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.

Go in Peace to Love and Serve - Mark 6:1-3 - Pentecost 07.08.2018 Sermon

Mark 6:1-13

6He left that place and came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him. ²On the sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astounded. They said, “Where did this man get all this? What is this wisdom that has been given to him? What deeds of power are being done by his hands! ³Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon, and are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. ⁴Then Jesus said to them, “Prophets are not without honor, except in their hometown, and among their own kin, and in their own house.” ⁵And he could do no deed of power there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and cured them. ⁶And he was amazed at their unbelief. Then he went about among the villages teaching. ⁷He called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. ⁸He ordered them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belts; ⁹but to wear sandals and not to put on two tunics. ¹⁰He said to them, “Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave the place. ¹¹If any place will not welcome you and they refuse to hear you, as you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them.” ¹²So they went out and proclaimed that all should repent. ¹³They cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them. 

Today’s Gospel lesson is BOGO.   Two stories for the price of one as the lectionary links two stories together.  In the first part of today’s lesson Jesus returns to his hometown, preaching in the synagogue on the Sabbath.  He is not met with a warm welcome. 

In the second story of today’s lesson Jesus sends out the 12 disciples, two by two, instructing them to leave everything behind for the journey.  To travel from house to house and remain as long as they are welcome. This morning I want to explore both of the stories a little bit. 

Jesus has crossed to the other side of the sea and back.  While on the other side of the sea he heals a man possessed by a demon, by sending the demon into a herd of swine.  The swine they run down the bank into the sea and drown. 

Upon his return from the other side of the sea, Jesus heals a woman who has been hemorrhaging for 12 years while on his way to raise the daughter of a synagogue leader.  Jesus has been busy. So he returns home. 

Jesus, since birth has been growing into and living out his identity as the Messiah.  Preaching, and healing, performing miracles and casting out demons. He’s been busy and now he returns to his hometown, perhaps for a bit of respite.   And while he is home he teaches in the local synagogue on the Sabbath. 

And as he teaches, the text tells us that all were astounded!   Astounded. Some translations choose the word astonished. Or Amazed, or even overwhelmed.   

The son of man was in his hometown teaching in the synagogues, and the home-crowd that gathered was astounded.  Astonished. Amazed. Even overwhelmed as this Jesus guy. 

I suppose being astounded, amazed or astonished is a reasonable reaction when the son of God is teaching on the Sabbath in your hometown.  It is perhaps no surprise that they would react in such a way. 

But what’s interesting here is that the home crowd isn’t reacting because they are blessed to be taught by the Messiah himself.  They’re not amazed or astonished because they were able to get tickets to the most popular book reading in town. 

No, their reaction is purely rooted in the fact that this young boy of a carpenter is living well outside of his class.   Jesus, the lowly, illegitimate child of a peasant girl, was living way outside of the social boundaries. They were astounded because this homegrown kid was overreaching his status and their expectations. 

I think it’s incredibly ironic, that in Jesus’ hometown of all places, the Messiah and son of God teaches and proclaims the good news, and rather than celebrate their kinship, they question, challenge, insult, and diminish him all because he is not what they expected.  All because he reaching beyond social norms. 

And it’s not that they question his knowledge, or dispute his wisdom.  It’s not even that doubt his healings and miracles. 

Rather, they just can’t get over the fact that such power and authority is coming from a commonplace boy like Jesus.   And it is so ironic, because you would think of all the places Jesus might go, it would be his home crowd that knew him best.  That would celebrate his arrival. Eager to hear what he might have to say. We could assume that His hometown might be the first to see, hear, and believe. 

And Friends, if Jesus, the son of God and messiah, faces that much opposition and unbelief ...if Jesus encounters that much resistance in his own hometown, then what might we say of God’s call for us to teach and preach the gospel throughout the world.  What challenges and roadblocks might we face. What level of disbelief or astonishment might we encounter as we proclaim? Surely there is a world eager to resist.

