Stumbling blocks - Sermon on Mark 9:38-50 - 09.30.2018

Listen to the gospel lesson and sermon here.

Mark 9:38-50

38 John said to him, "Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us." 39 But Jesus said, "Do not stop him; for no one who does a deed of power in my name will be able soon afterward to speak evil of me. 40 Whoever is not against us is for us. 41 For truly I tell you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you bear the name of Christ will by no means lose the reward. 42 "If any of you put a stumbling block before one of these little ones who believe in me, it would be better for you if a great millstone were hung around your neck and you were thrown into the sea. 43 If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life maimed than to have two hands and to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire. 44 45 And if your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life lame than to have two feet and to be thrown into hell. , 46 47 And if your eye causes you to stumble, tear it out; it is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and to be thrown into hell, 48 where their worm never dies, and the fire is never quenched. 49 "For everyone will be salted with fire. 50 Salt is good; but if salt has lost its saltiness, how can you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another."

The gospel of the Lord?   Holy smokes, Jesus. Did you hear what he just said?  "If any of you put a stumbling block before one of these little ones who believe in me, it would be better for you if a great millstone were hung around your neck and you were thrown into the sea.⁴³ If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life maimed than to have two hands and to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire.⁴⁴ 45 And if your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life lame than to have two feet and to be thrown into hell. ,⁴⁶ 47 And if your eye causes you to stumble, tear it out; it is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and to be thrown into hell,⁴⁸ where their worm never dies, and the fire is never quenched.

This does not sound like the blue-eyed, blonde hair Jesus we read about in children’s Bibles.  In fact, this seems to be a far departure from the soft-hearted, compassionate, and patient Jesus we love and prefer.  Something triggers within Jesus this very direct and emphatic teaching. Being drowned as sea by the weight of a millstone, cutting off your hand or foot, removing your eye...these, Jesus says, are the alternatives, the better alternatives, mind you to deceiving someone in faith.  

Jesus, hyperbolic as he may sound, emphasizes the personal risk in causing another to sin or stumble.  Leading a neighbor astray. Jesus instructs those who follow him that the stakes are incredibly high. And to be certain, it’s not so much the stakes of your own life, the call to pick up the cross and follow that comes at a great cost.  

No, it’s the call to teach, instruct, associate, and show others the way of faithful living that carries such stakes.  For if one were to cause a stumbling block, then it is better to drown, cut off a limb, or remove your eye. You’d think that there’s nothing worse than losing a hand, foot, or eye, but Jesus clearly says there is.  

The stakes are intense so that we may never lead anyone into sin.  That we may never lead a neighbor astray. That we may never bear a false witness.  That we may never hinder the fervor of the gospel. It’s hard to wrap my mind around Jesus saying that the consequences of causing another to stumble are far worse than self-maiming so that we never do it again.

And Such responsibility comes with incredibly high stakes.  These are difficult and challenging words from Jesus. There is no fluffing the edges in order to avoid conviction.   And honestly, these words should have us to shudder in a our seat at least a little bit. Can you imagine a world in which Jesus’ teaching was strictly followed?  

If we led a neighbor or stranger to sin or worse, stood in the way of the gospel message, then we would cut, remove, maim or drown ourselves?  The song goes, “They will know we are Christians by our love,” but in taking this teaching to heart I suspect “they would come to know we are Christians by our missing limbs.”

Powerful and intimidating teaching by Jesus.  And I suspect that very few of us wish to dive into these words with any form eagerness.  They are hard to hear, and the easiest thing to do is brush them off and move on to the next passage, the next Sunday, the next sermon.   

But if we dare, and we must, then we might be receptive to these convicting words and hear the necessity and relevance of Jesus’ teaching then and now.  For none of us with to lose and arm, a leg, and eye...and I’m sure none of us wish for death by drowning under the weight of a millstone. 

Today’s gospel lesson falls on the coattails of Jesus foretelling his impending rejection, suffering, death, and resurrection.  Jesus taught them about the fate of the son of man not once but twice so far and on both occasions they respond poorly. 

Most recently we heard the disciples arguing among themselves who is the greatest.  Rather than process, lament, or grieve the news of Jesus’ forthcoming death, the disciples are concerned about themselves.  Who is the greatest. Who will lead. Sure, they don’t fully understand their call as disciples and apostles, but they knew it was them who were called.  So who was the greatest. 

