First Lesson: Genesis 17: 1-7, 15-16 Responsive Reading: Psalm 22: 23-31 Second Lesson: Romans 4: 13-25 Gospel Lesson: Mark 9: 2-9 Grace and Peace from Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
The place is Mumbai, India[1]. Mumbai is the twelfth largest city in the world with a population of over 12 million people. Mumbai is a small city with its square area 1/5 the size of Rhode Island, making it one of the most population dense cities in the world[2]. The time is 7:00 A.M. A businessman leaves his home for the City Centre 19 miles away. The problem with leaving the house at 7:00 A.M. is it’s too early to prepare a proper lunch that’ll stay fresh for six hours. Few people want to eat from street vendors day after day. In 1890, a lunchbox service was started where men would seek to deliver home-cooked meals to others while away from home. The process seems to be impossible. 9:15 A.M. lunchboxes are picked up at residences throughout the outskirts of Mumbai[3]. The men that pick these boxes up are called walas. The boxes are marked without smartphones, scanners, bar codes, or GPS or any other modern technology that would seemingly make the job easier. Walas then load up to fifteen separate lunch bags on their bicycle. They bike down to the nearest train station. They then meet with other walas to sort and separate bags for delivery into separate sections of Mumbai. Everything for the walas is dependent on getting onboard the 10:51 train[4]. Miss the train the whole system collapses, no lunch gets delivered during India’s normal 1-2 lunch hour. The Walas upon sorting the bags then sit together in a luggage compartment, where they do their daily joking upon the train ride to Mumbai. The train stops on the Southern Tip of Mumbai after a 40-minute train ride. Walas from all over the city gather, they then hop on bicycles left behind by other Walas for them. They then have to navigate the streets of Mumbai through cars, trucks, rickshaws, and even the occasional cow. Most days traffic is at a stand-still. Such a business seems like nothing but a recipe for chaos and disaster. Present the following model as a business plan and you would be subjected to ridicule[5]. How accurate are the Walas. Their error rate is reportedly 1 in 16 million[6]. Their efficiency is so renowned that they’ve been celebrated by Prince Charles of England and studied at Harvard Business School. Walas have no special background most of them have what amounts to an 8th grade education. Many of them are unable to read[7]. Here’s the thing about the Walas though which makes them so unique, they have managed to establish perfect timing in the midst of all chaos. The Walas promise to deliver lunch by 12:45 every day and they seemingly never disappoint regardless of how long the odds. Today’s Old Testament lesson tells a similar story[8]. It’s a story where the timing seems to be impossible. It’s a story of the most remarkable of promises being fulfilled in the life of Abraham. The story of Abraham’s life is one of God coming through on unbelievable promises given to Abraham. Abraham’s story spans thirteen chapters of the Book of Genesis and in nearly every chapter, promises of some sort are given by God to Abraham[9][10]. The first major promise that God gives unto Abraham is in Genesis 12 where God promises Abraham a land where he would become the Father of a great nation[11]. Abraham is seventy-five years old at the time. This promise seems unlikely to be fulfilled because Abraham is already getting up there in years. Today’s lesson takes place twenty-four years in the future. Twenty-four years after God’s original promise Abraham and Sarah are still childless. Abraham’s now ninety-nine years old to be exact. Abraham’s wife Sarah not being a young woman herself is believed to be barren. Within our lesson for Today, both Abraham and Sarah are promised by God that they would give birth to a child. This child would be the fulfillment of God’s previous promises to Abraham to descend from his blood a great nation. Here’s what should be noted about God’s promise to Abraham. God’s promise to Abraham and Sarah occur without conditions[12]. When Sarah hears she’s about to become pregnant at the age of 90, she laughs at God[13]. She believes such a thing is impossible. God could have moved onto someone else at this point, yet what the story of Abraham and Sarah illustrates the nature of God’s promises is they are unconditional. God’s response to us is more important than our response to God. We call this Grace. God’s ability to carry out his promises is stronger than our ability to run away from these truths. Here’s the thing about God’s promises to Abraham. Abraham nor Sarah do not live to see all of God’s promises fulfilled. The most important promise that God makes to Abraham is that through his family tree, a great blessing that will be received by not only Abraham’s family but all the families of the Earth. God’s promises would eventually be fulfilled through Abraham’s descendant Jesus Christ. The Cross of Christ which we look ahead to this Lenten season will be the ultimate fulfillment of God’s promises given to Abraham many generations ago[14]. Eventually, all the nations of the Earth will be saved from their own sin and suffering. The idea that a Savior would eventually overcome death seemed like nothing more than a distant dream during the life of Abraham. Resurrection is no more impossible than a hundred-year-old man having a child with a ninety-year-old woman[15]. The thing about promises is the best promises seem foolish at the time they are given. The thing about promises though is even if they seem a little unbelievable, there’s something sacred about a promise. How one fulfills their promises speaks to whether their word is gold or garbage. Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863[16]. The Emancipation Proclamation announced the freedom of three-million slaves within Southern states. Among the three-million slaves, there was perhaps one man who was more remarkable than any other slave for how he understood this notion of promise. Booker T. Washington tells the story of meeting a slave from Virginia[17]. The slave’s master had made a deal with him a couple of years before Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation; the slave would be able in effect to buy his freedom from his master[18]. The master set a price from freedom, with an understanding that the slave would be able to find work wherever he pleased. The condition was the slave promises to pay the master back. The slave eventually leaves Virginia for better wages in Ohio. The slave works in Ohio for a couple of years; Lincoln signs Emancipation Proclamation making the slave have no more legal obligations for his master. Now the Slave would have been justified in never returning to Virginia, yet the man’s promise meant more than anything that had taken place in the past. Upon earning money to pay off his master, he walked all the way from Ohio to Virginia to place every dollar he owed to his master into his hand plus interest. Booker T. Washington hears this story and is shocked. The man said his word would never be broken and he could never be truly “free” until his promise was fulfilled[19]. The point of the story of Abraham is this God’s promises are gold. They will come through, no matter how much the circumstances ultimately change around us. One last story for this morning as told by Leon Stier, the story illustrates how God’s promises are fulfilled no matter what takes place in our life[20]. Cleo was sixty-two years old. She and her husband John had just retired. The future was looking bright. Cleo and John had all sorts of friends, all sorts of money, and really big plans for the years ahead. Cleo’s plans collapsed as she heard that she had cancer and it was terminal. Cleo still struggled to get to church every Sunday even as her body got weaker and weaker. She eventually calls the Pastor over to plan her funeral. Cleo had all her hymns and scripture readings picked out. Cleo had one special request for the pastor. She asked if he wouldn’t mind preaching her funeral sermon on her favorite Bible verse[21]. The verse came from the very end of the Book of Joshua. Whereas Abraham was the Father of a great nation, Joshua was the one who led them back into the promised land of Israel after the death of Moses. The verse that Cleo picked goes as follows: “Now I am about to go the way of all the earth. You know with all your heart and soul that not one of all the good promises the Lord your God have you has failed. Every promise has been fulfilled; not one has failed.”- Joshua 23:14. God’s promises to Cleo did not include a long-life, nor a pain-free life, nor a life free of disappointment. Here’s what God promised Cleo instead. God promises to Cleo were instead eternal in nature. God’s promises would not fail Cleo[22]. To quote the Apostle Paul: “Look not to the things that are seen, but to the things that are unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal[23].” Consider how God’s promises work in our own life. God’s promises were given to Abraham thousands of years ago in a land, far, far away from here. The promises given to Abraham on this day, Christians believe are eventually fulfilled in the person of Jesus Christ[24]. God’s promises have continually reached around the world since Christ rose from the dead. These promises turned a small group of Disciples into a faith that reached our ancestors in Germany in the 8th Century[25], reaching Scandinavia shortly after that, and reaching nearly every corner of the world in the centuries that followed. We gather here on this day because God’s promises that a 99-year-old man would become the Father of a great nation with his barren wife Sarah have come true. No matter how long the odds of God’s promises seem to be. The cross assures us that in his presence that any meals within his kingdom will be served on time regardless of schedule. Amen [1] Pink, Daniel. When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing. Riverhead Books. New York. 2018. Print. P.177-200. [2] Pink, Daniel. When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing. P.179 [3] Pink, Daniel. When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing. P.178. [4] Pink, Daniel. When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing. P.187 [5] Pink, Daniel. When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing. P.188. [6] Pink, Daniel. When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing. P.188. [7] “Dabbawala.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation. 13. Jan.2018. Web. Feb.4.2018. [8] Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16. [9] Chapters 12-25. [10] Fretheim, Terry. “Commentary on Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16”. Working Preacher. Luther Seminary. 