Reign of Christ Sermon - Matthew 25: 31-46

Matthew 25:31-46

“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats, and he will put the sheep at his right hand and the goats at the left. Then the king will say to those at his right hand, ‘Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?’ And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.’ Then he will say to those at his left hand, ‘You that are accursed, depart from me into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not give me clothing, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’ Then they also will answer, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not take care of you?’ Then he will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’  And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

There is a popular expression of faith.  Although it is credited to Francis of Assisi, its origins are a bit unknown. Regardless, it resonates with today’s Gospel text.  It goes, “Proclaim the Gospel, and when necessary use words.” I suppose it sounds similar to present day quips such as “you can talk the talk, but can you walk the walk,” or “actions speak louder than words.” Personally, I’m more fond of the former “proclaim the Gospel, and when necessary use words.”

To be clear the intention of the expression is not to diminish the use of words or dismiss the inherent oral nature of the gospel message, but rather the intention is to highlight the interconnectedness of proclamation and action.  Word and deed. Theses two expressions of the Gospel go hand-in-hand, inseparable present-day manifestations of the good news in Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection.  

Not as a choice, but as an embodiment of our discipleship.  An instinct of our Christian nature. A stitch in the fabric that is the body of Christ DNA.   Proclaiming the Gospel, and when necessary using words.

Today marks the end of our liturgical calendar.  The end of the church year.  And so on this final Sunday of the church year, as we transition into Advent and new beginning we hear Jesus in his final public teaching moment with the Disciples. It is perhaps the perfect bookend to his public teaching ministry.

Recall that 20 chapters ago he began with the Beatitudes a world-turning, expectation-flipping assessment on the kingdom of God, in which the meak, poor, lonely, and lost inherit the Kingdom of God.  He goes on for another 10 chapters talking about the Kingdom teaching in parables, and preaching to the disciples and the crowds.

In chapter 16, after a decisive moment when Jesus asked Peter, “who do you say that I am?”  The text tells us “From that time on, Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem to be killed and raised.”  From that time on he began to show.

It is not purely coincidence that Jesus spent his entire ministry both proclaiming and showing in action the good news of the Kingdom of God come near.  I don’t think either that is is purely coincidence that Matthew’s account of Jesus has him teaching for the last time about the interconnectedness of word and deed.   The humble, instinctive, and intuitive nature of doing to the least of these as Jesus did.

In Matthew’s account of the Gospel, there are more than 50 references to the kingdom.  The majority of which come from Jesus in coordination with a healing, parable, miracle, or a teaching moment.  

Central to Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew is the presence of the Kingdom.  A reign of God in Jesus Christ.  The embodiment of love, mercy, and grace in Jesus Christ the King.   

When Christ cleanses a Leper, heals a hemorrhaging woman, and restores site to the blind he proclaims the arrival of God’s kingdom in both word and deed.  

When Jesus sits to eat with a tax collector and associates with despised members of society, Jesus proclaims the arrival of God’s kingdom in both word and deed.  

When Jesus feeds 5000 and 4000 on a hillside, breaks bread with disciples, and offers living water to the woman at the well he proclaims the arrival of God’s kingdom in both word and deed.

When Jesus advocates for the oppressed, teaches about wheat, seeds, and yeast, and walks on water he is proclaiming the arrival of God’s kingdom in word and deed.

The correlation between faithful proclamation and humble service for Jesus, and for Matthew is no coincidence.  And furthermore the presence of the Kingdom of God within both word and deed is no coincidence.  

Now look brothers and sister I know that the word and deed sermon isn’t likely a new concept.  I’m sure many of us have heard the talk the talk and walk the walk sermon.  Most of us are familiar with this text and its implications.  Never-the-less, today’s text on this Reign of Christ Sunday is a significant and intentional text for on the final Sunday in the church year.  Beyond its familiarity, Jesus offers his disciples, the crowds, and us an important reminder of the nature of the Kingdom of God.  

‘Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.’

Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?’

And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.’

I invite you to hear today’s text and message not as conviction but rather as a reminder, an affirmation of your participation in the kingdom. To help, I offer two insights:

First, may we not get caught up on the “otherness”... wondering who are the least of these.  I think too often we subconsciously determine who is the “the least of these.”  This determination impacts our ability or willingness to act.   We might identify the least among us by some set of unfair or unnecessary criteria.  Limiting our care for neighbors and others by some condition of “leastness”  

Rather may our focus be on the action themselves, regardless of the recipient. Perhaps Jesus’ teaching today is not so much about determining who the least are, and who is need of care, but rather the acts of compassion and care we carry out in the name of Jesus.  The feeding through programs like UCOM and foodbanks, the welcoming of family promise, the caring of our home-bound and shut-in members, and the visiting of those in need of a familiar face or a safe smile.  Acting in Jesus’ name as Thomas Merton says, “to love others, the sick hungry, thirsty, stranger, oppressed, naked...without stooping to inquire whether or not they are worthy.