Jesus gives them a stern lesson that whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all. He then takes a child in his arms and says whoever welcomes one such child in my name, welcomes me.  Now I remind you that a child in those days was the lowest in society. They had no rights or privileges. No protection of the law or advocate. 

They were considered a drain on society and were a constant reminder of poverty, disease, and death.  Until they could provide for themselves or contribute to society, they were considered the ultimate of the lost, least, and last.  

For Jesus, the child was a representation to the disciples that their call as well as their desire to be the greatest was ultimately dependent upon their ability and willingness to care for the outcast. The oppressed. The poor. The lame. The ill. And the sinner.   Only then, in the name of Jesus, when you humble yourself to the lowest among you can you be considered in the company of the greatest.

So the disciples return to Jesus this morning eager to point a finger at someone who is acting in Jesus’ name.  Rather than approach the individual and affirm their ministry, the run to Jesus to say he’s not one of us and he’s acting in your name!  He must be stopped. 

But Jesus, who is still embracing that same child teaches them yet another lesson.  This time a bit harsher than the last. Rather be concerned about the ministry of someone else, Jesus implores the disciples to pay attention instead to their own behavior.  To look within and consider the ways in which they themselves might be hindering the ministry of the gospel to those around them. 

Jesus launches into one of the most harsh teachings in all of the gospel.  Four brutal statements to illustrate the severity of leading someone to sin.  The danger of being a hindrance to faith. The detriment of tempting another into the ensnarement of sin.  Jesus calls these actions, stumbling blocks. Stones that cause one to trip. In this case, trip them in their understanding and experience of faith.  Of God’s deep abiding grace, love, mercy, and forgiveness.

Perhaps, just maybe, even against our own comfort, Jesus’ teaching speaks hard truths to the Christian faith still today.  Is it possible that we, and I mean the Christian church as a whole, have created, maintained, inserted, or even elevated stumbling blocks for those outside of the faith?  

Empowered barriers, borders, or speed bumps to impeded the good news of Christ from reaching that last, lost, and least.  The lowest, oppressed, scorned, and damaged. Or even those within the Christian faith, have we failed to support, empower, understand, welcome, and love in the name of Christ?  Excluding rather than including. Dismissing rather than inviting. Rejecting rather than supporting. Ignoring rather than embracing.

Please, hear me when I say that my intent is not to invoke Jesus’ teaching as a means of conviction upon St. Mark’s, Lutherans, or Christianity as whole.  Rather, I think Jesus’ teaching demands that we pause, if even for a moment of deep self-reflection. 

To reclaim the power of the gospel, remove the dead limbs and sinful impediments, and repave the way to everlasting life so that no one, and I mean no one may stumble when receiving the grace of God. 

Research confirms, and I suspect we can all agree that there is a deep concern that mainline Christianity as whole is on the decline.  That the need or desire for a life in a community of faith is waning. 

Certainly there are a multitude of reasons and factors, but so often I hear stories of people who have felt burned by the Christian church, or they feel that the good news we preach isn’t always shown through our actions.  These are the result of stumbling blocks. 

I think this week, the Christian community was forced to grapple with one of these stumbling blocks.  What is the response of the church in stories of assault. With rise and empowerment of movements like #metoo and #times up, more and more individuals are choosing to be vulnerable and tell their stories.  What is the role of the church? And to be fair, the Bible itself is not immune to such stories. Ironically enough we’ll explore one of them today in Sunday school. 

But as one of these stories played out on national television on Thursday, I wrestled with wondering what is the church’s response.  Is there a beacon of hope clearly guiding the way to a God who loves unconditionally, a way clear of bumps and hindrances? 

Ya know I think that faith and the love of Christ is an overwhelming relief to the burden one might carry, but when I also hear the relentless stories of priests abusing their own power over children...I fear that the church has lost its credibility and relevance.  Why would anyone be so vulnerable trust me with their story? Is the stumbling block too severe to traverse?

Now this is one, weighty example, but it is absolutely current. And it is these sorts of honest and difficult impediments to faith that Christ calls us to confront and overcome. To repair. To repent. To reconcile. 

