How much more?

Luke 11:1-13

Elohim- plural form of "El" meaning "strong one"

Yaweh - To Exist, to Be, being

Adonai "master"

Hallowed be his name, but Jesus does not use any of these terms for God, some of the many names of God as per his religion. Rather Jesus tells us to say Father and not simply His Father but rather Our Father. This is a radical departure from the names above.

The passage goes on to suggest that everything you pray for you will receive. I have heard this used to suggest if you are not receiving you are not praying correctly, or do not believe. I however do not understand such an interpretation taking in the story and illustration Jesus uses to bookend the statement everyone who knocks receive, etc. See the friend that said no at first to his friend did get up to help not simply because of persistence, but the persistence of a friend. How much more would God? And thus the key is the two illustrations about the parent giving their child a fish or an egg.

I am relatively new as a parent, AJ just turned 2 (July 26), but as far as I can remember I have always had parents. Thus I know when I asked for an egg I never received a scorpion, however, when I did ask for a scorpion I would receive an egg. See parents do not give everything a child asks for and that is important. This pericope concentrates on prayer and brings forward a very radical notion of God as heavenly parent, father, and thus with these illustrations it is important to realize God will always answer prayers, but the answer will be of a parent.

Jesus tells us to call God, Father, as he did which is a wonderful and radical notion. I believe Paul picks up on the Aramaic word that Jesus may have used at times, which is "Abba" best translated as "daddy." Extremely personal. One Gospel records Jesus using that term, Mark 14:36 "He said, 'Abba, Father, for you all things are possible; remove this cup from me; yet, not what I want, but what you want.'" The key point is not only does Jesus emphasize the parental nature of God, but rather that Jesus even prayers for God's will. God will always provide an egg even when you are asking for things you do not need.

Focal Point

Luke 10:38-42

Fred Craddock, our most famous homiletic professor and preacher of the Disciples, writes in a commentary, that "If we were to ask Jesus which example applies to us, the Samaritan (the pericope prior) or Mary, his answer would probably be Yes." (152) Last week I explored the pericope of the lawyer asking what he needed to do to inherit eternal life, we discovered he knew the answer, and Jesus real answer was to go and do it. Today's text we find a distracted and busy Martha, and Jesus' command is to sit, listen, and learn. There is no coincidence that these stories are put together by Luke, as Craddock suggests both apply to us all.

In this story about Mary and Martha, I know that I have identified with both at different times. Mary is sitting at Jesus' feet, which is a term for being a disciple of a teacher. This in itself is shocking for most teachers of that day would not have women disciples; however, we know Jesus came to change the world. Mary is learning and focusing on what is important. Martha is going about all the important tasks of being a welcoming host. Martha then complains to Jesus, that Mary is not helping with the work. Jesus tells her she is worried and distracted and Mary had chosen the better part. I enjoy being a host. I may not enjoy the preparatory cleaning and the cleaning afterwards, but I love the chores of being a good host. Now I have had seminarian professors at gatherings, but they were not there to teach, but Martha had Jesus teaching and Mary sat to listen intently. I am someone that can multi-task and if I was doing the tasks Martha was with Jesus teaching, I believe I would be able to keep up on most of the teachings, but if I got upset about and worried about someone else and what I believed were their responsibilities, I know I would miss everything about the fellowship, especially the teachings. When Martha was fed up with Mary's behavior, she went directly to the teacher. Jesus did not say the work of hospitality is of no importance, and we know that at least one time when no one picked up the towel to wash feet (a very normal act of hospitality); Jesus washed His disciples' feet. It was also a lesson, but I believe it demonstrates that Jesus did not ignore the traditions of hospitality and believe them to be unimportant. It is her worry and distraction that bothers me.

Upon further prayer and reading, I was drawn to Paul's statement in Romans 8:38-39, "For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." When you hear this you realize that Paul does not name evil and hateful things, rather most would be interpreted as positive (angels, life, height) or ambiguous. Paul makes it clear that there is nothing that can keep us from the love of God. However, when looked at with today's scripture it seems also important to not simply have faith, but to focus on the Love of Jesus. The little tasks that Martha was occupied with, was not really what distracted and worried her, rather her jealousy and desired control of her sister was, as she was missing the lesson. Perhaps she needed to sit and listen, but perhaps she could have continued to be the great host while still keeping focused on the Love of God.

