I’m trying to catch plastic magnetic fish in a kiddie pool.  I classify fishing as NMG - not my gift.

That being said, I can recall a few impactful experiences that taught me about the art of fishing.  As a boy scout, we once camped out around someone’s pond. One of the reasons for our weekend camping trip was for some folks to work on their fishing merit badge.  So, that evening, our scout master asked who wanted to go fishing in the morning. He offered to wake us up in the morning, and since I had never really gone fishing before, I thought, sure, why not.  When 4 am came, I immediately regretted my decision. Apparently, most fish are active at dusk and dawn. I guess early worm gets the fish, as they say.

My second lesson was that going fishing was not equivalent to going to catch fish.  That same camping trip I learned that you can sit for hours, doing nothing, and get no result. Fishing takes patience.

In high school I was invited to go fishing off the pier at a friend’s lake house.  I’d say that this experience was a bit more successful, but it was also the time I learned that fishing requires attentiveness.  Turns out, you can’t cast the line, lean the pole against the rail and trust the fish would bite and politely wait to be reeled in.  Apparently, fish like to eat on the go. I lost my friends fishing pole. 

Growing up, my dad got me a small tackle box.  Through scouts I had collected two or three bobbers, a few weights, some fun little lures and a variety of hooks.  I felt cool.  That is until I was invited to go fishing with a group of folks from scouts.  I took my cute little tackle box with more cubbies and compartments than things to put in them.  I really liked that when I opened the lid, the top compartment raised on its own, revealing the secret hidden compartment beneath.  Anyways, we arrived and got settled. I sat my box on the bench and opened up slowly so others could take notice.  

Meanwhile, I noticed the leader open what I can only describe as one of those giant metal rolling tool cabinets.  Cabinets lined with hooks and lures. Endless drawers full or artificial bait, bobbers, weights, sinkers, and... well that’s the extent of my fishing accessory knowledge.  He strapped on his sleeveless fishing vest. I was intimidated and overwhelmed. That was the day I learned that there are 1000s of species of fish, and every one of them is different and everyone requires a different approach to successfully catching them.  Fishing takes preparation, careful planning, and creativity.

Fishing, from my limited experience and observation is a profound hobby and sport.  And to be successful, it requires immense patience, perseverance, and experience. It requires that you know the fish that you’re trying to catch and that you have the precise tools necessary.  Successful fishing requires hope and endurance. It even means failing. And, perhaps the most profound lesson I’ve learned is that you absolutely cannot catch a fish if you don’t go fishing in some way or another. 

As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen. ¹⁹ And he said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you fish for people." ²⁰ Immediately they left their nets and followed him. ²¹ As he went from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and he called them. ²² Immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.

Almost every time I read this text or its parallel in Mark or Luke, I get hung up on the immediacy of the disciples’ following.  How is it that at Jesus’ call and invitation, they drop everything to follow this minority voice of hope. They leave it all behind to be in the footsteps of something new - to take part in the reign of God’s kingdom.  

But, for some reason this week, I was hooked by the prospect of fishing for people.  Pun- intended. The notion that as Christians we are called by Christ to become people who fish for people.  To exhaust the metaphor, we are called to cast to the proclamation of Jesus, to shed light on the dark and dreary world, to offer a message of love, grace, forgiveness, peace and hope that is so lure-ing, that others’ can’t help but bite.  Right, and in Jesus’ day, it was more about casting a wide net in hopes that you might catch a few from the many.

And I’ve found myself so deep in prayer lately about Christ’s invitation to fish for people, mostly because I’m a terrible fisherman.  Fishing takes patience and endurance. It takes perseverance. Fishing takes pride and knowledge of the fish you want to catch. And to optimize success it takes the proper use of gifts and tools.

Now look, I don’t mean to suggest that our call as Christians is to bait and lure, or even deceive people into knowing Christ.  I don’t want to overplay the metaphor.  Rather, I think that to be successful in our call to discipleship, to fully honor the privilege and responsibility of proclaiming the grace-filled reign of God, it might take some practice.  Some patience. Some perseverance. If we understand our call from Jesus through the shores of the baptismal font to go forth in the name of Christ to make disciples then at some point we have to at least go fishing, trusting in God to guide us.