Second, may we not get caught up simply on the actions themselves.  The works in Jesus’ name.  

After all neither the sheep nor the goats in today’s teaching realize that they have done anything good.  “Lord when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?’ The sheep and goats seem to share and ignorance in their response.  They are surprised by their fate.

So rather than focusing on the actions themselves...to help or not to thelp, may today’s text be a reminder that caring for others, regardless of worthiness is part of our very nature.  It’s intuitive to who and whose we are.

It comes naturally, perhaps subconsciously to those who have been washed by God’s grace.

Like a good tree producing good fruit, it is the very nature of the body of Christ to proclaim the arrival of God’s kingdom in word and deed.

Brothers and sisters the good news this Christ the king Sunday, is that Jesus Christ proclaimed the kingdom of God come near, and showed the world again and again the goodness of God’s grace by

dining with sinners, forgiving aggressors, clothing the naked, feeding the hungry, healing the sick, grieving with the bereaved, dying on a cross and rising again.  

And friends may there be no better news than the fact that through our baptism God has claimed us as children of God.  Sheep in God’s flock.  We are woven into the fabric of the body of Christ and we are gifted each and every day with the gospel message of Jesus the King. A king who reigns in the messiness of life.   Who shines light in a dark world and guides our paths.  Jesus who is the center all that we say, and do not because Jesus intrudes our life, but rather washed in the water we exude the resurrected promise of everlasting life.

So as we transition into a new church year, a new calendar year, a new church season...as we change the colors, decorations…The hymns and texts.. May Christ always and forever remain at the center…empowering us to do and say as Christ.  To proclaim the gospel message that Christ the King, Emmanuel and Messiah, Lord of Lords, mighty God, prince of peace has begun his reign. Halleluiah.  

© Pastor Daniel Locke Nov. 19, 2017 @ St. Mark's JAX 

Actively Waiting for the Lord - Sermon on Matthew 25:1-12

The Holy Gospel according to Matthew 25:1-12

"‘Then the kingdom of heaven will be like this. Ten bridesmaids took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. When the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them; but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, all of them became drowsy and slept. But at midnight there was a shout, “Look! Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.” Then all those bridesmaids got up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish said to the wise, “Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.” But the wise replied, “No! there will not be enough for you and for us; you had better go to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.” And while they went to buy it, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went with him into the wedding banquet; and the door was shut. Later the other bridesmaids came also, saying, “Lord, lord, open to us.” But he replied, “Truly I tell you, I do not know you.” Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour."

I always get caught up when I hear Jesus say, I’ll have nothing to do with you.”  Words like these run counter to understanding and experience of Jesus.  They challenge our expectation of the bridegroom and the kingdom. Literally this could be translated as, “I’ll have nothing to do with you.” So when the 5 foolish come knocking, crying out, Lord, Lord, open to us, Jesus says “I’ll have nothing to do with you.”

Ouch Jesus. Ouch. Now I think we can agree that this can be a tough text to hear. And I think that it is very important for us to name that difficulty. Especially if we are going to attempt to understand the parable, or better yet, relate it to our lives today.

It’s necessary that we recognize the tension and the anxiety that apocalyptic, “end-time” parables like this stir up within us. We don’t have be ok with it, but we should name it.

As we approach today’s difficult text, might I offer two foundations that we can rely on.  Two things we can depend on as we shed some light on Jesus’ parable.

First, as Christians trust with hope and faith in the actions of God. Trust in God who is faithful to God’s promises. Trust that the Kingdom of Heaven means the absolute return of the bridegroom.  Trust that through the movement of the Holy Spirit, God is relentlessly faithful.

Second, we trust in each other, the community, the body of Christ gathered to hear God’s word.  Trust the support, the love, the grace, the work of the community who shares in the Gospel message; however difficult it may be. These two things, relationship with God and relationship with the body of Christ are strong and reliable foundations as we discern Jesus’ words this day.

Let’s wade together in today’s text.

