First Lesson: Esther 7: 1-6, 9-10; 9: 20-22
Responsive Reading: Psalm 124
Second Lesson: James 5: 13-20
Gospel Lesson: Mark 9: 38-50

Grace and Peace from Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
​
“Few things are harder to put up with than the annoyance of a good example[1].”-Mark Twain

The year was 1988.  I was eight years old; third grade would be starting in one month.  My Dad and a buddy had recently built a treehouse that stood several feet off the ground.  Dad being responsible had attached a ladder for safe travel up and down.  The treehouse soon became a hang out for kids from my neighborhood (Danny, Tommy, Ben, Ira, and I).  We were all about to start the third grade.  Pretty soon though a few of my friends noticed something about the ladder, it wasn’t very exciting to climb down.  You don’t want to be goody-two-shoes heading into third grade.  So they began jumping down from the treehouse.  Whereas I listened intently to my parents instructions, to always take the ladder.  This went on seemingly the whole summer.  Friends would jump down, and I alone would take the ladder.  So eventually my friends start getting on my case about this.  I keep taking the ladder, until one day.  One day I was going to jump, just like they jumped.  I had seen them jump dozens of times safely without incident.  So I leapt in the air to jump down from the treehouse.  The rest of the night was spent in the emergency room at the Chisago Lakes medical center with Dr. Overgaard.  My leg was broken.  I would spend my first three months of third grade in either a cast transported by crutches or a walking bone.  My friend's example had led me astray and I had paid the consequences for it. 

In Today’s Gospel lesson, Jesus declares: “But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea[2].”
These words speak to the power of one’s good example.  Ed Markquart describes reading an article about a pastor and protestant congregation in Ireland[3].  Ireland has been marked with generations of strife between Protestants and Catholics.  So the Pastor will preach to the parents all the reasons for the strife.  The parents will then go home and instruct the children why they are to oppose Roman Catholics.  The children, in turn, will throw bricks throw Catholic homes[4].  So what these examples teach is that hatred, violence, and prejudice for generations are justified if one has a good excuse.  Perhaps Jesus’ words then make a bit more sense: “But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea[5].”

The third example, last winter the Silver Bay Girls Basketball team was playing in McGregor.  It was a tight back and forth game.  McGregor had some fans who every time, Silver Bay would dribble up and down the court would yell at our small, short guards that they were committing some violation that should lead to a turnover.  I could tell by the second half that the girls were getting bothered by this harassing.

So I was going to make a point.  Next time, McGregor dribbles the ball up the court, I start shouting “carry” over and over.  A ‘carry’ is a violation that would lead to a turnover in Basketball, even though everyone in the gym knew McGregor was doing no such thing.  A couple of our high school boys watching chimed in the same.

The offending McGregor fans were then quiet for the rest of the game.  Luke Thun was the Silver Bay assistant coach that night; he turns around, shouts at me then gives the knock it off symbol.  After the game, Luke comes up to me to point out “No matter how bad other fans might be, that doesn’t mean we want to set a bad example.”

For even in our own lives, Jesus’ words often apply to those around us “But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea.”

Today’s Gospel lesson comes to us from Mark 9[6].  It contains some of the most dramatic language of Jesus within all the Christian gospels.

“If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go into hell, where the fire never goes out. And if your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than to have two feet and be thrown into hell. And if your eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell.”

Jesus’ words are a reminder that we will all face temptations in this life[7].  These temptations will hit us in different ways from different angles.  For some of us, we will struggle with alcohol more than others; others might be a temptation towards adultery, others might be inclined to be loose with the tongue through destructive language.

When we give in to temptation it doesn’t merely affect us; it affects those around us, especially the littlest ones among us.  As Ed Markquart points out, little ones doesn’t merely refer to young children it refers to new Christians, the poor and vulnerable of society, even seasoned believers who fall short of what God is calling them to do[8].

Jesus to illustrate the importance of the example, we set for others uses the analogy of a millstone.  Millstones in Jesus day were huge being eight feet in diameter and three feet thick.  They would be hauled by oxen to grind grain[9].  They would weigh well over a ton[10].

Jesus says it would be better to drop with a millstone into the deepest, the middle part of the ocean that causes one of God’s little ones to sin.

The themes of our lesson are carried on a generation later by the Apostle Paul who declares in Romans: “Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother. “- Romans 14:13. 

Jesus’ words serve as a powerful example of the judgment that awaits those who carelessly interact with not only the church, but the world around us.

Children learn the faith from their parents, grandparents, friends, and neighbors.  If we deny this responsibility, then we cannot cry out when they walk away from the church.

Examples are often more powerful than we think.  Monterrey, California for many years was a paradise for Pelicans from far and wide[11].  Monterrey had a large commercial fishing base.  So when fish were being cleaned, the residue organ meats would be tossed aside, and the Pelicans would feast.  Eventually, changes to the fishing industry started seeing these pieces be utilized.  The Pelicans feast had come to an end.  The Pelicans because of years of habit would not fish for themselves.  The Pelicans began to starve and die.

