We
gather in the presence of the God who gives life
to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist. Rms 4: 17
On Transfiguration Sunday the sermon spoke of the Gospel of Mark and how Mark has
three key events that are life altering experiences for Jesus: baptism,
transfiguration, and crucifixion. In each there is a voice. God calls into
existence. God calls, “This is my beloved.” By this articulation, saying the
words aloud for ears to hear, speaking out in the open --- what did not exist
comes into existence.
My
beloved is born. God’s glory is revealed. Death turns to life.
We
gather in the presence of the God who gives life to the dead and calls into
existence the things that do not exist. Rms 4: 17
I
am arrested by the thought of what doesn’t exist, especially when I consider
the wonders that surround us: intriguing creatures like platypus, ostrich, sea
urchins; new land created by flows of lava; and mesmerizing rainbows and cosmic
dust. What could be called into existence that does not already exist? What a
fantastical thought to ponder.
The
nitty-gritty of this morning’s Gospel is that Jesus speaks of suffering and
rejection. Jesus speaks quite openly about his death to come. Peter is rebuked.
What is called into existence through Jesus’ words? Jesus articulates – calls
into existence- divine things not human things. And calls the disciples, and
hearers of the gospel to turn their minds from human things to divine things.
Jesus’
openness in talking about suffering, rejection, and death is a divine thing. It
is honest and truthful and for the listener hits pretty close to home. All are
topics humans tend to avoid. Avoiding conversation and reflection has humans
wrapped up in bondage to the power of suffering, rejection, and death. We are
filled with fear and anxiety. The more we don’t talk about suffering,
rejection, and death -keep such things secret- we separate ourselves farther
from community, God, each other, ourselves, creation. We make ourselves sick.
Jesus
speaks of suffering, rejection, and death because the very articulation changes
suffering, rejection, and death from the human attachment to them to a divine
thing. Speaking of the events of Holy Week, Jesus releases the power that
suffering, rejection, and death will have on him. He is no longer in bondage to
the power held by the system, the authorities, the captors, the situation to
terrorize him and his followers. He is freed from being captive to sin by
choosing to articulate divine things and live in and toward divine things.
It
has been suggested that Jesus’ rebuke of Peter in the form of get behind me
Satan illustrates a continued need for Jesus to address temptation.
Although no longer in the desert face-to-face with Satan, living life is a never-ending
array of temptation that places our minds and actions on human things. Speaking
the rebuke is a verbalized stance of obedience --- a bringing of obedience into
existence. Satan is an important character in God’s court and in texts as
Satan’s presence provides options for obedience and faithfulness. Jesus renounces
Satan – the temptation of following the world’s ways. Many times between now
and the cross, we will witness Jesus’ obedient words and actions, all rebuking
the temptation to follow the ways of the world. And each time Jesus does this, the
kindom of God comes closer.
I
find it interesting that in the gospel the disciples and others are continually
told to tell no one who Jesus is. Remember, coming down from the mountain after
witnessing the transfiguration, Peter, James, and John are sworn to secrecy by Jesus.
Others are not to articulate Jesus as Messiah, yet, Jesus takes control of the
story. Jesus openly articulates who he is and what is going to happen; on his
own terms, in his own style; today we might call it getting ahead of the press.
Jesus brings into existence himself as the Messiah.
Everything
changes after Jesus’ suffering, rejection, and death.
‘Getting
ahead of the press,’ and bringing what doesn’t exist into existence becomes the
responsibility of the disciples. The disciples become the tellers of the story.
The disciples are faced with temptation – Satan in their face tempting them to human
ways, rather than focusing on divine things. The disciples are given the option
of obedience; to turn from fear, self-preservation, and leave the room where
they have locked themselves after Jesus’ death. In the telling of the story,
they speak of Jesus’ suffering, rejection, and death; where none of these human
things have lingering power. They are living in divine things, in the power of
resurrection and life.
I
appreciate the reading from Romans this morning because it theologically
reflects on what it is to follow after Jesus’ suffering, rejection, and death.
Paul
reflects on the story of Abraham and Sarah in a way that sounds to me like Abraham
embraced divine things. Abraham’s faith
did not weaken at the seemingly impossible promise that God articulated – to
bring a baby to an elderly and barren couple.
Abraham trusted, no distrust made him waiver, and he grew strong in
faith as he gave glory (gratitude) to God. Faith, trust, gratitude brought
‘hope against hope’ and life into existence. In this covenant between God and
Abraham, Abraham chose to trust God in all things that he could not control,
and to be obedient by taking responsibility for the parts of the covenant he
had power over.
Paul’s
articulation of faith, trust, and obedience brings into existence a Paul who acts
remarkably in the face of suffering, rejection, and death. Consider the times
Paul was imprisoned. Paul is face to face with Satan, tempted to lose hope, to
fall into fear, to renounce his faith, to grab hold of the ways of the world
and be a ‘good’ Roman citizen. Paul rebukes Satan and choses obedience. The stories
of Paul in prison recount a focus on divine things: Paul is said to have sung
hymns, prayed aloud, confessed Jesus crucified and risen, praised God, preached
the Gospel to other inmates and guards.
What
is called into existence through these acts is a freeing earthquake that opened
prison doors, guards come to Jesus, prisoners are set free spiritually and
physically, Paul is released into the world to continue as a missionary.
What is called into existence by the way you live your life?
Do
you rebuke Satan and chose obedience, focusing not on human things but on
divine things?
Do
you speak of suffering, rejection, and death – until all lose their power- and God’s
kindom draws near; and the divine things, the power of resurrection and life
are called into existence?
We gather in the presence of the God who
gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist.
As
Reinhold Niebuhr prayed, we pray:
God,
give me grace to accept with serenity the things that cannot be changed,
Courage
to change the things which should be changed,
And
the Wisdom to distinguish one from the other.
Amen.
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