Today, 20 chapters after last week’s Beatitudes, Jesus continues to teach about the kingdom of heaven.  This time he does so in the form of a parable. Ten Bridesmaids, 5 foolish and 5 wise, as they wait for the bridegroom.   This is the first of three “end-time” parables in the 25th chapter of Matthew.  All three of which, we will hear as our Gospel lesson for these last three Sundays of our church year leading up to Advent. But today’s parable is one of readiness and waiting, a difficult text with a rather abrasive ending. Jesus teaches, The kingdom of heaven will be like this: Ten bridesmaids, all of whom have lamps and all are waiting to meet the bridegroom. Now Jesus distinguishes between 5 of them, deemed wise for bringing extra oil for their lamps, and 5, called foolish, for taking no oil.

In their waiting to meet the bridegroom, there is a delay.  As ready as they might have been, the bridegroom did not arrive as they expected or hoped. All ten grow drowsy and sleep. Suddenly, at an hour unexpected they were all awakened to a loud shout, “Look! Here is the bridegroom!  Come out to meet him!” So everyone trimmed their lamps in preparation, but of course the five foolish bridesmaids have no oil.  And despite the plea of the foolish, the wise do not share their extra oil. Waiting for the Lord.  Waiting, the time we spend now, in this place, in this community, in this world, our lives on earth...waiting until the bridegroom returns. You see friends, as Christians we live our fragile and God-given lives in the in between status of the kingdom.  On one hand, as Jesus proclaimed coming out of the wilderness, “the kingdom of God has come near.”  Joined to Christ in baptism we die in a death like his, and rise into new life, life within the Oh, so near, Kingdom of God.  But Yet, at the same time we confess that Jesus will return again, and with him comes the fulfillment of the Kingdom. A holistic reconciliation of all of creation to God through Jesus Christ by the power of the Spirit.  That’s the now-and-not-yet of the kingdom of God.   And in the meantime, we are called to wait.  But how do we wait?

So the five foolish go off to find some at the 24 hour oil quick-e-mart, and it is while they are gone that the bridegroom arrives. Those who were ready went with him into the wedding banquet and the door was shut.  Of course, the foolish return, knocking at the door “Lord, Lord, open to us.”  And the Lord says, “Truly I do not know you.”  

Keep awake therefore, for know neither the day nor the hour.

So what could this parable really be about?

Could it be a parable about the necessary resources one needs for admittance to the celebration?  Could it be a parable warning us of our surprise, shock, or alertness upon the bridegroom’s arrival? Could it be a parable advising us to be in the right place at the right time? Or is it maybe a parable about having a relationship the Lord distinguishing between those who know Jesus and those who don’t.

Well I might argue that no it’s not chiefly about any of these things.

It’s not strictly about obtaining the necessary resources, or accumulating works and deeds or doing enough things so that we might earn admittance to the celebration. After all, all ten bridesmaids, wise and foolish, bring lamps in their waiting.

It’s likely not about the surprise, shock, or alertness of the bridegroom’s arrival.  After all, all ten fell asleep, and all ten wake at the sound of his arrival and all are made alert of his imminent return.

I don’t think Jesus is suggesting that the kingdom of heaven is dependent upon knowing the Lord, or laying claim to our relationship with Christ. After all even the foolish bridesmaids know him when they cry out, “Lord, Lord, open to us.”  

And so really, the only thing that divides the wise from the foolish is the bit of extra oil that the wise brought with them in their waiting. The biggest difference is that the wise were prepared for the bridegroom’s delay and they were ready for the wait.

Perhaps then today’s parable, as it was for the disciples then who were soon to see Jesus die on the cross, as it was for the Thessalonians in our new testament lesson who were anxious because their loved one’s were dying and the Lord had not yet returned, is for us some 2000 years later... about readiness and waiting.

First we wait in God.  Waiting every moment in praise, thanksgiving, and worship to God.   The bridegroom will return. And in our waiting we rely on the faithfulness of God. God’s promise of love, peace, justice, forgiveness, and mercy.

Wait in the faithfulness of God that Jesus Christ, the bridegroom, IS coming back.  He will return.  And when he does… there will be a party, a wedding banquet, a heavenly celebration. A great feast where the Lord welcomes all with peace and love.

We wait in the full and confident expectation of Christ’s imminent return, Celebrate every possible moment of waiting, actively spreading the good news that Jesus will return.  Because washed in God’s promises we are lit with a flame that will not run out, supplied with more oil in our lamps than we could ever need, to keep us burning burning burning for the Lord and we can not help but spread the light of Christ.