8. Mar.2009. Web. Feb.6.2018. [11] Genesis 12:1-9. [12] Fretheim, Terry. “Commentary on Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16”. [13] Genesis 18:12. [14] Howard, Cameron. B.R. “Commentary on Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16.” Working Preacher. Luther Seminary. 1.Mar.2015. Web. Feb.6.2018. [15] Howard, Cameron. B.R. “Commentary on Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16.” [16] “Emancipation Proclamation.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation. 29. Jan.2018. Web. Feb.4.2018. [17] Washingston gives the following example in his book Up from Slavery. [18] Moore. Douglas. E. “Promise.” Sermon Illustrations. Web. 4.Feb.2018. [19] Moore. Douglas. E. “Promise.” [20] Steir, Pastor Leon. “Cleo and John (Part one of two).” Email Mediatations. 9.Apr.2015. Web. 4. Feb.2018. [21] Steir, Pastor Leon. “Cleo and John (Part one of two).” [22] Steir, Pastor Leon. “Cleo and John (Part one of two).” [23] 2 Corinthians 4:18. [24] Steir, Pastor Leon. “Abraham and Adamou (part one of two).” Email Mediatations. 26. June.2015. Web. Feb.4.2018. [25] Steir, Pastor Leon. “Abraham and Adamou (part one of two).” First Lesson: Genesis 9: 8-17 Responsive Reading: Psalm 25: 1-10 Second Lesson: 1 Peter 3: 18-22 Gospel Lesson: Mark 1: 9-15 Grace and Peace from Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
“Don’t sit near the fire if your head is made of butter. The closer we are to temptation, the more it influences us[1].”- Martin Luther Let me begin this morning with a story about Toad and his good friend Frog[2]. Toad one day decided to bake some cookies; they were the best smelling cookies that he had ever made. Toad decides to eat one; he’s delighted as it’s the best tasting cookie he had ever eaten. Toad decides he better share the cookies with Frog. Frog takes one bite and agrees with Toad that these are the best cookies ever. Frog and Toad decide to eat cookie after cookie as their stomachs grow fuller and fuller. Finally Frog figures perhaps they should stop, so they don’t get sick. Toad agrees but asks Frog that they eat one last cookie before stopping. They munch their cookies down in about three seconds. They see the cookie jar is still full of cookies. They quickly decide one more last cookie won’t hurt, so they scarf their cookies down in about three seconds yet again. Toad cries out “We must stop eating[3].” Frog agrees but decides that they need the willpower to resist such strong temptation. Toad asks Frog “What is willpower?” Frog answers “Willpower is trying hard not to do something you really want to.” Lightbulb goes on in Toad’s head “You mean like eating all these cookies?” “Exactly,” says Frog. Frog hatches a plan. “We will put all the cookies in a box; then we will not eat any more cookies[4].” Toad objects “But we can open the box[5].” Frog agrees, but then says “Well we can tie some string around the box, then we won’t eat any more cookies[6].” Toad points out “But we can cut the string on the box.” Frog agrees. “We will then place the cookies on a high shelf[7].” Frog decides to get a ladder to put the cookies away. Toad points out “But we’re still able to climb the ladder to get the cookies.” Frog decides there is one solution to the problem. He brings the box of cookies outside, shouts for the birds to get the cookies. Pretty soon, birds come from all around taking away every last delicious bite. Toad sees the scene unfold and gets quite sad. “We now have no more cookies to eat.” Frog says “I know, but we actually used our willpower to resist temptation[8].” Toad looks at Frog then says “You can keep all your willpower, I’m going back home to bake a cake[9].” The story of Toad and Frog leads us into our Gospel lesson for Today from Mark 1[10]. It’s the story of Jesus journeying into the wilderness to be tempted by the Devil for forty days. The Devil presents Jesus with three temptations. The first temptation of Bread we can understand as the lust of the flesh or doing something because it feels good[11]. No different than eating cookies till your stomach aches. Resisting this temptation was going to be a struggle as Jesus had been starving for the past forty days. The second temptation that Jesus faces deals with pride[12], The Devil takes Jesus to the highest pinnacle of the Temple with an offer to throw himself down to make him save himself. Jesus rejects this temptation as an abuse of his powers. The third temptation that Jesus faces deals with power[13]. The devil offers Jesus all the kingdoms of the world plus all the fame and earthly glory that go along with them. The offers that the Devil presents Jesus with is quite enticing: Jesus can have all he ever wants in This life if he will bow down and worship the Devil[14]. Resisting these temptations wasn’t going be easy for Jesus. The point of our lesson is this. We face similar temptations every day. Giving in to such temptations has the power to destroy us. One of the most famous works of German Literature tells the story of Dr. Faust[15]. Dr. Faust’s story begins with a conversation between God and the Devil. Similar to the story of Job, the Devil makes a bet with God that he can steal Dr. Faust’s soul. Dr. Faust seems an unlikely candidate for such a bet; he was widely renowned as a brilliant scientist and a good man of faith. The Devil though understands Dr. Faust’s cookies which he will be unable to resist. The Devil presents Dr. Faust with an offer of everything he could want for the rest of his life; the