And It seems to me that in today’s society and culture, Christianity can ill-afford any stumbling blocks.  Rather than compartmentalize our faith and distance the good news of Christ from all notions of a sinful world, I think Jesus would have us engage a sinful and broken world.  To jump right in, pull out the jack hammer, and shine a light on every crack and rock that might cause someone to misstep when seeking out faith. 

And Yes, yes it is a lofty responsibility.  The stakes, as Jesus points out are incredibly high. But brothers and sisters, the good news is that in breaking down the stumbling blocks and shining a light in the darkness, we have a proclamation far better than the world could ever dream of.  

We are called to serve witness to the greatest story of all.  God’s salvation and love poured out unconditionally upon all creation.  A story of immense grace and forgiveness. A story washed by mercy. 

And thus Christianity is the city on the hill, where a light shines in the darkness and the darkness of the world did not overcome it.  A place where the oppressed are set free, the poor are raised up, and the abused are heard. Where the blind see and the deaf hear. 

A refuge for all who have been scorned, dismayed, or rejected by a world that honors self-righteousness over humility, exclusion over invitation, rejection over acceptance.  God’s story empowers us to welcome the stranger, care for the least among us, give shelter to the homeless, and clothe the naked. 

And in today’s gospel lesson, Jesus advises the disciples and us to be speak with wisdom and truth, to act justly with grace and mercy, to be diligent and thoughtful, open and welcoming.  For now as much as ever, the Christian faith has a call to be a relevant and faithful presence in the world. Remove the impediments of faith, and proclaim Christ crucified until all of creation is reconciled into the one body of Christ.

And when the stumbling blocks are removed, when the light shines in the darkness and all are bid come and follow, the story of God’s love in Jesus Christ has the power to bring about peace in a war-torn world.  The power to build up unity in a divisive world. 

To tear down walls, bridge the isle, and end division.  

The power to breed compassion, soften hearts, and pour out love. 

The power to end hunger and poverty, the power to lift up lowly and cast down the mighty.  To establish not just equality but equity. The power to give voice to the oppressed and forgiveness to the oppressor.  

My dearest sisters and brothers, the gospel message that we proclaim...the same message that created us.  The very message the claimed us in the waters. The message the nourishes us and sustains us. The message that saves us is one of immense, unconditional love.  And it’s a message given to the whole world. It’s a message too good not to share. 

And today, with difficult and necessary words, Jesus reminds us that our call is not just to proclaim the gospel message, but to take every measure necessary to ensure that no one be precluded from hearing, tasting, or seeing for themselves. 

Amen. 

© Pastor Daniel Locke, preached Sept. 30, 2018 @ St. Mark's Lutheran Jacksonville, FL

I Am The Greatest! - Sermon on Mark 9:30-37 - 09.23.2018

Listen to the gospel lesson and sermon here.

Mark 9:30-37

30 They went on from there and passed through Galilee. He did not want anyone to know it;³¹ for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, "The Son of Man is to be betrayed into human hands, and they will kill him, and three days after being killed, he will rise again."³² But they did not understand what he was saying and were afraid to ask him.³³ Then they came to Capernaum; and when he was in the house he asked them, "What were you arguing about on the way?"³⁴ But they were silent, for on the way they had argued with one another who was the greatest.³⁵ He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, "Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all."³⁶ Then he took a little child and put it among them; and taking it in his arms, he said to them,³⁷ "Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me."

In 1963 a young 21 year old comedian named Cassius Clay released a spoken word album called I am the greatest.  This is the legend of Cassius Clay, the most beautiful fighter in the world today. He talks a great deal and brags indeed-y of a muscular punch that’s incredibly speedy.  The fistic world was dull and weary. With a champ like Liston, things had to be dreary. 

Cassius Clay was months away from taking on Sonny Liston for the title of world heavyweight championship.    In February of 1964, Cassius Clay defeated Sonny Liston in a boxing match. He defied all the odds. He won the match.  Changed his name to Muhammed Ali, and let the world know, “I am the greatest, I said that even before I knew I was.” 

In 1992, Ali’s wife, Lonnie, incorporporated his intellectual property and created G.O.A.T. Inc.  GOAT - Greatest of All Time. I doubt many people would argue, especially with Ali when he was live, whether or not he truly was the GOAT..the greatest of all time.   But perhaps one of the biggest blows Ali landed was to a society vulnerable to competition. Declaring himself as the greatest of all time fed a culture that valued being better than the other. 