Our gospel text today marks the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry.  Following Jesus’ birth, he fled to Egypt for safety with his parents, he was baptized by John in the river.  The spirit descended upon him like a dove and drove him to the wilderness where he was tempted by the devil, and now he withdraws to Galilee and the area of Capernaum.  And it’s here that he begins his public ministry within the gospel according to Matthew.  

And our gospel text opens with a stark reminder of the hostile and tumultuous time that Jesus emerges.  Again, Matthew writes, “Now when Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee.” John the Baptist, the one who came crying in the wilderness, “prepare the way of the Lord.”  The one who pointed to the Messiah and the one who is greater. John, who baptized Jesus in the river and pointed his followers to Christ, has been arrested by Herod.  

Now we won’t hear the story of John’s beheading this year, but within the other gospel narratives we can recall that John the Baptist was beheaded at the request of Herod’s stepdaughter Salome, influenced by her mother, Herodias.  Ultimately, it is a testament to Herod’s rage and violent temperament, sparked by John convicting Herod for divorcing his wife to take his brother’s wife.  

Jesus continues to live and move in the territory of a violent, tyrannous rulers.  In Jesus day, the region around Galilee was ruled by Herod Antipas. He was the son of Herod the Great, the one who tried to manipulate the wisemen into telling him where Jesus was.  Who, ultimately tried to have the baby Jesus murdered. Herod Antipas was known for his brutal nature and his utter intolerance for anyone who may threaten his power.   

Furthermore, the region of Galilee was under Roman Imperial Rule.  The roman rule was an oppressive force that affected a large portion of the population.  Most common citizens relied on brutal, physical, labor-intensive work to support their way of life.  But excessive, unjust taxes suppressed the fruits of their labor. Therefore, many also lived in poverty - void of basic life-sustaining needs.

The kingdom in which they lived was not necessarily one of hope or joy.   It is riddled with intimidation from authority, submission to the Roman Imperial rule, and a longing for the fulfillment of their ancestral promise. 

This is the power of the day that Jesus initiates God’s reign.  While there is a need to be diligent and careful in his ministry, God through Jesus has come to proclaim the presence of a new kingdom, a kingdom ruled by grace, forgiveness, justice, and love.  Jesus is the light of hope, freedom, and justice that is to shine as a light in the darkness of oppressive rule.

This is the time and place to which Jesus as a light to the darkness, proclaiming the promise of the Kingdom of God, a reign of hope, justice, mercy, and grace.  God, through Jesus, has come to offer salvation to God’s people. To raise up the lowly and cast down the mighty. To heal the sick, clothe the naked, feed the hungry, make the blind to see and the mute to speak.  To bring good news to the poor, release to the captives, and to set the oppressed free.  

And one of Jesus’ first actions is to invite others to follow, to risk it all and experience a new way of life.  Inviting them to come and see. 

As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen. ¹⁹ And he said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you fish for people." ²⁰ Immediately they left their nets and followed him. ²¹ 

When Jesus invites the disciples to come and follow, our translation says, “Follow me and I will make you fish for people.”  This translation can make it sound as though fishing for people were a task to be completed. And if you’re like me, that’s terrifying, because as you recall, fishing is not my gift.

But thanks be to God, Jesus’ invitation is a richer than our translation might seem   In fact, a better understanding of the invitation might be to say, “Follow me, and I will make you to become fishers for people.”   In this translation fishing for people is no longer a task, but rather becoming fishers of people is a new identity. Jesus invites us to come and see, to participate and learn about the work for the kingdom.  Christ promises to equip the ones who will be doing the fishing. It is to become their new identity. 

They are to become fishers of people.  In a world desperate for the hope of something better, Christ calls and invites these disciples to use their gifts and abilities for the furtherment of the kingdom of God. This is the kind of discipleship that you and I are called to as well

Despite our anxieties or doubts or fears, Christ confidently calls us to be disciples.  To become fishers or people, casting the good news of the light of Christ to all people, all times, and in all places.   And the good news, especially for someone who is not keen on fishing, it is not about us. It’s not about what you or I do.  

