"The Road of Truth"
Luke 4:1-13
[Begin sermon with an image of question marks for all to see (flip chart, screen etc.)]
Today is the first Sunday of Lent. Lent is a time of the church year when we confess that our life is a human journey. It has a beginning and an ending, a birth and a death. Duritn Lent we confess that our faith cannot and will not enable us to escape from this reality. As people of God, however, we face our mortality with a promise from God of immortality beyond the grave. While life is a journey from birth to death. As people of faith, life is a journey toward God that goes through death. God’s ending stands beyond the great boundaries of our understanding of life. So, we are on a journey together. It is a journey toward God. Yet, at the same time, the great mysterious paradox of our faith is that while we are journeying toward God, we are also journeying with God. With faith every turn we take, every decision we make is with God’s guidance heard through the Word and sacrament.
Therefore, during this season of Lent I am preaching a series of messages on the various crossroads we encounter along this journey we are taking with God. On Ash Wednesday the series began with The Road of Humility, and today it is The Road of Truth.
Two roads diverged in a wood and I—
I chose the road less traveled by.
And that has made all the difference.
—Robert Frost
Using Robert Frost’s timeless poem, the road of faith is always the road less traveled, the one that makes all the difference.
Today’s message begins with a brief discussion of questions. Ever since we were children we have been asking questions. Some questions are very helpful. They purely seek information. Since we were little we have been asking these questions. Where do the stars come from? How does the washing machine work? As we mature questions like these graduate and take on much more sophistication and pursue deeper more complex answers. Questions can be used to gather information. Today we live in the age of information. Now, finding answers to the most difficult of questions can be as easy as the click of a button on your computer.
Twenty years ago our world enjoyed this new game called Trivial Pursuit. This game captivated a generation of information seekers. But, today, that game is a bit obsolete. We can find the answers with palm held computers faster than the usual allotment of time your opponent would give you to answer. Today, if you have a question you just “Google” it, or you go to “Wikipedia” or if those don’t work you just “Ask Jeeves”. For those of us still in a state of internet denial, these are web sites where a person can find the answers to questions about anything. We are in an age when questions and answers are everywhere.
The pursuit of answers or mere information is the road most traveled by in our world. It is a big misunderstanding when we trust information to save us instead of the truth; when we believe that the pursuit of answers is the same as the pursuit of truth.
Today, it seems we are people with the answers to any question. We are so much more intelligent than previous generations. Children, these days, are learning levels of math and science in grade school that most of us didn’t even have an opportunity to learn until high school. There’s a new TV game show that accentuates this phenomena by challenging adults to answer questions that come from 5th grade text books. But, in a culture where intelligence is creating new bell curves, we seem to lack wisdom. Our teens are graduating from school with more information than ever, yet, employers have begun to recognize that young people lack even the most basic skills of problem solving, communication, and ambition. As a result, employers are finding it more beneficial to hire from the older generation instead of the younger people, or, in some cases offering incentives to keep those employees who are nearing retirement from doing so. It seems that the road most traveled, the road of information does not lead us to where we had hoped. Somewhere along this road, we traded truth for information. Now, we are very well informed, but lacking the ability to relate to one another through problem solving, communication, and ambition.
Some other questions that we hear in our world today are of a different nature. These are questions that are not meant to seek information, but are asked merely to create doubt. These are the questions that Jesus faced in his 40 days of Temptation. Notice the similarity of these questions. Three times the devil questions Jesus, and all three times the format of the question was the same. If…...Then…. If you are the Son of God, then turn this stone into bread. Temptation, or the most often traveled road of doubt, can be recognized by the form of the question. If...then… If you are a Christian, then why are you feeling so guilty? If you are Christian, then why do you continue to mess up your life? These are the age-old questions. In the end they are the same as the great theodicy question, If God is good, then why do bad things happen to good people? The road of doubt is paved with questions like these. When we turn this question inside out, we get another question that we must all recognize from journeying down this road. It’s the question, Why me?.
There was a couple I once counseled who came to me with this question. I had married them about year prior. They were a wonderful couple. They had a kind of faithfulness and maturity about their relationship that made me believe that they were going to make it. Unfortunately, I have married a number of couples without such hopefulness. But not them. About a year later, the couple became pregnant. This news was celebrated by the whole congregation along with them. As the pregnancy progressed, the joy continued to build until one day near the due date when they learned of an abnormality. The child she was carrying had Downs Syndrome. Upon this news, the couple became distraught. Fear welled up, and gave way to doubt. The doubt came to me in the form of this question, “Pastor, why us?” This question, this doubt, was so powerful that it was eroding and threatening everything. The couple’s relationship was strained. Their love for this child was strained. Their faith in God was waning. In this world, where we are quicker to choose the road of doubt than the road of faith, we can easily become lost. But, when lost along the road of doubt, there’s nothing like the truth to stop us in our tracks and retrace our steps back to find the correct road again. That truth began to surface as we talked together about God’s blessings. The truth was that God had blessed this couple with more than they needed to raise this child. It turned out that Grandma’s brother had Downs, so there was already a person in the family who was a valuable resource for understanding Downs. The mother of the child was nurse, and her mother was a nurse. And, the couple was actively involved in a congregation of people who would genuinely welcome and love this child with a network of help through the years. Once the truth was revealed, something very powerful became self-evident. If, this side of the second coming, a child with Downs was going to be borne into this world, could there be any other family more equipped, more blessed, than this one to raise that child? The answer was an obvious NO. With the truth very evident now before them, the couple’s “Pastor, why us?” turned to a declaration of purpose and hope, “Lord, why not us?”
In our gospel text for today, Jesus withstands the questions of temptations with declarations of God’s promised blessedness. With Jesus, our questions along the most traveled road of doubt, turn to exclamations of faith along the road of Truth.
[Change the picture of question marks to a picture of exclamation points]
In a world where diverging roads lead to doubt, the road less traveled is the truth of the gospel promised at baptism, proclaimed in scripture, sermon, and song, and received at the table in bread and wine: “I will be your God, and you will be my people, and I will remember your sins no more.”
Jesus shows us that the pursuit of Truth is not the same as the pursuit of information. Mere information cannot save us. Mere information confuses us, confounds us, and leaves us bound by fear of the future. But, the Truth sets us free. The Truth frees us from the temptation all around us. With Christ, we are free to change the road we are on, to the road that God calls us upon—the road with God toward God. The road less traveled is the road of Truth. And that road makes all the difference.
Let us pray.
Lord, thank you for freeing us from the tempter's threatening questions. Lead us along your path of Truth. Open our eyes to see you in the goodness of life that transcends our world’s pursuit of mere information.
Amen.
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Sermon: February 21, 2007
“The Road of Humility”
Ash Wednesday
Amy & I visited our family back home this past Sunday. We have two Jr. Hi nieces, and both are involved in a host of extra-curricular activities. This time of the year, one of them is a cheerleader, and the other plays basketball. Conversation about life involves all the events and games they are in. Our eldest niece showed us a video of her most recent cheering competition. And after telling us all about the incredible level of difficulty of this one particular cheer, the video then showed her team receiving an award. So, I asked, “Did your team win?” She said, “No, they award the first and second place team with trophies, and then everyone else gets participation medals.”
Now, this was not the case when I was in school. And while I can become very nostalgic over the way things used to be, I must also confess that I remember feeling pretty let down, and discouraged when my best effort went unrecognized.
Two roads diverged in the wood, and I —
I chose the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
—Robert Frost
I suppose its only natural to want credit for a job well done. We teach our children to take pride in their work. These days, everyone gets a trophy, everyone gets an award, and everyone deserves a little recognition. That’s the road most traveled. However, our bible readings for today begin the journey of Lent by calling us down a different road, a road less traveled.
“Return to me with all your heart,” we hear in the reading from Joel.
And Jesus calls us down the same heart-filled road where he says, “Beware of practicing your piety before others in order to be seen by them.
The Lenten road begins with humility.
When we walk down this road less traveled, the rewards will not be the kind the world values or gives. On this road the rewards come from God, who hears and sees in private, and is well pleased. The true heart is revealed when the praise of self is over. It is on the road of humility that the heart seeks to please only the one who sees in secret.
Amen
Ash Wednesday
Amy & I visited our family back home this past Sunday. We have two Jr. Hi nieces, and both are involved in a host of extra-curricular activities. This time of the year, one of them is a cheerleader, and the other plays basketball. Conversation about life involves all the events and games they are in. Our eldest niece showed us a video of her most recent cheering competition. And after telling us all about the incredible level of difficulty of this one particular cheer, the video then showed her team receiving an award. So, I asked, “Did your team win?” She said, “No, they award the first and second place team with trophies, and then everyone else gets participation medals.”
Now, this was not the case when I was in school. And while I can become very nostalgic over the way things used to be, I must also confess that I remember feeling pretty let down, and discouraged when my best effort went unrecognized.
Two roads diverged in the wood, and I —
I chose the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
—Robert Frost
I suppose its only natural to want credit for a job well done. We teach our children to take pride in their work. These days, everyone gets a trophy, everyone gets an award, and everyone deserves a little recognition. That’s the road most traveled. However, our bible readings for today begin the journey of Lent by calling us down a different road, a road less traveled.
“Return to me with all your heart,” we hear in the reading from Joel.
And Jesus calls us down the same heart-filled road where he says, “Beware of practicing your piety before others in order to be seen by them.
The Lenten road begins with humility.
When we walk down this road less traveled, the rewards will not be the kind the world values or gives. On this road the rewards come from God, who hears and sees in private, and is well pleased. The true heart is revealed when the praise of self is over. It is on the road of humility that the heart seeks to please only the one who sees in secret.
Amen
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Sermon: February 11, 2007
“Spiritual Double Talk”
Luke 6: 17-26
Opening:
Church Blooper Announcements [Best read by a leader from the church in the manner of making genuine announcements.]
1. The peacemaking meeting scheduled for today has been canceled due to a conflict.
2. Remember in prayer the many who are sick of our church.
3. For those of you who have children and don't know it, we have a nursery.
4. Tuesday at 4:00 PM there will be an ice cream social, featuring homemade ice-cream. All ladies giving milk will please come early.
5. With Easter Sunday approaching, we will be asking volunteers to come forward and lay eggs on the alter.
6. Next Sunday a special collection will be taken to defray the cost of new carpet. All those wishing to do something on the carpet please do so on your way out.
7. The ladies of the church have given up their clothing for this year’s fund raiser. Members of the church may get a sneak peek at them on the Friday prior to the event.
8. Sandy is still in the hospital. She asked me to announce that she is having trouble sleeping and requests recordings of Pastor Rich’s sermons.
9. Scouts are saving aluminum cans, bottles and other items to be recycled. Proceeds will be used to cripple children.
10. The stewardship committee unveiled the church's new giving campaign slogan: "I Upped My Pledge--Now Up Yours."
11. 8 new choir robes are currently needed, due to the addition of several new members and to the deterioration of some older ones.
12. Please don't forget this year’s rummage sale. Ladies, It's a chance to get rid of those things not worth keeping around the house. Don't forget your husbands.
13. The confirmation class will be presenting a dramatic Passion Play this year during Lent. The congregation is invited to come and see this tragedy.
Clearly by this list of church bulletin bloopers there is often a difference between what is said and what is heard. In fact much of what we say often has multiple meanings. Our English language is filled with idioms and expressions that mean different things in different contexts. Take the expression “getting ahead”. We use this expression often in our language, but its meaning is dependent upon context? In a conversation about financial matters, this means trying to pay off credit cards, or put more money in a savings account. In a conversation about professional success it has to do with advancing one’s self to a higher place within the company. But, when used by a person behind the wheel of a car it means to pass a slower moving vehicle. Often what we say has multiple meanings, and each different meaning is contingent upon the context. Within the context, we understand quite clearly the meaning behind what is being said, but from the outside looking/listening in, the meaning can be lost or confused.
The church often times struggles with this contextual confusion as well. Within the context of the church, couched in the language and the teaching, we have little problem understanding the message behind the words that are spoken in worship. But, to a person who is not part of the church, this may not be the case. Take for instance the words, “Take and eat, this is my body given for you.” Historically there is evidence to believe that in the early formation of the church, Roman unbelievers made claims that those Christians are cannibals.
So, as we continue to live into the mission of being a church for people who have no church, we need to be mindful in this day of how people hear what we insiders are saying. But, this contextual understanding of things is not only for the language of worship. We might also want to be mindful of creating our own bulletin bloopers by assuming that newer members are aware of what is being announced. For instance; announcing an annual event with little explanation of what its for, or what’s expected from the volunteers leaves new people floundering to get involved because they do not have the needed insider information to translate the announcement.
Within the context, we understand quite clearly the message behind the words, but from outside the context we often can’t and this leads to confusion. This is true of God’s Word as well.
Jesus speaks God’s Word to a diverse crowd of people. Some came from Jerusalem [Jews], and some came from as far as Tyre and Sidon [Gentiles]. By Jesus’ message to them we can surmise that some were poor and hungry, while others were more affluent and well fed. Some were hated and excluded, while others were loved and received social praise. Some were grieving, while others were joyful. People of various different backgrounds, different religions, different stations in life. Of this motley crowd of different people, they all had one thing in common. Verse 18 says they all came to hear him and to be healed. And so, he spoke to them words of healing. To the poor, the hungry, the broken-hearted, the outcast his words were like salve on their wounded souls. "Blessed are you...," were his words of comfort. But to the affluent and well fed, the socially acceptable, and those currently experiencing joy, Jesus’ words would have sounded more like a bitter pill. "Woe to you...," were his words warning.
So that there is no confusion, even though Jesus delivers his message in two parts (blessings and woes) the Word of God remains the same. The message of both the blessings and woes is the same —God’s love is for all. Therefore, God will not tolerate the haves treating the have-nots poorly. Yet, it is also with love for all that Jesus' words are a warning to the haves. It has been said that God’s Word, when properly proclaimed, will do two things. It will comfort the afflicted, and afflict the comfortable. Our context changes the way we hear God's Word. If our context is one of affliction, then we hear the healing words of comfort in God's protection. If our context is one of comfort, then we hear the healing words of affliction that challenge us to remain faithful even in good times. Often the trouble with the church is that we all want to hear the comfort all the time, and we turn away when God's Word provokes us to a deeper faith in Him. We want to hear the tender merciful love in bad times, but we don't want to hear the tough love during good times. Those who heard God’s Word on that day with Jesus as comfort probably remained as Jesus’ disciples. But, I wonder, what of the people who heard it as affliction? Did they hear it all? Or, did they ignore Jesus call to change their ways? Did they change their ways and follow him onward? The text doesn’t tell us. But, what about you? What do you hear in Jesus' blessings and woes?
How do we hear God’s word? When we are in need, when we are threatened, when we are crying, when we are rejected, we hear God’s Word loud and clear. It comforts us, and we join the church, and we continue coming to church just as those who were in the crowd came to Jesus because they wanted to hear him and be healed. And we learn to believe and trust that whenever we are afflicted we can count on God to comfort us by His Word. In bad times, God’s Word is clear and we listen and we follow. But, what about when times are good, when we are comfortable? Do we hear God challenging us to grow in discipleship, to remain faithful, to change our ways so that others less fortunate may be blessed?
Fortunately, God’s Word comes to us in the life promised through the love of Jesus; a love revealed to us by the tough and tender mercy of the cross and resurrection. Such that all of us who believe and are baptized are given freely the promise of God’s eternal love. It's important for us to remember then, that no matter if it challenges us or comforts us, God’s Word for us is always one of God’s love and care for His chosen people. Like a mother or father to their children, there is time for tender merciful love, and a time for tough love.
Therefore, no matter if we hear God's blessing or God's woe for our current context we want to be listening and following. For God is our Father and creator, and with Him we find both protection and guidance. Without Him, we are left to negotiate through life by only our own measure of security. And, if your life is anything like mine, it's those times when you've tried to do life you're own way, that you've gotten into the deepest trouble.
I remember the person I once was. But, because of God’s love—both tough and tender— today I am thankful that I no longer recognize the person in those memories. I'll bet that you'd say the same thing too.
Words may mean different things to those who listen in from outside the context of the message, but to those of us within the context of this new covenant of Christ, the meaning of the words is quite clear. Therefore remain in relationship to God through Jesus, for God’s Word is not a blooper.
Let us pray…
Lord God, by your mercy keep us in relationship with you, that your Word would always be both our guide and comfort. Amen
Luke 6: 17-26
Opening:
Church Blooper Announcements [Best read by a leader from the church in the manner of making genuine announcements.]
1. The peacemaking meeting scheduled for today has been canceled due to a conflict.
2. Remember in prayer the many who are sick of our church.
3. For those of you who have children and don't know it, we have a nursery.
4. Tuesday at 4:00 PM there will be an ice cream social, featuring homemade ice-cream. All ladies giving milk will please come early.
5. With Easter Sunday approaching, we will be asking volunteers to come forward and lay eggs on the alter.
6. Next Sunday a special collection will be taken to defray the cost of new carpet. All those wishing to do something on the carpet please do so on your way out.
7. The ladies of the church have given up their clothing for this year’s fund raiser. Members of the church may get a sneak peek at them on the Friday prior to the event.
8. Sandy is still in the hospital. She asked me to announce that she is having trouble sleeping and requests recordings of Pastor Rich’s sermons.
9. Scouts are saving aluminum cans, bottles and other items to be recycled. Proceeds will be used to cripple children.
10. The stewardship committee unveiled the church's new giving campaign slogan: "I Upped My Pledge--Now Up Yours."
11. 8 new choir robes are currently needed, due to the addition of several new members and to the deterioration of some older ones.
12. Please don't forget this year’s rummage sale. Ladies, It's a chance to get rid of those things not worth keeping around the house. Don't forget your husbands.
13. The confirmation class will be presenting a dramatic Passion Play this year during Lent. The congregation is invited to come and see this tragedy.
Clearly by this list of church bulletin bloopers there is often a difference between what is said and what is heard. In fact much of what we say often has multiple meanings. Our English language is filled with idioms and expressions that mean different things in different contexts. Take the expression “getting ahead”. We use this expression often in our language, but its meaning is dependent upon context? In a conversation about financial matters, this means trying to pay off credit cards, or put more money in a savings account. In a conversation about professional success it has to do with advancing one’s self to a higher place within the company. But, when used by a person behind the wheel of a car it means to pass a slower moving vehicle. Often what we say has multiple meanings, and each different meaning is contingent upon the context. Within the context, we understand quite clearly the meaning behind what is being said, but from the outside looking/listening in, the meaning can be lost or confused.
The church often times struggles with this contextual confusion as well. Within the context of the church, couched in the language and the teaching, we have little problem understanding the message behind the words that are spoken in worship. But, to a person who is not part of the church, this may not be the case. Take for instance the words, “Take and eat, this is my body given for you.” Historically there is evidence to believe that in the early formation of the church, Roman unbelievers made claims that those Christians are cannibals.
So, as we continue to live into the mission of being a church for people who have no church, we need to be mindful in this day of how people hear what we insiders are saying. But, this contextual understanding of things is not only for the language of worship. We might also want to be mindful of creating our own bulletin bloopers by assuming that newer members are aware of what is being announced. For instance; announcing an annual event with little explanation of what its for, or what’s expected from the volunteers leaves new people floundering to get involved because they do not have the needed insider information to translate the announcement.
Within the context, we understand quite clearly the message behind the words, but from outside the context we often can’t and this leads to confusion. This is true of God’s Word as well.
Jesus speaks God’s Word to a diverse crowd of people. Some came from Jerusalem [Jews], and some came from as far as Tyre and Sidon [Gentiles]. By Jesus’ message to them we can surmise that some were poor and hungry, while others were more affluent and well fed. Some were hated and excluded, while others were loved and received social praise. Some were grieving, while others were joyful. People of various different backgrounds, different religions, different stations in life. Of this motley crowd of different people, they all had one thing in common. Verse 18 says they all came to hear him and to be healed. And so, he spoke to them words of healing. To the poor, the hungry, the broken-hearted, the outcast his words were like salve on their wounded souls. "Blessed are you...," were his words of comfort. But to the affluent and well fed, the socially acceptable, and those currently experiencing joy, Jesus’ words would have sounded more like a bitter pill. "Woe to you...," were his words warning.
So that there is no confusion, even though Jesus delivers his message in two parts (blessings and woes) the Word of God remains the same. The message of both the blessings and woes is the same —God’s love is for all. Therefore, God will not tolerate the haves treating the have-nots poorly. Yet, it is also with love for all that Jesus' words are a warning to the haves. It has been said that God’s Word, when properly proclaimed, will do two things. It will comfort the afflicted, and afflict the comfortable. Our context changes the way we hear God's Word. If our context is one of affliction, then we hear the healing words of comfort in God's protection. If our context is one of comfort, then we hear the healing words of affliction that challenge us to remain faithful even in good times. Often the trouble with the church is that we all want to hear the comfort all the time, and we turn away when God's Word provokes us to a deeper faith in Him. We want to hear the tender merciful love in bad times, but we don't want to hear the tough love during good times. Those who heard God’s Word on that day with Jesus as comfort probably remained as Jesus’ disciples. But, I wonder, what of the people who heard it as affliction? Did they hear it all? Or, did they ignore Jesus call to change their ways? Did they change their ways and follow him onward? The text doesn’t tell us. But, what about you? What do you hear in Jesus' blessings and woes?
How do we hear God’s word? When we are in need, when we are threatened, when we are crying, when we are rejected, we hear God’s Word loud and clear. It comforts us, and we join the church, and we continue coming to church just as those who were in the crowd came to Jesus because they wanted to hear him and be healed. And we learn to believe and trust that whenever we are afflicted we can count on God to comfort us by His Word. In bad times, God’s Word is clear and we listen and we follow. But, what about when times are good, when we are comfortable? Do we hear God challenging us to grow in discipleship, to remain faithful, to change our ways so that others less fortunate may be blessed?
Fortunately, God’s Word comes to us in the life promised through the love of Jesus; a love revealed to us by the tough and tender mercy of the cross and resurrection. Such that all of us who believe and are baptized are given freely the promise of God’s eternal love. It's important for us to remember then, that no matter if it challenges us or comforts us, God’s Word for us is always one of God’s love and care for His chosen people. Like a mother or father to their children, there is time for tender merciful love, and a time for tough love.
Therefore, no matter if we hear God's blessing or God's woe for our current context we want to be listening and following. For God is our Father and creator, and with Him we find both protection and guidance. Without Him, we are left to negotiate through life by only our own measure of security. And, if your life is anything like mine, it's those times when you've tried to do life you're own way, that you've gotten into the deepest trouble.
I remember the person I once was. But, because of God’s love—both tough and tender— today I am thankful that I no longer recognize the person in those memories. I'll bet that you'd say the same thing too.
Words may mean different things to those who listen in from outside the context of the message, but to those of us within the context of this new covenant of Christ, the meaning of the words is quite clear. Therefore remain in relationship to God through Jesus, for God’s Word is not a blooper.
Let us pray…
Lord God, by your mercy keep us in relationship with you, that your Word would always be both our guide and comfort. Amen
Monday, February 05, 2007
Sermon: February 4, 2007
“From Empty Nets to Fullness of Life”
Luke 5:1-11
It's funny what things you remember from your childhood. I remember a song that we kids would sing. It was a funny, yet pathetic song from someone who felt rejected and unappreciated. I don’t remember the whole song, but I do remember this one verse. “Nobody loves me, everybody hates me. I guess I’ll go eat worms.” Each verse would end the same: "I guess I'll go eat worms." I think most of us can identify with the mood of the song, if not the dietary oddity. Every one of us has times when we feel like a failure, or the frustration of burn-out at one time or another. On some occasions we don't know why we feel so defeated and unloved; but at times, nevertheless, we do feel that way.
One day Jesus came upon a group of burnt out, defeated men. He met them as they were going about their daily work—fishing. Only, this was a very bad day. They had fished all night and had caught nothing. Now, if you fish for fun, such a period is simply frustrating; but when it's your occupation, a night of empty nets is demoralizing. We say that misery loves company, so perhaps the pain was at least partly relieved by the fact that all three men were in the same boat—literally. Nevertheless, the misery was running very deep. Now it was morning, after a night of failure when Jesus, the rising young preacher, stepped into Simon's boat. "Put me out a bit from the land," he said to Simon; and from that position, Jesus began to teach the people. Now, here’s where it gets interesting. You see, there's no record of what Jesus said. Luke gives us no indication of just how inspiring this motivational preacher was that day. Nor is there any indication of how much attention these fishermen paid to Jesus' teaching. Its as if the lesson that Jesus was teaching was insignificant to the presence of Jesus among these weary fishermen. Because what we do know is that when Jesus had finished teaching he said to Simon, "Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch" It was really quite nervy of Jesus. What does he know about fishing? The words from the previous chapter in Luke echo here, “ Isn’t he the carpenter’s son?” Perhaps he sensed they were so defeated that they were ready for any kind of counsel, from anyone. Or, maybe there was something motivational about fishing in his message to the crowd that day. Whatever it was, Luke doesn’t tell us. Brilliantly, the author of this gospel leaves the door open for us to hear God’s call in our very own personal way. Most significantly, Luke puts the ultimate importance not upon any words of wisdom but on the presence of Jesus in Simon's boat.
Simon refused at first. "Master, we worked all night for nothing!" This is the language of someone who already feels so defeated and burned out that he doesn't want to submit himself to still another failure. But, and I do mean BUT, in the very next line, Simon says something that reveals to us that he was willing to give this Jesus a chance. Simon says to Jesus, “YET IF YOU SAY SO.” There it is—-there’s the moment when Simon ever so cautiously cracks open the door for God to fill up his emptiness with faith in Jesus. That one little statement, “Yet, if you say so” changes everything. Simon goes from saying NO to saying YES. And, ultimately from empty nets to the fullness of life. It's only a little crack of faith that is all Jesus needs in Simon’s life, and in ours. So they threw out the nets from Simon's boat and hauled in a catch of fish so great that the load filled two boats full.
One little crack of faith changes everything. He could’ve said, “No, we’re tired. No, I don’t want to be disappointed again. No! He could have said NO—-But he didn’t. He gave faith a chance. And in doing so, he gave Jesus a chance.
How often do you give faith a chance?
Simon gave faith a chance and a night of failure and burnout was turned to success—greater success than they had ever known. But, if this was where the story ended, it would be a story about a rather inconsequential little miracle. It might feed our desire for a message of personal success, but it would not be worthy of being called the Word of God. Simon Peter, having cracked the door open for Jesus ever so slightly, saw more than just a miraculous catch of fish. He saw the God behind the miracle. He saw God behind the blessing of the catch. And, instead of responding with the cheers of a winner, he falls at Jesus' feet and begs, "Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!" At first glance, that seems an unlikely reaction to a moment of success. That would be like watching the winner of the Superbowl refuse the trophy because they feel unworthy of the gift. But its not the success that Simon sees. In Simon's moment of financial and occupational glory he catches a glimpse of God behind the blessing. he knows that this was God's blessing, God's glory, not his. He knows that such a catch , this dramatic catch, is a blessing that is unworthy of any praise of human accomplishment. This blessing was not of his talent or skill, this was of God. He knows, that his moment of cracking the door open has now brought him face to face with the awesome power of God. And, the one commanding the power of God is standing right there in front of him. This catch was not his to claim. It was God's--and firthermore, this God had now revealed Simon's weakness and unappreciation of God's many blessings to Simon.
So, Simon sees the God behind the miraculous catch of fish and he falls to his knees begging for Jesus to go away from him because he’s a sinful man. Simon, like us when we encounter the miraculous work of God, realized his human limitations—his sinful self, and was convinced that God would want nothing of this fisherman. Surely, this failure of a fisherman would be unworthy of God, But, Jesus responds with just the reassurance that Simon needed. Jesus says, “Don’t be afraid. From now on you will be catching people.” In other words, “Don’t be afraid, God needs you.”
Simon, the pathetic fisherman, was wanted and needed by the Master.
One day, one moment in time, when Simon Peter was defeated and burned out, he cracked the door of faith open just a little, and what he saw behind that door was not just a miracle of fish catching, he saw the face of God, and realized that God had been there in his boat all that time. He realized that he not believed, that he had been sceptical, that he had been behaving as someone who is unworthy of God. But, now this Jesus had revealed the love of God to him. His empty nets of frustration were gone. His new life was now filled with the work that his Lord and master would ask of him. The enormous catch of fish was not of his doing, nor was it his to claim. So, when Jesus set off in a direction other than the claim of the fish, Simon followed leaving the catch behind.