only cost would be his eternal soul. Dr. Faust thinks this is a wonderful deal as he was a young man with death way off in the distance. Dr. Faust from this point forward accepts the Devil’s deal. Dr. Faust explains his decision to God as such: “I am not indebted to you for the life you gave me, so I want to forget you, God, and live for myself[16].” The Devil’s deal produces a wonderful life for Dr. Faust. Towards the end of his life though, Dr. Faust began to realize something that the deal he agreed to so many years ago wasn’t good at all. Dr. Faust stared at his upcoming death with nothing but despair. Dr. Faust’s salvation seemed to be lost in a moment of seeking out pleasure years before. Here’s the thing about Temptation, we can have the best intentions to resist it, yet as in the case of Frog and Toad no matter what the rewards: Human willpower is quite weak. As in the story of Dr. Faust, it’s really easy for us only to see how temptation benefits us today while being unable to see how temptation will damage you tomorrow. Tim Zingale tells the following story: Many years ago a king had a beautiful daughter[17]. Everyone within the kingdom wanted to marry the princess. The princess didn’t care who she married as long as he loved her more than he loved anything else. The king and the princess one day devised a test to the courters’ love. An announcement was made that on a certain day there would be a race. The winner of the race would get to marry the princess. Everyone rich or poor, tall or short, royal or common would be allowed to enter. The only criteria to enter the race was you needed to profess your love for the princess above all else[18]. Race day comes the starting line is filled with every eligible bachelor in the kingdom. They all intended to run many miles to win the princess’ hand in marriage. They all hear that the princess would be waiting at the finish line. Whoever grabbed her hand first, would take the princess as his bride[19]. Right before the start of the race, an announcement was made. It was announced that the king was one of the wealthiest men in the world, and because he didn’t want anyone to come away from the race empty-handed, he had scattered a collection of his treasures along the course. Each runner was free to take what he wanted[20]. The race begins; runners quickly get distracted with bags of gold and gems. They would grab pendants and jeweled encrusted cups. Runner after runner began to line his pocket with treasures. Pretty soon, the princess was forgotten[21]. There was one man though who was different[22]; he didn’t run fast, in fact, he kind of limped a bit when running. Yet the man kept pressing on regardless of the trinkets around him. It was this man who would eventually grab the princess’ hand in marriage, and become a prince within the kingdom. The great hope for this morning is temptation as in the story of the princess has been overcome. It wasn’t overcome by Frog, Toad, Faust, or any of the men of the kingdom. The temptation was overcome by Jesus for forty days in the wilderness. Christ defeated the power of the devil. And Christ in just a few short weeks will overcome the power of death through his resurrection. These are forces that we cannot defeat on our own, but Christ overcomes them for us, so our hope is that we look towards the day when His Kingdom shall eventually become our Kingdom. You might wonder this morning whatever happened to Dr. Faust[23]? The man who sold his soul to the Devil? Faust dies, his soul would appear to be the Devil’s for all eternity. Yet God’s forces intervene regardless of the darkest secrets within Faust’s past. Even Faust receives God’s grace. The final scene of Dr.Faust’s story has him carried into heaven for all eternity[24]. Faust’s weaknesses did not lead him to Hell as even he thought they would, victory had previously been won for him as Christ endured for forty days in the wilderness and three more days hanging upon a cross. Yet this story was not over. Amen [1] Crockett, Kent. The 911 Handbook. Hendrickson Publishers. Peabody, MA. 2003. Print. P.33 taken from kentcrockett.com. [2] Ortlund, Ray&Anne. Renewal. Navpress. 1989. Print. P.73-74 taken from sermonillustrations.com. [3] Ortlund, Ray&Anne. Renewal. P.73-74 [4] Ortlund, Ray&Anne. Renewal. P.73-74. [5] Ortlund, Ray&Anne. Renewal. P.73-74. [6] Ortlund, Ray&Anne. Renewal. P.73-74. [7] Ortlund, Ray&Anne. Renewal. P.73-74. [8] Ortlund, Ray&Anne. Renewal. P.73-74. [9] Ortlund, Ray&Anne. Renewal. P.73-74. [10] Mark 1:9-15. [11] Houdmann, S. Micheal. “What was the meaning and purpose of Jesus' temptations?” Got Questions.org. Web. Jan.31.2018. [12] Houdmann, S. Micheal. “What was the meaning and purpose of Jesus' temptations?” [13] Houdmann, S. Micheal. “What was the meaning and purpose of Jesus' temptations?” [14] Stier, Pastor Leon. “Led by the Spirit… To Be Tempted (part one)” Email Mediations. 24. Feb.2015. Web. Jan.31.2018. [15] Stier, Pastor Leon. “Led by the Spirit… To Be Tempted (part one.” [16] Stier, Pastor Leon. “Led by the Spirit…To Be Tempted (part two). Email Mediatations. 25. Feb.2015. Web. Jan.31.2018. [17] Zingale, Tim. “To Tempt.” Sermon Writer. 2006. Web. Jan.31.2018. Also found on Sermon Central. [18] Zingale, Tim. “To Tempt.” [19] Zingale, Tim. “To Tempt.” [20] Zingale, Tim. “To Tempt.” [21] Zingale, Tim. “To Tempt.” [22] Zingale, Tim. “To Tempt.” [23] “Faust”. Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation. 30.Jan.2018. Web. Jan.31.2018. Plot twist taken from Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe’s story of Faust. [24] Faust”. Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation. First Lesson: 2 Kings 2: 1-12 Responsive Reading: Psalm 50: 1-6 Second Lesson: 2 Corinthians 4: 3-6 Gospel Lesson: Mark 9: 2-9 Grace and Peace from Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