In the BOGO portion of today’s lesson, Jesus sends out the 12 disciples.  Immediately after being rejected by his hometown. Jesus now turns to the disciples.  He sends out the 12, 2 by 2, for a journey of their own into the unknown. 

These 12 are the ones whom Jesus called by name, hand-picked to be his disciples and followers.  Since the beginning of Jesus’ ministry he has been preparing them for such a time when they would be sent into the world to teach, preach, and proclaim a message that may not always be received warmly. 

Here is the part I always find a bit intriguing.  Jesus sends the disciples out into the unknown with power and authority to teach and heal.  He instructs them to enter households and remain there until they are no longer welcome. 

Call me crazy, but that sounds like an intimidating adventure with a lot of responsibility and trust.  And the curious part, is that the last time Jesus directly addressed the disciples, 2 chapters ago, was when a tremendous storm rocked the boat at sea and caused the disciples to fear for their lives.  Jesus calms the storm and calls them out saying, “Have you no faith!?” “Why on earth are you afraid?” “Where is your faith and trust in God?” 

Here we are 2 chapters later and Jesus turns back to the disciples and says, I have an idea...you who were scared and without faith….your turn!   Two by two, take nothing and go. 

I think it’s curious that Jesus sends the same bunch of guys who had no faith only a few days ago...and Jesus sends them to teach, proclaim, and heal.  No faith? Great, grab a partner and hit the streets! 

Now that’s a scary model of ministry, is it not?  Could you imagine me coming to worship next Sunday and saying...does anyone feel unqualified to preach the gospel, unprepared for the world, anyone scared, worried, or afraid for teaching about God, anyone uncertain or doubtful about your faith… If so raise your hand.  

Great, pick someone next to you.  You are the newest members of the evangelism committee.  Go, house to house, I give you authority to teach and heal.  Go in peace and serve lord. Wait, no one responded with Thanks be to God?!

But that’s the reality of the call right?  Jesus knowingly calls by name the most unsuspecting of people to be his followers, and in the end his apostles.  And thanks be to God, because if the ministry of proclaiming, teaching, and healing was reserved for only the most educated, knowledgeable, and well versed, ...if the ministry were reserved for only those who have perfect faith, then the message of God’s salvation through Jesus for the world would never be shared.  No one would ever experience healing. 

Jesus didn’t send out the scared, fearful, unknowing disciples to watch them fail.  Nor did Jesus send them out to convict them for struggling with their faith. No. Jesus sent the disciples to show that the power of God is not dependent upon our own faith. God is more powerful.

_____

Last week our youth attended the ELCA Youth Gathering in Houston, Texas.  During the Gathering each group rotates through three full programmatic days.  One of those days is service, where 10,000 youth dress up in matching orange shirts, board buses, and embark on a service project for the day.  

Each morning, I would grab my coffee and walk over to the convention center for a full day of work.  But I was walked to my office, the entire lobby was filled with youth in orange shirts. Volunteers were spread out across the lobby holding numbered signs.  As youth arrive they would find their sign and wait patiently for the bus to arrive. 

By the time I walked in at 7:00am each morning, the lobby was full.  Thousands of teenagers, eagerly waiting to board the bus for service. In Gathering language, it was called a launch.  Launching 10,000 youth daily into service. Simply put, they were being sent.

Now the comparison is an exaggeration since Jesus only sent 12 and he sent them 2x2.  We were launching 1,000 times that amount, and sending them 200 x 200, but the call and the sending was the same.  

As youth gathered each morning in their groups, waiting for the bus to arrive, they had no idea where they would be going, or what they would be doing for the day.  They would not find out their service project until they were on the bus and well on their way. Much like the disciples, it was hard to be prepared for the unknown.

They didn’t know if they needs gloves, sunscreen, hats, or old clothes.  They didn’t know if they need tools, water bottles, or change of shoes.

And yet 10,000 youth were launched across the city each day.  Some when to clean up parks, or build fences for dog parks. Some went to nursing homes, dog shelters, or fire and police stations.  Some went to local schools to read and interact with children. 