Monterrey though eventually thought of a genius solution, they started imported Pelicans from different parts of the country, Pelicans that were used to fishing on their own.  Placing these Pelicans among their starving brethren soon changed everything.  The previously hungry Pelicans came to discover once again, Monterrey as a paradise for them.  All that was needed in the Pelicans case was a good example.  Are humans really any different?

Let me close with one final story, in 1853 Hudson Taylor was a 21-year-old missionary moving to China where few missionaries dared to go[12].  Taylor was one of the first missionaries to venture away from the big cities with their large British populations and journey into China’s interior.

Taylor translated the Bible into Chinese, recruited more missionaries, and founded a  missionary organization within China.  Taylor believed his great calling in life was to bring the Gospel to those in China’s most remote areas who had not heard the Gospel.  Hudson Taylor died in 1905[13].

In 1949, after the Chinese Civil War, the communist People’s Republic of China was born.  Government leaders were seeking to discredit Christianity by going after its greatest missionary within the nation of China.  An author was hired to do a hit piece on Hudson Taylor to paint him and all Christians in a bad light[14].  The author researched and researched.  Eventually, though something stood out about Hudson Taylor that was his example to the little ones around him.  The author eventually decides he cannot do a hit piece on such a man.  To refuse assignment from the Communist government could result in one’s death, yet this didn’t matter.  The author would soon renounce his previous Atheism and become a Christian because of Hudson Taylor’s life a few generations before.

“For whoever is not against us is for us.”- Mark 9:40

We are never perfect examples within this world.  Even Hudson Taylor was in need of God’s grace and forgiveness.  What Jesus’ words remind us of though is the power of our example.  How we will all face grave potentially temptations in this life, yet our example has the power to both give life and death to those around us.  This passage serves as a reminder that our greatest calling as Christian people is not to re-earn the salvation that was previously won for us upon the cross.  Our greatest calling instead is the care of our family and neighbors alike[15].  There is no more powerful form of care than our example.  You might even prevent a broken leg or two because of it.  Amen


[1] Found on Sermon Illustrations on August 22nd, 2018 under example.
[2] Mark 9:42. 
[3] Markquart, Ed. “Millstones.” Sermons from Seattle. Pentecost 17B. Mark 9:42-50, Luke 7:1-4, Matthew 18:6-10. Web. August.22nd.2018. 
[4] Markquart, Ed. “Millstones.” Sermons from Seattle
[5] Mark 9;42
[6] Mark 9:38-50.
[7] Markquart, Ed. “Millstones.” Sermons from Seattle.
[8] Markquart, Ed. “Millstones.” Sermons from Seattle.
[9] Markquart, Ed. “Millstones.” Sermons from Seattle.
[10]
[11] Found on Sermon Illustrations on August 22nd, 2018 under example.
[12] “Hudson Taylor and Missions to China”. Christianity Today. Found on Christian History. No.52 published in 1996.  Web. August.22.2018. 
[13] Hudson Taylor and Missions to China”. Christianity Today. Found on Christian History. No.52 published in 1996.  Web. August.22.2018. 
[14] Found on Sermon Illustrations on August 22nd, 2018 under example
[15] Juel, Donald. H. “Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost: Mark 9:38-50 (Causing One of These
Little Ones to Stumble.” Word and World. Volume XIV, Number 3. Summer 1994.  

First Lesson: Proverbs 31: 10-31
Responsive Reading: Psalm 1
Second Lesson: James 3: 13- 4:3, 7-8
​Gospel Lesson: Mark 9: 30-37

Grace and Peace from Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
​
Richard Petty was born in North Carolina in 1937[1].  He is one of the most successful Nascar drivers of all time.  By 1978, he was in the midst of a losing streak.  Petty had lost forty-five consecutive races[2].  In early 1979, the biggest race of the year was about to take place the Daytona 500.  One-hundred thousand people would be in attendance.  The winner’s purse would be over $70,000.  It was such a big race that it was the rare Nascar race to be shown on live T.V. in 1979[3]. 

The Daytona 500 would be raced over 200 laps.  Heading into the last lap, Petty’s losing streak seemed likely to continue; he was thirty seconds behind the leaders Donnie Allison and Cale Yarborough[4].  Thirty seconds within one lap is seemingly insurmountable within Nascar racing. 

The final lap though would be one of the most unexpected though in Nascar history.  Second place Yarborough attempted a slingshot pass on the backstretch, Allison tried to block Yarborough forcing Yarborough’s tires onto the infield grass, causing Yarborough’s car to start spin out of control, the leader's cars kept coming into contact before eventually crashing into the outside wall.  When both vehicles finally came to a halt within the infield, Allison and Yarborough proceeded to have a fist fight with each other.  What happened to Richard Petty?  He would overcome his long losing streak by beating Darrell Waltrip by a car length[5]. 

