Acting at Once in God's Abundance - Sermon Matthew 25:14-30

Matthew 25:14-30

“For it is as if a man, going on a journey, summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them; ¹⁵to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away.¹⁶The one who had received the five talents went off at once and traded with them, and made five more talents. ¹⁷In the same way, the one who had the two talents made two more talents. ¹⁸But the one who had received the one talent went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. ¹⁹After a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. ²⁰Then the one who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five more talents, saying, ‘Master, you handed over to me five talents; see, I have made five more talents.’ ²¹His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’ ²²And the one with the two talents also came forward, saying, ‘Master, you handed over to me two talents; see, I have made two more talents.’ ²³His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master. Then the one who had received the one talent also came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew that you were a harsh man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed; ²⁵so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.’ ²⁶But his master replied, ‘You wicked and lazy slave! You knew, did you, that I reap where I did not sow, and gather where I did not scatter? ²⁷Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have received what was my own with interest.²⁸So take the talent from him, and give it to the one with the ten talents.²⁹For to all those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. ³⁰As for this worthless slave, throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’” 

Today’s text comes as a continuation of apocalyptic, end-times texts in the book of Matthew. These are Jesus’s final moments with the disciples.  His final days and hours before facing Jerusalem, the high priest. Final moments before he is tried, beaten, and crucified.  And in Matthew’s Gospel account, Jesus spends his last few moments with his disciples and the crowds teaching about the end-times.  A day of judgment and reckoning when the Lord returns.  God will return and cast judgement upon all who have been waiting.

So today’s parable, one of a master entrusting his wealth to his three slaves is the 3rd of 4 end-time, judgment texts.  We might recall last week’s parable about 10 bridesmaids.  5 wise and 5 foolish as they wait for the bridegroom to arrive to wedding banquet.   Next week we’ll hear about the separation of sheep and goats.  

But as for today’s difficult text, Jesus continues to speak to his disciples, and this time he addresses how they should carry on in his absence.  More specifically, Jesus is preparing the disciples for his inevitable absence.  And in doing so he is notifying them that they will be entrusted with his ministry.  His work and his deeds.  His healing and teachings.  They will be entrusted with the good news of his resurrection.

The disciples have been instructed by Jesus on multiple occasions that Jesus will soon die and rise.  And the time will come when the disciples must carry on without him.  But despite their hearing, they never fully understand what is about to occur.  They still do not believe that Jesus will leave them in their lifetime.

But we, on this side of the resurrection, of course know it to be true that Jesus will be killed and be raised.  And therefore the disciples, soon to be apostles, will be entrusted with the ministry of Jesus until the Master returns.   So Jesus launches into this 3rd Judgment parable.

I suggested last week that we acknowledge the difficulty of these parables.  And I think it is true again today because elements of these parables run counter to our expectation of Jesus and the Kingdom of God.  So they can be hard to hear, especially since none of us want to find ourselves in the role of the 3rd slave, cast to outer darkness where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth.

I think then, it is important to reflect for a moment on the reason these parables have their place in Matthew’s Gospel account.  Matthew is writing to audience some 30 to 40 years after Jesus has been killed and raised.  The early Christian church has had its struggles and particularly within Matthew’s audience is a group of naysayers.   Disbelievers.  Those who are intentionally spreading false truths.   For whatever their reason, they are challenging the early Christians by dismissing their beliefs.   Even more so, these naysayers and their leaders continue to oppress large groups of people.  They continue to act counter to the gospel message, counter to the very work and deed of Jesus Christ.  

So Matthew, with this context and audience in mind, intentionally includes these four harsh parables regarding the end-times and the judgement for those who fail to participate in God’s kingdom through Jesus Christ.   That’s why Matthew continues to write about Jesus shutting the door on the foolish, casting the lazy into the outer darkness where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth.

So, we encounter today’s parable of a Master entrusting his wealth to the three slaves.  All three slaves are given talents according to their abilities.  Talents in this context is a sum of money.  The first two slaves receive 5 and 2 talents respectively.  They go at once to invest their gift and return a 200% profit while the master is away.  The third slave is given 1 talent, which is still a significant amount, but out of fear of losing or misusing the gift he buries it.  Burying one's money, literally making a deposit, was common practice.  And of course upon the master's return, the third slave yields no interest or gain.  He excuses his actions behind his preconception of the Master, and is later tossed to outer darkness….with the weeping and gnashing of teeth. And I suppose it is the fate of the third slave then that can have us on edge.   That implores us to ask the question, what is at stake?