Some painted, or did yard work, some cleaned up streets, cemeteries, churches, schools, home.  Some sorted books for local literacy while other sorted food. But no matter where they served the emphasis was the same.

Jesus instructed his disciples to go in groups and trust that all would be provided.  He told them not concern themselves with the specifics or logistics for the journey. Above all, Jesus told them to go house to house...meet people...and remain with them as long as they were welcomed.  Jesus launched the disciples to hear people’s stories and connect their story to that of God and Jesus Christ. 

For the ELCA, we call this model of ministry, accompaniment.  It is the foundation for both our global and domestic mission units of the ELCA, and it was the emphasis of service day for 30,000 youth at the Youth Gathering.  

No matter where they were launched or sent.  No matter what they did or didn’t do on their day of service, the call was not to fix, impose, correct, enforce, or override the community and their needs.  Rather the call was to go, serve alongside those in need, and share with them in their stories and the story of God. Just like the disciples the call was and is to accompany.  

And I promise you, healing took place in those days of service.

The same is true today, my friends.  God chooses us. God chose each of us in the beginning through the waters of baptism.  God called us by name to follow and learn. And to be sent. 

God sends us out, not because of our ability, qualification, or strength….our preparedness, understanding, or even faithfulness, but simply because we are God’s chosen.  

Let me be clear, I am NOT implying or suggesting that you or I or any of us are unprepared, uneducated, unfaithful, or otherwise.  In fact, I am not insinuating anything about any of us in anyway. All I mean to say is that we belong to God, and it is not about us at all.  It is about God and what is doing and will do through us to heal the world around us. 

And I know, that’s a scary call.  And the truth is, we might be dismissed and rejected.  But perhaps the good news tonight is that Jesus knows how that feels too.

We are sent be God purely because we are God’s people.  And in God’s name, the time to be sent is always Now. This is our launch site.  Worship is where we hear the story of God again and again and we affirm God’s faithfulness.  God launches us as we are. Sends us out to be who we are. Regardless of where we go or what we may do or what we may see or say.  Regardless of our worthiness, faithfulness, or other. God sends us in the name of Jesus so that the world may experience healing.

And rest assured dear friends, wherever the disciples, the youth at the Gathering, you and I, or we are sent, God is sure to be there with us to offer healing.   Because our God is a God of accompaniment. 

So God in peace, serve the Lord.  Amen.

© Pastor Daniel Locke, peached on July 08, 2018 @ St. Mark's Lutheran Jacksonville, FL

Crossing to the "other side" - Sermon on Mark 4:35-41 - 06.24.2018

Mark 4:35-41

³⁵On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” ³⁶And leaving the crowd behind, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. Other boats were with him. ³⁷A great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped. ³⁸But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him up and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” ³⁹He woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm. ⁴⁰He said to them, “Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?” ⁴¹And they were filled with great awe and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?

Why did Jesus cross to the other side?  Sorry, that’s not meant as a set-up for a joke.  No punchline. It was a legitimate inquiry. Jesus is active along the shore.  He’s generating a crowd and a buzz. People are curious and intrigued. And for the most part, everything seems to be going well for his ministry.  Yet, today, he packs it up and sets off for the other side of the sea of Galilee. 

Today’s text is rich with metaphor and insight.  There is no shortage of comparisons or analogies for us to make between our lives and today’s lesson.  It’s one of those texts that frustrates a preacher...not because I don’t know what to say about the text but rather because there is so much to say.  There are so many nuggets in these 6 short verses to reflect on:

For starters there is the boat. 