It’s about what God does through us.  Using our God given, gifts, abilities, experiences, to cast the story of faith, to fan the spark of hope to a world deeply in need of healing.  And successful fishing, to be sure, successful discipleship is not measured in the number of fish you catch, but rather the passion and commitment to the craft.  True discipleship takes time, patience, endurance, knowledge, experience, trust, and hope.  

Jesus entered the world at a tumultuous time.  God, the Emmanuel, came forth so that the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light, and for those who sat in the region and shadow of death light has dawned.  It was true then and it is true today.

And, as I understand it, most fishermen and women don’t just go fishing in order to catch something, but rather they often go fishing, because they’re people who fish, and fishing is what fishermen and women do.  

Amen.

©Sermon preached by Pastor Daniel Locke on January 26, 2020 @ St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Jacksonville, FL

Bring the Demons to Submission - Sermon on Revelation 12:7-12

Revelation 12:7-12

7 And war broke out in heaven; Michael and his angels fought against the dragon. The dragon and his angels fought back, 8 but they were defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. 9 The great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the Devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. 10 Then I heard a loud voice in heaven, proclaiming,“Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Messiah, for the accuser of our comrades has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God. 11 But they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb  and by the word of their testimony, for they did not cling to life even in the face of death. 12 Rejoice then, you heavens and those who dwell in them!  But woe to the earth and the sea, for the devil has come down to you with great wrath,  because he knows that his time is short!”

Luke 10:17-20 

17 The seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, in your name even the demons submit to us!” 18 He said to them, “I watched Satan fall from heaven like a flash of lightning. 19 See, I have given you authority to tread on snakes and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy; and nothing will hurt you. 20 Nevertheless, do not rejoice at this, that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

Sermon 

So, today we celebrate Michael and All Angels day!  We honor the witness and fervor of angels as they act on behalf of God, delivering messages of God’s good word.  In our text from the book of Daniel, Daniel learns of a chief prince named Michael who assists in the fight against the Prince of Persia and the Prince of Greece. Prince in this instance implies not a human in royal leadership but rather a sort of super human, celestial being that represents the interests of particular people.  So the Angel Michael is introduced to Daniel as the protector of his people.

In our text from Revelation, John records vision of a great red dragon, with seven heads, ten horns, and seven diadems on his heads.  His tail sweeps down a third of the stars of heaven, throwing them to the earth. The dragon stands ready to devour the child of a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars on her head.  The child, who is to rule all the nations is born and snatched away, taken to God.  

So, a war breaks out in heaven, and Michael and all his angels fight the great dragon.  And despite the dragon and his angel’s best efforts, they are defeated. The great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the Devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world - he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.

And so, we celebrate today the festival of Michael and All Angels.   Angels thwarting dragons. That matches our cultural experience and portrayal of angels doesn’t?  

In a few weeks you’ll set up the annual Christmas tree and you’ll grab your box of ornaments from the attack, and you’ll hand your family heirlooms, and your favorite meaningful ornaments.  You may have some eloquent globes or figurines. Maybe a hallmark ornament. And then of course you’ll pull out the classic celestial figure slamming a giant 7-head dragon, the deceiver of the whole world, throwing him down to earth.  yah? Everyone has one of those, right? You don't?

No, certainly our society has an affinity towards angels.  The conversation and portrayal of angels is so abundantly present that we almost become desensitized to them, right?

Think about Clarence Obdoby, Angel 2nd Class, who answers the prayers of family and friends on Christmas eve to save George Bailey,  And if successful, will earn his wings. This movie of course, it’s a wonderful life. And in the end, the bell on the tree rings, and the young girl zuzu says, “Every time a bell rings, an angel gets its wings.” 

Think about the mid 90s and TV.  I can still hear the opening tune to the show…”I’ll will walk with you, til the sun don’t even shine...I’ll walk with you..every time..I tell ya I’ll walk with you.”

