Devotion - Thursday, November 29

I continue to read from Zechariah.  Today it was Chapter 13, verses 1-9.

These speak of the shepherds being struck down, and the resulting scattering of the sheep.  You may recall that this imagery is used in reference to what happened to Jesus' followers, when he was arrested.  "Two thirds" of the sheep will "be cut off and perish."  Two thirds!

The other third will be put into the fire.  God will "refine them as one refines silver, and test them as gold is tested."

Some within the Church see the need for such a process in today's Church.  They speak of turning our attention away from gathering the masses and to focus on refining those who are of pure heart.  Their proclamations of the Gospel say it matters not how large we are; what matters is how faithful we are.

Two weeks ago I spoke to you of the Gospel reading in which Jesus' disciples were warned not to be "led astray."  I was asked, "How do I know if I am being following a false teaching or teacher?"  In those conversations, I acknowledged my fear that the Word I speak might lead astray, rather than leading into all righteousness.  These verses from Zechariah expose one of the areas where there is great debate about what has passed through the refiner's fire, and what is of our own desire.

There is a teacher, followed by many, by the name of Yoder.  He was at Union Seminary, reaching the height of his prominence about 30 years ago.  He had many admirers, one of them taught at our Lutheran Seminary in Columbia.  Another like-minded professor was one of my teachers.  To him I owe my understanding of the Trinity and Christology.  Brilliant man and wonderful teacher.  While it is not Yoder who influenced him, Pope Benedict (while still the Bishop of Passau, Germany) wrote of a similar need for the Church to be devoted to purity of teaching, rather than to be focused on gathering as many as possible under its wings.

I do not share their zeal for doctrinal purity.  I am much more inclined to seek including others, and even to allow my own statements of faith to be adjusted so as to allow the continually forming community to speak to and for all of its members.

While wanting to avoid (completely avoid) labeling one as "right" and the other as "wrong," there are choices to be made.

I have a captive audience - you read these humble offerings.  In them, you are surely collecting some of the revelation given to me.  I am convinced it is a revelation from God.  But form time to time I need to acknowledge there are other voices, and I need to make sure you realize I am self-reflective enough to wonder, "Would these words make it through the refiner's fire?"

It is the question we each must ask yourselves - of what we read, of what we think, of what we say, and of how we live our lives.  Zechariah lifts up the image - we are the one who applies it to our lives.

Devotion - Wednesday, November 28

I cannot say enough about the benefits of following a proscribed lectionary. When we pick and choose what verses we will read, we tend to look for answers in the Bible, rather than allowing God to inform us of the essential questions.

This week, my lectionary is directing me to verses from Zechariah.  This is a book I would seldom refer to, if left on my own.  If you open your bibles and start to read this short  book, you may say, "With good reason!"  There are images and references in there which could confuse us and make us wonder about the geography of the ancient world.  He names cities and countries which have long gone away or been renamed.

But the message of Zechariah's contribution to Holy Scripture comes through.

In the 11th chapter, he recounts an experience of serving as shepherd.  He serves not just any flock, but over "the flock doomed to slaughter."  He sets about the task of admonishing the other shepherds, with the aim of providing "Favor" and "Unity."  But there is a rebellion and Zechariah is opposed.  Finally, he leaves the sheep, doomed to slaughter, to their end.

What is it with these sheep?  Why do they reject the oversight and care of the shepherd attempting to be helpful?  Why is there a rejection of the one who comes in order to make things right?

Good questions.  Pertinent questions.  Eternal questions.

We never seem to fully grasp the opportunity which is set before us.  We have been shown a King who uses his position to serve and provide; we choose instead the kings which enslave and drain us of life.

There is something alluring about that which glitters and sparkles and offers us the chance at self-aggrandizement.  But life is found, life occurs when we devote ourselves to those things which unite us and make us one with each other, with creation, and with the God who created us. 

During this week of Christ the King, we reflect on the daily decision of which king we will follow.

