For All the Lonely People - Sermon for the Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost Year A (Narrative Lectionary 2)

For All the Lonely People

Pentecost 15A (NL2)

September 10, 2023

Our Savior’s, Faribault, MN

Genesis 2.4b-25; Mark 10.6-8

“It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper as his partner.”

Dick and Anne were members of a congregation we plugged into while I was in seminary at Gettysburg, PA. Our two young daughters were particularly close to Anne, who was the children’s choir director. That is until Anne was tragically killed in an automobile accident, which devastated all of us. Anne was a beloved member of both church and community. Not long after Anne’s death, I encountered Dick at an event. As he discussed his life without Anne he casually said, “You know I’ll get married again. I’m not meant to be alone.” Those words startled me because they seemed premature and rather cold. But as I thought about that comment, I realized it was not a slight to Anne, rather a tribute to the life they had together.

God says, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper as his partner.” We begin this second year of the Narrative Lectionary that takes us on a whirlwind tour through the biblical story. Starting with Creation in Genesis we survey the Old Testament this fall that takes us to the Jesus story at Christmas. We then continue with Jesus’ life through his passion and death in Lent and resurrection at Easter. In the time of Easter and following we’ll hear about the experiences of the early church as they try to figure out what Jesus’ message means. This year, we will hear readings from the Gospel of Mark, either as the central text or in support of the Old Testament readings.

Prior to this morning’s reading from Genesis 2, God has created everything and pronounces it good. Today, the narrator goes “back to the future” by being more specific about the creation of a garden and humans to care for it, including an apparent miscalculation by God to provide Adam with a partner. Now, I need to say something about this text: though I believe this story expresses a deep truth about humanity and or relationship to God, I don’t think it is true in the way many people think of it as true. For example, I can say that I love my wife with my whole heart, and that would be a true statement, but it would not be factual. I cannot take my heart out of my body and love my wife with it in some physical way. So, one of the consequences of understanding this kind of truth is that this reading is not meant to be a proof text for the exclusivity of heterosexual relationships. We intuitively know that there are other important relationships. Besides, the Hebrew word for “helper” is often applied to God in the Old Testament, as in “God is a very present help in times of trouble.” 

At the heart of the text is the truth that God created us to be in relationship with God and each other. And these relationships are meant to be mutual, even with God, as we are, theologian Phil Hefner said,  “created co-creators.” To be “bone of my bone and flesh of my flesh” is to realize that we are interdependent with one another. To paraphrase the poet John Donne, “No one is an island; everyone is a piece of the continent, a part of the main,” ending with, “Ask not for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee.”

Unfortunately, we know what happens next and it’s not pretty: the cooperative and collaborative interdependence gets broken as humanity distrusts God and places blame upon each other. Work becomes difficult, brother kills brother, nations are scattered, and the earth is flooded. Yet through it all, we’ll hear the rest of the story as God works tirelessly to reconcile God’s self to humanity and humanity to each other and the promise that God never, ever gives up.

A story is told about a visitor who visits a friend on a cold, blustery day. The friend invites the visitor in and they settle before a roaring fire. After pleasantries have been exchanged, the friend says to the visitor, “I know why you’re here. It’s because I haven’t been to church lately.” The friend then relates to the visitor all of the slights, hurts, and offenses he has experienced from the church, mostly real and some imagined. The visitor doesn’t say much, nodding to indicate he is listening. When the friend is finished, they sit silently for a moment and then the visitor rises and  silently takes a glowing ember from the fire and places it to the side of the hearth where it loses its heat. Presently, the visitor gets up and places it back in the fire again, where it quickly heats up. The visitor again wordlessly sits down. After a few moments, the friend says to the visitor, “I understand. I’ll be in church Sunday.”

I think that Our Savior’s is a “fireplace church” where even in our brokenness we depend upon God and each other and the heat of God’s grace and mercy carry us through. Chris told me this morning that today is the third anniversary of his son, Aaron’s, death, something that understandably is still painful and leaves a hole in his heart. But he also said how important the grief group here is to him. I’ve heard other stories about the importance of this place, that no matter the brokenness we experience, God’s love sustains us. For it is not good that we should be alone, for God has made us helpers and partners. Thanks be to God. Amen.

My sermons don't always preach as they are written. For video of the sermon with the entire service, click here.