Anybody? Touched by an angel?  I remember my parents watching it.  And again, the story of an angel, named Monica, who has climbed the angel promotion ladder from choir to annunciations, and now promoted from the search and rescue division to work individual cases.  Along with her supervisor, Tess, Monica meets people on the walk of life, to help manage their cases, for a positive outcome. This portrays angels as guardians. 

Speaking of guardians, there was a story out of Germany a few months ago.  A man was driving his car and caught speeding by a traffic camera. As the car passed the camera, the camera took a snapshot in order to issue the ticket.  Well at the exact moment the picture was taken, a dove flew in front of the car with its wings spread, hiding the man’s face.  

The police reported jokingly that a “thanks to a feathered guardian angel..” and the intervention of the “Holy Spirit” they will choose mercy over justice and not issue a ticket.”  They said, “we have understood this to be a sign to leave the driver at peace.” We portray angels as helping us avoid tickets.

If you haven’t heard, I was in a car accident this past week.  Everyone is ok. Just a bruised ego and a very bruised car. But I was reminded of 2005, when I was in my first car wreck.  I totalled my jeep. It wasn’t my fault. Lol. Anyways, when I got my new, used car, someone gave me a little metal guardian angel to clip on my sun visor and it said, “Never drive faster than your guardian angel flies.”

Right, these are the ways we perceive and portray angels in our everyday lives.  I can’t tell you the number of stories I’ve heard from people who were in an accident, or in the hospital, or a precarious situation and they talk about an angel rescuing them or aiding them.  They can’t always recall the details of who or how, but they know so strongly that there was some sort of presence felt. As though an angel was watching over them or intervening on their behalf. 

We portray angels as statues in our gardens, figurines on our mantles.  We have plumb little babies with wings and halos, or delicate, fragile silver or diamond angelic beings dangling on chains around our neck...or charms on bracelets.  

One of my favorite movies growing up...angels in the outfield.  Young Joseph Gordon Levitt plays Rodger. And Roger’s dad promises that if the Angels win the pennant, his dad will come home.  So Roger prays, and for the rest of the season angels show up to assist the team and help them win. Rubbing pitcher’s shoulders.  Elevating outfielders to make crazy catches. At one point the whole stadium flaps their wings because they believe in something bigger.

The symbolism of Angels is everywhere.  The language of angels is so present. How often do you or someone you know talk about someone being angelic, or acting like an angel?  Or, an angel brought us together? An angel must have been watching over me? An angel made me do it! 

It’s such a common place.  Even in our worship, we talk about angels.  In communion I say, and so with angels and archangels, cherubim and seraphim we praise your name and join their unending hymn.  Notice our hymns today… 

I think we’ve come to appreciate and perceive the presence of angels, but they truly remain somewhat of a great mystery, right?  What does an angel look like? How do they act? Can humans be angels? Do they really level up from choir to case management? Are they guardians, controlling our acceleration pedal and monitoring our life choices?    

Are they tangible, real beings, or hidden celestial beings.  Is this the power of our confession when we proclaim a belief in God, the maker of heaven and earth, all things seen and unseen? 

What, we fairly ask, is the deal with angels?  Perhaps scripture is a great place to start. 

Think about Abraham.  In Genesis 18 it tells us that Abraham was visited by the Lord as he sat by the entrance of his tent.  But the story goes on to say that three men approached the tent. Abraham welcomed them and fed them. They proclaimed to Abraham and Sarah that Sarah shall bear a son.  The Lord appeared to Abrhama as these three men. 

Think about Luke 1, as the Angel Gabriel is sent by God and appears to Mary.  Gabriel says Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you. He then proclaims to her that she will bear God’s son. 

Think about Acts 12, when Peter is bound in prison.  While the guards sleep and angel of the Lord appears, taps him on the shoulder, and helps his escape prison.  It says Peter didn’t realize what was happening was real. He thought it was a vision. Once the angel leaves him, peter is certain that an angel rescued him. 

In Mark 16, The women enter then empty tomb and find a man, dressed in a white robe.  He says “Do not be alarmed and proclaims that Christ is risen”

Revelation 14, Then I saw another angel flying in midair, and he had the eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on earth - to every nation, tribe, and language. 