You know, I like to say, there are two kinds of work that we all do. There is good work and there is bad work. The bad work is the stuff we do because we have to. This work leaves us tired, frustrated, and burnt out. But, good work is when we do the stuff that God wants us to do. This work leaves us rejuvenated, refreshed and ready to go some more even when we are tired. The bad work is of our own doing. Becasue the only thing we see, or are in pursuit of, by doing it is our personal gain or success. In our world it is not realistic for any of us to stop doing these things. Often these are the things that pay the bills, and provide for our families. Please do not hear God asking you to leave behind. However, there are lots of things we do that are in the periphery. There are many things we do that contribute to our burnout. These things can and ought to be left on the seashore. Now, at the same time, there is God's work (good work)that we do not do. And so, we get off balance. We do all of this stuff that drains us day after day, and we get into these unhealthy routines. Meanwhile, we don't do the things that have the potential to rejuvenate us in God's grace.
But, we don’t do what God asks of us if we don’t let our hearts crack open the door for faith at least a little. When we hear our Lord invite us, we need to say, possibly just as cautiously as Simon, “Ok, if you say so.”
God has great things He wants to accomplish with us. An exciting new life awaits us. The trouble with our sinfulness is that we’re always assuming we can do this thing called life better than God. God wants to share our lives with us, and we abandon Him in our disbelief. God loves us eternally, promises heaven to us, and we turn our backs on him. Luther once wrote, "Lord I believe. Save me from my unbelief." You know, if there’s anyone who truly has a reason to sing that song about worms and claim, "...nobody loves me,"—-its God.
But, God doesn't mope about singing this song.
He sends his son Jesus to give us a song of praise and thanks. Because of Jesus, we know that God will never give up on us. God will never stop pursuing us. God will never stop trying to woo us into His arms. Jesus reveals to us a God who loves us and is always with us.
Like Simon, let us crack open the door of faith to be able to see God's love for us behind the many blessings in our lives.
Let us pray…
Lord God, we thank you for making us who we are, as we are. We thank you for giving us your good work, and for reviving our souls with the love that never fails. Help us in all that we do to see you behind the blessings. And, send us to others who feel unworthy, and empty that we might share your promise of the fullness of life.
Amen
Luke 5:1-11
It's funny what things you remember from your childhood. I remember a song that we kids would sing. It was a funny, yet pathetic song from someone who felt rejected and unappreciated. I don’t remember the whole song, but I do remember this one verse. “Nobody loves me, everybody hates me. I guess I’ll go eat worms.” Each verse would end the same: "I guess I'll go eat worms." I think most of us can identify with the mood of the song, if not the dietary oddity. Every one of us has times when we feel like a failure, or the frustration of burn-out at one time or another. On some occasions we don't know why we feel so defeated and unloved; but at times, nevertheless, we do feel that way.
One day Jesus came upon a group of burnt out, defeated men. He met them as they were going about their daily work—fishing. Only, this was a very bad day. They had fished all night and had caught nothing. Now, if you fish for fun, such a period is simply frustrating; but when it's your occupation, a night of empty nets is demoralizing. We say that misery loves company, so perhaps the pain was at least partly relieved by the fact that all three men were in the same boat—literally. Nevertheless, the misery was running very deep. Now it was morning, after a night of failure when Jesus, the rising young preacher, stepped into Simon's boat. "Put me out a bit from the land," he said to Simon; and from that position, Jesus began to teach the people. Now, here’s where it gets interesting. You see, there's no record of what Jesus said. Luke gives us no indication of just how inspiring this motivational preacher was that day. Nor is there any indication of how much attention these fishermen paid to Jesus' teaching. Its as if the lesson that Jesus was teaching was insignificant to the presence of Jesus among these weary fishermen. Because what we do know is that when Jesus had finished teaching he said to Simon, "Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch" It was really quite nervy of Jesus. What does he know about fishing? The words from the previous chapter in Luke echo here, “ Isn’t he the carpenter’s son?” Perhaps he sensed they were so defeated that they were ready for any kind of counsel, from anyone. Or, maybe there was something motivational about fishing in his message to the crowd that day. Whatever it was, Luke doesn’t tell us. Brilliantly, the author of this gospel leaves the door open for us to hear God’s call in our very own personal way. Most significantly, Luke puts the ultimate importance not upon any words of wisdom but on the presence of Jesus in Simon's boat.
Simon refused at first. "Master, we worked all night for nothing!" This is the language of someone who already feels so defeated and burned out that he doesn't want to submit himself to still another failure. But, and I do mean BUT, in the very next line, Simon says something that reveals to us that he was willing to give this Jesus a chance. Simon says to Jesus, “YET IF YOU SAY SO.” There it is—-there’s the moment when Simon ever so cautiously cracks open the door for God to fill up his emptiness with faith in Jesus. That one little statement, “Yet, if you say so” changes everything. Simon goes from saying NO to saying YES. And, ultimately from empty nets to the fullness of life. It's only a little crack of faith that is all Jesus needs in Simon’s life, and in ours. So they threw out the nets from Simon's boat and hauled in a catch of fish so great that the load filled two boats full.
One little crack of faith changes everything. He could’ve said, “No, we’re tired. No, I don’t want to be disappointed again. No! He could have said NO—-But he didn’t. He gave faith a chance. And in doing so, he gave Jesus a chance.
How often do you give faith a chance?
Simon gave faith a chance and a night of failure and burnout was turned to success—greater success than they had ever known. But, if this was where the story ended, it would be a story about a rather inconsequential little miracle. It might feed our desire for a message of personal success, but it would not be worthy of being called the Word of God. Simon Peter, having cracked the door open for Jesus ever so slightly, saw more than just a miraculous catch of fish. He saw the God behind the miracle. He saw God behind the blessing of the catch. And, instead of responding with the cheers of a winner, he falls at Jesus' feet and begs, "Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man!" At first glance, that seems an unlikely reaction to a moment of success. That would be like watching the winner of the Superbowl refuse the trophy because they feel unworthy of the gift. But its not the success that Simon sees. In Simon's moment of financial and occupational glory he catches a glimpse of God behind the blessing. he knows that this was God's blessing, God's glory, not his. He knows that such a catch , this dramatic catch, is a blessing that is unworthy of any praise of human accomplishment. This blessing was not of his talent or skill, this was of God. He knows, that his moment of cracking the door open has now brought him face to face with the awesome power of God. And, the one commanding the power of God is standing right there in front of him. This catch was not his to claim. It was God's--and firthermore, this God had now revealed Simon's weakness and unappreciation of God's many blessings to Simon.
So, Simon sees the God behind the miraculous catch of fish and he falls to his knees begging for Jesus to go away from him because he’s a sinful man. Simon, like us when we encounter the miraculous work of God, realized his human limitations—his sinful self, and was convinced that God would want nothing of this fisherman. Surely, this failure of a fisherman would be unworthy of God, But, Jesus responds with just the reassurance that Simon needed. Jesus says, “Don’t be afraid. From now on you will be catching people.” In other words, “Don’t be afraid, God needs you.”
Simon, the pathetic fisherman, was wanted and needed by the Master.
One day, one moment in time, when Simon Peter was defeated and burned out, he cracked the door of faith open just a little, and what he saw behind that door was not just a miracle of fish catching, he saw the face of God, and realized that God had been there in his boat all that time. He realized that he not believed, that he had been sceptical, that he had been behaving as someone who is unworthy of God. But, now this Jesus had revealed the love of God to him. His empty nets of frustration were gone. His new life was now filled with the work that his Lord and master would ask of him. The enormous catch of fish was not of his doing, nor was it his to claim. So, when Jesus set off in a direction other than the claim of the fish, Simon followed leaving the catch behind.
You know, I like to say, there are two kinds of work that we all do. There is good work and there is bad work. The bad work is the stuff we do because we have to. This work leaves us tired, frustrated, and burnt out. But, good work is when we do the stuff that God wants us to do. This work leaves us rejuvenated, refreshed and ready to go some more even when we are tired. The bad work is of our own doing. Becasue the only thing we see, or are in pursuit of, by doing it is our personal gain or success. In our world it is not realistic for any of us to stop doing these things. Often these are the things that pay the bills, and provide for our families. Please do not hear God asking you to leave behind. However, there are lots of things we do that are in the periphery. There are many things we do that contribute to our burnout. These things can and ought to be left on the seashore. Now, at the same time, there is God's work (good work)that we do not do. And so, we get off balance. We do all of this stuff that drains us day after day, and we get into these unhealthy routines. Meanwhile, we don't do the things that have the potential to rejuvenate us in God's grace.
But, we don’t do what God asks of us if we don’t let our hearts crack open the door for faith at least a little. When we hear our Lord invite us, we need to say, possibly just as cautiously as Simon, “Ok, if you say so.”
God has great things He wants to accomplish with us. An exciting new life awaits us. The trouble with our sinfulness is that we’re always assuming we can do this thing called life better than God. God wants to share our lives with us, and we abandon Him in our disbelief. God loves us eternally, promises heaven to us, and we turn our backs on him. Luther once wrote, "Lord I believe. Save me from my unbelief." You know, if there’s anyone who truly has a reason to sing that song about worms and claim, "...nobody loves me,"—-its God.
But, God doesn't mope about singing this song.
He sends his son Jesus to give us a song of praise and thanks. Because of Jesus, we know that God will never give up on us. God will never stop pursuing us. God will never stop trying to woo us into His arms. Jesus reveals to us a God who loves us and is always with us.
Like Simon, let us crack open the door of faith to be able to see God's love for us behind the many blessings in our lives.
Let us pray…
Lord God, we thank you for making us who we are, as we are. We thank you for giving us your good work, and for reviving our souls with the love that never fails. Help us in all that we do to see you behind the blessings. And, send us to others who feel unworthy, and empty that we might share your promise of the fullness of life.
Amen
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Pastor Rich