Foolish Faith - Sermon for the Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost, Narrative Lectionary Summer Series: Creeds

Foolish Faith

Pentecost 13A – NL Creeds 2

August 27, 2023

Our Savior’s, Faribault, MN

John 1.1-5, 9-14, 16-18; 1 Corinthians 1.18-25

Ron was a faithful member of a congregation I served. He was almost always in worship and involved deeply in its life. When Ron passed away, I met with his son to plan the funeral service, as I always do. I was surprised when Ron’s son asked me not to include the promise of the resurrection in my funeral sermon. He explained that Ron really didn’t believe in the resurrection, but instead followed the teachings of Jesus in how he lived his life, which by all accounts, was one of integrity, kindness, and grace. 

Today we reflect on the Second Article of the Creed, the one having to do with Jesus, the Second  Person of the Trinity, and I know that Ron isn’t the only inhabitant of our church who puts less stress on Jesus’ resurrection. That’s interesting given that perhaps you’ve noticed as I did a few years ago that there is something missing from the creed:

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,

the only Son of God,

eternally begotten of the Father,

God from God, Light from Light,

true God from true God,

begotten, not made,

of one Being with the Father;

through him all things were made.

For us and for our salvation

he came down from heaven,

was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary

and became truly human.

For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;

he suffered death and was buried.

On the third day he rose again

in accordance with the scriptures;

he ascended into heaven

and is seated at the right hand of the Father.

He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,

and his kingdom will have no end.

Did you notice that there is no mention of Jesus’ ministry or teachings? There is nothing about his command to follow him or to go his way. The Creed goes from birth to death to resurrection to ascension and finally to consummation.

Luther, in his explanation to the Second Article does something similarly:

I believe that Jesus Christ, true God, begotten of the Father from all eternity, and also true man, born of the Virgin Mary, is my Lord, who has redeemed me, a lost and condemned creature, freed me and delivered me from sin, death, and the power of the devil, not will silver and gold, but with his holy and precious blood and innocent suffering and death, in order that I might be his, live under him in his kingdom, and serve him in everlasting righteousness, innocence, and blessedness, even as he is risen from the dead and lives and reigns to all eternity. This is most certainly true.

Now, we know that Jesus’ ministry of preaching, teaching, and healing are important, and that Jesus does indeed call us to follow his way, the way of the kingdom, to love God and neighbor. What the creeds strive to do is to emphasize that Jesus is far more than a good teacher or role model. In echoes of the creation story in Genesis, John’s Gospel emphasizes that Jesus was present from before there was any beginning, that all things were made through him. In essence, John claims, Jesus, too, is God.

Now, even that claim isn’t much different from mythologies of other cultures where gods often take human form. That is, until we get to the foolishness of that same God willingly dying on a cross for our sakes. In essence, the Apostle Paul says that if you want to know what God is like, look to Jesus. And if you want to know what Jesus is like, look to the cross, which sounds like utter foolishness. We are a broken people, and Jesus takes the brokenness upon himself and in doing so sets us free.

We Christians are an odd bunch. We foolishly believe there is more than the broken and dead things of this world, that death and brokenness are not the last words, nor are they the most important words. We believe that in death and brokenness we see life and healing, just as we did with Theone’s celebration of life this past week. We believe, some from the outside might say foolishly, that God will work through the brokenness and pain we have experienced as a congregation to bring new and abundant life.

It is in that assurance and promise from God through Jesus Christ that frees us to live foolishly. Because of what Jesus Christ has done for us, picking us up when we stumble, dusting us off, and sending us on our way, that we can dare to live. In doing so, we are able to walk as children of light, bringing hope and healing to a hurting world. Jesus Christ is more than a good person, so much more, and through that “more-ness” we are more as well. We are more because we foolishly believe. This is most certainly true. Amen.

My sermons don't always preach as they are written. For video of the sermon with the entire service, click here.

The Prodigal Sower - Sermon for the Seventh Sunday after Pentecost Year A

The Prodigal Sower

Pentecost 7A

July 16, 2023

Christ, Preston, MN

Matthew 13.1-9, 18-23

By way of introduction, I’m going to give you a little glimpse into the life of a preacher. One thing you need to know is that most preachers work very hard on their sermons and take them seriously. Furthermore, we’ve all had the experience where a sermon we thought was good got no response and the opposite is true. A sermon we thought was a dud, but didn’t have anything else to offer, went over big. Frankly, while we appreciate it when people say, “Good sermon, pastor,” the response we’d like to make is, “That remains to be seen.” If you’ve said that to me, chances are I’ve not been that snarky, instead saying, “I was preaching to myself. If you got something out of it, so much the better.” I truly believe that if the text doesn’t speak to me, it probably won’t speak to you. Even so, my favorite comment from parishioners is, “You made me think.”