·     A symbol of voyage and journey.  An icon of transition and movement.  Launching from a starting point, setting out for a destination.  Perhaps the boat represents a spiritual, physical, or emotional journey we are.  Traveling on roads as yet untrodden to places unknown.   Navigating the calm or even turbulent waters of life.  We sail the boat, and whether we know what is waiting at the other end or not, the journey is uncertain. The boat offers us comfort and security, for the most part.  It’s a new beginning or adventure.  Then again...maybe the boat is just a boat...a means of transportation

Or we can reflect on the storm:

• A symbol of trial and tribulation. A Speed bumps, challenges, roadblocks. In our many journeys we encounter storms.  Hiccups in our life... our journey of learning and discovery. The storm that rocks us to our core.  It tests our faith.  The storm that makes us question stepping into the boat in the first place.  The storm, while scary and real, it will cause us to grow.  Perhaps it offers a lesson about where or in whom we place our trust in a time of storm. Then again, the storm could just be a storm.  The result of a low pressure system crossing paths with us on our journey across the sea. 

Or we could talk about the disciples:

• Our companions on the journey. They give us comfort and hope, because even though they are Jesus’ closest friends and followers they are terrified in the storm.  Perhaps they give us a sigh of relief, as to say, it’s ok to be scared.  Maybe the disciples are a model of good faith because despite being scared, at least they knew to turn to Jesus in the time of storm. Then again, the disciples could just be a group of fishermen along for a ride, and like most people they panic when mother nature shows her strength.

And of course, we can reflect on Jesus:

• The one who instructs us to step into the boat in the first place.  Jesus, who although sleeps through the storm, is there at our call to calm the storm.  The story reminds us that Jesus is always in the boat with us.  Wherever we may go.  Whatever we may encounter along the way.  Jesus is by our side.   He doesn’t push us out to sea alone, or stand on the other side waiting.  Jesus goes with us.  Or maybe we go with Jesus.

Today’s text is so rich, and if you give me a couple of decades at St. Mark’s to preach on this text, I might cover them all.  

But for this day, at this time, it seems relevant to reflect on the other side “On that day, when evening had come, Jesus said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.”  Why did Jesus cross over to the other side? 

Ironically enough, if your only experience and encounter with scripture is weekly worship, then the answer is, you may never know.  For whatever reason, in our three year cycle of readings we never read or hear what happens on the other side. In fact, next week’s gospel lesson will begin by saying, “When Jesus had again crossed over by boat to the other side of the lake.”

Jesus makes this intentional move to journey across the sea to the other side, and yet our lectionary never tells us what happens.  We never hear what is on the other side. Let’s call that your homework for the week. Read the first 21 verses of Mark 5 to find out what’s on the other side.  

Spoiler alert, on the other side of the sea, in the land of the Gerasenes, Jesus meets a man with an unclean spirit.  He was possessed by a demon named legion, for there were many. The man lived among the tombs and was so impure and so strong that no one could bind him.  But upon meeting Jesus he runs to him and falls to his feet and says “what would you have of me!? Please don’t torture me.” Jesus casts the demon out of the man and into a herd of pigs.  And when the demon enters the pigs, about 2000 of them, the pigs all run into the sea and drown. 

It’s a truly interesting story, but it rarely gets told.  And perhaps we don’t hear the story often because it’s not necessarily about what Jesus finds or does on the other side, but the very fact that Jesus crosses to the other side.

The “other side” from what Jesus’ disciples were used to was a foreign land.  Although it was really only a few miles away, it was foreign to jews living on the West side of the sea of Galilee..  To cross to the other side of the sea meant entering into Gentile territory. Gentiles were not Jews, and were often considered unclean and enemies of the Jews.  They were viewed differently because they lived differently. Their culture was different. They ate different foods. The looked different. Sounded different. They weren’t circumcised and therefore their beliefs were also different.  And wrong. The other side of the sea wasn’t just a new piece of land, it was a land inhabited by an entirely different culture of people.

And yet, knowing the tensions and fractions in relationship between jews and Gentiles, Jesus gets in the boat, and crosses to the other side of the sea.  Extending his Galilean ministry to include a race of people that no one expected Jesus to approach. 