Psalm 91 - for he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.

Hebrews - Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. 

Of course, Revelation 5, as John hears the voice of thousands of angels - tens of thousands - circled around the throne singing “worthy is the lamp, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise. 

And of course there is today’s text...The great prince or angel Michael and his angels defeating the great dragon.  

When we take another look through scripture and the presence of angels, it becomes apparent that an angel is one who delivers good news, proclaims good news.  Brings forth the testament of God and God’s power. To be sure, the word Angel, when translated literally means “messenger.” An angel is one who delivers a message. We tend to associate angels with God as heavenly beings.  

But the reality of the translation is that an angel is simply a messenger.  One that is empowered by God, intrusted with good news, and sent to deliver the good news.  More specifically, an angel is equipped with the word of God. The logos. God’s word alone.

If we look at today’s text from revelation, it is Michael and all angels that defeat the great dragon.  But to be precise, verse 11 tells us that “they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony.”  The gift and power of the witness of angels is the deliverance of testimony. A message of God’s grace and love. And for the sake of scripture, testimony that is God’s word.  Good news in God’s name.   

The church has a long held a belief in angels and their witness to the power of God’s word to bring good news into a dark world.  In fact, Luther insisted that this day, Michael and All Angels always remain a festival day so that we as a Christian people might hear again the story of the angels, and the power of the word of God to strike down the forces that defy God. 

Think about the 3rd verse in Luther’s A Mighty Fortress.  

Though hordes of devils fill the land

                all threat'ning to devour us,

            we tremble not, unmoved we stand;

    they cannot overpow'r us.

            Let this world's tyrant rage;

    in battle we'll engage!

His might is doomed to fail;

                God's judgment must prevail!

One little word subdues him.

In our gospel lesson today from the 10th chapter of Luke, the 70 return with joy saying, “Lord, in your name even the demons submit to us!”  Recall that Jesus sent the 70 out two by two, to carry no purse, no bag, no sandals. To greet no one on the road. To offer peace to the household and remain in that house eating and drinking what the host provides.   

So the 70, equipped with nothing but the word of God and the accompaniment of sibling, go forth in the name of God to share the peace of the Lord.  To deliver to every town and place a message of God’s good peace and the promise of God's favor. And what they experience, what they encounter, what they witness, is the power of God’s word to bring demons to submission.  To bring light to the darkness. To bring hope to the despair. To proclaim favor, justice, mercy, peace, and love. 

And so in the celebration Michael and All Angels, rejoicing with the return of the 70, we might remember and reclaim the power of our witness in the world.  That we too, have been called by God, claimed in the waters, equipped with every good gift, sent forth into the world to deliver a message.  

That is a message of eternal hope, of grace and glory, of promise and forgiveness.  It is a message that frees the captives, redeems the oppressed, lifts the lowly, and casts down the mighty.  It is a message that restores kingdoms, and tears down divisions. It is a message that always, always, always acts on love and delivers good news.  And friends, with the word of God on our lips, hearts, and in our actions, the demons of this world submit. They fall down.  Amen.

© Pastor Daniel Locke, preached Sept. 29, 2019 @ St. Mark's JAX 

God's Until, As Far As Mission - Sermon on Luke 15:1-10

Listen to the sermon here.

Luke 15:1-10

1 Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him. ² And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, "This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them." ³ So he told them this parable: ⁴ "Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it? ⁵ When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders and rejoices. ⁶ And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, "Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.' ⁷ Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. ⁸ "Or what woman having ten silver coins, if she loses one of them, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? ⁹ When she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, "Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.' ¹⁰ Just so, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents." 

SERMON

We have heard part of this story before.  Many weeks ago, on the fourth Sunday of Lent, our gospel text began with the first three verses and then skipped to the parable of the prodigal son.  Today we circle back with an opportunity to read and reflect on the first two parables in this section.  