Richard Petty and the 1979 Daytona 500 reminds us of the nature of our Gospel lesson for today regarding unlikely outcomes where Jesus declares: “Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all[6].”

Here’s the background for our lesson.  Jesus walks up and hears a conversation taking place among the Disciples.  The Disciples were debating among themselves “Who exactly is the greatest Disciple?”

Mark’s Gospel seemingly separates the Disciples into two groups.  Earlier in Mark 9, Jesus takes three of his disciples (Peter, James, and John) with him to the Mount of Transfiguration to witness the seeming high point of his earthly ministry a visit from the resurrected Moses and Elijah appearing before them[7].  Whereas the other nine Disciples stood around the base of the mounting waiting, even further divisions among the Disciples could have taken place[8].  The one disciple with the most impressive background coming from cosmopolitan Jerusalem trained in rather than backwoods Galilee was Judas.  Judas probably didn’t see eye to eye with Matthew, the tax collector after Judas was placed in charge of the Disciples’ joint treasury. 

So Jesus tries to sort out all this bickering among the Disciples by making a point in response about the nature of God’s Kingdom.  “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all[9].”

The Disciples like many of us do would continually struggle with Jesus’ point here. Later in Mark’s Gospel, James and John go to Jesus to argue over who would get to sit closest to him within the Kingdom of Heaven[10].  James and John were convinced they were the greatest of Jesus’ disciples.  The other disciples were mad that they could ever think this way.  Contrast this with Jesus at the Last Supper.  Jesus with mere hours remaining in this world believe the most important statement that he could make about the coming nature of his kingdom was to bend down and proceed to wash the Disciples’ feet. 

Jesus made the point that the Kingdom of God is not about one’s own greatness, it is about reaching those often considered to be lost and the least. 

Jesus on this day wanted to make to the Disciples an important point about the true nature of his ministry:  “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men. They will kill him, and after three days he will rise[11].”

The Disciples heard these words and remained confused; they were so confused they didn’t even want to ask Jesus what they meant in response.[12] 

For the reality of Jesus’ ministry that the Disciples didn’t understand was this.  Jesus was God in the flesh, yet he came to this world to serve, not be served[13].  He came to give his very life as a ransom for many[14]. 

Jesus’ wishes to make the point to the Disciples that his kingdom is way more inclusive than merely whether one is first or last within this world. 

Eddie Edwards dreamed of being an Olympic Skier within Great Britain.  The only problem was he wasn’t that good an athlete, he was too-heavy, and his eyesight wasn’t all that good[15].  Edwards dreams of becoming an Olympian seemed destined to end in disappointment.  Edwards did indeed fail to make the Olympics downhill skiing.  He thought of a solution though; he would become Britain’s only ski-jumper[16].  He lacked training, talent, and funds but Britain eventually agreed to send him to Calgary to compete in the Olympics.  In training, he was forced to live in a psychological institution for lack of funds.  When Eddie showed up to the competition, the security guards didn’t believe that someone that looked like him could be an Olympic athlete, so they were going to refuse him access[17].  The competition begins.  Eddie comes in 56th out of 57.  The 57th place finisher had been disqualified.  Most of us would be embarrassed at such an outcome but not Eddie “The Eagle” Edwards[18].  He was thrilled to be at the Olympics.  He didn’t care if he basically came in dead last.  Eddie’s enthusiasm in the gift that he had been given to compete continually shown.  Eddie was soon such a sensation that he appeared on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson.  He became a celebrity in his native England. 

Here’s the thing, no child would dream of growing up and ending up like Eddie “The Eagle” Edwards.  Jesus’ disciples Peter, James, Judas and John were correct that you’d want to be like Lebron James instead[19]. 
The Olympic Committee in response was so uncomfortable with Eddie’s presence that in response, they tightened qualifying rules.  So no more Eddie Edwards could embarrass the Olympic Games in the future[20].

They wanted the Olympics to highlight the “first” rather than the “last.”  Eddie failed to qualify in 1992, 1994, and 1998 in returning as a ski-jumper to the Olympic games[21]. 

Here’s the point though of our Gospel lesson.  People like Eddie will not eventually fade away from God’s presence.  Jesus’ point Today is that it the seeming unsuccessful that will indeed be embraced within God’s kingdom.  The last shall eventually indeed become first.  Fortunes shall ultimately be reversed.  Because of this, we need not see our callings as Christian people to merely be by resumes. 

Let me close this morning with one final story to illustrate the nature of what it means for the first to become last.  While in college, Robertson Mcquilkin spotted Muriel Webendorfer for the first time[22].  They soon began dating.  Robertson quickly fell for Muriel: she was smart, fun, and loved being around people.  They proceeded to get engaged on Valentine's Day 1948[23].  They would marry in August of that year.  Over the next three decades, they would raise six children together and work all over the world as missionaries.  Eventually, Robertson achieves his dream job by becoming a college president at his alma mater.  Muriel was well respected in her own right as a prominent conference speaker with the occasional T.V. and radio appearances[24].