What is at stake in the meantime?  While we wait for Jesus’ return?  Entrusted with God’s grace, law, gospel, truth and light.  Entrusted with God’s promise of grace, forgiveness, mercy, and Love, what is at stake while we wait for the return of the Lord?  

Well certainly for this parable and the audience of Matthew what was at stake was the outer darkness. The weeping the gnashing.  And more importantly, what was at stake was not being invited to enter the joy of the master.  So brothers and sisters, perhaps the question is the same today….is there still something at stake for us today as we wait for the Lord?  If so, what is this parable teaching us?

One of the more popular interpretation of this parable lends itself to a discussion on stewardship. The tendency then is to interpret the masters gift to the slaves as God’s gifts to us.  The Master entrusts the slaves in this case with talents or money.  Whereas God entrusts us with talents, money and otherwise.  We are gifted with abilities and interests, the things we are good at, the things that bring us joy when you use them.  And therefore the message of the parable would be that we are to wisely invest our gifts, use them to their fullest potential, steward them we might say until Christ returns.  To do as the first two slaves, risking our gift, investing fully into the work of the kingdom, growing God’s gift 200%.  After all they were given to us by the Master to use, so why not use them for the glory of God in God’s kingdom.  This often leads to a conversation about money as well, especially being that this is the time of year when pledges are due and the budget is being formed.  

But friends, I don’t want to dwell on money, or stewardship, or the use of God’s gift, because maybe this parable holds a much deeper meaning for us today.  A bit more depth than simply the stewardship of God’s gifts and resources first given to us.

First, we might take notice of the Master’s generosity.  To the three slaves he entrusts, 5, 2 , and 1 talent respectively.  Now a talent in that day was equal to about 20 years worth of wages.  So to the slave who received 5 talents, he received nearly 100 years worth a wages.  And the second slave received about 40 years.  Even the third slave, who received only one talent was entrusted with 20 years worth of basic wages.  The emphasis here is not on wealthy-ness of the Master but rather the Master’s generosity.  Jesus makes no mistake in the amount of money he choses in his parable, because it isn’t about a quantity for Jesus but rather the abundance and generosity.  The slaves were entrusted with more than they ever had and more than they would ever need.  It was more than they could ever, ever steward, so rather than focus on their use of the gift we might be drawn to the abundance of the gift.

Second, we might reflect on the reaction of the first two slaves.  Jesus says that the first two slaves “acted at once.”  Immediately upon receiving their abundance they couldn’t help but spend it. Invest it. Risk it. Trusting fully that not only would the abundance last, but its fruit would produce two fold.

We might recall here Luther’s assertion to sin boldly but believe even more boldly in Christ, and rejoice.  This parable isn’t giving endorsing gambling or high-risk banking investments, nor is it giving permission for frivolous spending and stewardship, rather the parable is lifting up the way of life when entrusted by God with every good gift.  It’s not about careful and meticulous use or misuse of gifts but rather acknowledging that we are given gifts and called in baptism we become people who act immediately.  People of God who CAN NOT help but use our gifts.  So much so that we are no longer conflicted by whether or not to use a gift entrusted by God but rather we embody it and act because that is who we are.  We are God’s and therefore can’t help but always and instinctively be stewards.  It’s our calling.  Our vocation.  To steward boldly the life and promise entrusted to us through baptism, believing even more boldly in Christ, who will return in joy.

Third we might note the motivation of the third slave.  Fear. He understood the master as a harsh, and therefore acted out of fear.  Fear of losing his talent.  Fear of risking all that the master entrusted him.  So he dug a hole, planted his talent, so that upon the Master’s return there would be no risk of loss.  The digging and hiding of the talent echos the popular, “hide it under a bushel, no...I’m goinna let it shine...let it shine let it shine, let it shine.”