Devotion - Tuesday, November 27

In our Gospel lesson this past Sunday, when asked whether he was a king, Jesus spoke of his kingdom as one that "was not of this world."  He said that if his kingdom were of this world, his followers would come and fight for him.

Too often we make assumptions about such Jesus comments.  We may be inclined to think, "In the place where Jesus is King, the followers do fight for him."  I am of the mindset which believes that Jesus is saying, "My subjects belong to a kingdom in which no one is threatened or harmed or murdered.  In my kingdom, the subjects lay down their lives for others.  Even for their enemies."

Jesus sets before us a choice between Kings, and between kingdoms.

The Kingdom of God is like so many things, yet it is unlike anything we have ever experienced.  It is different, so entirely different.  And we need to be careful not to think of it as more of the best of what the kingdoms of the world so desperately seek.

One of the challenges of this Christ the King week is to be able to discern the kingdom(s) which currently hold sway in our lives.  to what degree are we able to even discern the cultural assumptions which abound around us?  Whole books have been written about this.  Two which I recommend are Carter's "Culture of Disbelief" and Hall's "Stewardship of Life in a Kingdom of Death."

We "sell our soul to the devil" in so many ways and are not even aware of it.  The transaction seldom involves the 30 pieces of silver, but it does rob us of all that is precious and dear and life-giving.

When Jesus says, "Be in the world but not of the world" he is encouraging us be aware of the ways in which we are lured away from the loving, giving, caring, forgiving way which he reveals in his life and in his words.

Devotion - Monday, November 26

I am grateful to our friends at Peace Congregational Church who brought Lilian Daniel into our community.  Pastor in Glen Elyn, IL, Lillian was a contributor to the "Animate" curriculum we use on Sunday morning.

She used as her text a reading from James and a reading from Romans - both of which raised the issue of criticism and coveting. 

"We live in a culture of critique," she said.  We have learned the erroneous lesson that the strongest person in the room is the one who can tear down everyone else in the room. 

On coveting, she reminded us that the abundance of God debunks the myth of a limited sum gain.  Jesus' feeds the 5,000 with a few morsels of fish and bread.  In God's Kingdom there is plenty to go around - so long as we share.

"What would it be like if we responded with gratitude?"  How might the world be different (be more like God intends) if we interjected into cycles of criticism the attributes of the other?  When we covet, often it isn't simply that we want something - we want to take that something away from someone else.

This is the most appropriate time of the year for us to have these kinds of conversations.  All around us there are enticements to abandon God's call to look for the lowly and to embrace our own greed.  We are being asked, "What would you like for Christmas?" by family and friends.  "What I want is for God's will to be done." 

God's will will be done, but in our prayer we pray that it might also be done in our lives. 

Let us pray that God's will strengthen us in our resolve to overcome a culture of critique and a culture of covetous.  In their place might we come to  live in a culture of gratitude and gratefulness.

Sermon - Christ the King Sunday

John 18:33-37    

                                                       Christ the King 

It is Christ the King Sunday.  I reminded you of that last Sunday – sort of looking ahead.  And, as promised, I did sit back there and listen to the chatter as you were coming in – whether you were talking about your preparation for Christ the King; recounting stories of Thursday’s meal; bragging about Friday’s shopping; or bemoaning or Saturday’s football game.     

I had no intention of shaming you with the results to such an informal and completely unscientific poll.  I know that Christ the King Sunday is a difficult sale.  There are just too many things vying for our attention.  It comes at a bad time, right?  This time of the year is given over to family gatherings, and to parties, and to wrapping up the fall’s activities.  It is difficult enough, when it comes the Sunday before Thanksgiving (which is usually the case.)  When it comes Thanksgiving weekend – you can almost forget it. 

Calendar aside – Christ the King is a difficult sale.  It isn’t a concept which plays very well in our society or among our culture.  This great nation was birthed at the overthrow of a “King.”  We are getting along just fine without one, thank you very much.   Aren’t practically all the images of “king” negative ones?  Aren’t they the folks who sit on thrones and expect loyal subjects to be – well – subject to them?  It is difficult to convince freedom-loving people everywhere that we need to place ourselves under the control of a “king.” 

