Pentecost 10C (Lect. 20)
August 14, 2022
Good Shepherd, Wells, MN
Hebrews 11.29-12.2
Faith is not for the faint of heart.
Last week I told you about how my Grandpa Johnson was forced out of a business that he owned and operated by his two brothers, packing up from Rice Lake, WI and heading all the way to Spokane, WA. He was a very strong Christian, a man of deep faith and rather than fight his brothers he turned his other cheek westward. I didn’t know Grandpa very well growing up because we lived so far away, but I knew him well enough then and through stories in later years to respect him deeply. He’s a role model and person of faith. Even so, I don’t think I could have done what he did.
We are in the second of a three-part mini-series from Hebrews the un-letter written by not-Paul. The book of Hebrews doesn’t have the format of a biblical letter. Instead, it is most likely a sermon or series of sermons, it does a deep dive into faith and the Christian life. What we believe impacts what we do and what we do flows out of what we believe. In chapter 11, the preacher expounds a virtual Hall of Fame of the faithful, a Who’s Who of biblical characters. The aim is to tell his parishioners (and us) that we can endure suffering for our faith just like them. But my reaction is the opposite: I can’t do that! I can’t be like those people. It’s like telling me, a hacker golfer, to be like professional golfers Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, or Arnold Palmer. No way.
But when we examine the list more closely, we realize that many, if not all of them, had feet of clay. They were “mixed bags” who were not even close to perfect. By faith, the Israelites who crossed over the Red Sea constantly complained, one reason it took them 40 years to enter the Promised Land. Though a woman of faith, Rahab was a prostitute. Gideon tested God not only once but twice before he would accept God’s commission. Barak, an army general in a highly patriarchal society, refused to do anything without the prophetess and judge Deborah. Samson was manipulated several times by Delilah and literally had blinders where she was concerned. Jephthah sacrificed his daughter through an ill-advised oath. David, a man after God’s own heart, impregnated a married woman and had her husband killed to have her for himself. The great prophet Samuel raised two conniving sons. The list goes on.
When I realized this about this great “Hall of Shame” (Scripture is brutally honest at times), I thought about this list differently. I began to think of those in my life that I would include in my “great cloud of witnesses” who may not have been perfect but who strengthened my faith. There’s a biology teacher, Mr. Michel, who taught me that the human body is a miraculous wonder and it’s okay to be nerdy about it. There is Gerry, who was a second mom and loved this Lutheran Scandinavian boy despite being Irish Catholic herself. Then there’s Michelle, a former colleague who taught me how to be gracious in difficult conversations, something I’m still learning. I’ve also learned much from Mr. Rogers, the children’s television host, who has reminded me to be fully present with people. What more should I say? Time would fail me to tell of many others.
So, who would be in your “Hall of Fame,” your “Great Cloud of Witnesses?” Who has helped you grow in faith in Jesus Christ? Maybe it’s a family member, co-worker, friend, or even a pastor. It could be someone who cuts your hair or bags your groceries. Maybe they are dead or maybe they are still alive. Whoever it is, I’m inviting you to come forward and light a candle in their memory as thanksgiving for their faithful witness. After everyone has done so, I’ll say a prayer and we’ll sing the Hymn of the Day, “For All the Saints.” But one last thing: as you light the candle in memory of those special people and give thanks for their witness, ask God that you might be that witness for someone else to be included in their Great Cloud of Witnesses, cheering them on.
Feel free to pause and light a candle here.
Let us pray. Good and gracious God, we give thanks for those who have strengthened us in our faith, to enable us to live the life you are calling us to live. Help us be witnesses to the great love you have shown us in your Son, Jesus Christ, crucified and risen, so that we may live. Amen.
“For All the Saints”
1 For all the saints who from their labors rest,
who thee by faith before the world confessed,
thy name, O Jesus, be forever blest.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
3 Oh, blest communion, fellowship divine,
we feebly struggle, they in glory shine;
yet all are one in thee, for all are thine.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
5 The golden evening brightens in the west;
soon, soon to faithful servants cometh rest;
sweet is the calm of paradise the blest.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
7 From earth's wide bounds, from ocean's farthest coast,
through gates of pearl streams in the countless host,
singing to Father, Son, and Holy Ghost:
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Text: William W. How, 1823-1897
My written sermons often preach differently "live." To watch the video, click here.
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