Argentina and Chile have one of the largest shared borders in the world of 3,000 miles running alongside the Andes Mountains[1]. When both countries declared independence from the Spanish in 1810, the border immediately became disputed. The primary source of the tension in this dispute is the Patagonia region along the Southern coast of South America[2]. Patagonia is considered some of the most beautiful land in the world. After nearly a century of border disputes between the two counties, a local bishop decided to erect a statue on the country’s borders called “Christ of the Andes[3].” The statue was to serve as a message of Christ’s call for peace between the two countries. The statue’s completion in 1904 was initially a great cause for celebration. Soldiers from both countries would fire gun salutes together such a thing would have been unheard of a few years prior[4]. Pretty soon trouble arose, the people of Chile noticed something about the statute; the statue was facing Argentina turning its back on Chile[5]. The people of Chile were ready to go to war over the slight produced by this statue. A newspaper editor in Chile saw things much different from his fellow countrymen; he decided he needed to write an editorial about the statue. He proceeded to write to the people of Chile not to worry about any slights regarding the statue because “The people of Argentina need more watching over than the Chileans[6].” The people of Chile saw their anger turn to laughter; the countries continued in the years ahead with relative peace and eighty years after the construction of Christ of the Andes, the two countries formally recognized their friendship with each other[7]. The border statue had two perspectives on one event; thankfully the newspaper editor’s perspective was ultimately the one that saved the day. The second story for this morning told by D.L. Moody tells a similar tale of one event with two very different perspectives. Once upon a time, there was a Christian woman who was bed-ridden because of an illness[8]. Here’s what made the woman remarkable: her attitude was one of perpetual optimism no matter how much pain she felt or how much sicker she ultimately got. The worst things got the woman seemingly got sunnier. The woman had no earthly reason to celebrate. Her apartment was on the fifth floor of the most rundown building any of you have ever seen, yet this didn’t bother her. Not everyone saw things this way, one day a friend came to visit her bringing another guest in one of the wealthiest women around. There was no elevator in the dark and dingy building, so the two women had to climb the steps from the first floor. By the time they reached the second floor, the wealthy woman had commented “What a dark and filthy place[9]!" To which her friend commented, “Don’t worry, it gets better the higher up, you go[10].” When they reach the third floor, the wealthy woman comments “Things look even worse here." To which her friend mouths the same reply “Don’t worry, it gets better higher up.” Finally, the women get to the top floor. The wealthy woman looks at the surroundings; the room was the drabbest and most run-down thing she had seen in her life. The wealthy woman couldn’t for the life of her make sense of her friend’s words “it gets better higher up.” The wealthy woman then proceeds to say to the sickly woman “It must be very difficult for you to be here like this[11]!” A huge smile breaks out over the sickly woman’s face, “I’m happy here because it’s going to be better higher up[12].” The sickly woman and the wealthy woman saw the same room, yet they interpreted the room very differently. The wealthy woman only saw things regarding what you see Today[13]. The sickly woman saw something much different at work; she knew that regardless of her present surroundings, her mountaintop was still to come. Both these stories tell the tale of one event with two different perspectives. In the case of the Christ of the Andes statue, it’s the difference between war and peace. In the case of the wealthy woman and sickly woman, it’s the difference between despair and hope. You see the human eye is one of the most remarkable organisms in the world. Consider its complexity[14]. The human eye accounts for one/four-thousandths of an adult’s weight[15]. The eye processes about 80% of information that we receive in this lifetime. The retina contains 130 million rod-shaped cells to detect light intensity[16], impulses are transmitted to the brain by nearly one million nerve fibers, and the eyes manage to be kept clean by self-producing just the right amount of fluid to clean eyes within one five-thousandth of a second[17]. The amazing thing about the human eye is despite the minor differences in function, the precision of similarities between every human eye out there. Here’s the most important thing about the human eye, people can come to very different answers to the same events which they witness out of them. In our Gospel lesson for Today[18], Jesus and Peter’s eyes despite being very similar come to two very