And so, now-a-days, one of the most contentious and popular discussions, especially within sports is to determine who the GOAT is.  Who is the greatest of all time? The greatest team. The greatest football quarterback...is it Tom Brady? Joe Montana? John Elway?   The greatest tennis player - Federer or Nadal? Serena or Vanessa Williams? Or golfer...arnold palmer? Tiger Woods? Basketball - Lebron James? Kobe Bryant? Michael Jordan?

There a passionate fan base in today’s culture that works tirelessly to elevate individuals to the status of GOAT.  And on top of that, these passionate fans have set the bar for athletes. The new trophy or measure of ultimate success is to be considered the GOAT.  

But it’s not just sports.  This status of being the greatest permeates all walks of life.  No job, hobby, passion, or person is free from the pressure, measure, and judgement of greatness in another's’ eyes.. In fact, our culture thirsts and thrives on trying to be the greatest.  The best. The richest. The first, the fastest, and the favorite. And to be the greatest or best means that everyone else by comparison, is not.

Society measures us by success, status, and power.  We are rated by lists and rankings. Resumes and referrals.  We revere trophies, plaques, and awards. The world baits us into not just buying, but believing we need the newest, the shiniest, the biggest, the fastest, or the rarest thing.  

Our world lives in spite of the 9th and 10th commandment, encouraging us to live lives by comparison.  So that one day, with the biggest house, largest income, and shiniest stuff ..with the loudest voice, the most followers, and the highest title..we might just gaining the title of the greatest … the GOAT.  

In today’s gospel lesson, the disciples are sizing one another up.  Long before Ali became the GOAT, the disciples are in a verbal sparring match to determine who among them was the greatest.  It is unlikely that their arguments for being the best were rooted in financial wealth, personal possession, or even education.  

No, they were likely competing on the grounds of their own discipleship-ness.  Comparing and contrasting who among them was the best disciple. Who follows Jesus the best.  Who listens and understands the best. Who prays most faithfully. Who sacrificed the most to become a disciple.  Who among them was the greatest and therefore most equipped to succeed Jesus when the time comes. 

It’s moments like this that really give the disciples a bad wrap.  You see as they left Galilee for Capernaum, Jesus taught them that the Son of Man is to be betrayed into human hands.  That human hands will kill him, and three days after being killed, he will rise again." 

This is the second time now that Jesus has plainly told them that he is going to be rejected and he’ll suffer.  He’ll die and he’ll rise. And how do the disciples respond? “They did not understand what he was saying and were afraid to ask him.

Silence, just silence.  Jesus, their mentor, leader, rabbi, friend, and teacher...the one who bid them to come and follow on this unpredictable adventure instructs them that he is going to suffer, die and rise...and they have no response.  And it’s more than just silence. The text tells us that their silence is rooted in fear, and rather than acknowledge that they don’t understand, or feel embarrassed in front of their friends, they remain silent.

And so after this moment of awkward silence, they hit the road again.  This time off to Capernaum. And rather than concern themselves with the difficult truth that Jesus just told them about they argue within themselves about who is the greatest.   

The disciples were concerned about themselves.  Sparring over who is the greatest. It’s no wonder they get a bad wrap.   Their dearest friend just told them he was going to die, and rather that share mutual concern or grief, it’s like they’re racing to place sticky notes on the furniture and family heirlooms as fast as they can.

And as they arrive in Capernaum Jesus turns to them and asks, "What were you arguing about on the way?"³⁴ But they were silent, for on the way they had argued with one another who was the greatest.³⁵ So Jesus sat down, called the twelve over, and began to teach.

I think the implication here is that Jesus heard their conversation on the road.  Jesus knew what they were arguing about and he was going to use this opportunity to teach them.  So he sits down, calls them over and offers a table-turning lesson about first and last. About greatest of all and least of all.  And to illustrate his point takes a child into his arms and instructs that that in order to be the greatest, you must welcome a child such as this.

I suspect for most of us, there is nothing alarming or challenging about this instruction.  After all most of us love children. Welcome a child is a privilege and honor. It’s a joy and delight.  All week I was trying to think of a good illustration to offer you in light of this teaching. And for a moment I thought, I have a new child...I’ll just lift Bennet up in front of you all and say “Whoever welcomes this child in Jesus’ name welcomes Jesus and in turn welcomes the one who sent Jesus.  And while it seemed like a relevant idea, I was worried for Bennet’s life because I think there might be a grudge match as to who gets to welcome Bennet first.

