For years I thought it was a sports company because it often shares space with more outdoorsy stickers - like guns, hunting, and dirt bikes. While sitting in traffic I Googled the sticker. I was shocked to learn all my assumptions were 100 percent…wrong.
First of all, as it turns out, it’s N-“O”-T-W. And second, it does not represent a sporting goods company or an underground militia, but an evangelical movement based on something Jesus says in John 17. And now I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one....But now I am coming to you, and I speak these things in the world so that they may have my joy made complete in themselves. I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. I am not asking you to take them out of the world, but I ask you to protect them from the evil one. They do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you have sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world...The glory that you have given me I have given them, so that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become completely one, so that the world may know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. - John 17:11-23 -
On the eve of his death, Jesus goes to pray alone for his followers, asking God to give them what they will need to continue his ministry. He prays for their joy, protection, sanctification, and unification.
Hidden in the middle he prays, “they are not of this world, just as I am not of this world.” As I have said before, Jesus knows the burdens of being human. He knows what we’re capable of – both positive and negative. He also knows that although we belong to God, we also have to live in a not-so divine world. The way we live in this space between this paradox is to pay close attention to what Jesus says. You might recall, he begins his ministry calling us to repent, to change the way we do things. With himself as an example, Jesus shows us how let go of our old ways of thinking and doing things. He shows us how to embrace God’s radical, inclusive love as our way to be in the world, without being of, or like, a world that often limits on who gets or deserves it. Which brings me back to what those stickers mean. NOTW is an acronym for “Not of this world.” It was created for a particular evangelical mindset that tends to focus more on the afterlife, and less on this life. James Lull wrote this scathing review of the sticker saying: “[This] subculture of religious fanatics takes it upon themselves to announce to commoners like us they are just a bit too good for life on Earth. They’re going to heaven. And you probably are not. Meanwhile, many of the rest of us poor souls are doing our best to make things better right here “In this World.” I did not add this quote to belittle our Christian brothers and sisters but to point out how others see or understand Christianity. And our role in it. Like I’ve said before, Jesus’ main goal isn’t to get us into heaven but to get heaven into us. He doesn’t pray to God to take us away from the world but to send us out into the world. In fact, the last thing Jesus says to his Apostles is “Go to the furthest corners and make more disciples by showing them what I taught you” (Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 1:8). Everyone who chooses to follow Christ plays an important role on this side of eternity. According to scripture, we are to be imitators of Christ, ambassadors of the Gospel, and visible manifestations of God’s radical love and grace. We are God’s bumper stickers! Which begs the question, what does yours say?
w 6Many years ago in seminary, I had a professor who came into class a few minutes late. She was steaming mad because someone had cut her off in traffic, almost causing her to crash into another car.
When she instinctively honked, the person who cut her off - flipped her off. But it wasn’t the rudeness that upset her the most. It was the sticker on the back of this person’s car. A parking decal for Fuller Seminary! She reminded our class how a simple symbol like that can speak volumes about one’s faith. “If this were the only thing people knew about Jesus,” she asked. “Would they see him as kind, like he was? Or as a rude jerk like that driver made him out to be?” Now, I have an Anamesa license plate frame on my car that says Love God, Love Others, Serve Both. What message would it send if I had a sticker next to it that said, “Guns don’t kill people. I do.” Let’s face it, every Christian alive today is “of” this world. The same world Jesus is a part of. We share this space with both the faithful and the faithless alike. People are watching us as closely as they watched him -confronting conventional wisdom and countering the status quo. While a bumper sticker won’t make a huge impact here, we can. As David Mathis argues, “Being ‘not of the world’ isn’t the destination, it's the starting place.” Jesus sends us out into the world to be “salt of the earth kind of people.” He tells us to be folks “whose light cannot be hidden” (Matthew 5:13-16). The Sermon on the Mount offers a very comprehensive list on how to be just that. In it Jesus calls us to hunger and thirst for righteousness. To be merciful, pure, meek, and humble. And to seek reconciliation and peace, without judgement. Although Jesus tells us, “You are blessed when you are persecuted for living this way” (Matthew 5:10) promises us, “The kingdom of heaven will be ours,” living like he expects us to live is not without its challenges. It’s not enough to put a fish sticker on window and drive around town. We must represent what that symbol stands for in every space we enter. Jesus spends his entire life cultivating a kingdom way of living. And he expects us to do the same. He tells us to, “Seek first the kingdom of God. And everything else will fall into place” (Matthew 6:33). Faith is an action, not a noun. It is a call to follow the Way of Jesus, even if it gets us killed. Jesus says, “I did not come to be served, but to serve” (Mark 10: 45). He shows us what that means when he feeds the hungry, heals the sick, and welcomes the stranger. Jesus doesn’t want us to escape the world. He wants us to engage with it, like he did, with our sights set on the kingdom he ushered in. The American Trappist monk, Thomas Merton wrote, “Our job is to love others without stopping to inquire whether or not they are worthy for love itself will render both ourselves and our neighbors worthy.” Jesus says it like this, “Love one another so the world will know you belong to me” (John 13:35). But is that what our bumper stickers are saying? Do our actions reflect his love? What we need to remember is that every encounter we have in this world is an opportunity for us to reveal who Jesus is and why he came to be with us. He is the perfect manifestation of God’s glory made flesh. Through him, we get a foretaste of heaven, here and now. If our focus is only on getting ourselves through the pearly gates, then what does that say about our relationship to Jesus? Or the fact that he says, “Not everyone who says ‘Lord, Lord’ will enter the kingdom” (Matthew 7:21). In fact, Jesus is very clear about what it takes to get in. Engagement, participation, shining his light and love in this space, here and now. It's the way we feed, clothe, heal, welcome, and forgive others that matters, “for the measure you use will be measured to you” (Matthew 7:2). Jesus doesn’t mince his words when he reminds us to care for those who cry out for mercy and help. He says, “What you do to the least of these, you do also to me” (Matthew 25:40-45). What we do today matters for tomorrow. We can’t lose sight of the shit Jesus says because people are watching his church closely looking to see how we actually interact with society. Are we helping or harming? Reaching out to others, or closing ourselves off? Are we placing terms and conditions on God’s radial love grace or giving it away unconditionally? From our ire that gets us going, to our votes we cast, to the way we engage with our enemy, to the social policies we support, we must constantly ask ourselves if our words and deeds are building up his kingdom, or helping to tear it down? In the first century, St. Ignatius of Antioch preached to the early church saying, “It is right, therefore, that we not just be called Christians, but that we actually be Christians.” We are God’s beloved - bumper stickers for the kingdom of heaven. Our uniqueness is our strength, not a barrier to cultural engagement. By building relationships, serving our communities, and demonstrating Christ-like love to all people, no matter who they are, where they’re from, or what they believe Jesus says we “will have peace” (John 16:33). As we stand with Jesus in this paradox, in the space between this world and God’s, let us remember the encouraging words of Henri Nouwen who wrote: “We can really be in the world, involved in the world, and actively engaged in the world precisely because we do not belong to it. Because our home is in God, we can be in the world, and speak words of healing, of confrontation, of invitation, and of challenge.” Because we belong to God, we can go out into the world today with confidence, transforming hearts from the inside out as agents of God’s love, justice, and compassion. Let us go, holding fast to the words of Jesus who says, “In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). Work Cited Lull, James. Not Of This World. jameslull.com Mathis, David. Let’s Revise the Popular Phrase “In but not Of the World. August 29, 2012, desiringgod.org. Nouwen, Henri. You Are The Beloved. (Convergent, 2017).
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Originally, it was placed on the lot next door but in 1940, it was moved a hundred yards back to the space it occupies now. Then, in the summer of ‘53, the house was lifted up to make room for a basement. And after that it was bolted to the foundation, refusing to be budged in spite of the numerous earthquakes that have tried.