Something within the psyche of most red-blooded Americans recoils at such a suggestion.  

That may be our reaction at the front of our cerebral cortex.  But deep within our subconscious and down there within our learned behaviors allegiances have been made and we do allow ourselves to form strong devotions.  And those glittering images which have competed for our attention these past seven days are working to expose the king or kings to which we are devoted.  There is a reason why advertising folks make so much money.  They are really good at selling us an image of ourselves – an improved self-image.  Of course that improved self-image involves owning their automobile or giving the perfect diamond to our love-interest.  It is not all about buying things – there are also many allegiances sought for listening to the right kind of music or following a particular political agenda, or presiding over the ideal social gathering. 

We do allow a number of “kings” to rule over us – we just aren’t always aware of their power and influence. 

The task of Christ the King Sunday involves asking us “to which king will you devote your life?”  It is also devoted to helping us realize that some kings are power-hungry and demanding, while other kings (can be) serving and life-giving.  This day is not merely a choice between which king you will serve; it is a choice about the kind of king we will follow.

Practically all the language about Christ as King comes from those portions of the Gospels where Jesus is on trial or about to be executed.  This reading from John 18 has been very carefully selected.  Inherent in the exchange between Jesus and Pilate is this debate over what kings and kingship is all about.   

Pilate was the most powerful man in Jerusalem.  He was there, assigned to this post, by the Emperor.  He was the ruling authority; he was the one to whom allegiances were to be made.  And yet, particularly in the Gospel of John, we can see his wavering over what to do about Jesus.   

Look carefully, back at the 33^rd verse.  See that word, at the end of the first phrase?   “Again.”  Pilate enters the praetorium “again.”  He had been moving between Jesus and the Jewish leaders and the angry crowd – trying to find a way around this impasse.  In the extended story (which stretches from John 18:28 to 19:16 Pilate moves back and forth a total of nine times.  This movement back in forth of the one who is supposed to be the one with authority is contrasted with Jesus, who will not be moved – physically or in his words.   Jesus remains.  Jesus is unflappable.   

Pilate asks him if he presumes to be a “King.”  Notice in verse 34 Jesus’ reply to him.  Jesus, on trial for his life, remains unimpressed with Pilate’s power and authority.  Jesus’ reply moves Pilate to the point of personal decision.  “Do you ask this on your own, or did others tell you about me?”  It is practically the same question put before the disciples as Jesus moves them past “Who do people say that I am?” to ”But who do you say that I am?”  Remember that it is that question which leads to Peter’s confession, “You are the Christ.” 

It is pretty clear, by this point in the story that Jesus isn’t going to make it.  All of the forces have been aligned against him.  He has been warned of the danger which awaits him in Jerusalem but goes there anyway.  He was told to stay out of the Temple but goes back and continues to heal on the Sabbath.  But it is not a defeatist attitude which motivates Jesus at this point – it is his single minded dedication to bringing the Good News to the poor, mislead people.  “You want to know what kingship looks like?” he asks.  “Here it is.” he says.  “Devotion to God and to God’s created ones.” 

Here is where you need your Bibles.  If you have them, look at the verse which is cut off from today’s appointed text.  Look at John 18:38.  (By the way – this is the latest excuse for your smart phone going off during worship.  If you download a bible on your phone, and start to use it, you have a built in excuse if yours starts to ring.  “I had it on so I could look up the verse the pastor said wasn’t in my bulletin.”) 

Look at John 18:38.  Jesus and Pilate have been going back and forth about Kings and kingship and whether Jesus fits the mold.  Jesus is working to break the mold.  In the exchange (and this part is on your bulletin,) Jesus says “For this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth.  Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.”  Jesus isn’t about public opinion or presumed power.  Jesus is dealing with “Truth.”  The stinger is when he says that everyone (not just some but EVERYONE) who belongs to the truth will listen to his voice.   

The verse which is cut off, is John 18:38.   It reads, “Pilate asked him, ‘What is truth?’” 