So why a child?  What was the significance of Jesus embracing a child while teaching about first, last, greatest, and least.  In Jesus’ day a child was the lowest of the low on the social ladder. A child had no legal rights or privileges.  A child had no status, no power. They contributed nothing to society. Rather, they were a drain on resources. They couldn’t provide for themselves.  

And until a child grew old enough to provide for the family, they were truly the lowest.  Often even regarded below women. Children were often a reminder for poverty, and disease.  Nearly a third of all children died at birth, and of those who survived, nearly half of them would die before 16.  Children had the lowest place in society. They truly were the last the lost and the least.

So Jesus takes the child from the margins.  Embraces the child and teaches. And Jesus didn’t embrace the child because the child represented cute innocence and curiosity.  Jesus embraced the child because in order to do so he must bend down. Stoop low. Humble himself to cross all social boundaries and show affection for someone society otherwise discarded.  He was elevating the child above his own status, teaching that to be first and greatest is truly to humble yourself to the last in order to be a servant of all. 

For Jesus, being first, being the greatest, isn’t a badge of pride or success.  It’s not achievement. It’s not glamorous. For Jesus, greatness means being humble.  Putting the world before yourself. Crossing the margins and lifting up the ill and impure...the discarded outcast and lowest member of society.  

Greatness lies in the weak, vulnerable, and tender.  Greatness belongs to the hurt, the broken-hearted, and the lost.   It is in humility and solidarity with those who would never, ever think of themselves as great in the first place.  

And I think the hard truth from Jesus is that for the disciples or us to even be able to have a conversation about who is the greatest among us is a privilege.  A privilege that isn’t available to everyone. Sure, you may never be the GOAT by worldly standards, but that fact that you even have a chance to be defined by the world as great is a privilege.  

And I think Jesus is calling the disciples and us out on that privilege.  Jesus embraces and elevates a child as our witness to greatness. A child who doesn’t even have a voice in the conversation is our model of God’s greatness.

So what is the good news from Jesus in this teaching moment?  What good news is there for us today? Well the truth is, for most of us, it probably doesn’t immediately sound like good news. 

For most of us, we come from and live within the culture of competition and worldly greatness.  We work hard for what we have. We upgrade as we go. We notice the greatness of our neighbors and we make sure our neighbors notice us.   We’re always, intentionally or not, in pursuit of being the greatest. 

But the truth is my friends, while the world we live in thrives on rank and stature, the kingdom of God knows no standard by which one is greater than another.   

And as long as we compete and elevate a worldly expectation of greatness, we abuse our privilege and make victims out of the powerless.  The outcast remains outcast. The oppressed oppressed. Greatness in the eyes of the world comes only at the expense of those the world would never have us see. 

And I don’t think Jesus is telling us not to celebrate success or strive for the best.  After all, it is our God given gifts that allow us to succeed. But rather, I think Jesus is warning us that with worldly greatness comes much power and privilege.  We are called to use that power and privilege, our greatness not for ourselves, but for the sake of the world. Arguing over who is the greatest means nothing if we ignore the lowest in our midst.

The author of James put it this way this morning, “For where there is envy and selfish ambition, there will also be disorder and wickedness of every kind.¹⁷ But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy.”

And I think the good news this morning is that Jesus has shown us a way...a way that is truly great..  A path by which we are all made great. A greatness that comes not in rank, power, or status...but rather a greatness that comes to us in a naming.  A claiming. And rather than being defined as great by our accomplishments, earnings, achievements, or possessions...it is our identity in Christ that bestows greatness upon us.  That makes us a servant of all.

For one day, all the things that we think define greatness will fall away.  Status will fade. Power will recede. We can’t always be first.

But in the kingdom of God, Jesus turns the world upside down.  Invites all to have a seat at the table. Jew greek, slave, free, child and king.  All kneel humbly at the power of the cross. All have a voice and a name. All have a place in the kingdom.  All are made one in the great love of Christ. Where the first shall be last and last shall be first. Where the greatest power is power over death and the greatest privilege is eternal life--life well beyond the world’s expectations.   

And perhaps, that good news, is the greatest of all time.

