Turning the World Upside Down - Sermon on Luke 3:1-6

Listen to the gospel lesson and sermon here.

Luke 3:1-6

1 In the fifteenth year of the reign of Emperor Tiberius, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was ruler of Galilee, and his brother Philip ruler of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias ruler of Abilene,² during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness.³ He went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins,⁴ as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah, "The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: "Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.⁵ Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth;⁶ and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.' "

Well, we seem to be getting closer to the holiday texts we know and love.  Last week we read from Luke 21, where Jesus sits on the temple mount and offers an apocalyptic discourse to the disciples.   Today, we go back just a bit further in time to the time of John the Baptist. Today’s text in the third chapter of Luke actually occurs after Jesus has been born and raised.  

I promise, if you hang in there, we’ll eventually get to the picture perfect holiday texts that we all know and love.  The manger, shepherds, Mary and Joseph. All of the good stuff. I promise it’s coming.

But until then, it is important that we spend some time in Advent being reminded that we wait not only for the story of Christ being born, but also we wait for the second coming of Christ.  We wait anxiously for the time in which God will make all things new. A time when God will turn the world upside down. Restore all of creation and make us whole.

We wait ever so patiently for the completion of God’s kingdom, praying daily for thy kingdom come and thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.  For now, in the season of Advent, it is good for us to dwell with the gravity of what it is we’re actually waiting for.

Today’s text sets up the time of John the Baptist.  We don’t actually hear from the John the Baptist until next week, when he comes out swinging from the wilderness and he shouts to the crowd, “You brood of vipers…”.  

But until then, today’s text only introduces the one crying out in the wild.  We are introduced to his presence, and the stage is set for his arrival. The arrival of the one written about in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah, “The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: “Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.” 

I think it is interesting and worth noting in today’s text, that the text isn’t about Jesus.  It’s actually not even about John the Baptist. In fact, today’s text opens with an unexpected litany of political, economic, and religious leaders and officials.  Luke sets the stage for John’s entrance by rattling off the who’s-who of first century people in power. 

In the fifteenth year of the reign of Emperor Tiberius…when pontius Pilate was governor of Judea.  When Herod was the ruler of Galilee, and his brother Philip ruler of the the region Ituraea and Trachonitis, and lysanias of Abilene, during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas…

Luke is setting the scene for the time of John and Jesus’ arrival.  And between you and me, Luke is baiting his audience, the readers,...he’s baiting you and me to learn a valuable lesson about God and what God is up to.  This text is about God and what God is up to.

The text isn’t actually about Jesus.  And it isn’t really about John the baptist.  Nor is it about the list of powerful leaders.  This text is really a subtle proclamation about God and God’s intention for the world.  It is a subversive message about God’s plan for salvation to a broken creation. It’s about God and what God is up to. 

During my time at Lutheridge as a camp counselor, I learned a lot of songs.  And one of the camp favorites was a song called One Name. The lyrics read, “One name under heaven, whereby we must be saved.  Forgiven of our sins, baptized in the water, filled with the Holy Ghost, washed by the blood of the lamb. Free to be free my friends, freed by the blood of the lamb.”  

Then the 4th and final stanza of the song goes, “God’s goinna move this pla-a--ace, God’s goinna move this place...God’s goinna turn this whole world, upside down.”

God’s goinna turn this whole world upside down.  That’s the subtle message of today’s text and I suspect it went right by most of us when we first read it.

In the fifteenth year of the reign of Emperor Tiberius...with Pontius Pilate governing Judea...with Herod and his brother ruling Galilee and beyond.  With Annas and Caiphas ruling the high priesthood.. God is up to something. Something new. Something unexpected. Something that will turn the whole world upside down.  Something that will shake the status quo to its core. 

You see, in those days the world in desperate and eager for a Messiah, a savior.  Someone to fill the centuries of prophecy that came before. Someone who would be raised up as a might ruler, a king of kings, a leader of nations, a great and powerful savior of the people.  

And so with each powerful political and religious leader that Luke rattles off he challenges the expectations of the world.  God’s up to something …but it won’t happen through the mighty Emperor Tiberius. God is up to something, but it won’t be through powerful Pontius Pilate, Governor of Judea.  God is up to something, but it won’t be through the revered king Herod or his brother. God is up to something but it won’t be through the religious elites, Annas and Caiphas.  