We’ve lived in this house for over twenty years, with plenty of movement of our own. Although it seems like an endless cycle of patching, painting, pruning, and plumbing (which frustrates me to no end), this is more than just a dwelling place. It’s home. Our hearts are here. Our roots are here. But I know this won’t last forever. One day we all will move on. The house included. This old place of ours is a great and humble reminder that the only thing that can weather time is God, whose providence and provision are the very foundations of life. As the psalmist writes, “Lord, you are my rock and my redeemer.” Knowing this, Jesus tells us a wise person is someone who builds their house upon this rock. Having a strong foundation is key to keeping your house in shape, and your life in order. Once again, as we find ourselves in the midst of division and chaos, let us remember the words of Jesus who says, “do not let your hearts be troubled…for God has built a house for you.” He shows us how to build a life with God here and throughout eternity. With God as our true foundation, we can face life’s uncertainty knowing wherever God is, we are always home. For God is our rock. “And upon this rock I will build my church” says Jesus. “And not even the gates of hell will prevail against it.”
Whether we like it or not…AI is the new way forward. For some, that’s a good thing. For others, it’s terrifying. Of course, people had the same reaction when the telegraph came out. They feared it would destroy privacy, and its wires would attract lightning. People were also afraid of the printing press, electricity, vaccines, and the computer.
As we’ve been learning, people also were afraid at some of the shit Jesus says. Not only did his new way threatened conventional wisdom, but it also terrified the status quo. Like AI, Jesus came to advanced humanity forward. Much of what he said was met with resistance to the change. As we will see, Jesus has a thing to say about that.
I have this vivid childhood memory of stomping on grapes in the bathtub with my mom. I can’t remember which house we did this in, but I recall the laughter we shred squishing grapes between our toes. I don’t know if it was the way the wine was crafted, or the fact that it was stored in recycled 7-UP bottles, but mom’s little experiment didn’t go as planned. The buildup of fermented gas caused some of the bottles to explode. While others brewed a beautiful bouquet of biohazard waste. Still, kudos to my mom for stepping out of her comfort zone to try something new. Jesus wasn’t shy about doing things in a new way. Even if it meant breaking a few rules. Had we read the entire story, we’d see that Jesus and his crew disregard social taboos to dine with some notorious scallywags. When the religious elites see this, they go after him; using the law to defend their judgement. But Jesus isn’t having any of that. He knows the law, and he also knows their hearts. When they question why his disciples don’t pray and fast like they do, Jesus gives them a very simple, easy to understand answer. He says, “no one puts new wine into old wineskins.” On the surface it seems like Jesus is dismissing his critics and even disregarding the law that God had given to be obeyed. As we’ve been learning, Jesus isn’t throwing the law out. He’s merely placing love and grace above it. That was his yoke, his teaching, like we talked about last week. Jesus is less concerned with external compliance and more about internal transformation - the kind that leads a person to a new understanding of oneself in relationship to God and others. For those of us who are used to drinking wine from a bottle that has been aged in oak barrels, we have to remember that in the 1st century wine was produced in vessels made from animal hides. They used this method because the skins could stretch and expand as gas was produced during the fermentation process. Old wineskins were already stretched to their limit. They couldn’t handle the new wine without exploding…damaging both the wine and the vessels. In this metaphor, Jesus is saying the Pharisee’s way is like old wine skin. Their demand for strict obedience to the law can’t hold the new wine of Christ which is love and grace. When asked what the greatest law is, remember what Jesus says? Love God and love others, because love is what “all the laws and prophets hang on” (Matthew 22:35-40). Jesus knows the scriptures. He knows the laws and what the prophets say. He also knows that some people like the Pharisees look at outward appearance, but that God looks at the heart. Jesus says, “It’s not what goes into a person’s mouth that defiles them, but what comes out” (Matthew 15:11). Our hate, anger, judgment, and violence all stem from the heart. The new way of Jesus is a radical departure from the old. One that transforms us from the inside out. You might recall Jesus begins his ministry calling us to repent, to change the way we think and do things. This requires a new framework and mindset. A new way of living, doing and being. The old way will not be able to contain or hold it without destroying both. Richard Rohr says, “God keeps creating things from the inside out, so they are forever yearning, developing, growing, and changing for the good. To fight transformative and evolutionary thinking is to fight the very core concept of faith.” To say it another way, you can’t follow Jesus faithfully and remain the same person. It’s impossible. I know this because back in 2017, when I reluctantly agreed to start a new church in our backyard, I was more like the Pharisees than Jesus. I was holding on to the old traditions that I knew to be church. For two long, depressing years, I struggle to set roots muchless good ones. I felt like a failure. I questioned my faith and doubted my calling. I constantly fretted over church growth and got angry when no one showed up. The more people questioned the authenticity of what I was doing, telling me this wasn’t a real church, the more I dug deeper into the old traditions to prove them wrong. I can’t tell you how many times I quit. The burden was too much to bear. Then, in 2019, I voiced my frustrations to a wonderful Kenyan missionary named Geoffrey Lipale who gently said, “Jesus was very clear. New wine belongs in new wine skin.” That’s when everything just clicked on. As it turned out, the thing I thought was a curse from God was actually a great gift I had been given. A blank slate to come up with a new paradigm to live out the gospel in real time. Instead of trying to replicate traditional church models, Jesus freed me to create a new way to meet the needs and challenges of this unique community. Rohr is right. Faith isn’t supposed to be stagnant. It should always be growing and evolving because God is alive and moving within us. We must always be searching for new ways to reveal God in the space between meeting today’s needs with love. And embracing tomorrow’s opportunities with grace and joy. Just as new wine continues to ferment and change, our faith must be dynamic, ever-deepening, and expanding. The same is true for the church as a whole. We have to be flexible and open to change as the Holy Spirit moves us to be living, thriving, creative laboratories of God’s inclusive and life-giving love. I used to worry about our small size, but now I think it’s one of our greatest strengths. Our size allows us to cultivate deep, authentic relationships, both in person and online. We not only know everyone’s name, but we also know who needs prayer, or a meal, or some extra encouragement to get through a difficult season. Thanks to having a congregation that’s spread all over the country, we can share the gospel to more communities and people in all the unique ways we love God, love others, and serve both. Just as AI is changing and transforming industries, Jesus challenges us to transform our hearts and communities with the new wine of God’s love and grace. Jesus knows the Pharisees are good religion scholars. “They know the law,” He says but they “don’t take it in their hearts and live it out in their behavior” (Matthew.23:3, MSG). One great way we can do that is doing what he says, “love one another as I have loved you” (John 13:34). And "If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love" (John 15:10). It’s in the way we love that we reveal the true spirit of the law. And reveal his truth to a world in dire need of it. Despite the fact Jesus constantly faces criticism and pushback he always stands on the side of love. Love is the new wine, and our hearts are the new wine skins. No matter how big or small we are, we are still his church. Which makes us vessels of his love. Here’s the thing, it’s his wine, not ours. He doesn’t store it in us for safe keeping but gives it to us to share. I know a lot of people who collect wine. And on special occasions they will uncork a bottle or two for us to enjoy. Jesus sees every day as a special occasion. And he wants us to share his wine not just with friends but with those who despise us. The world is thirsty for what he has to offer. Jesus sends us out into the world to uncork God’s love and to pour it out generously, so no one is without. We are sent into Anamesa, knowing that every interaction and relationship we have is an opportunity to offer his new wine. This is what church is all about loving people out there, whether or not they come in here. Jesus says, “if you love me, you will tend to my sheep” (John 21:15-17). We are given today to do just that. Let us go and build upon our rich history by living out the gospel in new and life-giving ways so everyone we meet can become intoxicated with Christ, who took a cup of wine and said, “This is the blood of the new covenant poured out for all for the forgiveness of sins. Every time you drink of this cup, you do so in remembrance of me” (Matthew 26:28).