I debated sharing this illustration, but prayerfully did, and had great feedback, so I am glad I listened to prayer. If you do not already know, I love to ride a motorcycle. I have many reasons that I love to ride and today I am going to share with you how to turn a motorcycle. If you drive a car you know that turning a car needs someone to simply turn the steering wheel. On a motorcycle it is necessary to do these things, some of which should happen in a car as well. When you approach the turn you must slow prior to entering the turn, as you should never brake during a turn (this is true with cars but I know not everyone does that, as a car is more forgiving). Then when you need to turn you push the respective handle bar the direction you want to go, you do not turn the handlebars. This creates a natural lean in the direction you need to go, and you then look where you need to go and roll on the throttle as you go through the turn. The important part is to look where you need to go and trust your tyres. If you focus on the oncoming car you will end up hitting it, if you focus on the ditch you will end up in it, if you focus on where you want to go your whole body will naturally lean the bike in that direction. (Yes you have to have faith in your tyres, but that's another sermon). While life cannot separate us from the Love of God, we must be focused on Jesus, or we are liable to be worried and distracted, and miss the turn. The turn to God we must all do to inherit eternal life.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Craddock, Fred. Interpretation: Luke. John Knox Press. 1990.

Three Loves

Luke 10:25-37

A lawyer stood up to and asked a question of Jesus. The lawyers referred to in the Bible are not like lawyers we know, as there is no distinction between civil and religious laws; therefore he is an expert on the laws of God as per the Torah. Just as in today's age there are multiple interpretations of Jewish Law. I can name several Jewish sects that existed during Jesus' ministry, such as Pharisees, Sadducees, Essences, Herodians, and Zealots and each group needed experts. This lawyer decides to test Jesus. But it is not clear if he is testing him to say what the lawyer believes is the right answer, or to reveal the Father to him as per verse 22. We will not know for Jesus turns the question back on the lawyer. What do you read in the law, as you are the expert? And the lawyer answers with the Shema which would make perfect sense. Deuteronomy 6:4-7 "Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might. Keep these words that I am commanding you today in your heart. Recite them to your children and talk about them when you are at home and when you are away, when you lie down and when you rise." It is clear that this is a very important part of the law, as it should be taught to the children and recited everywhere. This is not a surprising answer in the least, but the lawyer does add a command from Leviticus 19:18 "You shall not take vengeance of bear a grudge against any of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord." Jesus agrees with this expert's answer of the three loves, Loving God, yourself and your neighbor. And Jesus commands, "…do this, and you will live."

Now I believe the lawyer has moved from testing Jesus once Jesus agreed with his assessment. Now the law expert has a problem, he does not completely understand his own answer, thus he asks who his neighbor is.

This reminds me of when I learned to sale at the Longshore Sailing School in Westport, Connecticut. I was about 12 years of age and loved going to the school, as we learned in a classroom and on Long Island Sound in small two person sailboats. See I was very proud of the two yellow t-shirts I won. I received those two shirts because I aced the two written exams. Now there were also blue t-shirts awarded to the two best sailors on the water. I was a very good sailor, as well, but I certainly knew all the little details well enough to answer them on paper. After our exams the next day we would get our results and have an all day free sail. Upon receiving my second yellow jersey in the morning and changing into the new shirt to start the day's sailing. The instructor reminded me that my usual partner was not able to attend the day before and therefore would need to stay ashore to take his exam. The instructor said, "You aced your exam, you can go out alone." I never felt frightened sailing until that moment. I was scared to put my knowledge to the test. The boats we were learning on were designed for a two person crew, in that the jib lines cannot reach the tiller. I pushed off; scared about putting my book smarts to work. Within a few minutes I realized I knew exactly how to sail this boat alone. I left the jib down except for a time when I was running. I was fine, until the instructor told me to head to the dock to pick up my partner. He was nowhere to be seen, so I thought I would dock the boat and go get him. Well I made three passes at the dock and realized that I would not be able to get close enough to the dock and be able to let go the tiller and tie the boat as it was choppy. Well I decided I had to do one of two things. Go back out and get another boat to dock and help, or run my boat ashore. I was about to decide when I saw my partner running across the beach with his orange life vest. I then docked and picked up my mate. I learned that day how important it was to go do want you know.