In 1978, Robertson and Muriel McQuilkin ’s life would change forever[25].  While on a trip to Florida, Muriel who was a renowned story-telling, proceeded to repeat a story that she had just told a few minutes prior.  The same issues with Muriel kept increasing with greater frequency.  Muriel would grow confused about planning dinner and she had to begin to withdraw from public life.  In 1981, while still a relatively young woman Muriel was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease[26].  The next several years would see Muriel’s conditions continually worsen while Robertson did his best to serve as her caregiver.  Communicating in full sentences became next to impossible for Muriel.  The one complete phrase that Muriel was able to keep communicating with Robertson was “I Love You.”  Eventually, whenever Robertson would leave for work, Muriel would grow greatly distressed and leave the house trying to find him.  These incidents forced Robertson to make seemingly the most difficult decision in the world of whether to continue with his dream career or work full-time as Muriel’s caregiver.  Robertson would resign as a college president[27]. 

Robertson’s reason his vow to Muriel forty-two some years prior, she had been a loving and faithful wife in the previous decades.  So Robertson finally realized “I don’t have to care for her.  I get to.  It is a high honor to care for so wonderful a person[28].”  Robertson came to realize that caring for Muriel would be God’s assignment for him for the rest of her life[29].

Muriel would speak her last words to Robertson in 1995.  They were her first words spoken in months.  They were spoken forty-seven years to the day after their engagement in 1948. Muriel who called out to Richard “Love, love, love.” 

Muriel would not speak for the last 8 ½ years of her life.  She passed away in 2003[30]. 

Robertson McQuilkin understood something about our Gospel lesson. Robertson McQuilkin had seemingly given up everything of value within this world, yet in the end, he received something much greater in return. 

The McQuilkins’ story illustrates something about the Kingdom of God. How Earthly resumes are not the most important things.  The Kingdom of God is not meant for the richest or the most powerful.  The Kingdom of God is meant for those who cling to the greatest of promises previously spoken unto them.  “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all[31].” God’s grace and forgiveness are given unto each on every one of us on this day regardless of resume!    Amen


[1] “Richard Petty.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation. 18. Aug.2018. Web. Aug.27.2018. 
[2] Sermon Illustrations. Com. “LAST, first shall be.” Web. Aug.27.2018. 
[3] “1979 Daytona 500.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation. 23.July.2018. Web. Aug.27.2018
[4] “1979 Daytona 500.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation.. 
[5] “1979 Daytona 500.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation.
[6] Mark 9:35. 
[7] Mark 9:2-4. 
[8] Markquardt, Edward. “Jesus Loves All the Little Children of the World.” Sermons from Seattle. Pentecost 16B. Gospel Analysis. Web. Aug.27.2018.
[9] Mark 9:35. 
[10] Mark 10:35-37. 
[11] Mark 9:31
[12] Mark 9:32. 
[13] Markquardt, Edward. “Jesus Loves All the Little Children of the World.” Sermons from Seattle
[14] Mark 10:45. 
[15] Hoezee, Scott. “Proper20 B.” Center for Excellence in Preaching. 14.Sept.2015. Web. Aug.27.2018. 
[16] “Eddie the Eagle.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation. 27.Aug.2018. Web. Aug.27.2018. 
[17] Hoezee, Scott. “Proper20 B.” Center for Excellence in Preaching.
[18] Hoezee, Scott. “Proper20 B.” Center for Excellence in Preaching.
[19] Hoezee, Scott. “Proper20 B.” Center for Excellence in Preaching.
[20] Hoezee, Scott. “Proper20 B.” Center for Excellence in Preaching.
[21] Eddie the Eagle.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation
[22] Stier, Leon. “Valentine’s Day Last Words.” Email Meditations. 14.Feb.2016. Web. Aug.27.2018. Adapted from a Family Life.com article.
[23] Stier, Leon. “Valentine’s Day Last Words.” Email Meditations.
[24] Stier, Leon. “Valentine’s Day Last Words.” Email Meditations.
[25] Stier, Leon. “Valentine’s Day Last Words.” Email Meditations.
[26] Stier, Leon. “Valentine’s Day Last Words.” Email Meditations.
[27] Stier, Leon. “Valentine’s Day Last Words.” Email Meditations.
[28] Stier, Leon. “Valentine’s Day Last Words.” Email Meditations.
[29] Stier, Leon. “Valentine’s Day Last Words.” Email Meditations.
[30] Stier, Leon. “Valentine’s Day Last Words.” Email Meditations.
[31] Mark 9:35. 