My dad always jokes, “At my age, happy hour is a nap.” That’s some good advice. Rest is key to good health. It can reduce stress, inflammation, and heart disease. And can restore mental energy and creativity. In fact, as a recent study has proven, people who nap tend to live longer than those who don’t.
Out of the nearly 700 laws found in Torah, taking a day of rest made the top ten. At least once a week, God expects us to stop doing stuff so we can enjoy the fruits of our labor. Have we forgotten the lessons we learned four years ago when the world shut down? If it weren’t for holiday weekends like this one, would we ever stop to catch our breath? Are you feeling burnt out on life? Are you worn out from the endless cycle of bad news streaming around the clock? Fatigued from the political divisiveness in our country and around the world? Are you tired of struggling to keep your head above water just to exist? If so, then listen carefully to what Jesus has say. “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30
Jesus knows how exhausting it is to be human. He knows what hard labor feels like to tired muscles. And what doubt and anguish can do to a person’s well-being. Jesus knows what we’re dealing with. He’s been there, done that.
In this passage, Jesus notices and addresses the weariness of those around him. He names their spiritual state without any adding any judgment or shame. He says to them, "Come to me. Bring me your burdens.” As we’ve been learning, Jesus says some good shit. Sometimes it can sound too good to be true. The demands of work, family, and even our own expectations, can overwhelm any one of us. We hardly have time to rest muchless deal with these things that are weighing us down. Jesus says, “Come, give them to me.” It’s like he’s saying, “Life is hard enough without having to carry around extra burdens.” Think about all the crap you carry with you. It could be your job, your love life, your social capitol. Maybe it’s just the stress of everyday life; keeping the house in order – or the family from falling apart. Perhaps you’re carrying shame and guilt over something you did. Or something you did not do when you should have. Maybe the burden is something that happened which you have buried deep down inside. Joshua Bowron writes, “Each of us is dealing with something, or a whole litany of somethings, that if we all had to wear them outwardly, I daresay we’d have a much more compassionate world.” So why do we hide our burdens, pretending they don’t exist? When someone asks how are you doing, do you tell them the truth? Which is why Jesus’ words still speak to us today. Jesus does not say, “hide your problems.” He says, “bring them to me and I will give you rest.” Jesus is not offering a soft pillow to lay our heads down on, he’s offering us God’s own heart - a welcoming sanctuary to let it all go, without judgement or shame. While the world might offer us a long weekend here and there, Jesus is offering us true rest for our weary souls; a profound sense of eternal peace that comes from knowing we are with God… being loved and cared for. In John’s gospel Jesus says, “I have come as a light in the world so that anyone who believes in me no longer remains in the darkness” (John 12:46). In his light, our deepest pain, our darkest secrets, our heaviest burdens are not only exposed for what they are…but are also redeemed back into God’s glory. As I’ve said before, Jesus is always inviting us to experience a deeper, more meaningful relationship with God and one another one that changes us from the inside out. If you ask me, real spiritual transformation begins by setting our eyes upon the one who says, “Take my yoke. Learn from me.” In ancient Judaism, a yoke is not the yellow blob inside an egg. Nor is it that heavy, wooden contraption that hangs over the necks of oxen. It was a rabbi’s way of interpreting Torah for his students to make it applicable to life. Different rabbis had different yokes; each with a different set of rules of what you can and cannot do. Jesus knows how strict adherence to a rabbi’s yoke can be overwhelming. The pressure it puts on a person can be burdensome…and lead to spiritual and mental exhaustion. Jesus offers a radical alternative. One that is counter-cultural to his contemporaries. He describes his yoke as, “easy” and the burden is “light.” But it’s not so much the ease of his teachings that gets people’s attention. It seems wherever Jesus speaks, “the people listening are astounded, for he taught them as one having authority, unlike the scribes” (Matthew 7:28-29). Despite what many of the scribes and Pharisees are saying about him, Jesus is not out to undermine or shame them or make them look bad. His goal is to “uphold the laws and prophets” to a standard that goes above conventional wisdom. And beyond a call for strict obedience. Anyone can memorize anything to pass a class. But Jesus always emphasizes the reason why the law was given in the first place. He often reminds his accusers that, “The Sabbath law was made for humankind" and not the other way around (Mark 2:27). In his Sermon on the Mount, Jesus says, “You have heard it said don’t murder, but I’m telling you don’t even get angry with someone” (Matthew 5:21). He knows obedience to the law does not stop you from getting pissed-off at someone. But your love for God and neighbor can. Jesus teaches us to “love your enemy” (Matthew 5:43-44) in the same way God loves you. Jesuus knows love is the only thing that can stop hate…or turn an enemy into a friend. While other rabbis were teaching an “eye-for-an-eye” retaliatory justice, Jesus says, “Don’t give into evil, but instead turn the other cheek" (Matthew 5:38-39). He has seen what retaliation can do to a person or community. Example after example, we see how his yoke breaks the vicious cycles of violence, retaliation, anger, lust and so on. He tells his followers, “There’s no time for this tit-for-tat stuff. Just go and live graciously and generously.” Studying God’s laws isn’t going to cut it. We have to embody the Spirit of each one with every fiber of our being. Jesus says, “If your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light” (Luke 11:34-36). Here’s the thing to remember, the yoke of Jesus is grounded on love and grace, and not strict obedience to a bunch of religious rituals and laws. His way is relational – where acts of kindness, forgiveness, mercy, and justice shape all our actions and interactions. Like Jesus will remind his students, “A disciple is not above the teacher it is enough for the disciple to be like the teacher…” (Matthew 10:24-25a). If you are going to take Christ’s name than you have to embrace his way of living out God’s love with others so serving both is no longer a burden. Because at the end of the day, Jesus doesn’t want people to just be woke. He needs people who will continue the work he began – to awaken the world to the injustice and inequality that is suffocating and harming others; including laws that keep certain people from thriving in God’s glory. To accept Jesus’ invitation, is to extend God’s radical and redemptive love to everyone, without conditions, judgment, or adding more burdens. His yoke is a compassionate heart that frees you to love that person who annoys you. Or to welcome back that estranged friend you blocked on Facebook. By embracing Jesus’ yoke, we begin to see everyone like he does. It’s in this space the words of Jesus ring true, “You will find rest for your souls.” Contrary to how it sounds, this rest isn’t about doing less. It’s about being more. Being more present to God's love. Being more attuned to the rhythms of God’s grace. And being more rooted in life as God’s beloved child. Just as a good teacher can inspire you to live up to your potential, our Lord tells us, we will go on to do greater things than him (John 14:12). His is an invitation to not only live into our potential but to thrive throughout eternity. On this day of sabbath rest, I encourage you to free yourself from everything that’s weighing you down – any shame, guilt, or past mistakes you have made. And accept the invitation of our gentle and humble Lord who calls out to us to embrace a life of love and service. His yoke is easy. His burden is light. And in him we find rest for our weary, worn-out souls. Work Cited: Adapted from Come…Find Rest. July 5, 2020. jesusnotjesus.org Bartlett, David L. and Barbara Brown Taylor, eds. Feasting on the Word Year A, Vol. 3. Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 2011 Bowron, Joshua. Taking on Jesus' Yoke. 07 09, 2017. episcopalchurch.org (accessed on 07 03 2024) Pagano, Joseph S. Come To Me. 06 29, 2020. episcopalchurch.org (accessed 07 03, 2020).
On his way towards Jerusalem, Jesus has a brief encounter with three people seeking to be his disciples. The first one swears to follow him wherever he goes. The second one, whom Jesus invites to tag along, has to attend his father’s funeral first. And the third, simply wants to say goodbye to his wife and kids before he leaves.