Jesus then tells the parable of the Good Samaritan to ask the lawyer who the neighbor was to the man left for dead on the side of the road. The lawyer answers correctly, "The one who showed him mercy." Jesus I believe knew that the expert would answer correctly, for whom else could be considered the neighbor. The fact the expert questioned who his neighbor is, demonstrates he was not satisfied with a definition that did not challenge. He certainly knew that the Torah continually tells of God's command to take care of the poor, oppressed, the immigrants, and marginalized. I do not think the expert was shocked at Jesus' telling of the parable; rather he was frightened of what it meant to receive eternal life. To go and live out such a love of God, yourself, and neighbor. "Go and do likewise."

God’s Realm

2 Kings 5:1-14

July 4, 1994, I was in the car with my half-brother and his two elementary age boys. It was a great day, and we had the windows rolled down as we drove along. There was then the sound of a firecracker (perhaps an M-80) for it was quite loud. My nephews yelled in delight, as I dove for cover under the dash. See I was being picked up from the airport from having been living in Belfast, Northern Ireland. If you are not aware, Northern Ireland is a "Police State," in that the military and police are essentially the same and people walled into distinct neighborhoods. I do not want to blame the army or police officers, for the "troubles," as it is a conflict between the two groups has been going on for a long time. The recent resurgence of conflict started in the sixties, directly fueled by the civil rights movements in the United States of America. Quickly the unrest turned to rioting and violence to an extreme that London sent the Army to keep the peace. The Irish welcomed such a force as the police force was 99% protestant and were not sympathetic. The women welcomed the soldiers with tea and biscuits as it meant the Ulstermen (Loyalists) would not be able to riot in their neighborhoods. Quickly this welcome died as the Irish felt even more oppressed with the army at the police's side. I do want to make it clear that the violence the paramilitary extremes both the IRA and Loyalists, is the worst and heinous cause of the continued troubles and thus the reaction of Britain to continue running Northern Ireland as a police state with minimal representation from its people of either camp. There has been much progress over the last ten years, such as disbanding the Royal Ulster Constabulary and replacing it with great reform with the Police Service of Northern Ireland in 2001. I bring up my experience not to debate the "troubles," but to share what it is like to live in a city that fits the definition of a "police state." I must say I generally felt safer in Belfast than in New York, I can tell I was effected greatly by the experience, as per my reaction to a celebratory firecracker.

I have many stories and observations from living in such a state. I called a real estate agent for a flat I was interested in renting, he told me he would show me at 3 PM. I went a little early to the address and started noticing other individuals and couples loitering in the vicinity. It was obvious to me that the agent was going to show us the rental all at once, and when he arrived shortly after 3, we all went up to look at the apartment. I quickly determined it was not the flat for me, so I exited soon after, to discover a constable outside. Well actually four, because they never traveled in groups smaller than four. They all had flak jackets on, and were holding automatic rifles. You may think I am just paranoid, but I know that every street has cameras, and not cameras like we have that record specific crimes like at ATM and stop lights, but cameras to watch. Thus I do not think it was a coincidence that an armored truck came to see why so many people were gathering on a street corner, especially a group not interacting just simply waiting. Of course we did nothing wrong, but it was obvious someone was concerned.

I did finally find a great flat with two roommates. It was not far from the Queen's University. It was a row house, with a small front yard with a low wall and gate. The doorway was across from the gate and was in a large archway. Well one night I did notice a few soldiers patrolling my street, but that seemed normal (that in itself puts one on edge). I looked down to open the gate and go through with my bag, when I heard someone in front of me ask in a strong tone, "Where are you going?" Looking up there was a soldier at my front door hidden in the archway. "To my flat," I responded. I was then let by after showing my identification and searching my bag.

Another day I was walking to the University, I observed a man make a U-turn. It was illegal, however, I would say it was a good place to make one, as it was not busy and one could see well in both directions. The driver was very careful and was looking carefully up and down the street, thus not observing the armored police vehicle at the next corner. The constables could see the U-turn and the lights went on to pull them over. The driver pulled over and one officer walked up to the driver's window with his citation book open. It was a normal traffic violation stop; except that it was on the wrong side of the street and that there were three other officers. One was in front of the car with his rifle raised at the driver, another was a few feet behind the officer making out the ticket with his rifle raised, and the last was on the other side of the car with his rifle at the ready. Now there are many times I wish our officers could have that type of force when they are pulling someone over, as we have some deranged and evil people out there. However, as Americans we uphold liberty. Our officers are not there to coerce and intimidate people to follow the law, rather they are there to protect and serve us free citizens. After a couple of months living in Belfast, I would find myself making sure my hands were visible if I was crossing the street toward a soldier or constable. What is scary was I did not think about it, I would do it naturally.