With each and every name Luke announces he not only establishes a timeline to set up the time of John and Jesus, but Luke announces the mighty and powerful leaders of their time and then sets them aside.   And with the world’s greatest economic, social, and political leaders aside, Luke tells us that the word of God came to a man named John. Not an emperor, not a governor or king..not a religious leader. Just John, son of Zechariah...king of the wilderness.

God’s goinna turn this whole world upside down.   God’s word...God’s word incarnate...comes in complete opposition to the world’s expectations.  To a wild man in the wilderness...a lowly guy named John, the word of God comes forth as a voice in the wilderness, crying out, “prepare the way of the lord” proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 

Do you see what God does?  And honestly, as people who know the complete story it should come as no surprise, but God is flipping the script.  Turning the world upside down. Dismissing human expectations and understandings of power. 

God breaks forth not in the mighty and their thrones, but in the lowest, smallest, most unexpected way.  In fact, it is out of the wilderness, the very place that represents wandering, doubt, darkness, and uncertainty, that’s the place that the word of God shows up.  

That’s where the word of God prevails.  Not in the rich, mighty, and powerful. But in the damp, dark, dirty wilderness...God is up to something. God’s goinna turn this whole world upside down.

Luke makes it a point to tell us that God shows up in the most unexpected, counter-cultural way. The fact of the matter is that the systems of power in place in the world will crumble at the presence of God.  God will humble everything that is proud and self-satisfied. God will cast the mighty down from their thrones and uplift the lowly. Out of the wilderness, God is up to something. 

And whether we like it or not...whether we admit it or not...this upside down turning of the world is what we wait and long for in the season of Advent.   It’s what we hope for. It’s what we pray for. It’s what the world is desperate for.

A savior who turns the world upside down.  Who actively seeks out the outcast, poor, lost, lame, and last.  A savior that proclaims good news to the oppressed and sets the captives free.   A savior who challenges and opposes the systems and cycles of power still rampant today.  A savior who confronts any and all abuse of power and restores justice. A savior who flips the script, restores right relationship, and calls forth all of creation to be made new. 

As you most of you know, I have a 4 month old son, Bennet.  And raising Bennet is a learning curve that I know many of you can attest to.  Well, he recently learned a new trick. He has learned how to roll over onto his stomach.  But...and I think this is the important part...he doesn’t know how to roll back over. 

So while it may be cute and adorable at 3 in the afternoon to watch Bennet roll over on his play mat...it is less than cute at 3am ...and 4am..and 5am...when he rolls himself onto his stomach and then screams because he’s stuck.  He finds such joy in his new ability, but it ultimately leaves him stuck, annoyed, and lost.

The world is just like Bennet.  Infatuated with our abilities, our human-made structures and systems, enamored by power and status.  Humankind is wading in sin, wandering in the darkness...stuck and lost from our ways. Screaming out for a savior.

Two nights ago, in the span of 8 hours...Sarah and I responded to Bennet’s screams for help 10 times.  10 times in 8 hours we awoke to him rolled over..stuck, annoyed, and lost. And each time, we crept into his bedroom, gently turned him over, reminded him that he is ok and he is loved, and then soothed him back to sleep...knowing good and well he’d do it again.

God’s goinna turn this whole world upside down.  That’s how God is with us. In the time of John the Baptist and Jesus, the world had lost its way.  Humankind was living for their own sake. 

The emperor Tiberius, the Governor Herod...the religious and political leaders and officials… they lived for their own benefit.  For their own wealth. They thrived on systems of power the abused relationships, discarded other human beings, neglected the sick, poor, oppressed, lost, last, and lonely.  The world was stuck in sin. Screaming in the night for someone to come and save.

And God did just that.  God became incarnate, took on human flesh to be among us.  God’s word came out of the wilderness...the very place of wandering, doubt, despair, and darkness.  And God’s word spoke. Calling all people into repentance for the forgiveness of sins. Sins that got us stuck in the first place.  

Repentance, by its very definition is to turn around...to turn away from harmful, corrupting, and indulging sin...and turn to God.  A complete 180.

And God, gracious and abounding in steadfast love responds every time to our cry.  God’s gonna turn this whole world upside down..