Such simple responses and requests, right? So why does it seem Jesus is being dismissive to these would-be disciples? It’s not like him to be so disparaging. He must be doing something else. As we’ve been discussing this past month, Jesus isn’t about dissing us, or shaming us. He wants to transform us and empower us for doing the work of the kingdom. I think he says some weird shit like this to awaken and shake us from our slumber. Most of what is spoken from Jesus is said to challenge and change our perspective, and how we see ourselves in relationship to God and one another. In his book Practicing the Way, John Mark Comer writes, “For Jesus, salvation is less about getting you into heaven and more about getting heaven into you. It's not just about Him becoming like us but also about us becoming like Him. It's less of a transaction and more of a transformation.” In other words, how we follow is just as important as who we follow because both have eternal consequences. Now, imagine Jesus inviting you to follow him. What would you say? Personally, I would like to believe I’d just get up and go, but I’m pretty sure I’d have some hesitations or questions. Will I have to leave the church I helped plant? Am I allowed to bring my wife and kids? Should I pack a few pairs of clean socks and underwear? What if Jesus came knocking on your door while you were doing laundry, or preparing dinner? Would you say “Yes, but…first let me fold the clothes or turn off the oven? That does not sound unreasonable, does it. The thing is, Jesus doesn’t want any hesitation, he only wants action. He doesn’t need a “Yes, but.” He needs a “Yes, and.” According to Luke’s story, which is also found in Matthew’s gospel, this might mean having to let go of everything that is materially important to you - your job, your home, your car and clothes, and even your loved ones - to faithfully follow him. It could even mean letting go of things that might be spiritually important to you. This is why it never surprises me that this is where most of us leave Jesus by the side of the road. As I read this story, I couldn't help but wonder why Jesus felt the need to be so hard on these three. Couldn’t he have cut them some slack? I mean, what would it really cost his mission to give them a couple of minutes to say goodbye to his loved ones, or attend to his father’s funeral. And yet, instead of showing kindness and placating their request, Jesus abruptly says, “Let the dead bury their own dead.” To understand why that was some crazy shit to hear, we need to know how death was understood in ancient Jewish traditions. First of all, death was seen and understood as a separation from God. Afterwards, one transitioned to Sheol, a shadowy existence devoid of the fullness of life. The psalmists often write about this lamenting, “In death there is no remembrance of you; in Sheol who will give you praise?” (Psalm 6:5) Second, burial rites were a sacred duty, deeply ingrained in the cultural and religious fabric. By asking a potential disciple to leave family duties and ritual observances behind, Jesus isn’t winning over many people. Then again, Jesus isn’t looking to make friends as much as he needs to make more disciples. And this entails a radical reorientation of one’s priorities. One where your focus isn’t on the self, but on God and the kingdom of heaven. There is nothing on your calendar or to-do list that is more important or more imperative than making God’s will your highest priority. So, if we want to follow Jesus then we must leave behind the spiritually dead ways of life, let go of that which is not life-giving. Therein lies the problem we face today. Somewhere in history, Christians went from following Jesus to worshipping him. It might seem like a subtle difference, but as Richard Rohr argues in his book On The Threshold of Transformation, this has made us a religion of “belonging and believing” instead of a people of doing and transforming. A religion of belonging and believing is more concerned about who’s in and who’s out; what specific doctrines are held and practiced. A religion of transformation, on the other hand, focuses on change. Which only happens by getting your hands dirty - living out the gospel in real time. Now, I hate to be the one who has to mention this, but nowhere in the Bible does Jesus say "Worship me." Yet, in all four gospels he repeatedly says, “Follow me.” More than just walking beside him, this means to do what he does. Welcome who he welcomes. Love who he loves. Jesus clearly says, “Whatever you do to the hungry and naked and dying, you do also to me” (Matthew 25:31-46). Putting up the Ten Commandments in schools doesn't make you a good Christian if you continue to take away a student’s free lunch, and support limiting their health care. When you cheer the Supreme Court's ruling to make homelessness a crime, remember Jesus says, “foxes and birds have homes, but I have nowhere to lay my head.” Following Jesus is hard work. He doesn’t try to hide it. He says, “Whoever want to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me” (Matthew 16:24). The mark of discipleship is self-denial and making a total commitment to live out the gospel like Jesus did with every fiber of his being. For it’s in the doing justice, loving mercy, and walking humbly that transforms us, strengthens us, and prepares us to deal with whatever lies ahead. This won’t make you popular. Or famous. Or even admired. In fact, you’ll be mocked and ridiculed. Like Jesus says, “People will hate you and revile you because of me” (Luke 6:22-23) Let me say it again, the way of Jesus is countercultural. His way is a threat to our conventional wisdom and the powers that try to control it. But again, his focus isn’t on fitting into society. He came to transform it, to usher in the kingdom of heaven, which he does this by making God’s love and grace visible and tangible everywhere he goes. Jesus calls out to us, to follow him, to walk this path and continue what he started. Because according to him, "The harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few" (Matthew 9:37-38). The poet Wendell Berry wrote, “There is much good work to be done by every one of us, and we must begin to do it.” God needs all hands on deck. We can’t compartmentalize our faith anymore. We can’t wait until the clothes are folded and put away. Or the pizza’s done baking. There is no time for a good-bye party. Or a pity party. People are suffering from hunger and injustice, bigotry and violence. Homes are being destroyed. Children orphaned. Jobs lost. A whole generation is growing up without even knowing who Jesus is, muchless what God’s mercy and compassion feels like on their pain. And so I look at this passage and all I can see is Jesus telling these three people there’s no time for half-hearted disciples. Or to put it in words we might understand better today, Jesus wants a 24/7 commitment. One that calls us to put our needs and wants behind us. And to never looks back. We must let go of what is spiritually dead in our lives if we want to truly embrace the abundant life that Jesus offers. We must prioritize our spiritual commitments over societies expectations; even if it means sacrificing career ambitions for a life of service. Jesus gives us this assurance. “If you hold to my teachings,” he says, “you are truly my disciple” (John 8:31). To follow Jesus is to set aside our ego and desires, so we can faithfully love God, love others, and serve both. The nature of our faith is revealed by who we follow and what we do - bearing the fruit of the kingdom. This is the greatest form of worship we can give to God. Hymns and prayers are nice, but you and me are better. The truth is stated clearly in James' letter to the churches. “For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is also dead” (James 2:26). You might not know what God needs you to do, or where you are being led to go but I don’t think that matters. Anamesa is everywhere. And God is too, filling that space between where you’ve been and where you’re going. Let us not forget Jesus says, “Wherever two or three are gathered in my name, I am there with you” (Mt. 18:20) We are not alone. And through the Spirit of Christ, we are empowered to do what many might believe is impossible. Our Lord says, “I am the true vine and you are my branches. No branch can bear fruit by itself…If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit” (John 15:5-8). So here’s the challenge for this sacred body of believers. We can play church. Or we can be the church. We can pretend to worship and honor him. Or we can imitate him, making God’s glory visible in every space we enter. Through our acts of kindness and love, we can embody the life-giving presence of Christ for others. And in all the ways we show mercy and forgiveness, we can bear witness to the hope of his resurrection. To do this faithfully means an important part of us must die. But like Jesus declares, “whoever loses their life for His sake will find it” (Matthew 16:25). As we go out into Anamesa, may we do so with a deep trust in God’s transformative power and promise; embracing the abundant life that Jesus gives to all. May we never lose sight of the peace, joy, and sense of purpose that comes from following him - knowing it far outweigh any temporal sacrifices we are called to make. Work Cited Comer, John Mark. Practicing the Way: Be with Jesus, Become like him, and do as he did. (WaterBrook, 2024). Rohr, Richard. On The Threshold of Transformation: Daily Meditations of Men. (Loyola Press, 2010).