First Lesson: Proverbs 1: 20-33
Responsive Reading: Psalm 19
Second Lesson: James 3: 1-12
​Gospel Lesson: Mark 8: 27-28

Grace and Peace from Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
​
The year was 1996.  King Carl Gustaf XIV and Queen Silvia of Sweden were traveling to America in honor of the 150th Anniversary of Swedish Immigration to the States[1].  They were going to visit Ellis Island, meet with the Head of the United Nations; they were then going to make their way to Minnesota to visit the college named after perhaps Sweden’s greatest king Gustavus Adolphus, they were going to visit the American-Swedish Institute in Minneapolis and dine with Governor Carlson.  They had one additional stop planned on the five-day stateside trip.  They were going to visit a small town of about 2,500 people just outside the Twin Cities.  They were coming to my hometown of Lindstrom.  The visit was big news.  The President of the United States probably had never heard of Lindstrom.  Never even remember the Governor of Minnesota stopping by.  Here were the King and Queen of Sweden coming to town.  They were coming to see the “Nya Duvemala” house which was a replica of the prairie house found in Vilhelm Moberg’s Emigrants book.  So I got out of a day of school to attend!  Local musician’s serenaded the King and Queen.  Other locals dressed in their most authentic Swedish garb.  Hanging in my dad’s office is a picture of the King and Queen immaculate dressed, walking towards the house, standing right next to my dad and I where it looked like they were conversing with each other.  I had never dreamed up of being this close to actual royalty, so I imagined that this was exactly how it should look.  What if my picture of true royalty is wrong??  What if others have made similar mistakes?

Today’s Gospel lesson comes to us from Mark 8[2].  Our lesson takes place in the middle of Jesus’ public ministry[3].  People had heard him preach.  They had witnessed miracles.  His reputation had begun to spread.  Peter and the rest of the Disciples had front-row seats to it all.  They had recently witnessed him feeding thousand with just a few loaves of bread and small fish[4].  They had just witnessed him heal a man born blind at Bethesda[5]. 

So Jesus as a way of figuring out what the Disciples understand about his ministry asks: “Who do people say I am[6]?

The Disciples answer “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets[7].”

This answer reveals the problem of comparison.  Every new articulate politician might be the next John F. Kennedy or Ronald Reagan.  Every great young Basketball player might be the next Michael Jordan, every preacher whose fame spreads might be the next Billy Graham.  The problem of such comparisons is they tend to downplay what people bring to any given moment of history[8].

Jesus knowing these comparisons didn’t work asks the Disciples directly.  “Who do you say I am[9]?

Peter then answers quickly, “You are the Christ[10].”  Peter declares that Jesus is more than just a mere prophet like in Old Testament days.  Peter declares Jesus to be God in human flesh.  Peter declares that Jesus will be the savior of the nation of Israel.  Peter answered the question, correctly. 

Only for moments later, Peter had his answer flipped completely upside down.

Once upon a time, there was a farmer named Hank who lived in a small town in Central Minnesota[11].  One of his relatives invited him to visit in Saint Paul for Thanksgiving.  Hank didn’t want to deal with Twin Cities traffic, so he decided to take the passenger train that passed through his town.  At the first stop, the conductor announces a brief stop.  Hank being hungry goes to find a vending machine where he purchases a carton of milk and a six-pack of Oreo cookies.  Hank proceeds to wander to the waiting area, puts down his stuff, and sits next to what Hank would term a “city-slicker.”  The man was dressed immaculately and was reading the Wall Street Journal.  Not a lot of gentleman looked like this guy where Hank came.  He reminded Hank of Ward Cleaver of Leave it to Beaver fame.

Hank just wanted to get something to eat though.  So he sees his Oreo's opened lying between both gentlemen.  Hank takes a cookie, only for Hank to be shocked as Ward Cleaver grabs one for himself without asking, never even looking down from his paper.  Back where Hank came from, no one would ever do something as rude as this.  Ward grabs another cookie.  Hank is so irritated he quickly grabs a second and third cookie, and then begins to eat them quickly.  Only for Hank to see Ward grab the final cookie, fold his paper, and walk away from Hank huffing and puffing looking annoyed.  Hank couldn’t believe how strange city folks like Ward acted.  So Hank finishes his milk and approaches the train to re-board.  Hank reaches into his pocket for his ticket, while feeling something else in there he wasn’t expecting.  As soon as Hank pulls out his ticket, he pulls along with it an unopened six-pack of Oreo cookies.

Now picture Hank’s reaction to Ward.  Now let’s look at what takes place within our Gospel lesson after Peter declares Jesus to be the Messiah.

Jesus then starts talking exactly how the Messiah isn’t supposed to talk.  He must go to Jerusalem. The “Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again[12].”

For Peter, these words would have been as seemingly out of place as Ward eating those Oreo cookies.  Kings don’t talk like this. King don’t speak of their death.  Kings need to be like when the King of Sweden came to Lindstrom hailed by people for their title and the ways they stand out for the rest of us. 

So Peter gets mad.  Peter getting mad would have made sense[13].  Peter and his brother Andrew had given up their fishing business to follow him; they had given up their home for generations in Galilee.  They had trusted everything on the promise that Jesus was indeed the long-awaited Messiah, who was going to save the people of Israel not end up upon a cross. 