The good news my friends is that God is still up to something.  God is still active. God is still the one meeting us in the darkest wildernesses of our lives and proclaiming a word of hope.  God is still moving among us. God is still calling us to repentance and forgiving our sins. God promises to always be present.  And God promises to turn this world upside down….or perhaps...right side up.

So, I suppose the question is: Do you ever stop, pray, listen, and wonder...what is God up to?  Where is God moving and stirring? Where in life do you find yourself in the wilderness? In the dark, desperate, and despairing places?   Do you cry out to God? Is God responding? 

And if so, is it making you uncomfortable?  Unsettling your foundation? Is God moving in a way that challenges you to evaluate and reexamine your life?  Is God turning your world upside down?

Amen. 

© Pastor Daniel Locke, preached 12.08.2018 @ St. Mark's Lutheran JAX, FL

The Beginning - Sermon on Mark 1:1-8 Advent 2B

Listen to sermon here.

Mark 1:1-8

The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in the prophet Isaiah, “See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way; the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,’” John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.  And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. 

Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. He proclaimed, “The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

This is Mark’s nativity story.  There is no decree for census.  No overcrowded motels.  No journeys on a donkey.  No stable. No animals, other than the locusts John is eating.  No shepherds, wise men, or angels.  Nothing that resembles our childhood Christmas pageant.

It’s a far dispatch from the scene we’re familiar with this time of year.  On Wednesday, when I was hanging out with my new friends in preschool chapel we talked about manger scenes.  I showed them one of my favorite scenes, which is made of knitted snowmen dressed to match the parts of a classic nativity.  For Mark, there is none of that, at least not in a sentimental “once upon a time” scene.  

No for Mark, it’s much more “to the point” …”straightforward.”  For some it might feel rushed.  For Mark’s nativity moment he begins with a bold statement.  A title for his writing.  A declaration really.  Verse 1, “The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the son of God.” Full stop.  The beginning, the starting point, the foundation, the origin.  Everything that follows then must necessarily fit within this declaration.  The events and experiences, the lessons and miracles, even the grief, deceit, death, and denial that are about to take place are, in fact, within the framework of good news.  Specifically the beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the son of God.

I dwell on this because we’re going to be in Mark all year long, and this is a significant theme for his writing.   And to that point it becomes a significant theme for us today.  

Mark’s gospel is a short 16 chapter proclamation of prophecy fulfilled.  He roots his Jesus narrative in the prophets of old, and points us to Jesus, the fulfillment of those prophecies.  In Jesus we find our hope, our salvation, our future.  

After 16 short chapters, Mark’s gospel will end rather abruptly with Mary and others visiting the tomb early in the morning, only to be told by a young man in white that Jesus is not there.  He is risen.  Go and tell others that Jesus will be ahead of you to meet you.  And with that they Go and the story ends.  

That is the “to be continued…” of Mark’s gospel account.  “The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, son of God…” and “He is risen, go and tell.”

For Mark, Jesus’ arrival, life, death and resurrection, is the beginning of the good news. The good news of God in Jesus does not find its culmination in the resurrection dawn, Rather the resurrection serves as a beginning, a foundation, a starting point, an origin for a new way of life in Jesus Christ.  

The beginning of the good news that is longer narrative of God’s salvation.  

That is the significance of today’s text.  It is only the beginning.  From now, to Easter, and beyond it is only the beginning of the good news….and Advent, this precious blue season of anticipation and waiting reminds us that we live and participate in the kingdom of God within God’s time.  

God’s reign of salvation, the new and heaven earth find their beginning in Jesus Christ, and we are gifted the opportunity to be a part of that something new, part of the fulfilment..

...

Isaiah 40, our Old Testament lesson for today, is the start of second Isaiah.  In this new section of Isaiah, the prophet looks for God’s intervention to restore Israel from Babylonian Exile.  The prophet calls for courage and confidence that God reigns.  

“See the Lord God comes with might, and his arm rules for him; his reward is with him; and his recompense before him.  He will feed his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms, and carry them in his bosom, and gently lead the mother sheep.”

In a time of great uncertainty, persecution, and exile, Isaiah prophesies the promised reign of God.  “The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.”

Isaiah prophesies about a voice crying out of the wilderness. “Prepare the way of the Lord...for the glory of the Lord shall be revealed…”

As much as Isaiah spoke to a people in great need of hope, a people tired of persecution and feeling lost, a people desperate for a savior, Mark speaks a similar message in a similar setting.