I suppose this is a good thing. Some of us don’t have good dads in their lives. Many don’t even know who their dad is or where they are. Your father might not be around anymore. Or you never had the opportunity to have children of your own to celebrate you today.
So, instead of going on about fathers, let’s continue to look at the shit Jesus says. And see how it challenges our conventional wisdom. Remember, Jesus wants us to expand our thinking beyond our narrow gaze. Which seems all fine and dandy until you find yourself on the receiving end of his critique. I suppose this will be most of us today as Jesus confronts what nearly all Christians would consider a sacred cow. The conventional wisdom and power of family. While he was still speaking to the crowds, his mother and his brothers were standing outside, wanting to speak to him. Someone told him, “Look, your mother and your brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you.” But to the one who had told him this, Jesus replied, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” And pointing to his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.” - Matthew 12:46-50. -
Here we have Jesus teaching in his hometown, inside a packed house where more people are trying to get inside, perhaps to get close enough to hear what he’s saying or to be healed by him. His family is there too, somewhere in the crowd. We assume Jesus doesn’t know this because someone interrupts him to let him know what’s going on.
Now if my daughter came and told me my parents were here, I’d probably respond by saying, “Where are they?” This isn’t what Jesus does. He asks a rhetorical question, “Who is my mother? Who are brothers?” It might seem innocent to us, but this would have been a shocking thing to say to a culture based on tribe, kinship and family. I’m sure it offended many, including his siblings. But like I have said before, Jesus isn’t out to offend anyone. His goal isn’t to shame or guilt, but to expand our understanding of ourselves in relationship to God and others. In this case, he is showing us a new way to see beyond the narrow confines of biology. Jesus asks, “Who is my family,” and he doesn’t wait for anyone to answer. He just points to the crowd and says, “You are.” And before anyone can ask what he means, Jesus adds, “Anyone who does the will of my Father is my family.” Never mind he calls God his father, we’ll save that for another time. Jesus has just proclaimed something equally as radical - that God is for anyone and everyone. God’s family is universal. It’s based on love and trust, not bloodline or tribal affiliation. And the way into this family isn’t through a religious system, but through faith in action. This has been the story since the beginning…or at least to Abraham who, as scripture tells us, God chose because of his faith and faithfulness, not blood or biology. We also see it in Mary and Joseph whom Richard Rohr describes as “two laypeople who totally trusted their inner experience of God and followed it...with no one except God to reassure them they were right." He argues that by faithfully submitting to the will of God, Mary and Joseph each defiled their cultural conditionings. And stepped out their religious "comfort zones" so God could create a new kind family through them - one that looks more like heaven than earth. Today we have multicultural and multiracial families, blended families, traditional families, and same sex families. None of this seems shocking anymore. For the most part, all of these types of families begin from a place of love and respect; being bonded and starting a family with the person they care deeply for. In Jesus’ day, it wasn’t about love but economics and power. Marriages were arranged to either keep your status or extend it. And kids were a little more than insurance policies for that. In first-century Palestine, your family was your primary social capitol. Everyone you interacted with, did business with, and worshipped with had roots that were deeply embedded in who you were. Your family name meant everything. Your value as a human was based on it. One doesn’t just simply walk away or abandon theirs. Now here’s Jesus saying none of it matters. And I’m sure it took a few people by surprise. There’s a story in Mark’s gospel where a rich, young businessman wants to become a disciple. Jesus tells him to “sell everything you own and give the money to the poor. Then you can follow me” (Mark 10:17-27) The man walked away distraught - and for good reason. More than just getting rid of the business he’s built, or the property he owns, or the money he has, Jesus is effectively telling him to abandon his family name if he wants to claim this new one called “disciple.” Who here would give up every last bit of yourself, For the name Christian? Although Jesus pushes the boundaries of our conventional wisdom, it’s not all for nothing. Jesus says, “Everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for my sake…will inherit eternal life” (Matthew 19:29). This was a powerful thing to say. In a time when a good family name bought you certain privileges, Jesus turns our conventional wisdom upside down. He takes all its power and places it back where it belongs - with God. He tells us “not to store your treasures on earth where moths, rust and thieves can destroy them.” Instead, “Store your treasure in heaven” where your value is no longer tied to who you are, but by what you do. Jesus understands all the dynamics of family; he obviously had one, and probably had to deal with the pettiness of sibling rivalry. He knows how being part of a community like family requires constant attention and patience, as well as steadfast love and forgiveness. The church is no different. Although we all come from different backgrounds and hold different opinions and politics, Jesus reminds us that in God’s family, we are all equals. We must set aside our petty differences and family squabbles, and bend to the will of God. According to the prophet Micah who asked: “What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8). Jesus wants mercy and justice, kindness and love, be our new names, not Jew or Gentile, not sinner or saint. When our name is synonymous to God’s inclusive love, then we know we’re doing God’s will. Faith is not passive. It’s love in action. It must be live it out as if it’s the only thing that keeps us alive. For we cannot love God without loving others and serving both. Jesus says, “the one who believes in me will also do the things I do and in fact, will do greater things than me” (John 14:12). Here Jesus seems to be saying that God believe in us. But do we believe in God enough to follow his Son to actually put our faith in what he says? And do what he does? As challenging this might seem, let’s not forget we have God’s divine DNA embedded deeply within us. While we may not get to pick our earthly family, we all can become a part of God’s family. Jesus says, “All who receive me… become children of God, …born not out of human will, but God’s will” (John 1:12-13). In John’s gospel, Jesu describes God’s will simply as this, “Love one another as I have loved you.” And then he adds, “there is no greater love than to lay downs one’s life for one’s friends.” (John 15:12-13) That is the power of love - faith in action. The more we live it out, the more likely we are to reconcile than retaliate; seek peace instead of conflict; or give of ourselves for the common good instead of taking for personal gain. The more we live out God’s love, the more we realize who we truly are. We are God’s beloved children. So, it goes without saying that the only Father we should celebrate, today and every day, is Our Father, who art in heaven. And the best way we can honor and dote on God is by welcoming and loving everyone as your mother, brother, and sister. Work Cited Rohr, Richard. The Prophetic Holy Family homily on Christmas Day 2023. (Accessed on June 15, 2024).
While he rarely minces his words, some the things Jesus says can sound harsh, strange, or cryptic. Thus, the title to our summer sermon series, “Shit Jesus Says.” Like I’ve stated before, if this offends you then there’s a good chance everything Jesus says will offend you. Yet, that’s not his goal. And it’s not ours either. Our goal, like his, is to awaken and realign our hearts with God’s heart. Sometimes that might sound offensive, subversive, or counter cultural. That’s who Jesus was and still is, as his words continue to challenge and even threaten our conventional wisdom. If we are going to take what Jesus says seriously, then sometimes we will need to break some rules or rub a few people the wrong way. But that doesn’t mean our intentions are bad. As we will learn from our reading, the goal is not to tear down what God has given us, it’s to build Christ’s church upon it.
You might recall from last week that Jesus began his ministry telling us to repent. But the Greek word “metanoia” that was translated as repent isn’t about feeling remorseful for your sins as much as it is an invitation to change our thinking and behavior, so sin is no longer a thought.