And while you have your bibles turned to that verse – look at what comes next.  Pilate shuffles again.  He breaks himself away from Jesus’ presence and goes out to the Jews to tell them, “I find no case against this Jesus.”   

Pilate knows; he understands; is realizes that he is being asked to choose.  Maybe I should have  worded that differently:  Pilate’s portrayal, in the Gospel of John, is of one who realizes that we will all choose between kings; that we will all have to decide whether we will be devoted to this way of thinking, or to that way of living.  And, the writer of John’s Gospel allows it to be Pilate who teeters between choosing the truth and merely going along with the crowd. 

It is Christ the King Sunday.  It is the day designed to ask each of us, “Who do you say Jesus is?”  You have heard that question earlier in the church year, when we read the story of Jesus asking his disciples.  Now, at the end of the Church Year, we hear it again.  This time, the stakes are higher.  It isn’t simply a matter of opinion, this question as to who we see Jesus to be, it is a matter of life and death.  In the story, it is Jesus’ life or death.  Here, today, it is ours. 

Amen.

Devotion - Tuesday, November 20

If you are on Facebook you no doubt have at least a couple of friends who are about mid-way through their "30 days of thankfulness."  I do not mean to sound critical; I have been very impressed with their posts, and impressed at the depth of their reflection.  It is a good discipline, and one which has given increased attention to the portion of my morning prayers in which I express my thankfulness to God.

We do have so much to be thankful for.  More than we can imagine; more than we can recall. 

In The Small Catechism, Luther encourages us to remember this as we pray The Lord's Prayer.  "Give us this day our daily bread," is a request that God will provide for us bread, but also life and family and a means of making a living.  All that we have is a gift from God; a gift which comes to us daily.

The Manna came daily to the Israelites, wondering in the wilderness. It came daily so they would not horde, so that they would be continually reminded that it is God who provides.  Part of my morning prayer of thankfulness gives a nod toward remembering this - even as I remember the money in my retirement account or invested.

What are you thankful for?  How actively do you list those things?  And do you realize those things to be gifts from God? Or things which you have earned and thus deserve?

Mostly, I am thankful for you all.  It is a wonderful thing to have a community where I can be myself (spelling errors and all) and yet know that you care about me.  It is a gift from God to be connected to others and to have persons praying for me and for whom I can pray.  It is an expression of God's grace - to be in this relationship with you.

Devotion - Monday, November 19

It isn't often that the appointed lessons for Sunday match the appointed daily lessons.  This is happening, now.

Yesterday's gospel reading was from Mark 13 - the so called "apocalyptic" chapter of Mark.  Today's daily reading is from Luke 12 - his inclusion of the same sort of thoughts. 

Luke is less comforting that Mark; in his writings, Jesus is more critical.  He says, "You see a cloud rising in the west, and you say at once, 'A shower is coming'; and so it is... You hypocrites!  You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky; but why do you not know how to interpret the present time?"

I want to pull your attention from the insult, to encourage you to focus on the question.  Why is it that we can interpret so many other signs in our world, but are so slow to recognize what God is doing?

Perhaps it is the image of God which developed during the Newtonian period of history.  That would be of God as unchanging, unflappable.  When researchers were shaking the solid foundations of everything, Christians developed this notion in order to provide comfort and security.  Just as we have moved a bit beyond Newtonian physics, so also has theology found other ways to speak of God.  The creativity and spontaneity celebrated in more recent physics theories is more in line with the Bible's talk of God as a living, active presence among us.

This moving, active presence among us is changing things - changing us.  And, there are signs and indications that this change is occurring.

Are we able to read them?  Do we even see them?

If today's reading is like yesterdays; then today's devotion ought to end a bit like yesterday's sermon - not with some dictum but with questions:

1. What are the signs in your life, today, of God's activity?
2. How will you interpret them; how will you act on them?

I know - you have classes and projects and many other things to be learning.  But this time my often repeated tease is appropriate - choose between things which will fade and end with the semester or your collegiate career and the things which envelop us in eternal salvation.