Second, we wait in community.  We wait with the whole body of Christ, our neighbors, and our enemies. We wait with the whole church of Saints.   Not in a passive, foolish, nonchalant posture, but we wait in the calling of our baptism to...

   Live among God’s faithful people,

   Proclaim good news of God through word and deed,

  To serve all people, following Christ’s example,

  To strive for justice and peace in all the earth.

This communal waiting is an active waiting. One that embodies these baptismal promises and works to build up the kingdom of God, both now and not yet.   

This waiting means standing up against injustice empowering the voice of the oppressed.  Lately that looks like honoring the countless women who bravely share their experiences of sexual, physical, and emotional abuse.  Means challenging oppressive and patriarchal systems until all are made equal.  

It means we are called to meet the person next to us. Listen to their stories.  Honor and respect their experiences.  Share in their joys and pains. Weep when they weep, mourn when they mourn. Celebrate in their victories. Pray without ceasing.  Waiting means encouragement.loving, supporting, and building up each other. Working for peace. Striving to end violence, as well as the multitude of influences that perpetuate and enable violence.  

Siblings, our participation in the Kingdom of God and our call to wait for the Lord means that we actually have work to do.  Not as a requirement or some pre-condition for our entering the celebration, but rather as outward expression of our embodied faith in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. A Daily witness to God’s promise of Jesus’ return.

So Keep awake! Trim your lamps.  Wait in God.  Wait in one another.  For although we know neither the day nor the hour, we are called to wait.  And make no mistake, our waiting, in this life, is a gift.

Amen

© Pastor Daniel Locke Nov. 12, 2017 @ St. Mark's JAX 

Change is an Invitation to Holy Ground

Fall has always been my favorite time of year.  For most of my life, the leaves have transformed from lush green to the colorful landscape of a Bob Ross classic.  The temperature has declined, as I am relieved from oppressive summer heat and humidity.  Winter closes in, making me anxious for the love-hate relationship of possible snow.  Fall also means the holidays, which is a perfect excuse for my family and friends to travel the extra mile to unite in love and food.  For me, the experience of fall has always been my normal.

I do not know what the seasons look or feel like in Jacksonville yet, but my gut says to brace myself for a change.  This fall, the leaves may not change, the family may not all gather together, the temperature may not drop, and I am sad to think it may not lead to snow.  But that doesn’t make love fall any less.

A dear professor always taught us that “change is an invitation to Holy Ground.”  Every adjustment in the midst of change, for better or worse, is an opportunity to walk, reflect, and ultimately grow.   God is with us in the midst of change, walking with us step-by-step on Holy Ground, inviting us to trust, grow, and transform.  When we walk on Holy Ground, we can’t help but grow—grow in relationship, grow in self, and grow in faith. 

When Moses died and the Israelites stood on the precipice of a long-anticipated destination, God commissioned Joshua.  Joshua became a change in both leadership and direction as the Israelites left the wilderness and crossed the Jordan River into their new change of address.  God commanded Joshua to “be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9).

This fall Sarah and I will welcome a change—a change of address, a change of family and friends, a change to a new job.  A change in our new “normal.”   As scary or exciting as it may be, we take great comfort in knowing that we do not experience this change alone.  St. Mark’s has undergone an extended journey of change the last few years.  Friends and family have come and gone.  Programs have thrived and died.  Hopes have been marked by fears, and uncertainty has caused self-reflection.

Sisters, brothers, siblings, just as dead leaves make way for fresh buds, and cooler temperatures ultimately give new life to old soil, change brings about growth and transformation.  From the crucifixion of Jesus came new life in the form of resurrection.  Death was overcome with life, and the life-giving promise of hope, grace, and love.   Like Joshua and Israelites crossing the Jordan, Mary and the disciples left the tomb that day on Holy Ground, transformed for the better.  Change is an invitation to walk with God and neighbor on Holy Ground, to learn more about ourselves, one another, and God’s call for us.  To experience a re-birth.  To be reformed.  We will always experience change, but as we change know that in the Spirit change yields growth.  And God-willing, we will always continue to grow.

So in the days, weeks, months, and years ahead, be strong and courageous.  Do not be frightened or dismayed.  For the Lord our God is with us wherever we go.

Sarah and I are blessed to call St. Mark's JAX our new family and our new home.

Originally Posted in the November, 2017 Messenger for St. Mark's Lutheran Church, Jacksonville, Florida.