So Peter takes Jesus aside for rebuke and correction, to minimize Peter’s embarrassment[14].   Jesus can merely say to Peter in response: “Get behind me, Satan!” “You do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns[15].”

What if when we hear Jesus’ rebuke of Peter, we remember how we might think the same way, often looking for royalty in all the wrong places.

Once upon a time, there was a mayor of a small village not much bigger than Lindstrom.  The mayor received a message that was seemingly too good to believe[16].  The message had just been delivered by a royal messenger himself.  The message read: “I, King Edward, am on a tour of the northern provinces, and I would like to stay in your village tomorrow night.  If this is agreeable to you, please have prepared a warm supper and a place of lodging[17].”

The mayor said “Of course, who would turn down the King of the land.”  He is greatly loved in these parts and we will anticipate his visit.

The mayor immediately gets to work in anticipation of the King’s visit.  He enlists everyone that he knows in the preparations.  Everyone important would be immediately invited.  By the next afternoon, the town was looking perfect.  All the citizens gathered on the road to greet King Edward[18].

Just then a figure appeared off in the distance.  He was slovenly dressed and on his back carried only a ragged sack.  The mayor was embarrassed at what the king would think seeing such a man in town.  He had previously ordered all the beggars away from the street.  The mayor thought of a solution; he told one of his servants “take that traveler down the road to old Jacob’s hut[19].”  Jacob is a good and decent man who would never turn anyone away.  We will pay for his accommodations for the night.  The man was hurried away.  The town resumed waiting for King Edward only for hours to pass with no king appearing.  They were all like Peter upon hearing Jesus’ predictions for his upcoming death; they were gravely disappointed.

The beggar eventually arrives at Jacob’s hut.  Jacob’s hut wasn’t much to see.  But Jacob served him the best soup and bread that he had.  The beggar then began to tell Jacob about his travels; all the lakes and mountains he had seen, and all the cities that he had visited.  Jacob was having the time of his life in the presence of this beggar[20].

The following morning, the Mayor received another message.  What the Mayor saw left him frozen and shaking his head in despair.  It was on the same paper as the previous message as the King[21]. 

“I wish to express my sincere gratitude for the fine provision of food and lodging, and the generous hospitality of such a fine host.  You could not have chosen for me a better companion than Jacob.  Perhaps on a later visit I can meet with you.”  It was signed, KING EDWARD[22].”

The Mayor had just experienced, exactly what Peter experienced in our Gospel lesson.  He had such expectations for the King’s visit that he ended up missing out on what was truly important. 

“Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?”-Mark 8:34-36.

The Messiah came not for Earthly power, but for Earthly people.  He came within their midst.  As he was soon to go to the Cross they did not recognize him.  He didn’t fit with their expectations of how the Messiah of Israel should look.  Although Peter rebukes Jesus Today, although he denies knowing him three times upon his arrest and Peter would be a witness to Christ’s resurrection, Peter would see a world of forgiveness and hope begins to be unveiled before his very eyes.  For Peter, these things would serve as a reminder that there might indeed be unopened Oreo cookies in your pocket after all. Amen 
 


[1] “Sweden’s King and Queen on Whirlwind Tour of America.” Vestkusten. No 16. 1. Oct.1996. Web. Aug.21.2018 taken from California Digital Newspaper Collection.
[2] Mark 8:27-38
[3] Zingale, Tim. “Faith's Famous Four Words.” Sermon Central. 17. Sept.2003. Web. Aug.21.2018. 
[4] Mark 8:1-13
[5] Mark 8:22-25
[6] Mark 8:27
[7] Mark 8:28. 
[8] Hoezee, Scott. “Mark 8:27-38.” Center for Excellence in Preaching. 7. Sept.2015. Web. Aug.21.2018. 
[9] Mark 8:29
[10] Mark 8:29
[11] Stephens,  Rev. Dr. Wiley. “Read the Fine Print.” Day 1. 14.Sept.2003. Web. Aug.21.2018.  Story comes from Baxter Black on National Public Radio. 
[12] Mark 8:31.
[13] Carder, Kenneth. “Why Follow Christ.” Day 1. 14.Sept.1997. Web. Aug.21.2018. 
[14] Mark 8:32
[15] Mark 8:33
[16] Stier, Leon. “Mistaken Identity.” Email Mediatations. 15. Jan.2018. Web. Aug.21.2018. 
[17] Stier, Leon. “Mistaken Identity.” Email Mediatations.
[18] Stier, Leon. “Mistaken Identity.” Email Mediatations.
[19] Stier, Leon. “Mistaken Identity.” Email Mediatations.
[20] Stier, Leon. “Mistaken Identity.” Email Mediatations.
[21] Stier, Leon. “Mistaken Identity.” Email Mediatations.
[22] Stier, Leon. “Mistaken Identity.” Email Mediatations.