For Luke’s gospel, these three parables about the lost being found lie at the heart of not only Jesus ministry, but his journey to Jerusalem as well.  Several chapters ago Jesus set his eyes towards Jerusalem, where the son of man will suffer, be killed, and on the third day rise again.  We are well into the journey, and he has had multiple encounters with not only the sick and broke, the tax collectors and sinners, but the pharisees, scribes, and religious leaders as well.  He has had both good and not so good encounters.  

There have been moments with Pharisees have warned him that Herod is hunting for him, that he should go and hide.   And there have been moments like two weeks ago where Jesus is invited to a dinner banquet on the Sabbath and the offers a stern lesson about humility and inclusion.  

Jesus has had a wide range of encounters with the religious leaders, and it’s important to remember that any time the Bible mentions “the Pharisees” it isn’t necessarily talking about the same handful of people again and again.  Jesus meets and challenges a variety of religious leaders, and their impression and reaction to Jesus is just as varied and diverse.  Some are openly appalled and offended by Jesus.  And some are warming up to his way of life and teachings.   

And so today, at the heart of his journey to Jerusalem, Jesus once again encounters a group of religious leaders.  Jesus hears their grumbles and responds with three parables about the lost being found.  About God’s unexpected relentless pursuit of the lost.  About each and every one of God’s children being sought after.  It’s about the joy of community when it is made whole.

In chapter 15, Luke sets the scene for us by letting just know that “all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him.  And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, “This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.”

“This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.”   I really like this line of scripture, because as much as the Pharisees intend it to be a line of accusation and condemnation, I read and hear it as a proclamation.  Right?  “This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.”  The fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them!”  

I always like to hear it as though the Pharisees are proclaiming a wonderful truth to the community.  Let it be proudly and widely known in all the land that THIS Messiah is one who favors the sinners and graciously breaks bread with him.  All should know that all are welcome at his table.   Then, of course, everyone raises and clinks their glasses, all cheers and toast to the faithful work and witness of Jesus.

I love this line, because the Pharisees accuse and condemn Jesus’ behavior, “THIS Fellow...welcomes and eats with sinners.” and I imagine a snarky Jesus looking around and saying, “Yah, So?”

For Jesus, it is a proclamation of truth.  This is what Jesus does regularly.   On so many occasions he calls to the sinners, fellowships with the broken and ill, dines with the tax collectors and despised members of society.  That’s what Jesus has always done.  And it has caused him a following.  A following of sinners, tax collections.

The Pharisees simply won’t stand for this sort of behavior.  Tax collectors were considered traitors and enemies as the poached on the members of society and representatives of Roman authority.  The sinners weren’t so much an issue for being a sinner but because their sin was typically in opposition to Jewish law, tradition, or cultural cleanliness.  Their sin made them unclean, and therefore a Rabbi, even Jesus, shouldn’t dare break bread with them.

So, Jesus confronts the grumbles by teaching in three parables.  One about a shepherd in search of a lost sheep.  One about a woman fervently searching for a coin.  And one about the prodigal son.  All are in some way about the lost being found and the joy of the community when they are welcomed home and made whole  

In the first parable, Jesus invites the Pharisees, and all gathered to imagine themselves as a shepherd who has a flock of sheep and unfortunately one is lost.  Jesus then celebrates the shepherd’s commitment to go after the lost sheep until it was found.  This seems like a simple, eloquent image of God as a shepherd committed to finding the lost at all costs.  

And I think it’s important to recognize that shepherds and their flock did not always graze on nice flat green pastures.  These are hilly lands with some rocky and dangerous terrain, with predators both human and animal lying in wait.  Not only was leaving the 99 a risk but chasing after the one lost was a bold and risky endeavor.  So much so that the Pharisee might be left wondering would it be worth it.  Why would the shepherd not risk more than he might gain?

In the second parable, Jesus invites the Pharisees, and all gathered to imagine a woman having lost one of her 10 silver coins.  And in today’s world it seems such little effort to flip on the light and sweep the house in search of the coin.  But I think it’s important to recognize that this woman would have to spend her own resources to oil and light a lamp, and then diligently and carefully scour the home for what is lost.  

Again, the pharisees, who sit in positions of power may wonder, why would anyone go to such lengths in search of a single coin.  Why would this woman search tirelessly, expending more resources and time then she might gain through finding the coin?

Both parables start with something being lost.  But the emphasis is not on the lost item or animal.  The emphasis is not repentance or the turning around of the thing that is lost.  After all, a coin is not alive, and I suspect the message is not that a sheep can confess and repent.  

More importantly, these parables are about the one searching and their commitment to the search.  A Shepherd who risks his own life in passionate pursuit of the lost member of the flock.  A woman who brings light to darkness in order to diligently and carefully sweep the house.   And both the shepherd and the woman search until the lost is found.  It’s not simply that they search with haste and passion, hoping the lost will be found, but they do not rest or relent UNTIL it is found.   The word until is only one of the translations permitted by the original Greek.  It can also be understood by the phrase “as far as.”  So, they search UNTIL it is found, or we could say, “that they search as far as necessary to find the lost.”   

As Jesus says, “Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it? Or what woman having ten silver coins, if she loses one of them, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it?” 

Friends, this is our God. This is God’s mission to search Until the lost are found, willing to go as far as necessary to save God’s people and make us whole again.  Our God is faithful and relentless.  Our God is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.  Our God pursues the lost, as far as necessary, even unto death, until all are made whole in the kingdom of God. 

And here’s the truth my friends, just because we may be baptized, just because we attend worship regularly or participate in church activities...just because we do our daily devotions and pray regularly doesn’t mean we’re exempt from becoming lost.  Of course, in the waters of baptism, God finds us.  Claims us.  Dusts us off, names us, and welcomes us into community.  

But the truth is, it doesn’t mean we’re exempt from every wandering, straying, or lingering into temptation. 

I have no doubt that we have friends right now, in these pews who feel lost.  We can go through the motions of our faith and still feel lost.  You can belong to the body of Christ, but still feel alone.  Just because we’re Christians doesn’t mean we aren’t sinners in desperate need of God’s unending redemption. 

And this is what I love about our faith.  We believe that we are simultaneously sinner and saint.  God has made us alive and free in the death and resurrection of Christ, but we are still susceptible to sin.  We can be both found by God and feel lost all at the same time.

And the good news is that God is infinitely better at pursuing and finding then we are at running, hiding, and wandering off.  God is relentless in loving pursuit.  Sometimes that means that God seeks us out in the most bizarre or unsuspecting ways, scoops us up, and brings us back to community without us ever realizing we were lost in the first place.  It’s that feeling when you walk into the most secure, safest, warmest place you know...and when you cross the threshold of the entrance you know you’re home.  You’re found.

My siblings, each and every week we gather in this place.  The Spirit calls us and gathers us for worship.  God finds us in the muck of the world and brings us together as a community to rejoice the power of God’s relentless love. 

This is one of the reasons why we start with confession and forgiveness.  God has found us and brought us to community and together we confess the ways in which we might have become lost in the first place.  And God says I forgive you.  And wherever you go, I’ll be with you. 

And what I find incredibly powerful about these parables is not just God’s relentlessness, but the one’s searching are a shepherd and a woman.  If the Pharisees weren’t grumbling before, then the notion that God would act as a shepherd or even a woman...can you imagine?   

These are not the religious and cultural norms of God’s portrayal.  And I find this so powerful because it suggests to me that God works through anyone at any time, in any way to find the lost.    Even you and me.   

God’s work of seeking and finding the lost is community work.  In this place we experience again and again the power of God’s love and we’re filled with bread and wine, grace and forgiveness, love and hope to face the world ahead and remember that God will never relent or rest Until all are found. 

My dear siblings, All - all, sinners, tax collectors, pharisees, and scribes.  All, you and me, the least, last and lost - all are in need of God’s Until, as far as mission.  More importantly, all are worthy of God’s until, as far as mission.  Thanks be to God that through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, no matter how lost we may become, God can, and will, always welcome us and invite us to dine.

Amen

© Pastor Daniel Locke, Preached on Sept. 15, 2019 @ St. Mark's Lutheran JAX, FL