different answers. Our lesson begins as such, Jesus and Peter climb to the top of a mountain. Peter witnesses a jaw-dropping scene, Jesus starts shining as bright as the sun, then appearing alongside Jesus are Moses and Elijah the two previous greatest heroes of Israel’s faith. Pretty soon, something even bigger takes place than appearances of the long-dead heroes of the faith, a voice comes down from heaven proclaiming “This is my Son, whom I love; with him, I am well pleased. Listen to him[19]!” Jesus had been proclaimed by the heavens to be a bigger deal than even Moses or Elijah. Peter and the rest of the Disciples are so amazed at this scene of transfiguration that they fall onto the ground in sheer awe. Peter figures his life after witnessing such a dramatic scene will never be the same ever again. Peter’s first response is “Lord; it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters; one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah[20].” Peter knew a thing or two about marketing having been a fisherman[21]. Peter knew how to sell fish and thought he could do the same here with religion. Peter wanted to get the word out over a religious catch as he had never seen before. Peter knew people would travel from far and wide to see Jesus, Moses, and Elijah together. There would be no more denying among the people of Israel that Jesus was the one to follow. Peter thinks he finally has Jesus figured out, only for Jesus to tell Peter that nothing about this most dramatic of scenes will matter until Jesus rises from the dead. In fact, Peter hears he needed to keep his mouth shut until then. Here’s what Peter is reminded of on this day, in Jesus’ presence, we do not set the religious agenda. Jesus continually finds ways to afflict the comfortable, and comfort the afflicted[22]. Jesus has a way of bestowing mercy upon the worst of sinners even when it seems not to be possible[23]. We are reminded that as we look at any one event of our lives from the border dispute of two neighboring countries to visiting a sickly old woman, Jesus’ perspective on what his eyes see is continually so much different from our own. Where we might only see crosses laid before us, Jesus sees what’s on the other side of the cross. As we keep this in mind, let me describe one final scene for this morning, the year is 2018, the place is Silver Bay[24]. It’s a cold day in April, the wind is blowing, and rain is drizzling down. A woman is gathered at Sawtooth Cemetery along her family plus a few select friends. She’s staring at her husband’s coffin; her mind is consumed with the last days of his life as his body got more and more ravaged by cancer, till the point that he could not get out of bed. She stares at the coffin, but she does not cry. She sees the casket and believes that things will indeed be better higher up. She sees a day where her husband’s body is strong once again, where he walks out of bed on his very power, where previous hospital visits are now a distant memory[25]. She sees a day when the two of them will eat dinner together again, where they embrace, where they walk, talk, and share laughs together[26]. She does not cry. Some people only see a casket on this day, but she sees something more. She sees not their separation on this day, she rather sees the day when they will be together again, and all things are made new once again[27]. Peter upon the Mount of Transfiguration, saw what he thought was the pinnacle of his faith, whereas Jesus knew the pinnacle of faith was yet to come. Whereas many of us see caskets on days such as this, Jesus’ eyes see the empty tombs which are soon to come. Amen [1] “Argentina–Chile relations.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation. 23.Jan.2018. Web. Jan.29.2018. [2] “Argentina–Chile relations.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. [3] “Christ the Redeemer of the Andes.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation. 13. Nov.2017. Web. Jan.29.2018. [4] “Christ the Redeemer of the Andes.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. [5] “Conflict” Bits & Pieces. 25.June. 1992. Web. Jan.29.2018. Taken from Sermonillustrations.com. [6] Conflict” Bits & Pieces. [7] “Argentina–Chile relations.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. [8] Schultz, Don. “The Mountain Before The Valley.” Sermon Central. 27. Feb.2003. Web. Jan.29.2018. [9] Schultz, Don. “The Mountain Before The Valley.” [10] Schultz, Don. “The Mountain Before The Valley.” [11] Schultz, Don. “The Mountain Before The Valley.” [12] Schultz, Don. “The Mountain Before The Valley.” [13] Schultz, Don. “The Mountain Before The Valley.” [14] Richardson, Taylor. “Seeing is Believing: The Design of the Human Eye.” Apologetics Press. 2004. Web. Jan.29.2018. [15] Blanchard, John. Does God Believe in Atheists? 2000. EP Books. Grand Rapids, MI. P.313. taken from Richardson, Taylor “Seeing is Believing: The Design of the Human Eye.” [16] Blanchard, John. Does God Believe in Atheists? [17] Blanchard, John. Does God Believe in Atheists? [18] Mark 9:2-9. [19] Mark 9:7. [20] Mark 9:5. [21] Stier, Pastor Leon. “Not on the Same Page (b.) Email Mediataions. 1. Mar.2017. Web. Jan.29.2018. [22] Stier, Pastor. Leon. “Not on the Same Page (a).” Email Mediataions. 28.Feb.2017. Web. Jan.29.2018. [23] Stier, Pastor. Leon. “Not on the Same Page (a).” [24] Based on “A Different Kind of Dream.” By Rev. Dr. Mike Graves published on Day 1 on Feburary 19, 2012. [25] Graves, Rev.Dr. Mike. “A Different Kind of Dream.” Day 1. 19.Feb.2012. Web. Jan.29.2018. [26] Graves, Rev.Dr. Mike. “A Different Kind of Dream.” [27] Revelation 21:5. First Lesson: Isaiah 40: 21-31 Responsive Reading: Psalm 147: 1-11, 20 Second Lesson: 1 Corinthians 9: 16-23 Gospel Lesson: Mark 1: 29-39 Grace and Peace from Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
“Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life.”-Psalm 143:8. Francis Scott Key was born in 1779 in Fredrick County, Maryland[1]. Key was the son of an officer in the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. Key was a lawyer by profession[2]. In the year 1814, the War of 1812 was going strong. The War was not going good for the United States. Much of Washington D.C. including the White House, the Capitol were in flames; many government officials had fled the city[3]. While the scene was taking place, Francis Scott Key was onboard a British warship seeking to secure the release of a close friend of President James Monroe[4]. On this night, though Fort McHenry in Chesapeake Bay was under attack by the British. If Fort McHenry fell the city of Baltimore would probably be next and the new nation possibly with it. So Key was unable to leave the ship till the battle was over. So Key slept, figuring he would learn the battle’s outcome in the morning upon seeing what flag (American or British) flew on top Fort McHenry[5]. The next morning by the dawn’s early light, the American flag over Fort McHenry that Key hailed at the twilight’s last gleaming continued to fly. Key who also enjoyed poetry began writing a poem about what he had witnessed. Key showed the poem to a few friends, and soon a local Baltimore newspaper published its words in conjunction with a popular tavern tune. Key’s “Star-Spangled Banner” was a hit. Here’s what you might not know about our National Anthem. Sporting events like our Super Bowl later today, only recite the first verse. The Star-Spangled Banner has four verses. The fourth verse might be the most interesting[6]. Let me read the final lines of the Star-Spangled Banner: “Then conquer we must, when our cause is just; And this be our motto, “In God is our Trust.” Key based his words on Psalm 143[7]. Francis Scott Key was a man of deep faith. He grew up a devout Episcopal[8]. He nearly became a priest instead of a lawyer. He was a long-time member of the American Bible Society. Key was influential in the founding of multiple Episcopal seminaries[9]. As passionate as Key was about his country, Key wanted to remember forever that the only source that he could ultimately trust in, even as he saw horrific bombings all around him, was his God. Key’s life leads us into the tale of a seemingly unrelated character the Mother in Law of Simon Peter. We hear her story within our Gospel lesson for Today from Mark 1[10]. Our lesson takes place immediately after Jesus heals the man possessing a demon at the synagogue in Capernaum[11]. After the service gets done, Simon Peter and Andrew invite Jesus and the rest of the Disciples to their nearby home to get something to eat. Now Simon Peter’s mother in law had been sick; she had been bed-ridden. Simon Peter and Andrew explain the situation to Jesus. Jesus walks into her presence, takes her by the hand, her fever was gone, and she then manages to serve Jesus and all the Disciples dinner. Simon Peter and Andrew had just seen something pretty dramatic with the demoniac-cleansing, now they see Jesus heal in their lives in a much, more personal way within their Mother-in-Law. The stories of Francis Scott Key and Simon Peter’s Mother-In-Law showcase something to us about the nature of trust. All of us in this life have our unique share of problems, might be relationship problems, health problems, or money problems. We often think we know the best way to handle these problems; we might even pray to God saying how our problems can be gone[12]. The thing that makes trusting in God so difficult is his ways are often not our ways[13]. Jake Olson was twelve years old and diagnosed with Cancer of the Retinas[14]. Olson’s eyes were going to need to be removed, and he was going to be blind going forward. Olson’s favorite thing in the world was the USC Trojans Football team. Olson’s final wish before losing his sight was to see the Trojans play one last time before going blind. Word of Olson’s wish reaches the coach at the time, Pete Carroll, Olson becomes a fixture at practices and on the sidelines during games. He draws attention for his ability to encourage the Trojans even with what he’s enduring[15]. Olson has his surgery loses his eyes. Olson becomes a recipient of a seeing-eye dog. Olson goes through high-school[16]. Olson becomes a member of his high-school football team. Olson becomes the team’s long-snapper. Long-snapping is dependent on muscle memory more so than strength or eye-sight. Olson had to trust he knew how his teammates would ultimately line-up, or such a thing would be impossible for a blind player. Olson would run onto the field by grabbing one of his teammate's shoulders[17]. Olson, as he always wanted to, attends USC. Olson decides that he’s going to try to get onto the football team. USC is year-in-year-out, one of the best teams in the entire country. Olson knows the only way he could ever play is as a long-snapper, for two seasons, he practices with the team never getting into a game. Coach Clay Helton knew how much his now teammates