First Lesson: Deuteronomy 4: 1-2, 6-9
Responsive Reading: Psalm 15
Second Lesson: James 1: 17-27
Gospel Lesson: Mark 7: 1-8, 14-15, 21-23

First Lesson: Deuteronomy 4: 1-2, 6-9
Responsive Reading: Psalm 15
Second Lesson: James 1: 17-27
Gospel Lesson: Mark 7: 1-8, 14-15, 21-23

Grace and Peace from Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,
​
The place was Springfield, U.S.A[1].  The date was May 10th.  It was a tradition that traced its origins to the fictional Revolutionary War hero Jebediah Springfield.  The day was known as “Whacking Day.”  Every year the townsfolk would round up all the snakes within Springfield to the town square and whack them to death with sticks.  Only eight-year-old Lisa Simpson would speak out against the cruelty of such a practice.  Lisa’s words though were ignored though as she was going against the town’s long-standing tradition.  Lisa Simpson then sets out on a one-woman campaign to save the snakes of Springfield.  What ended up happening, we’ll get back to the story of Whacking Day in just a little bit.

Second Story, Once upon a time a little girl was sitting in her mother’s kitchen[2].  She was watching her mother prepare a roast; she noticed her mother every time before putting the roast in the oven would cut a piece off the end of the roast beef discarding it into the trash. 

Little girl pipes up “Mom, why do you do that?”  Mom says in response “Because that’s how my mother taught me to do the roast?” The girl was more curious, so a few weeks go by, and she sees her Grandma at a family gathering,  she asks “Grandma, why do you cut the end of the roast off before cooking.” Grandma thought and said “I’m not sure, but I remember that’s the way that my Mom prepared the roast. I’m sure she’s got a really good reason”. Finally, a few more weeks, go by when the little girl goes to visit her great-grandmother she asks “Why do you cut the end of the beef off before cooking it, Mom said she learned it from Grandma, and Grandma said she learned it from you.” Great-Grandma starts shaking her head; she then blurts out “ Imagine the two of them doing that! Why I only cut the piece off because my pan was too small[3]!”

Both these stories tell us about how we often cling to tradition, because that’s the ways it’s always been, no matter how outdated the practices might seem to be.  People can confuse the true meaning of tradition within Religion like nowhere else.

Fiddler on the Roof tells the story of Tevye and his family[4].  Tevye was merely a poor farmer, yet he was respected as the leader of the family.  Tevye had three daughters who were all needing to be married.  Within Tevye’s tradition, a matchmaker would meet with the family then find suitable husbands for each of the three daughters.  The system had been working well for generations.  The daughters as you can imagine didn’t like this arrangement.  Tevye’s oldest daughter Tzietel gets set up to marry a rich farmer in his mid-fifties.  Tevye thought the family hit the jackpot.  The only problem was Tzietel was in love with a poor tailor who couldn’t even afford a sewing machine.  Tzietel and her prospective husband break the news to her father.  Tevye was outraged that Tzietel would go against tradition. Tevye huffs and puffs finally gives in[5].  The second daughter, similar story.  Finally, Tevye’s third daughter Chava went even further in wanting to marry outside the faith.  The following was unforgivable.  Tevye would bend no further.  He refused to take part in the marriage.  He kicked his daughter out of the house.  He declared Chava to be dead[6].  What ends up happening to Tevye and his traditions, we’ll get back to his story in just a little bit. 

Today’s Gospel lesson is about tradition[7].  It’s about a tradition that arose for very good reasons in ceremonial hand-washing.  Now within the Old Testament, there were all sorts of laws about what one could or couldn’t eat: shellfish, pork, mixing meat with dairy were all forbidden.  Now even if you were self-disciplined enough to exclude these foods from your diet, if you ate non-forbidden foods then you must wash your hands not merely for cleanliness, but also for ceremonial purposes.   For example[8], you needed to wash your hands with your finger-tips pointed upward, then dry with the opposite wrist, then finally turn hands downward to let excess water drip.   You violate these laws then you were declared unfit to be on holy ground.    Now good holy people of Jesus’ day like the Scribes and Pharisees had these rituals down from childhood.  Now as they were observing Jesus’ Disciples they realized they weren’t washing their hands according to proper tradition, so they went to Jesus for an explanation. 

They say to Jesus “Why don’t your disciples live according to the tradition of the elders instead of eating their food with defiled hands[9]?”

Jesus’ answer isn’t that such traditions are bad, they had served a very good purpose for generations, just like Tevye had seen his tradition of matchmaking make many happy marriages including his own.  The issue is expressed by Jesus as such: “You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to human traditions.[10]”

Tim Zingale tells the following story[11]: Once upon a time, a man grew ill between two villages.  Back in these villages whichever village was closer would take care of the stricken man.  The only problem was, in this case, it wasn’t entirely clear.  One village argued that the distance needed to be measured from the man’s belly button whereas the other village argued from the man’s mouth.  Both villages wished to pass off the responsibility onto the other.  They went back and forth between each other.  One problem was in the midst of all this drama; the poor fellow passed away.