Truthfully, for the disciples and the followers of Jesus what was scary about the other side wasn’t the journey or the unknown.  What was terrifying and intimidating was crossing a boundary and border that had become so ingrained in their everyday life. They were sailing over and into a territory that they considered unclean, for no other reason than it differed from their way of living.

And I don’t think the lesson is so much about Jesus healing the possessed Gerasene man, but rather that fact that Jesus took the voyage in the first place.  It is what Jesus does. It is who he is. Jesus is one who chooses to cross boundaries and place himself in discarded, marginal, ostracized, feared, and unknown places people cultures and times.  Jesus calls the disciples well beyond their comfort zone into a land of uncertainty. He removes the cultural, economic, sociological, historical, and other divisions, and crosses to the other side.  Because Jesus’ ministry is for all people. 

Why does Jesus cross to the other side?  Because that’s what Jesus does. For Jesus, his ministry is one that not only crosses the divide, but works to remove all notions of side in the first place.  For Jesus there is no division, side, or other.

It seems to me that perhaps now, more than ever, there is a fear of the other.  The other person. The other side. The other culture or way of life. The other religion.  The other way of thinking. More than ever God’s beautifully created humanity has grown more and more divisive.  Digging holes between us. Dividing ourselves by our human-created differences. We label one another based on beliefs, perspectives, and lifestyles.  We generalize and stereotype. We tend to push each other apart until the void fills with such turbulent seas that deter us from ever crossing back.

I don’t know what or why it is about us that causes it.  Call it sin I suppose. But our culture has distanced us from one another.  We become grounded in our ways. We live, eat, play, breathe, and worship with those most like us as not disrupt the system and risk the violent storm.  We prefer stick to our shore.

But truth be told, friends, Jesus calls us to so much more.  Jesus would not have us distance ourselves from one another. In fact, that runs against what God created us for.  Jesus calls us to not only cross our divides but tear down all preconceptions and fears of the other side along the way.   Jesus doesn’t command us to go and wish us good luck, Jesus says “let us go.” He hops in the boat with us and gives us an example to journey into what we don’t know...into what we don’t understand.   Because what we often fail to acknowledge is that on the other side there are people of God in desperate need of healing. And it's an even more uncomfortable thought to think of ourselves as on the other side, desperately waiting for Jesus to come ashore.  

Beyond our barriers, divisions, walls, borders,..all the things that distance us from one another..the hesitations, fears, unknowns, judgments, misconceptions, and misunderstandings.. beyond it all are our siblings in Christ.  Siblings with stories to share. Siblings in whom we share one story. One faith. One baptism.

Taking up God’s call to cross to the unknown and uncertain is to risk the storm.  Extending past our comfort zone means facing potentially turbulent waters. But I suppose the alternative to riding with jesus and risking the storm is to stay tied up on the shore...where we’d rather feel safe than vulnerable.

Why did Jesus cross to the other side?  It wasn’t just a day trip across the sea.  It was an intentional move to sail across to the other side, to teach the disciples that God’s grace and love is mightier than anything that divides.  Even the strongest of storms.

And sisters and brothers the Good News is that Jesus is relentless in his voyage.  He never ceases to cross over. And each and every time, Jesus invites us along to see how great God really is.  

© Pastor Daniel Locke, preached 06.24.2018 @ St. Mark's Lutheran, Jacksonville, FL

It's not my fault - Sermon on Genesis 3:8-15 - 06.10.2018

Genesis 3:8- 3:15

⁸They heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden at the time of the evening breeze, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. ⁹But the Lord God called to the man, and said to him, “Where are you?” ¹⁰He said, “I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.” ¹¹He said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?” ¹²The man said, “The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit from the tree, and I ate.”¹³Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this that you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent tricked me, and I ate.” ¹⁴The Lord God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, cursed are you among all animals and among all wild creatures; upon your belly you shall go, and dust you shall eat all the days of your life. ¹⁵I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will strike your head, and you will strike his heel.”

And God said it was good. God out of nothing created the world, the land, sea, stars and moon.  God created the skies, mountains, streams, and trees. God created it all out of nothing and repeatedly God said it is good.  And for no other reason than God’s own pure joy for creating, God breathed life into humankind to live in the good creation. Eve and Adam were created by God in God’s image.  Perfectly made to live a perfect life in God’s perfect creation. 

They were gifted a life without want. God provided all they needed, in fact God provided an abundance.  They were free to roam. To tour God’s countryside. Take in the view. Connect with nature. Live in perfect companionship.  For the sake of mutual love and care. 

God created Adam and Eve so they might experience pure joy and love both being poured out for another and being received by another.  It was God’s kingdom and it was good. Everything was good. At least for a short period of time, God’s kingdom was perfect, without fault, without blame, without shame.  For a moment it was as good as it gets.  In the book of Genesis, we read two stories of the creation.  Chapter one offers the most common telling of creation. A day by day illustration of God breathing life onto the canvas of creation.  And each and every day God reflects, it is good. 

Chapter two is a bit more generic about the creation of creation itself. Rather chapter 2 focuses in on the birth of humanity, as God crafts Adam and Eve in God’s image.  Eve and Adam were created by God out of pure joy for life. For a brief moment, in the first two chapters of Genesis, we are given the fullest glimpse of the kingdom of God.  I suspect we all know what happens next.  Adam and Eve don’t even make it past the third chapter of scripture without stepping in it.  Perhaps you’re familiar with the chain of events. God says, I give you this good creation. Do what you will.  Be fruitful and multiply. 

Eat from any tree in the garden except from the tree of knowledge of good and evil.  Adam and Eve are good until the crafty servant passes by. The serpent manipulates them to believe that God is holding out on them.  God said that eating the fruit means death. The serpent convinces them that they won’t die. 

As the story goes, the woman saw the fruit, it was pleasing to the eye.  Takes a bite. Passes it to Adam. He eats. Suddenly they view themselves differently as naked and they hide.

This is where we meet Adam and Even in our story today story from Genesis 3.  This whole section in Chapter 3 is one of my favorite stories, but in this particular scene I can’t help but chuckle.  God strolls through the garden looking for them. He calls out to them, “Where are you!” Adam responds, “I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.”  

God said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?” “The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit from the tree, and I ate.” ¹³Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this that you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent tricked me, and I ate.”  

I always think of a scene from Home Alone.  Kevin McCalister, the youngest of a dozen kids is being taunted by his oldest brother. Kevin is searching for a piece of cheese pizza and Buzz shoves the last piece into his mouth right in front of Kevin’s face.  

Out of anger Kevin shoves buzz and buzz runs into the table, which starts a whole chain events causing everyone to be made and point the finger to Kevin.  So Kevin points to buzz and says “he did it!”  How often have you seen kids playing, and in a moment something goes terribly wrong...something is broken or there is a new stain…and they both freeze.  Point to each other and say he did it!  It’s not my fault!  This woman whom YOU gave me….She made me do it.  It’s not my fault….The serpent tricked me! 

There is something oddly comforting about the third chapter of Genesis isn’t there?  God’s perfect creation becomes distorted and suddenly we feel a strong camaraderie with Adam and Eve.  There is a sense of relief as Adam and Eve point the finger…Not my fault! 

How often are we quick to place blame. How quick are we to throw someone else “under the bus” as they say?  How easy is it to deflect responsibility, undermine any control, choice, or influence we may have and in any given situation?  Our gut tells us to deflect blame to someone else so that they’re are held accountable and therefore we will be free of consequence.  And I know I chuckle at this story on the surface, but deep within this narrative is an honest lesson about the self that is worth reflection.   Pointing the finger like Eve and Adam is more than deflecting blame. 

When we distance ourselves from situations of trouble and remove ourselves from any sense of responsibility or blame, we feel, at least for a moment a sense of relief.  It’s not my fault. Not my problem. It’s someone else’s issue. There is nothing I can do about it.

And what we’re really doing is not taking any responsibility for the action or situation.  We’re denying to have any choice, control, or influence over the moment of conflict. We’re distancing ourselves.  Protecting our own image. Covering our own… well.

Adam blames Eve to say it’s not his fault, but he had a choice in the matter. 

Eve blames the serpent to say it’s not her fault, but she knowingly ate the apple.  

They share responsibility yet both deflect blame.  And deflecting blame ultimately does not free them from the consequence of our actions.    The truth of the narrative is, that we share a mutual responsibility with one another.  A responsibility to and for one another that began in God’s good creation. And it is further cemented into our very being by the water’s of baptism.  

When we are washed, named, and claimed as children of God, we belong to a body of people, called to live in perfect companionship with one another.  For the sake of mutual love and care. God created us, and saved us so that we may experience pure joy and love both being poured out for another and being received by another. This means that when one member of creation rejoices, we all rejoice.  When one member suffers, we all suffer. We are called into communion with one another.  Yes, even brothers and sisters whom we have never met, and will never meet, we are bound to them as God’s good creation through the waters of Christ.  Make no mistake…Just because we may not be physically present with our siblings in Christ in their moment of shame, guilt, deceit, depression, and tribulation.  Just because we’re not beside them when the serpent tricks and the apple is plucked, doesn’t mean that we are free from any responsibility. After all they are our siblings. When they hurt we hurt.  Surely it’s not my fault that some folks are from a poor and underprivileged community, it’s not my fault they live in a food desert, it’s not my fault they have been pushed out to make way for developments and now they have no access to public transportation, housing, or basic resources.  Surely it’s not my fault that my classmate or coworker suffers from depression because of a tough family situation or because look, talk, walk, or sound different.  Surely it’s not my fault they live in a country ravaged by war and are now displaced seeking shelter and safety.

The truth is friends that although we may not share the same experiences as our siblings in Christ, we do share in one baptism.  One communion. One body. We have different experiences, yes, but we have the same story in God. 

We have a responsibility to care for them because they are our siblings in Christ. We may not bite from the same apple and share in their everyday trials, but we do have the power to affect the systems that bring out siblings down.  

We do have the ability and gift to bear their burdens and stand firm beside them as the crafty serpent manipulates, tricks, and divides.  And rather than deflect the blame and say it’s not my fault, we have the freedom, the power, the gift to say forgive us God for we have sinned against you and against one another.  For things done and left undone. For things said and let unsaid.  Perhaps the biggest sin in that 3^rd chapter of Genesis wasn’t just Adam and Eve denying God’s good gift of creation, but rather it is Adam and Eve turning on one another.  Refusing to accept responsibility for one another. Adam and Eve turned inwardly to protect themselves.

And in that moment the serpent was successful by driving them apart.  Disrupting the companionship. They turned inward on themselves. Denied their God-given, God-created companionship to one another.  

And look, my point is not to convict or make you feel guilty for the many pains in this good world. Rather, I want you to hear the good news, that not only did God create each and everyone of us to live in God’s incredible, abundant, and fruitful creation, and I mean all those whom we many never meet…but God claims us in baptism to be in communion with one another.   So that when you hurt, we all hurt.  When you fall to deceit, or suffer from guilt, shame, depression, sadness, loss, grief, pain…whatever it may be…the body of Christ doesn’t turn away from you, The Body of Christ doesn’t deflect blame.  

We don’t dismiss your story or your experience. 

We stand beside you.  With you. We surround you with mutual love and companionship.  We confront sin, navigate the turbulent systematic waters. Because in God’s good creation…in God’s kingdom… where for no other reason than God’s own pure joy for creating, God breathed life into each and every one of us…that is how God would have us live. 

God’s gift of life is too precious for us to spend it turning away from our neighbors.  Our family in Christ. And when we live lives the way God created and intended. When we turn smash the serpent and turn to God and one another then maybe, just for a moment, or a lifetime we may glimpse how good God’s goodness really is.