© Pastor Daniel Locke, preached Sept. 23, 2018 @ St. Mark's Lutheran Jacksonville, FL

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

Listen to the gospel and sermon here.

John 6:1-21

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

Sermon

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Listen to the gospel reading and sermon here.

Mark 6:30-34, 53-56

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Amen.

Transfiguration B Sermon

Listen to the gospel and sermon here.

Mark 9:2-10

²Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain apart, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, ³and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no one on earth could bleach them. ⁴And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, who were talking with Jesus. ⁵Then Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” ⁶He did not know what to say, for they were terrified. ⁷Then a cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud there came a voice, “This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!” ⁸Suddenly when they looked around, they saw no one with them any more, but only Jesus.  ⁹As they were coming down the mountain, he ordered them to tell no one about what they had seen, until after the Son of Man had risen from the dead.

Something about this text has always been an illusive text for me.  I don’t know what it is about the Transfiguration, but for some reason this day in our lectionary has always puzzled me.  This story appears in one form or another in all three synoptic gospels, and therefore it appears on the final Sunday of Epiphany, the Sunday before Lent every year.  It’s a text that I have marked on my calendar and to-do list every year because there is something about it that challenges me more than the rest.  I might even admit that it intimidates me.   

I suppose I could find some comfort and reassurance with the disciples in the passage since even they too were terrified by the experience.  Peter comes across as a bumbling fool, unable to process what happens.   He even wrongly proposes that they set up tents and stay in that place.  Here is to hoping I don’t sounds like a bumbling fool today too.

And although the lectionary gives me reason to confront this text each and every year...something about it seems so elusive.  I think more than anything I’m caught in the specifics...Why did Jesus Transfigure...How did he transfigure...what does transfigured even mean?  Why Elijah and Moses?  What did it look like?  Why were only the inner circle of disciples permitted on the mountain top?  

And I wish, friends, oh how I wish I had the answers for us.  I wish I could explain to you why Jesus is transfigured.  In Freek, literally transformed.  I wish I could explain to you why only the inner circle of disciples are present to witness it.  I wish I could explain why Moses and Elijah are present in the moment I wish I could tell you what brand of bleach was used to make Jesus’ garments whiter than humanly possible.  I wish I could explain for us the transfiguration, but the truth is I don’t think that I can.

The story intimidates me because I think that any attempt I or we make to make sense of this spectacular glimpse of the resurrection.  Any attempt to understand or draw conclusions about this story would indeed fall short.  Short of the glory and splendor the story deserves.  And I think commentator Matt Skinner gets it right when he says “Maybe the transfigured Jesus isn’t supposed to be figured out.  He’s supposed to be appreciated.”

So how do we gain an appreciation for the transfigured Jesus?  What insight can we glean in order to fully appreciate the text for this day.  I think there are two perspectives worth considering in order to appreciate this transfiguration event.   First we can appreciate the placement of the transfiguration story within the over gospel narrative according to Mark.   Second, we should consider the placement of the transfiguration  story within our church calendar as it appears on the Sunday between Epiphany and Lent.

Today’s story is nestled in the 9th chapter of Mark’s gospel account.  Actually it occurs in the middle of the gospel story.  Prior to this story Jesus has been born, baptized, and tempted.  He is well into his public ministry.   So far into it in fact that he will turn to Jerusalem in just 2 more short chapters.  

In the previous 8.5 chapters of Mark, Jesus has been healing, teaching, preaching, praying, performing miracles, sharing parables, and foretelling his death  resurrection.  He has traveled around the edge of the sea of Galilee, into Tiberius, Caesarea Philippi, Bethsaida, Galilee and more.

And of course, along for the journey are the disciples.  Those closest to Jesus have been with him every step of the way, consistently witnessing his teachings, healings, and miracles.  And as we know, despite what they see and what they hear they repeatedly misunderstand what it is they are witnessing.

Most recently, in the chapter prior to the transfiguration, Mark tells the story of two important healing events.   Frist Jesus is traveling through Decapolis, and they bring him a deaf man.  Jesus, of course heals the deaf man.  The text says they were astounded, and that Jesus even makes the deaf to hear and mute speak.

A few verses later, they are traveling to Bethsaida, And they bring a blind person to Jesus. Jesus of course heals the blind man.  The text says he saw everything clearly, and Jesus makes even the blind to see.

These two specific incidences where Jesus opens the eyes and ears of those who can’t see or hear...Jesus offers a profound witness to the power and message of God.  And even though the disciples witnesses these healings, they still don’t get it.   Now Peter comes close and confesses that Jesus “is the messiah.”  But as soon as Jesus foretells his death and resurrection…Peter rebukes him…and refuses to understand; to see and to hear exactly what Jesus is telling them.

I can imagine Jesus sighing at Peter….thinking really...after all that you have seen and heard?  You...you don’t ...you don’t get it?  Even a little bit?  

It’s in that moment that Jesus pulls this small inner circle of disciples high up on a mountain for another perspective.  And before them he is transfigured.   For that brief moment, they witness a glimpse of the resurrected Christ.  A glimpse of the promise that is to be fulfilled.   A sneak peak if you will into the full glory of God revealed in the God’s own son, in whom God is well pleased.  I imagine Jesus saying, “how about now?!”  In the transfiguration it becomes more apparent than ever that not only is Jesus God’s son, the Messiah, but he is meant to be seen and heard by all.

The text goes on to tell us that the disciples did not know what to say for they were terrified.  They were in awe.  Matthew tells us that they fell on their faces, and were filled with awe.  Mark and Luke say they were exceedingly afraid.  This glimpse of the resurrected Christ…Christ who is to be seen and heard, something the disciples have yet to figure out or understand leaves them in awe.  

And perhaps this is the part that we aren’t supposed to figure out, as Matt Skinner suggested.  We are supposed to figure out why Jesus is with Moses and Elijah….or why Jesus is shining so bright and bleached.   Perhaps this is where we best relate to the disciples and we are to be filled with awe.  Much like that moment in worship where our sins are proclaimed as forgiven and we catch a glimpse of God’s grace.  Or the moment when we the body and blood of Christ are given and we can for a moment taste and see that the Lord is good.   

This is the moment we are to appreciate because God speaks and reminds us clear as day that Jesus IS The one called for.  Jesus is the messiah.  Jesus is the God’s son sent to live among God’s people.  Jesus is the light shining, not only on the mountain top, but in all darkness throughout the world.   We are to appreciate this moment because it is a pure glimpse of the resurrection, and for the disciples a sign of the promise to come.

Epiphany, the season of the manifestation of Christ to the world began with Jesus’ baptism.  The heavens were torn open and God said, “This is my son, the beloved, with whom I am well pleased.”  

Our Epiphany season ends today with a similar declaration by God.  “This is my son, the beloved, listen to him.”   Our final Epiphany moment this season is a glimpse of the resurrection.   So not only is Christ made known to the world as the Messiah and son of God, but Christ is the promise of salvation for all peoples.  The perfecter of faith who will overcome sin death and the devil.

This week we enter into the season of Lent.  It is season of reflection and contemplation about the suffering cost of discipleship.  It is a remembrance that even in the darkest of times, such as the crucifixion, God prevails.  It is a season of self-examination and evaluation of the call to discipleship.  Lent is not about re-enacting Christ’s death.  Christ has died…and Christ has risen.   And therefore Lent is an intentional walk through the trial, persecution, betrayal, suffering, and death of Christ.  It is an examination and appreciation of our God-given lives and mortality in Christ.

It makes sense then that we end our Epiphany season and begin our Lenten discipline with a glimpse of the transfigured, resurrected Christ.  To remind us that throughout lent. As we remember and reflect.  As we exam and confess.  We do so in the light of the one and only who saved.  God through the Jesus Christ.   Our Lenten journey is only possible by the grace of God in Jesus Christ.   Our self-reflection is only possible because Christ shines perpetually within our lives.  God never leaves us in the depth and death of Lent, and is always present to bring us through to the celebration of the resurrection dawn.

The Good News for us is that the light, the light of the transfigured Christ is far more contagious and far more powerful than all the darkness of the world.   It’s the light that shines in our baptism when we too are transfigured into children of God.   We are transformed by God’s grace, washed by the water, bleached if you will or our sins and made alive in Christ.  And rather than ever have to reason with the darkness, we hold in the hope found in the transfigured Jesus Christ, the light of the world.

© Pastor Daniel Locke, preached 02.11.2018 @ St. Mark's Lutheran Jacksonville, FL