Imagine if the disciples, after learning about jesus’ death and resurrection remained locked away in the upper room. If they had closed the door and turned off the lights so that no one knew they were there.  Dug themselves a hole, and hid in fear.  Fear that they might mess up.  Fear that the risk they take would not be worth.  Fear that spreading the gospel message might be in short supply or worse, a fruitless investment.  Fear that sowing seeds, investing their entrusted gift would not return a positive investment for the day the Lord returns.

What’s at stake in this parable perhaps is not necessarily the weeping and gnashing of teeth but rather the missed opportunity to use God’s abundant gift.  What’s at stake is the missed calling or dismissing vocation.  What’s at stake is life motivated by fear rather than abundance and joy.  

Friends, the good news is that Jesus absolutely and unconditionally gifts us with an abundance. Entrusted with an abundance of love, mercy, and forgiveness.  Entrusted an abundance of grace.  And God’s grace in Jesus Christ will be more than we can ever ever steward on our own.  And as it was for the two slaves, the disciples then, and us today, it is our calling to go at once, immediately, washed in our baptism and fed by the body and blood, to embody the abundance to which we have been entrusted.   Taking risks, investing ourselves, our time, and our possessions for the glory of God and the return of the kingdom.  To go boldly, and trust even more boldly the promise that we will be entrusted into the Joy of the king upon his return.

Amen


© 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 

For All the Saints! - All Saints Sunday Sermon

Matthew 5:1-12 

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. ²Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying: ³“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. ⁴“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. ⁵“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. ⁶“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. ⁷“Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. ⁸“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. ⁹“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. ¹⁰“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. ¹¹“Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. ¹²Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you."

It is the season for festival Sundays (Reformation, All Saints, Christ the King) as our church calendar will soon roll over into Advent, beginning another liturgical year marked by the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. But as for this day: today is All Saints Sunday, a festival Sunday in our church year, even though it doesn’t always feel like a cause for celebration. Today is loaded with mixed emotions as we mourn the loss of our brothers and sisters over the last year along with all the saints of the church triumphant.   Sisters and brothers, I know the laments and joys that this festival All Saints Sunday.   I understand the emotions of this day.  

I, along with many of you, if not all of you, have heard the name of a loved one read aloud in the prayers on this day.  A name followed by the tone of a bell.  I acknowledge the difficulty of today’s celebration.  

But at the same time that we hold this pain and grief, we seek hope and celebration for the life of the saints in Jesus Christ. A life formed in Jesus’ resurrection, which gives way to the gift of eternal life. And so on this day, we’ll say their names aloud, we’ll ring a bell, and together we’ll mourn and grieve.

Friends, I also know of the deep, yearning hope found in today’s celebration.  A name echoed by a bell that rings abundant joy as the great multitude of saints. As Revelation says, "every nation, tribe, and tongue stand proudly robed in white before the Lamb of God Proclaiming “Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen."

It’s a day of mixed emotions, but in our grief and mourning, may we find the hope and grace and promise of God’s eternal kingdom.

In the 5^th chapter of Matthew today. Jesus teaches in public for the first time.   After his baptism he was tempted in the wilderness, and emerged preaching the kingdom of God has come near.  He called his first disciples and traveled throughout Galilee. He’s gained a following, but it isn’t until chapter 5, this moment that the author of Matthew presents Jesus in front of the crowds, ready to teach for the first time.   

For Matthew’s Gospel account this is an important moment because it will set the tone for Jesus’ ministry in the next 20 chapters.  It will prepare the way for Jesus’s purpose and identity.  It is the public’s first educational moment with Jesus, and Jesus reveals the depths and direction of his ministry. So with his disciples gathered closely around Jesus on a hill, and the crowds behind them, Matthew’s Gospel account launches into the first major discourse of Jesus’ public ministry.

It is a 3-chapter conversation that we know as the Sermon on the Mount.  Jesus will teach anger, murder, adultery, divorce, loving your neighbor, turning the other cheek, prayer, worrisome-ness, truth and temptation. But in the first 12 verses, which we affectionately know as the Beatitudes, we receive the blessed be statements:

³“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

⁴“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

⁵“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

⁶“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they will be filled.