The response (or lack of it) to the Good News of Jesus Christ is at the heart of today’s Gospel reading in Matthew. Jesus tells the Parable of the Sower and to be clear, in spite of his explanation, there still remains a variety of interpretations. Today I’m going to think along the lines of what Matthew’s community dealt with and why some commentators think Matthew included this parable in his collection. That is to say, Matthew used this parable to address an important question: why did some people respond to the Good News and why did some of them not, a situation in the early Jewish synagogues that caused some conflict.

It’s a similar question put to Martin Luther by his protégé Philip Melanchthon 1500 years later. If God’s Word is so powerful, why doesn’t everybody accept it? Luther, in response, breezily answered, “The Spirit blows wherever and whenever it wills.” Of course, that’s no real answer at all, but it’s the best he could do. But before we proceed, it’s helpful to remember that parables are not puzzles to solve; they are mysteries to be entered. They are to open us up more than we are to open them up. So, when we enter this parable, it needs to be from a place of humility as we realize that all soil conditions apply to each of us at one time or another. In other words, we’re not always good soil.

The aspect of the parable that stands out for me today is the prodigious behavior of the Sower, who could be known as the Prodigal Sower. Though some people make a case that casting seed far and wide was a common practice in Jesus’ day, it seems to me excessively generous and perhaps downright wasteful, as Jesus’ explanation shows. Yet that doesn’t stop the Sower from the practice; God’s Word is thrown about like glitter. One interpretation is that God never, ever gives up on people, no matter what the result, and keeps spreading the Word regardless of the consequences.

It’s important to remember that most of Jesus’ parables are Kingdom parables. Jesus often begins his parables by saying, “The kingdom of God is like…” His parables try to describe the way of God’s activity and values that are difficult to pin down, and not “this is how we should live” kind of parables. Having said that, and reminding you that I’m not proposing the final solution, I think that there are questions raised by actions of a God who liberally and tirelessly spreads the Word. So, let me raise a few questions based on my time with you that you might find interesting to entertain.

Some of you have wondered why more people haven’t returned to worship or reengaged in the life of the congregation. Perhaps you know people who have fallen away, or may even have gone to other places. This is a complex question that the Transition Team touched on and your leadership discusses often. But rather than address it head on, what if we allowed the Parable of the Sower to creatively expand our thinking with these four questions: 

• What would it mean to scatter God’s word extravagantly and not worry about the results? This is not to say that outcomes don’t matter, but what if they are less important than liberally broadcasting God’s love, grace and mercy?

• What would it mean to remember that it’s God’s job to give the growth, not ours? The Apostle Paul reminded the early church of that when he declared that he planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth.

• How could you walk alongside people on their faith journey rather than criticizing their “soil?” Can you be cultivators, helping to prepare people to receive God’s Word?

• Could you be patient, realizing that the seed you scatter might lie dormant for years before bearing fruit? 

The Good News is I think you have begun to take these questions to heart, whether you realize it or not. You’ve recommitted to building partnerships in the larger Preston community and want this wonderful facility to be used by more groups, both inside and outside the membership of the congregation. Furthermore, rather than criticize the number of people who join you electronically, you are strengthening your digital presence and wondering how you can creatively connect even more so. But most importantly, you are opening yourselves to God’s Spirit, wherever it leads.

Thank you for inviting me to walk with you on this portion of your faith journey. I’ve never felt as welcomed and supported as I have here, and I trust your new pastor will, too. I can think of no better words to leave you with than those of the Apostle Paul told the church at Philippi, “[I am] confident of this, that the One who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” If that’s all you remember from this sermon and my time with you, that will be enough. Amen.

My sermons often preach a little differently than written and you can find the video here.

The Yoke of Love - Sermon for the Sixth Sunday after Pentecost Year A

 The Yoke of Love

Pentecost 6A

July 9, 2023

Christ, Preston, MN

Matthew 11.16-19, 25-30

I’m not sure why or how, but I grew up thinking I had to do things myself, that I couldn’t ask for help from anybody. Perhaps it was being the middle-oldest of four children or maybe it was my parents' strong work ethic. Regardless, I rarely asked for help. That started to change when I was a pastor in Winona and had surgery on my shoulder. I had to ask my wife for help to do the basics of care. Around the same time, I was discerning whether to enter a doctoral program. With one daughter already at Winona State and another one on the way, it seemed financially impossible. So, I told God that if he wanted me to do the doctoral program then he’d have to provide the funds. God agreed, but told me that I’d have to ask for them. Which I did. And which God did.

I’m guessing that I’m not alone in this affliction of self-sufficiency and apparently people in Jesus’ time suffered from it, too. Last week we finished the Missionary Discourse as Jesus prepared his followers to be sent out to do the work he was doing. He has resumed his teaching and preaching and gets an odd question from John the Baptist, who is in prison. “Are you the one who is to come or should we wait for another.” In essence, Jesus says, “Yes.” Then Jesus turns to the crowds, extolling John the Baptist in his role as the forerunner to his ministry.

Our reading for today picks up there and Jesus turns a bit crankier. He takes a swipe not at the crowds who are following him, but at the religious leaders of the day who can’t seem to be satisfied where he and John are concerned. Using the parables of the flute, a metaphor for the celebratory nature of weddings, and the wailing, a metaphor for the mourning that happens at a funeral, Jesus says that no matter what he or John do or don’t do, whether they drink or don’t drink, the religious leaders are critical. But, he says, they can’t have it both ways. Jesus is cranky because they not only refuse to listen to a word from God,  they also make religious life harder for the people.

As if everyday life weren’t hard enough, especially lived under Roman rule, the religious leaders heaped up additional burdens. And, if we need any more dumped on us, the Apostle Paul exposes our all too human condition: we do those things we hate to do and don’t do the things that we want to do. But then Jesus’ tone softens and he turns back the crowds, inviting them into rest for their souls. It’s at that point that Jesus’ invitation reminds us that we don’t need to go it alone or do life ourselves.

To make his point, Jesus uses the image of the yoke, one which the people would have been familiar with. You all probably know more about yokes than I do, but I understand they distribute the load more evenly. In fact, I believe that two animals yoked together can do more than two individually. Yet, the yoke Jesus offers is not a new law or religious rule, but rather a yoke of love. Remember the two greatest commandments, to love God and love others. As Zechariah shows us, this king doesn’t come proudly on a warhorse but rather in humility.

This need to share burdens is one of many reasons we need to belong in community. Over the last eight months I’ve seen how you have cared for one another in so many ways. You’ve wrestled with how we can strengthen that sense of community post-pandemic. You’ve stepped up, claiming the ministry God has been doing in, with, and through you and found creative ways to deepen your relationships with each other. An African proverb says it well: “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” You will be going far because you will be going together. So, whatever burden you’ve brought here today, know that you don’t have to carry it alone. The One who is gentle and humble in heart gives you rest for your soul. Amen.

My sermons often preach a little differently than written and you can find the video here.

The Declaration of Dependence - Sermon for the Fifth Sunday after Pentecost Year A

 The Declaration of Dependence

Pentecost 5A

July 2, 2023

Christ, Preston, MN

Matthew 10.40-42

“Whoever welcomes you, welcomes me and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me.”

This verse and those that follow are often used as a basis for extending churchy hospitality to outsiders. Congregations proudly declare, “All are welcome” which, of course, is a very good thing to say and do. Unfortunately, most congregations fall short of living this out, believing that they are truly welcoming, but in reality only to themselves. Christ Lutheran Church in Preston may be an exception. Congregations do better when this invitation is made to the table of Holy Communion, but again fail to realize that it doesn’t always mean it when, as one child once said to me, “I’m not welcome.” Indeed. That led to some serious conversation about who gets to commune in that congregation. That may be a growth area for Christ Lutheran Church as it discerns what “All are welcome to the Table” really means. We’ve already had some initial conversation.

Also, unfortunately, these verses aren’t really aimed at churches offering hospitality but rather receiving it. We are at the end of the so-called “Missionary Discourse” in Matthew’s Gospel, the second of five blocks of teaching by Jesus. Two weeks ago, we heard Jesus describe the great need in the world and how he selects 12 of his disciples to be apostles, sent out into the world to bring healing and good news. Then we heard how they were to rely on the hospitality of others and, in the midst of certain blowback and even persecution from some people, that God will care for them as God cares for all creation.

Jesus wraps up his instructions to the 12 with this claim, that those who receive them and welcome them don’t just receive them, and not even Jesus in his name, but God as well. Now that’s an amazing claim, and we enjoy the idea of a cup of cold water extended to us for what we do. But it’s also a warning of sorts that may result in the water being thrown in our faces rather than given to us in a cup. What we do or don’t do, say or don’t say, reflects not only on us but also on the one who sent us.

This is an important word to hear because the church no longer has its privileged place it once held in society. Almost everywhere I go, parishioners lament the encroachment upon the church’s “territory.”  Sundays are already gone and Wednesday nights are going. Sports and other activities are virtually every day during the week and not just seasonally, but year-round. Ministeriums are vanishing and church becomes one more obligation among many vying for peoples’ time. It may not be happening as much in smaller communities like Preston, but it is still happening.

That sounds dire, doesn’t it? I don’t think it needs to be, and perhaps it may even be a good thing. How so? Because now that the church is decentered and pushed to the periphery, perhaps it can remember why it exists and to whom it is to be sent: to heal the broken in God’s world. Additionally, we get to recover our prophetic voice that is often silenced in accommodation to the culture. We advocate for those on the margins who are unable to advocate for themselves.

This week, we’ll be celebrating the Declaration of Independence, an important remembrance for our country. Even so, I think that today we should celebrate the “Declaration of Dependence.” In other words, we rely on the Gospel, not the privilege of position. We are Christ’s hands, feet, and voices in the world, bringing the Good News of God’s love. Welcoming all to Jesus’ Table is a good start as it strengthens us to go out and see how we can bring hope and healing to a world that needs us to walk alongside it, not berate it. Whether you receive a cup of cold water or get one thrown in your face, know that you are a beloved child of God sent in Jesus’ name to Love God, Love People, and Follow Jesus. Thanks be to God. Amen.

My sermons often preach a little differently than written and you can find the video here.

No Fear - Sermon for the Fourth Sunday after Pentecost Year A

No Fear

Pentecost 4A

June 25, 2023

Christ, Preston, MN

Matthew 10:24-39

“So do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows.”

In chapter nine, Jesus had been traveling along, preaching the good news of the kingdom of God and healing many people. Suddenly he stopped and sensing an opportunity for a teaching moment with his followers. One can just imagine him sitting down holding forth in what we now call the Missionary Discourse, the second of five blocks of teaching in Matthew’s Gospel.

Friends, look around you. See how many people need to hear the Good News of my Father’s love? There are so many needs and I’m only one person. Is your gut twisting like mine is? Do you have compassion on them like I do? They are like sheep without a shepherd or like ripened wheat with no one to bring the harvest.

So, here’s what I’m going to do. You twelve, who I’ve called disciples, who have been with me and heard my teaching, I have a special assignment for you. You are now called apostles because I’m sending you out to do the work I’ve been doing. Now, this is going to sound crazy to you, but we’re going to do things differently than other teachers and students. First, because God’s love is free, you are not to accept any payment for healing people, curing lepers, and even raising the dead. Nothing. Second, take nothing with you, no money, extra clothing, not even a bag. Trust that people will feed you and house you. Trust that you will be provided for.

Now, I need to prepare you for something that might happen to you because it’s happened to me. What you are doing is not always welcome. The Good News of God’s love and grace is not seen as good news to everyone. Also, because you’re my friends and followers some people will hate you because of my name and reputation. That may not be fair, but that’s the way it is. And you really shouldn’t be surprised because we all belong to each other.

I wish that was all that you had to face, but I want to be totally honest with you. You’ve probably already noticed that my mere presence causes an uproar in families. Sons argue with their fathers, mothers with daughters, everyone taking sides. Of course, I don’t want that to happen, but that’s how it works out. Someday people will agree not to talk about me at family gatherings because it causes too much commotion. Maybe it’s already happening.

Frankly, one reason why my message is so hard for people to is that it requires a different way of thinking, one that goes against everything people are taught. My message invites people into a new way of life, one that demands unwavering loyalty to my way, the way of God’s kingdom. You’ll understand more about what I’m talking about after my crucifixion. But for now, know that when you follow me and give your life to serving others you will find true life.

Right about now I sense some of you drifting away, wondering what you signed up for. That’s okay. I’m not going to soften anything I’ve said because I want to be honest about what it means to go about in my name. Instead, there’s more because with God there’s always more. Here it is: don’t be afraid. I know, that sounds easy for me to say and simplistic, but it’s important. You see, God has you covered. You see those sparrows over there, what some of you call a poor man’s meat because that’s all they can afford to eat and the cheapest sacrifice available for the temple? It may sound incredible, but nothing happens to any of those sparrows that God doesn’t know about. And in case that doesn’t wow you, God even knows how many hairs are on each of your heads. Seriously.

Two thousand years from now someone will pick up on this and say that a life lived in fear is a life half-lived. That’s right, 2,000 years and people will still be experiencing what you are experiencing right now, trying to figure out what it means to follow my way. The important thing to remember when I’m gone is it’s because of God’s love and care that you can do this, in spite of all the difficulties that come with the territory. None of us can do this on our own, not even me. So, get out there and do the work that God needs to have done, to love and bless a world that is hurting and needs to know that God loves them.

Indeed, Jesus’ words were prescient. Those early followers would be treated just like Jesus was treated. Matthew’s community would face blowback from people in the synagogues who didn’t believe Jesus was the Messiah. People in positions of authority felt threatened by Jesus’ message of love and acceptance to marginalized communities. But Jesus was also right about God’s presence with Jesus’ followers down through the ages. The way of Jesus has persevered, even if it hasn’t always behaved in the way of Jesus. It may seem creepy that God knows everything, and that might not be good news to some people. Even so, to know that God is with us in, with, and through the good, bad, and the ugly sustains us every moment of every day. As the Apostle Paul notes, death no longer has a hold on us. Because we have no fear, we are able to Love God, Love People, and Follow Jesus. Amen.

My sermons often preach a little differently than written and you can find the video here.

On the Fringes - Sermon for the Second Sunday after Pentecost Year A

On the Fringes

Pentecost 2A

June 11, 2023

Christ, Preston, MN

Matthew 9.9-13, 18-26

I listened to a podcast a few weeks ago on something called the “Imposter Syndrome.” Have you ever heard of that? According to the magazine, Psychology Today, “People who struggle with imposter syndrome believe that they are undeserving of their achievements and the high esteem in which they are, in fact, generally held. They feel that they aren’t as competent or intelligent as others might think—and that soon enough, people will discover the truth about them. Those with imposter syndrome are often well accomplished; they may hold high office or have numerous academic degrees.” The podcast I heard listed such accomplished actors as Viola Davis and Tom Hanks as dealing with Imposter Syndrome.

I think many of us struggle with Imposter Syndrome in one form or another. We have self-doubts, wondering if we belong. I know that I’ve been part of groups where people were far more accomplished than I, leaving me wondering if I belong. I suspect that some of you here today have similar feelings, that you wonder if you really belong, especially here in this church. You look around and see others who have their faith-act together and think you are a fraud compared to them. Well, if you are one of those, this sermon is for you and me. For the others who don’t have this problem, please sit quietly until we’re done.

We have an interesting cast of characters in our Gospel reading from Matthew 9 today and I wonder if they had doubts about belonging, whether they were worthy of Jesus’ attention. Matthew, the reported namesake of this Gospel, was himself a tax collector. He is joined by other tax collectors, “sinners,” a woman with hemorrhages, and a dead girl, along with her father (synagogue leader), Pharisees, disciples, and Jesus of course. Then these odd characters are found in odd situations. Jesus calls Matthew, who immediately follows, eats with the disciples, tax collectors, and sinners, all under the curious eye of the Pharisees. Jesus himself follows without hesitation the synagogue leader to attend to his daughter and, while on the way, encounters the woman with the hemorrhages.

It’s helpful to remember that many of these people were on the fringes of Jewish society. Tax collectors because they collaborated with the Romans, handled unclean money, and took advantage of people by overcharging them. “Sinners” was a catch-all phrase for those who didn’t observe Jewish laws. Women with flows of blood were ritually unclean as were dead people; observant Jewish men wouldn’t touch them because they would become unclean. Not only does Jesus consort with these people who are on the margins, but he also eats with them, unthinkable in that day and age.

In case we miss the point, Jesus declares that mercy is a core value of God’s kingdom and furthermore, he didn’t come to call those who have it all together, but rather those who are on the outs. Frankly, the worst thing that happened to Christianity is when the Roman Emperor Constantine converted to Christianity in the early 4th c. and Christianity became the “official” religion of the empire, suddenly becoming mainstream. True, Christianity spread quickly because of this, but it quickly forgot who it came for and why. As an aside, the leaders of the church also became obsessed with the power this brought them, forgetting that they came to serve the people rather than the other way around.

So, if you’re one of those who  have it all together, you can leave anytime and don’t need to come back because this place isn’t for you. But, if you don’t have it all together, feel like you’re not good enough, a fraud, then this is where you belong. The good news for you today is that you don’t have to pretend anymore because Jesus came for you. The issue isn’t whether you deserve God’s love or not, what others think, or what you do or don’t do. The issue is that Jesus invites you to follow him in order to love and bless our broken world, especially you. Amen.

My sermons often preach a little differently than written and you can find the video here.