"Birth Pangs" - Sermon for the Fifth Sunday in Lent

Birth Pangs
Lent 5 – Narrative Lectionary 2
March 13, 2016
Grace, Mankato, MN
Mark 13.1-8, 24-37

I watched with interest the retirement of Peyton Manning this past week. Manning, for those of you unfamiliar with professional football, was quarterback of Denver Broncos, this year’s Super Bowl winner. I was interested not only because of his stellar career but also because it hasn’t been without controversy. But even more so, I’m very interested in how organizations and fans anticipate the future without someone of his caliber and influence.

I was also interested because the words Jesus speaks to his followers in our text today can be seen as a Farewell Address of sorts. Here’s another example of how important it is to read texts in context. Normally, in the Revised Common Lectionary these two sections would be read at the beginning of Advent then again at the end of the season of Pentecost, almost a year apart on out of context.

But here in the Narrative Lectionary we read them exactly where we should: as Jesus enters the final leg of his journey to the cross. His ministry in Jerusalem is ending, one marked by verbal sparring with religious leaders and increasing tension. Jesus has predicted his betrayal, beating and death several times, but now the time is finally at hand. Jesus has been training his disciples for a long time—whether they realize or not—for life without him. He knows their world will be rocked and chaotic, full of uncertainty, difficulty and even death. So, the words he speaks prepares them for what lies ahead, not just regarding his passion but also for ministry without him.

Central to this message of comfort and hope is Jesus’ promise to return. It’s clear when we read between the lines of Mark’s account that they thought it would be sooner rather than later. However, as time passed, the early church had to come to grips with the fact they didn’t know when Jesus was going to come back. So, they looked to these words again and took heart, focusing on Jesus’ promise his word would last no matter what happened. But they also had to deal with something else: there were some who expected too much about Jesus’ return and there were some who expected too little. Perhaps most disturbing there were some who had forgotten to expect anything at all.

A number of years ago, I heard a radio preacher tell as story about a time he was the best man at his friend’s wedding. As his friend’s soon-to-be wife was walking down the aisle, he leaned over to the groom and whispered, “Wouldn’t it be great if Jesus came back now?”

What about us? What kind of people are we? Do we expect too much, too little or have we forgotten to expect any at all? As we look around our world, the chaos, wars, and uncertainty what do we think? Our world is changing and the things we hold dear, including the church, are changing as well. Change has always come, but it seems like it’s coming faster and more furious these days. Sometimes I wonder if we are more afraid that this isn’t the end of the world than it is. Many have commented it is ironic that on the weekend we turn our clocks ahead Jesus tells us to “Keep awake!” As we head toward Holy Week, the hopeful, purposeful image of birth pangs is helpful to us in doing so. For Jesus’ journey to the cross and beyond is both the end of the beginning and the beginning of the end.

We are reminded today that it is in the darkest times of our lives that Christ’s presence is made known to us and that new life comes. This past week I heard from a retired pastor how his ministry profoundly changed following death of his first wife. Her death was not a good thing, but Jesus’ presence in that darkness birthed new life. What are the signs this is taking place? It is taking place when you seeing people doing what Jesus did: acts of healing, feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting those in prison, and gathering in community. The Christian life doesn’t offer an end to uncertainty; it gives us courage to live, a courage that comes from God’s love. We Christians are kind of crazy; where others seem death, destruction and chaos, we see Jesus and new life. As you make this journey and beyond, stay awake and look for Jesus. Amen.