The point of this story is even though your answer may be right, it can be very wrong at the same time.  How Jesus came not to do away with tradition, but give tradition a new meaning.  Jesus came to point all of the Old Testament in the direction of the Cross.  The promises given are in our Gospel are more significant than any tradition that came before it or since.

Again Jesus called the crowd to him and said, “Listen to me, everyone, and understand this. Nothing outside a person can defile them by going into them. Rather, it is what comes out of a person that defiles them[12].

Once upon a time, there was a gentleman named Narcissus[13].  One day, Narcissus wandered into the forest where he went looking for a spot to get a drink of water.  As Narcissus looked down at the pond, he saw the most beautiful sight he had ever seen: a beautiful face, pretty eyes, a noble nose, the most beautiful human being he had ever laid eyes.  So Narcissus stared and stared wanting to kiss this figure.  Every time though he bent down to kiss the face in the stream, the face would disappear.  Narcissus would grow depressed, back away, until he saw the face once again.  He sat there withering away until the very moment he died[14]. 

We often think the following way about tradition.  What we think we see has more beauty than ever was intended for it, traditions are merely markers to the point to much greater truths. 

As long as people have worshipped God, they have often viewed tradition in the same way as within our Gospel lesson. 

“For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come—sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from inside and defile a person[15].”-Mark 7:21-23.

Tradition does not eliminate human sin. Tradition does not put to death our own selfishness.  Tradition unto itself will merely lead to death, whereas the Gospel is the Gift of God which shall bring forth eternal life[16].

Earlier, I told you the story of Tevye disowning his daughter for marrying outside the faith.  The final scene of Fiddler on the Roof, the Russian Revolution was beginning[17]. The family was going to be split up forever.  Tevye’s daughter Chava returns.  She hoped to make amends with her father against tradition.  This was where tradition’s authority would ultimately make itself known within Tevye’s life.  Tevye turned his back on her once again; the story ends in nothing but brokenness, pain, and separation.

Compare this story to the ending of another story where tradition isn’t quite so sacred.  A story like within our Gospel lesson where traditions are redefined forever. 

Also earlier, I told you the story of Springfield’s whacking day[18].  Bart Simpson after being kicked out of school did a little bit of research.  He found out Whacking Day’s origins were not with the town founder not in the Revolutionary War, the origins were much, more recent, and the day originated as an excuse for ethnic bullying.  The Simpson children then hatch a plan to save all of Springfield’s snakes, before pointing out to the gathering crowd all the good the snakes had in fact done in taking care of Springfield’s rodent population.  The snakes against all odds had ended up being cheered upon the conclusion of Whacking Day.

Sometimes traditions live on; sometimes they die natural deaths.  The great Christian hope though does not come through how we wash our hands.  The great Christian hope comes that we have a savior who washes away the very sins of the entire world. 

Since being a young child, I’ve never cared much for snakes.  Even seeing a harmless garter snake out hiking, causes me to flinch.  Like all traditions, it’s a good thing that my traditions aren’t what ultimately determine whether our God could possibly work through even snakes for his purposes and for our salvation.  Amen
 
 


[1] “Whacking Day”. Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation.  5th.July.2018. Web. Aug. 1.2018. “Whacking Day” is the tweinth episode of The Simpsons fourth season originally airing on the Fox network on April 29th, 1993. 
[2] Higgins, Scott. “The Pan.” Stories for Preaching. Web. Aug.1.2018. 
[3] Higgins, Scott. “The Pan.” Stories for Preaching. Web. Aug.1.2018. 
[4] Markquardt, Ed. “Tradition, Fiddler on the Roof.” Sermons from Seattle. Pentecost 13B. Web. Aug.1.2018. 
[5] Markquardt, Ed. “Tradition, Fiddler on the Roof.” Sermons from Seattle.
[6] Markquardt, Ed. “Tradition, Fiddler on the Roof.” Sermons from Seattle
[7] Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23. 
[8] Zingale, Tim. “Using Religion To Escape Religion.” Sermon Central. 5. Sept.2003. Web. Aug.1.2018.    
[9] Mark 7:5
[10] Mark 7:8
[11] Zingale, Tim. “Using Religion To Escape Religion.” Sermon Central.
[12] Mark 7:14-15. 
[13] Sterne, Rev.Martha. “Looking in the Mirror.” Day 1. 30.Aug.1999. Web. Aug.1.2018. 
[14] Narcissus (mythology). Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation. 1.Aug.2018. Web. Aug.1.2018. 
[15] Mark 7:21-23. 
[16] Markquardt, Ed. “Tradition, Fiddler on the Roof.” Sermons from Seattle.
[17] Markquardt, Ed. “Tradition, Fiddler on the Roof.” Sermons from Seattle.
[18] Whacking Day”. Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation