Resume Unbuilders

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

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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.