For Mark’s community in that day there is war and rebellion.  Some radical Jews found their breaking point and revolted against Rome.  Jerusalem was under siege and falling.  People were divided. Neighbor against neighbor, friend and friend.  They were lost. They were desperate for a savior, and he had not yet returned.   They were a people in need of hope.   

Enter John the Baptist.  I should note that I often like to refer to him as JTB.

But since moving to Jacksonville, JTB has taken on a new meaning for me.   

So, in all likelihood if I refer to JTB, I mean the burly, camel-haired, locus-eating, leather-belt, baptizing, proclaiming person who emerges from the wilderness...not State Road 202.  

In seminary we call that knowing your context.    

For John the practice of confession and forgiveness, repentance and reconciliation was central to preparing the way for the Lord.  In their world of broken relationships, rebellion, siege, uncertainty, and hopelessness John preaches that hope is rooted in confession and forgiveness.  

And ultimately, he points to the one in whom all hope is found, all reconciliation is possible, Jesus the Messiah.  Prepare the way of the Lord, for he is coming, and it will be the start of something new.

I think there are parallels throughout our texts today, they resonate perhaps too close to home for us.    Isaiah prophesies to the people of God who feel lost, tormented, and exiled in the world.  They are hungry for something or someone to believe in….the promised Messiah.

John proclaims to the wandering crowds in the midst of political chaos, siege and war, rebellion, civil unrest, mass uncertainty.  The crowds find themselves lost, damaged, discarded, or anxious in their world.  They are hungry for something or someone to believe in...the promised Messiah.

Could scripture possibly resonate with us today?  Civil unrest.  Political uncertainty.  Rebellion.  Foreign occupancy.  War abroad and the threat of war at home.  Natural disaster.  Neighbor against neighbor. Tension between world powers. Exploitation? Greed?

After all, one needs not look too far to find an awful lot of darkness in the world.  A world of people who daily experience loss, uncertainty, exile, anxiety, voicelessness, persecution, oppression.  Could it be that some 2000 years later we too are hungry for the message of hope?

Often the temptation is to think of waiting as only for the Lord’s return.  And the frustrating part is that everyday that passes by is another day waiting on the Lord.  Another day spent preparing for his arrival.  

...Here’s the good news.  And honestly, it might sound a bit frustrating, but it is good news none-the-less.  And good thing we have the freedom in Christ to wrestle with it.  

Friends, we live in the beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ. In God’s time, we participate in, live in, experience and witness to the beginning of the good news.    

2nd Peter pierces through the parallels, “But do not ignore this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like one day.  The Lord is not slow about the Lord’s promise, as some think of slowness, but is patient with us, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance.”  

Peter writes to say that we are in God’s time, not our own.  Worry not that God will return, but rather worry about leading lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God...we wait for new heavens and a new earth, That IS the culmination.  That is where righteousness is at home.

In the meantime we participate in the beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the son of God.  Every day in the promise of the Lord is a new beginning.  Every new day we are gifted with the opportunity to witness to hope in Christ, to proclaim the good news of Jesus.

And perhaps the long delay in Christ’s return is really God’s gracious way of demonstrating patience; saying to us, wait in penitence and hope.  Strive to be found by the Lord in peace, without spot or blemish, and regard patience of our Lord as salvation.

Our call this day and every new day is to be people of God, people washed in the water, people who witness to hope.  People who exude hope in the promise of God.  To shine a light in the darkness of the world.  To give voice to the voiceless.  To act for justice and peace, and defend and advocate for the oppressed.  

Sometimes waiting even looks like confession and repentance for the forgiveness of sin.  Hope empowers confession and forgiveness.  Repentance reveals hope.

So Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight, For in God’s time, this is only the beginning.

© Pastor Daniel Locke Dec. 10, 2017, St. Mark's Lutheran Jacksonville, FL

Advent 2015 | Prepare the Way of the Lord

ADVENT 2015
One of my many roles at Bangsar Lutheran Church 
this year was to plan the theme and preaching series for Advent 2015.  Below is the outline of texts and themes, as well as a description of each week's theme.  I chose the theme: Prepare The Way of The Lord.  As part of my preparations for Advent I created 4 banners to be hung in connection with each week's theme.   

OVERVIEW:

As Christians we live in a time of now and not yet.  Living as witnesses of the resurrection, we eagerly await the second coming of Christ by living a life worthy of the Gospel message.  However, we often find ourselves impatient and exhausted by the call to share the good news of Christ.  Advent, the first season of the Christian church year, is a season full of anticipation and preparation.  Advent helps us align our impatience, not with each other or the stumbling blocks of God's mission, but with the long awaited Messiah, both now and not yet.  This Advent we will talk about 'Preparing the Way of the Lord' within our community and our own lives by remembering the age-old story of God's love and giving praise and thanks to God for God's fulfilled promises.  

WEEK-BY-WEEK:

Advent 1 | In community

      Jeremiah 33:14-16  |  1 Thessalonians 3:9-13  |  Luke 21:25-36

Since the birth of Christ, communities have formed around the Gospel message.  Some communities form for the purpose of persecuting Christ and Christians.  Some communities form as disciples, followers, early churches, and converts.  Again and again God shows us through history that the Gospel message is one that tears down walls and unites community.  We are united not as a community of small distinctive groups, but as a community of individuals – forming the body of Christ.  The message of the promised Messiah was and is meant for all people, and although there weren’t many people present that first Christmas day God intended for all people to hear the Good News, from wise men in the East to shepherds of the fields.  As we ‘Prepare the Way of the Lord’ this Advent, we do so in community, knowing that we are stronger together (as we are meant to be) than we are apart.  Together we wait in hope and faith for the promised Messiah and the long-awaited return of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Advent 2 | Remembering the old, old story

       Festival of the 9 Lessons and Carols  |  Luke 3:1-6

The death and resurrection of Christ is intricately connected to the birth of the promised Messiah.  It is because we know the outcome of Jesus’ life and ministry that we are able to understand the significance of his birth; therefore, we observe, remember, and celebrate the birth of Christ through the lens of the cross.  As Christians we acknowledge that the birth of the promised Messiah and redemption of God’s people through death and resurrection is not the first of God’s salvific work, but a continuation of God’s promise.  Scripture invites us into the history of God’s redeeming work then, now, and always.  As we ‘Prepare the Way of the Lord” this Advent, we do so by remembering the old, old story of God’s love, grace, mercy, forgiveness, and promise.  Together we join the whole hosts of heaven and the company of the saints proclaiming what God has done through history, is doing through the promised Messiah, and will continue to do in the final days.

Advent 3 | In our heart, soul, & mind

       Micah 5:1-5  | Hebrews 10:5-10  |  Luke 3:7-16       

In antiquity, God’s people longed for a Messiah to bring about the kingdom of God.  The prophets repeatedly spoke of a Messiah who would reign as king of kings, wonderful counselor, and prince of peace.  People were desperate for this Lord.  In the birth of Jesus Christ, the prophecies were fulfilled and the Kingdom of God has come near.  However, 2000 years later we remain desperate for the Messiah.  We are in continuous need of God’s redemption and salvation, gifted through grace.  We are a broken people longing for our Messiah.  As we ‘Prepare the Way of the Lord’ this Advent, we do so by preparing our heart, soul, & mind for the way of the Lord, realigning our desires, fears, hopes, and our very selves with the way of the Lord.  Together we hear the voice in the wilderness crying, ‘repent, and make straight the paths of the Lord’ because one who is more powerful is coming, and he will baptize us with the Holy Spirit and make us a new creation.

Advent 4 | Giving praise

     Zephaniah 3:14-20  |  Philippians 4:4-13  |  Luke 1:39-56

After receiving word that she is pregnant with the Son of God Mary sings praise to God.  She proclaims, “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my savior.”  Mary’s delight is in God and God’s faithfulness as she recounts God’s steadfast mercy from generation to generation.  Her song is known as the ‘magnificat’.  In the season of Advent, as we anticipate the long expected Messiah, we are invited into Mary’s song of praise.  We rejoice in God’s steadfast mercy and faithfulness.  As we ‘Prepare the Way of the Lord’ this Advent, we do so by praising God for God’s faithfulness through the generations.  Together we lift our hearts to the Lord because the “Mighty One has done great things for” us and will continue to do great things.