Today, he tells us to what extent we are to do this. That is to say, our thinking and doing must go above and beyond the very best religious teachers and scholars. In this case, the Pharisees, who are a group of religious leaders known for their strict adherence to God’s Law. The Pharisee were so obedient to the Law that their name is synonymous with righteous. Which for many of us today, can elicit images of prideful people, filled with self-admiration for themselves and harsh criticism for people they deem to be sinners. The Pharisees have gotten a bad rap. Historically speaking, the Christian church hasn’t helped their reputation much by accusing them of killing Jesus. But “It wasn’t the Pharisees who killed Jesus, it was conventional wisdom” argues Richard Rohr. It seems the shit Jesus says always tends to threaten the way the world works. It's probably because rarely is our world aligned with God’s world. Truth is, the Pharisees were the good ones. They were reformers intent on bringing the Jewish people back to God. They believed the best way to do that was through strict obedience to the Law of God, something they thought Jesus was undermining. As Matthew states, Jesus didn’t come “to change the laws and prophets, but to uphold them” (Mt. 5:17) And as we are about to see, this doesn’t mean blindly following a set of rules or adhering to some religious practice and performance. I believe Jesus is telling us to go one step further…to go above and beyond the basic rules and regulations. He wants us to deepen the meaning and expand our understanding of righteousness. If we listen to what he says, and watch what he does, we learn how to live in a right relationship with God and others…like he does. We will see how that involves embracing and embodying a life that is intimately tied to justice and mercy as it’s stated in Hebrew scripture. The prophets, from Amos to Isaiah, all emphatically declare true worship of God isn’t about rituals and dogma it’s about caring for the widows and orphans, advocating for the oppressed, being charitable, living with integrity, practicing peace and forgiveness. This is how we exceed the righteousness of the Pharisees who always take offense to Jesus when he says things like “Do not judge, do not condemn” (Luke 6:37). “Do not practice your piety in public” (Mt. 6:1). One on hand, Jesus is pushing against the way of the Pharisees. But on the other, he’s showing us how to reimagine the law and bring it into its intended completion - which is to transform people’s lives. That’s how Jesus redeems and saves us…even if it means he has to break the rules to do it. We see this when Jesus meets a Samaritan woman at the well (John 4:7-31). He breaks both social and religious taboos just by speaking with her; she was a Samaritan and a woman after all. But Jesus sees beyond her gender and ethnicity. He sees a beautiful child of God, and offers her living water; a symbol of spiritual renewal and inclusion. By this act of defiance, Jesus transcends the boundaries of the Law to fulfill its deeper purpose: transforming and reconciling humanity. A similar thing happens when he visits the house of a despised tax collector (Luke 19:1-10). In this story, Jesus shows us how our quest for righteousness will include actively seeking and embracing those who are hated, marginalized, and shunned. The mere fact that Jesus was in Zacchaeus’ home changes everything in this man’s life, prompting him to repent and make restitution. Feeding the hungry, caring for the sick, welcoming children, giving to everyone who begs from you without asking for anything in return - Jesus says this is how righteousness is defined and a lived out in the kingdom of heaven. While it sounds beautiful and attainable, remember this is the kind of stuff that gets Jesus killed. It’s one thing to hear what Jesus says, but it’s another to live out his words in a way that threatens conventional wisdom. And I’m not so sure most of us are up for the task. Think about how many self-proclaiming Christians would rather choose gun rights over human rights? How many churches are fine with excluding certain groups of people instead of welcoming them? How many preachers wear pins that say Jesus loves you, while holding up signs that say God hates you? Jesus says, “A tree is known by its fruit…and on the day of judgement you will have to account for every careless word you utter” (Mt. 12:33-36). But here’s the thing, if we take Jesus’ words to heart, if we “turn the other cheek,” (Mt. 5:39) or “love our enemies,” (Mt. 5:44) or “give to the needy in secret,” (Mt. 6:1-4) then we will be salt of the earth kind of people (c.f. Mt. 5:13). Jesus says, “Let your body be a lamp to the world” (Mt. 6:22-23). We must let our light shine, not so people can see how good we are, but so they can see their way back to God. Jesus sends his church out to be “sheep among wolves.” He says, “Go and proclaim the good news that kingdom of heaven has come near.” Jesus tells his followers to “cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons (c.f. Mt.10:5-15). What he never says is hate, or take up arms, or deny certain people access to God Following Jesus is more than just following a set of rules. It’s a call to go beyond legalistic interpretations of morality and embody a higher ethical and spiritual standard. One that honors the intrinsic worth and dignity of every individual as bearers of God's image. For St. Theresa of Calcutta that meant seeing the face of Christ in the poor and rejected. Then loving them and caring for them as if she was doing it to Jesus himself. Anthony Clavier writes, “The road to holiness is the path of love, compassion, of caring and sympathy, of helping each other along that journey, stopping to assist those who have become tired, have fallen on the way, or who have given up in despair.” One of the last things Jesus tells his disciples is simply this, “Love one another as I have loved you.” Love is the greatest commandment. Love is the foundation of “all the Law and the Prophets.” Love is the key to understanding and living out our righteousness. And the way we love God, …is to love others and serve both. This is how we bear the fruit of the kingdom. And become a light that cannot be hidden. This is how we can do better than the Pharisees, as we unlock the space between heaven and earth until they are one. Work Cited Clavier, Anthony. A Loving Law. February 9, 2014. (Accessed on June 7, 2024). Rohr, Richard. The Sermon on the Mount. (Franciscan Media, 2006).
We could argue if the gospel writers are quoting him verbatim, but that would miss the point of what they are trying to make. Jesus says what he says to wake us out of our complacency; to change and transform us from the inside out.
So, if you’re not offended in some way or another, then you’re probably not taking Jesus’ words to heart, or living out his truths in any meaningful way. Jesus came to change us. That’s how he saves us. But most of us don’t like change. We would rather accept the status quo, or at least side with it, because it’s harder to deny ourselves and take up our cross to follow him. Yet, change is inevitable. It’s bound to happen to everyone who dares to live by the amazing shit Jesus says. But don’t take my word for it, here’s what Jesus has to say:
Now, hearing the word “repent” used to raise the hackles on the back of my neck. Often conjuring up old memories of screaming, sweaty preachers wagging their fingers at me, and telling me I would spend eternity in the flames of God’s BBQ grill if I didn’t renounce sin the way they thought I should.