loved Olson[18]. He made it a goal of getting Olson into a game. The problem was Olson could be badly hurt by large college athletes in such a setting. Helton hatches a plan; he contacts the coach of an upcoming opponent then agrees to give them a free kick if they give Olson the chance to do the same. September 1st, 2017 against the Western Michigan Broncos Jake Olson’s impossible dream becomes a reality. Olson makes a perfect snap, 90,000 people go wild. Olson describes the moment as such: “If you can’t see how God works things out, then I think you’re the blind one[19].” Trust that God will work things out for a greater good as in the case of Jake Olson can be really tough sometimes. It’s tough to believe your God is going to come through watching your home getting bombed by one of the world’s greatest military powers like Francis Scott Key. It’s tough to believe when you’re like Simon Peter seeing your Mother-In-Law getting sicker and sicker day after day. Jesus came through in all these individuals’ life as unlikely as it seemed at the time! Our lesson for Today closes with word of Jesus’ deeds spreading. The whole village brings people to see Jesus at sunrise[20]. What’s amazing about this scene is so many people had the faith and trust to bring the sick out of their homes believing that Jesus possessed the power to save them. People were being carried on cots by multiple people wishing for not only healing but ultimately hope[21]. Our situation with Jesus is different than the people that Jesus encounters in Galilee in our lesson. We don’t often encounter such direct answers to our predicaments. Our prayers are seemingly met with silence[22]. We wonder through the course of the night how might the morning after the bombings of our life ultimately look. What does trust in God within our lives ultimately look? Let me close with one final story; Pastor James Brown was a Baptist preacher down in Louisiana[23]. Years earlier, Pastor Brown had wanted to take up flying airplanes. One day while up in the air for a lesson, the instructor gives the strangest of requests. “I want you to put the plane in a steep and extended dive. Fly the plane like you intend to crash it.” Pastor Brown was confused, but he does what he’s told figuring the instructor had a point he wished to illustrate. Even Pastor Brown couldn’t believe what happened next. The engine began to stall, the plane began to plunge out of control, and the instructor just sat there not responding. Pastor Brown began to panic but soon figured out how to get the plane back on course[24]. Pastor Brown got was quite mad at his instructor for pulling the following stunt. At which point the Instructor looks at him as calm as can be to say “There is no position you can get this airplane into that I cannot get you out of. If you want to learn to fly, go up there and do it again[25]." Pastor Brown at this moment had a Spiritual Epiphany that would never leave him. “Remember this. As you serve Me, there is no situation you can get yourself into that I cannot get you out of. If you trust me, you will be all right[26].” The lesson of Pastor Brown’s Flight Instructor is the point of our lesson for Today. No matter what you’re going through today as in the case of Francis Scott Key, Jake Olson, or Simon Peter’s Mother in- Law, even the presence of death itself, our God who hanged upon a cross can get you out of it. “In God is our Trust.” The Cross of Christ shall endure forever! Amen [1] “Francis Scott Key.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation. 9.Jan.2018. Web. Jan. 25.2018. [2] “Francis Scott Key.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. [3] Stier, Pastor Leon. “In God We Trust.” Email Meditations. 14. Mar. 2017. Web. Jan.24.2018. [4] Stier, Pastor Leon. “In God We Trust.” [5] Stier, Pastor Leon. “In God We Trust.” [6] “The Star Spangled Banner.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation. 22. Jan.2018. Web. Jan.24.2018. [7] Psalm 143:8. [8] “Francis Scott Key.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. [9] “Francis Scott Key.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. [10] Mark 1:29-39. [11] Zingale, Tim. “Let Go, Let God.” Sermon Central. 30.Jan.2006. Web. Jan.24.2018. [12] Zingale, Tim. “Let Go, Let God.” [13] Isaiah 55:8. [14] Moriaty, Morgan. “8 of the coolest parts from the incredible Jake Olson story.” SB Nation. Vox Media. 7.Oct.2017. Web. Jan.24.2018. [15] Moriaty, Morgan. “8 of the coolest parts from the incredible Jake Olson story.” [16] Moriaty, Morgan. “8 of the coolest parts from the incredible Jake Olson story.” [17] Plaschke, Bill. “USC long snapper Jake Olson delivers in a key moment — 'Certain things are bigger than the game'. Los Angeles Times. 2. Sept.2017. Web. Jan.24.2018. [18] Plaschke, Bill. “USC long snapper Jake Olson delivers in a key moment — 'Certain things are bigger than the game'. [19] Plaschke, Bill. “USC long snapper Jake Olson delivers in a key moment — 'Certain things are bigger than the game'. [20] Mark 1:37. [21] Zingale, Tim. “Let Go, Let God.” [22] Zingale, Tim. “Let Go, Let God.” [23] Brown, Pastor James. Evangeline Baptist Church, Wildsville, LA. Discoveries. Fall, 1991, Vol. 2, No. 4. Taken from Sermonillustrations.com on Jan.25.2018. [24] Pastor James Brown. Sermonillustrations.com. [25] Pastor James Brown. Sermonillustrations.com. [26] Pastor James Brown. Sermonillustrations.com. |
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