At the heart of these “blessed be” statements is Jesus’ characterization of the kingdom of God.  For Matthew, this will be at the heart of Jesus’ ministry…God’s abundant and grace-filled kingdom ushered in. God’s kingdom breaking in among us with Christ the lamb seated at the throne, to reign eternally.

This is a significant entry into public ministry because for the longest time the Jewish people had very clear expectations regarding a future Messiah. They had set expectations about God’s anointed king and the kingdom in which he would rule. They envisioned a king of king, a mighty ruler, Lord of Lords.  An earthly ruler who a savior who would deliver the Jewish people from all forms of oppressive governments.  He would strike down their foes and enemies would hold no chance of challenging him.  

This earthly king would establish an immense kingdom where he would restore proper order and care for the community within his kingdom.  He would reign forever and ever at the right hand of God.   A powerful, mighty, ruler.  For the longest time, this was their expectation. And so as the crowds gather to see and hear this new Rabbi, Jesus offers 12 verses that both define the nature of his ministry within Matthew and challenge their expectations of God’s in-breaking kingdom.

For this kingdom, God’s kingdom, Jesus will surely reign, but it won’t look anything like what they expected.  Rather than a fierce, strong, competitive and conquering king, God promises Jesus, a king who rules with humility, patience, and service. Rather than defeat his adversaries with sword and war, this king would lay down his life, turn the other cheek, and offer forgiveness.

Jesus begins his public teaching ministry by characterizing the very nature of this kingdom of God in what we know as the beatitudes.  Jesus turns the world and their expectations upside down. In the kingdom of God, Jesus rules in favor of the least the last and the lost. 

God’s kingdom is not characterized by pride or self-righteousness, but by the poor in spirit and those who experience mourning will inherit the kingdom of heaven and be comforted. God’s kingdom is not characterized by power but by humility for the meek shall inherit the earth. God’s kingdom is not characterized by self-interest, personal gain, or success, for those who hunger and thirst for righteousness and justice will be filled.

God’s kingdom is characterized by mercy, wholesomeness, faithful struggle, honesty humility, and perseverance. God’s kingdom was different then their worldly expectations. When Jesus emerged from the wilderness in chapter four he proclaimed, “the kingdom of God has come near.”   The good news for the disciples on that hill side, the crowds surrounding them and even us today, Is that the kingdom of God has come near.  

God’s kingdom, which lifts up the lowly, humbles the proud, seeks out the least and lost, advocates for the oppressed, acts for mercy and justice. That kingdom is present among us in Jesus Christ.  And by the power of the Spirit in baptism, we are granted access to this kingdom. Made participants, kingdom builders in God’s abundant reign of grace and mercy.

God’s kingdom gives us the freedom wrestle with our faith.  God’s kingdom…where we can both grieve and hope for joy. Where we can name our mourning and our pain, while also seeking comfort and assurance. God’s kingdom is a where our faith is put to work, challenging the earthly systems of power, and standing firmly in favor of the meek, the lost, the hungry, the poor in spirit, and those who mourn. For they will inherit the kingdom of God, not because of the current pain or struggle, but because in their struggle their hope is found in God.  Faith that is securely rooted in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

The good news brothers and sisters is that God sees us and our pain, our grief, our struggles. God stands with us in our time of deep questioning and promises to be with us always, especially through death and into eternal life.  God honors our earthly struggles and blesses us through Jesus Christ, the one who accompanies us on this journey of faith.

God’s kingdom has come near, and we are invited to participate.  Our participation may not always be cheery, joyful, or struggle-free, but it is participation nonetheless. After all, lament also has its place within God’s kingdom. So on this All Saints Sunday, a day marked with mixed emotions, doubts, faithful struggles, simple joys, and uncertainty, hear the promise of God in Jesus Christ.

God’s kingdom will prevail against all earthly powers.  God’s kingdom will have no end.  In Jesus Christ, all will dine at the great banquet table.  Saints past and present who is seated on the throne and “They will hunger no more, they will thirst no more; the sun will not strike them, nor any scorching heat; ¹⁷for the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of the water of life, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”

All will rejoice in the lord, the kingdom of God…AMEN

© Pastor Daniel Locke Nov. 5, 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.