In seminary I discovered Jesus doesn’t say “repent” he says “metanoia” which means something very different in the Greek. Our confusion began when St. Jerome translated the Bible from Greek to Latin. He translated “metanoia” as “due penance” which eventually evolved into repent. If we parse the Greek, we learn “meta” means “to go beyond” and “noia” means “mind.” The most literal meaning would be “to go beyond one’s mind.” Or to use common vernacular I think Jesus is saying, “change your mind.” You see, Jesus is not demanding us to feel remorseful or penitent for our sins, which are good for us to do - we should feel contrite especially when we harm others. And of course, Jesus didn’t come to shame us or guilt us to believe him either. He came to transform and to save us. He starts by emphatically saying, change your way of doing things so sin is no longer a thought. Jesus begins his ministry by reorienting our entire perspective; one that sees the world and our lives through the lens of God’s kingdom. As we will discover, Jesus wants more from his followers than to simply learn some new social ethic. He wants us to embody and live this new ethic in a way that will shock and offend the world awake. He wants an inward change, a change of heart, a change of thinking, a change in the way we see and approach the world. So, we can say with some great degree of confidence that true repentance moves us away from our self-centered ways to a God-centered worldview that challenges the established norms and systems of power we have created. This is exactly what got Jesus in trouble and eventually killed. He didn’t play by the rules of the world. Instead, Jesus was perfectly obedient the rules of God. He says it himself, “I didn’t come to change the laws and prophets, but to uphold them” (Mt. 5:17-18). This earned him the title in John’s gospel as the very Word of God (John 1:1; 14). Jesus lived God’s word, or Torah, so perfectly that the two became one. Metanoia is not only a doorway for us to reimagine how we perceive reality, make decisions, and interact with others it is also a way to be one with Christ who ushers in a new world and a new world order. Jesus says, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” Spoiler alert! This heaven Jesus is talking about is this space we call Anamesa. If we are to believe what Jesus says is true, then heaven is not just some far away celestial, all-inclusive resort. It’s here, in this present space and time. It’s happening right now. Which is why it is imperative for each one of us to look within ourselves and ask, “How does knowing that God has brought heaven to us, change or challenge the way you see and interact with all of creation?” Although these sayings are nearly 2,000 years old, Jesus’ words are still relevant today. Given the current challenges the world is facing, it’s becoming more apparent that we need to change both the way we understand the kingdom of heaven and how we live in it - economically, politically, legally, and relationally. If we are going to take what he says seriously, then we must take an honest look at our own complicity in these systems. We live in an age where material and economic success is often achieved at the expense of human dignity and flourishing. Jesus says, “You cannot serve two masters” (Mt. 6:24) It’s either God or wealth. Never both Jesus also says, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s. And to God what is God’s” (Mark 12:17) He isn’t telling us to build a Christian nation or to belong to any particular political party. He is reminding us that this world and everything in it belongs to God to whom we must give our true allegiance. Like we see in our own country, governments around the world are under threat from arrogance, corruption and power struggles that are undermining justice; perpetuating inequality and oppression, by favoring the rich over the poor. How quickly we forgot Jesus says, “Whoever wishes to be first among you must be your slave” (Mt. 20:27). While individualism continues to erode our relationships, communities and solidarity, what Jesus said then still rings true, “love your neighbor” (Mark 12:30-31) and “reconcile with those who have harmed you” (Mt. 5:23-24). Again, Jesus isn’t telling us to repent so we can get into heaven. He’s inviting us to change the way we think so heaven can get into us. Through Christ, “God is changing the world,” writes Richard Rohr. “But to get everyone and everything there, God needs people who are willing to enter this kingdom and transform it into “life and life more abundantly” (John 10:10). To follow Jesus is to embody his likeness, mimic his actions, and to live faithfully by his words. When we see the world through his eyes, we can’t help but be moved into action. When we feel the world through his heart, it’s impossible not to express compassion and mercy; especially to the weak, marginalized and poor. When we reimagine the world through all the weird things he says, we can’t help but be moved to make real changes and real differences in our own lives and in the lives of others. The kingdom of heaven has come. It’s here. It’s now. So let us repent. And enter into its glory; loving God, loving others, and serving both in the name of Christ Jesus, amen. WORK CITED Adapted from Be The Way…Or In The Way. January 26, 2020. Adapted from Change Your Mind. Change Your Direction. January 22, 2023. Rohr, Richard. The Mind Does Not Like To Change. January 25, 2020.
When I was a kid, my minister used an egg to explain this idea. He said, “It’s got the shell, the yoke, and that clear gooey stuff; three parts yet one egg.” This made sense until I made an Angel Food cake, which only uses egg whites. The shell and yoke get tossed out. The problem with this illustration is that it’s impossible to separate God from God.
I used to use water to explain the Trinity to kids, because water can be a liquid, solid, or vapor and still be water - different but the same. Then one day it dawned on me, water can be tainted and polluted. But God can’t. So there went that idea. Pope Francis did a pretty good job using a fidget spinner. He said, “As the spinner spins faster, the three arms seem to become a single disc, yet they maintain their individuality.” The Pope went on to explain that just as an improperly balanced spinner won’t work very well, neither will our faith if our view of God is improperly balanced. Not to be in competition with his Holiness in trying to explain the trinity, perhaps we should use our time today to look at how the three work together to keep us properly balanced. For that, let’s look this interesting clue Paul wrote in his letter to Titus. For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all, training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions and in the present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly...Titus 2:11-12
You’re probably wondering where the trinity is mentioned in this passage. It’s not. Because the word isn’t found anywhere in the Bible. But that doesn’t mean the Trinity isn’t there…in a different form. And dare I say, in a different word. That word is grace.
If you ask me, grace is the easiest way to describe this idea that God is three beings in One being. More than just forgiveness or a get out of jail free card, grace is an invitation to be in the presence of God, in a relationship with God’s Son, all while being empowered by God’s Holy Spirit. Grace has many meanings, but according to the dictionary, Christian grace is defined as “the free and unmerited favor of God.” According to Paul, this favor “has appeared.” Like one day it wasn’t there, and the next day it was. In his wonderful short story, The Doubtful Guest, Edward Gorey creates an unusual character who just shows up one wild winter night. He stays with the family and causes all sorts of chaos and disruption. Gorey ended this poetic tale writing, “It came seventeen years ago, and to this day. It has shown no intentions of going away.” Grace disrupts our lives, but in a good way. And like this strange little character, Paul suggests, it just appeared and has no intentions of leaving. But grace did not just happen haphazardly or by random chance. As logic would argue, everything has a starting point. The chicken has the egg. Or the egg has the chicken, depending on how you see it. In the same way, grace comes into being from the One who brings all things into being – God the Creator – the first part of the Trinity. I don’t think I need to explain who this is, but we should all be grateful that God created and initiated grace into life because let’s face it, without it…we’d be doomed. To quote Hannah Montana, “Everybody makes mistakes. Everyone has those days.” The way I see it, grace is God’s way of saying, “I get you. I love you. And I’m rooting for you to succeed. Just please stop singing Hannah Montana!” Grace originates from God’s heart, which means it’s born out of perfect love for us. Like love, grace knows no boundaries. It’s inclusive, free, and unmerited, given to anyone who wants it – not because we earn it, but because God wants to give it to us. Which is why I like to say, grace is proof that God is for us. Eugene Peterson’s The Message translation really drives this point home, that “God’s readiness to give and forgive is now public. Salvation’s available for everyone!” This unmerited favor is God’s way of giving us what we need to save us from the stupid things we do when we’re not doing the will of God. I believe this loving gesture appeared to us in the flesh of the Savior – the second part of the Trinity. In Christianity, that Savior has a name: Jesus the Christ: the Messiah, the Son of Man, the Son of God, the Word of God, our Emmanuel, which means God with us. Although scripture gives him many names, his purpose remains singular: to bring salvation to everyone as the bearer of God’s love and grace. Through this important part of the Trinity, we are given a road map to be reconciled with the Creator. By following the way of Jesus, we know what it will take to find our salvation. In the many ways God’s love is made visible through Jesus, we can see how God is with us right here, in the space between you and me. Grace is proof that God’s love can be made manifest in us. Love is what we were created from. And love is what we were made for. Just as God shared Jesus with us, so too are we to share this gift to others by loving God, loving others, and serving both. Remember, Paul wrote God’s grace appeared, to bring salvation and for “training us in the present age to live lives that are upright, and godly.” I know that it’s hard enough to get by in this world without having to live a godly life. Living out our faith is and always will be challenging. But allow me to quote Miss Montana one more time, “Nobody’s perfect. We got to work it, again and again until we get it right.” I think God gives us grace because living out our faith isn’t easy. It takes a lot of practice. For every success we have, there will be plenty of failures that got us there. God’s grace is like a life coach who encourages us to keep going when we just want to throw in the towel. Which brings us to the third and final part of the Trinity - the Sustainer - the very Spirit of God who lifts us up when life knocks us down. As we learned last week during Pentecost, there’s a part of God in us and around us, that keeps the steady flow of God’s love and grace moving in and through us; enabling us to focus on doing the will of God as we live into our Christlikeness. This eternal Sustainer is our constant reminder that God is in us – always encouraging and always moving us towards the open arms and heart of God. And it's this God whose three unique parts - Creator, Savior, and Sustainer - work together as one force to unite the world in grace-filled love. This might seem like an overly simplified or convoluted explanation of the Trinity. I might even be called a heretic for suggesting it. This wouldn’t be the first time. And I doubt it will be the last. Thankfully, God is gracious and forgiving - loving us no matter what. But before I get burned at the sake, I will leave you with an illustration of the Trinity that was passed down by the early church fathers. They described this complex idea as a simple circular dance where all three unique elements of God hold hands and move together to the rhythm of a single heartbeat. It sounds a lot like Pope Francis' fidget spinner idea, the three dance in sync and in perfect balance – yet they maintain their individuality. This Divine Dance reminds us that no matter how we define the mystery of God it will always be a holy community born out of and held together by the love of God. And this holy communion is always inviting us to join the dance. In this circle, we find our balance both by being in God’s love and bearing God’s love to each other. The Triune God invites us to be in the center of this sacred dance to dwell in the gracious and steadfast love of the One who created us, the God who is for us. The Triune God calls us to walk in the gracious and steadfast love of the One who saves, the God who is with us. And to share the gracious and steadfast love of the One who Sustains us, the God who is in us. Now and forever, amen. Work Cited: Adapted from Three in One. May 27, 2018. https://www.jesusnotjesus.org/be-kind/three-in-one. Gerrard, Matthew and Robbie Nevil. Nobody's Perfect. Walt Disney: May 15, 2007. Gorey, Edward. The Doubtful Guest. New York: Harcourt Brace & Co., 1957. “Just as breathing is the first thing we do when we enter this planet, it’s the last thing we do when we leave it.” What we do with each breath taken between these life markers is where we will find Christ in our midst.
Barbara Brown Taylor captures this moment beautifully writing, “Before any of them could defend themselves, that mighty wind had blown through the entire house, striking sparks that burst into flames above their heads, and every one of them was filled to the gills with God’s breath.”
Every day since that dramatic moment, this Holy Breath has been sucked into the lungs of ordinary people like you and me empowering us to do extraordinary things. But there’s another Pentecost story, one that’s less flashy and dramatic. There’s no pyrotechnics or large crowds speaking in tongues. In fact, it doesn’t happen in a public space 50 days after Easter like Luke writes. This one happens in private, behind a tightly locked door, on Easter of all days.
To say the Holy Spirit is a mysterious thing, is an understatement. Though much has been written about it, the best way I’ve come to understand its complexities has been through experience. And how the Holy Spirit has worked its way through my storied life. Including how it helped awaken me to this space of Anamesa.
The Greek word often associated with the Holy Spirit is “pneuma,” which means wind, breath, or spirit. But John uses the word “paraclete,” which is often translated as advocate, or helper. The literal translation is more like “one called alongside.” A traveling companion of sorts. Jesus describes the Spirit this way to reassure his friends that they will not be left alone in his absence. He will give them this Paraclete, a spiritual helper who will guide, convict, and reveal truth to them. In one gentle breath, Jesus fulfills this promise, blessing them as he had been blessed before he sends them out to continue what he began. It always amazes me what a single breath can do. A small child can employ it to blow out candles on a cake. Dizzy Gillespie could command one of his to bend multiple notes at will. With a single breath, a groom can say, “I do” and his life will forever change. In one gentle breath, Jesus enters into the body of his disciples, filling them with a power that will transform the world. The poet, Mary Oliver writes, “The spirit likes to dress up like this: ten fingers, ten toes, shoulders, and all the rest ... It could float, of course, but would rather plumb rough matter. Airy and shapeless thing, it needs the metaphor of the body…” John’s version of Pentecost reminds us that the Holy Spirit is not merely a force or power, but the very presence of God dwelling within us. Richard Rohr often describes this as the "Divine Indwelling" - the presence of God within each person that guides us towards love, compassion, and justice; the actions and experiences that lead to our spiritual growth. Similarly, Barbara Brown Taylor emphasizes the Holy Spirit's role in empowering believers to live authentic and faithful lives. She encourages individuals to cultivate a receptive and responsive posture towards the Spirit, allowing it to lead us into new encounters and experiences of grace and understanding that can transform us, and draw us closer to the divine. Each one of us will experience the Holy Spirit differently, because it comes to us where we are. For some it will be in a place of pain or suffering. Others out of space of hope or hopelessness. It could happen upon you quickly, like an unexpected sneeze. Or it might be gradual, revealing itself in small steady breaths. We must always be ready to meet and welcome this part of God, who is always with us, in us and among us. Scripture also teaches us that with the Holy Spirit comes a variety of spiritual gifts, like wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, prophecy, and tongues. Each one is given, as Paul points out, to equip believers for ministry and for the building up of the body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:4-13). The Apostle encourages us to live out the fruits of the Spirit which are “love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control" (Gal. 5:22-23). By integrating these practices into our daily life, we unlock that space between heaven and earth while growing closer to God and to one another. And so, Pentecost reminds us of how with the gentle breath of Christ moving through us, we can transform our lives and the life of our communities in powerful and meaningful ways. Isn’t this is the call of the church? And what Jesus has asked of all who choose to follow him? Just as we breathe in Christ, so too must we breathe out his love and compassion in real and tangible ways; offering ourselves, our time, and services to reduce poverty, demand equality, and put an end to racism. We must use his breath to advocate for peace and reconciliation. And to make our churches and communities safe and welcoming places for all people to gather regardless of our political and religious differences. As Paul pointed out, the Holy Spirit equips us with spiritual gifts, talents, and unique abilities to fulfill our calling to truly love God, love others, and serve both in Jesus' name. Pentecost is more than just the birthday of the church. It is a holy reminder of the sacred breath within us all. This is most important for us to remember because most of us don’t think about our breath until it’s taken from us. Four years ago, this world was suffocating from a global pandemic. If anything good came from COVID it was the reminder of how important breathing is. As Taylor reminds us, “Just as breathing is the first thing we do when we enter this planet, it’s the last thing we do when we leave it.” What we do with each breath taken between these life markers is where we will find Christ in our midst. Just as the Holy Spirit connects the past and the future it also meets us in the space between to helps us make plain and visible the presence of God in the church and in the world. Now, as we prepare to go out into the world, to face the fear and pain and needs of those in and outside this church, let us remember that with one gentle breath Jesus gives us his peace. With another he sends us out to be ambassadors of reconciliation, practitioners of peace, bearers of hope, and agents of change. From this one, gentle breath we are given the same power, the same imagination and inspiration, the same divine Spirit that was given to him to build up God’s kingdom right here, right now. So let us use our breath to live into our Christlikeness, proclaiming the good news of God’s redemptive love for all…throughout all of Anamesa. For just as we breathe in Christ, so too must we breathe him out. We are his hands and feet in the world. We’re his voice declaring what we know to be true. That God’s love is here, always ready to welcome us into God’s open heart. May we always be the visible representatives of God’s glory revealing and sharing God’s love and grace with every breath we take until we are all breathing together in unison, and our hearts beat as one. We may not always know where our faithful life will take us or what good or bad experiences we will face. But we can go boldly and faithfully forward into the unknown, knowing we will not go alone. We are never alone. We have a helper, an Advocate, breathing and burning brightly within us - illuminating the way and the world with God's love and truth. With one gentle breath, Christ’s mission was set into motion - in us and in the church. May we always be mindful of this power we possess, knowing and receiving this holy and everlasting gift with gladness and joy, as we proclaim the gospel boldly, love our neighbors unconditionally, and to serve one another sacrificially - one breath at a time. Work Cited: Bartlett, David L. and Barbara Brown Taylor, eds. Feasting on the Word, Year B. Vol 3 (Louisville: Westminster John Knox, 2007). Oliver, Mary. Dream Work. (New York: Atlantic Monthly Press, 1986). Taylor, Barbara Brown. Home by Another Way. (New York: Cowley, 1999). |
Ian MacdonaldAn ex-copywriter turned punk rock pastor and peacemaker who dedicates his life to making the world a better place for all humanity. "that they all might be one" ~John 17:21“Prius vita quam doctrina.”
~ St. Thomas Aquinas (1225–1274) * “Life is more important than doctrine.”
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