See in America we know exactly what it is like to be policed in such a manner. Well not with cameras, armored vehicles, or machine guns, but the mentality was the same in 1768 when British troops were sent to Boston to enforce the Townshend Acts. Eventually the tension came to bloodshed on March 5, 1770, when a mob started harassing Private Hugh White and eventually he was joined by 7 or 8 soldiers of the 29^th Regiment of Foot. Captain Thomas Preston finally went out as well to try to calm the 3-4 Hundred who were yelling and throwing snowballs. Eventually a local tavern keeper knocked down Private Hugh Montgomery with a club, and as he got to his feet yelled out "Damn you, fire!" And thus the Boston Massacre goes down in history, with three dead instantly, two more who would die from their wounds and eleven injured. The crown responded by pulling the troops out of the city, temporarily. The rest is history, we wanted liberty.

In today's scripture, Naaman is in need of healing. As per the Hebrew Scripture Naaman was given victory over Israel by the Lord and that is an important theme through the scripture, that God doesn't simply follow the national borders. Naaman was a commander of the army and quite successful, but needed healing from his leprosy. It was the slave girl that was kidnapped from Israel that knew how Naaman could achieve God's healing. As a commander, he went to his king and asked to go for such a healing via the prophet in Samaria. The King of Aram sent him with many gifts and a letter to the King of Israel that requested "…that you may cure him of his leprosy." The letter did not mention Elisha, and thus the King of Israel was insulted that this foreign leader would request such a healing from him. When Elisha heard of this letter and his king's response he sent word that Naaman should be sent to him. So Naaman went to Elisha's home, but Elisha did not come out to greet him, rather he sent a messenger out to tell him how God can heal. It is clear that Elisha was not the one that heals. Naaman apparently already had an idea how the healing would go and was very upset even enraged that Elisha would not come out and heal him. Naaman even responded with very "nationalistic" rhetoric, as he stated that the rivers of Damascus were better than any water of Israel. Elisha did not state it had to be Jordon, but it was the water that was right there, the river that was the border of the Promised Land. It was his own servants that reminded him he would have been willing to do something much harder to be healed. These humble servants and the slave girl knew things that the leaders did not know. These leaders and especially Naaman were blessed that the slave girl and the servants were bold enough to speak up. This is exactly the type of liberty God wants for all people. So they will know God has all the power across all boarders, and that we choose Jesus with our Liberty.

On July 4^th we celebrate our Liberty from the British and the Liberty we uphold in many other situations. We started with liberty for white land-owning men and we keep responding with Liberty when we see a challenge. When I ducked down in the car on July 4, 1994, many of you would not have understood that fear, until April 19 the following year, when the Alfred Murrah Federal Building was attacked. And of course the whole country felt this fear after the attacks of September 11, 2001. Yet today we do not live in a police state and there had been numerous attacks prior and continue to be attacks both foreign and domestic. We uphold liberty. We had instituted practical security measures, and some people are critical of some of the measures, but we are encouraged via our Liberty to be critical.

So many of you understand the fear I felt when I heard that firecracker, however I know a friend who knows these fear even greater. This friend was a refugee from Liberia, a country our nation established meaning Liberty. Our church in Connecticut brought him, his wife, and son to the USA from the refugee camps in that war torn country. This is the worst type of police state, in that the government is based solely on what army controls. We put them up in the church's apartment, helped them find jobs and training, and enjoyed becoming their friends and family. They knew that we celebrate Independence Day, however, we did not think to truly explain the festivities. Well after dusk we got a phone call from the apartment. Another friend was on the line trying to explain that they should go outside. However, they were yelling that they were under attack and were hiding under the bed. Finally, we convinced them to turn on the TV and they could see how we celebrate with fireworks. It was very sad that they were so scared. Yet when I talked with my friend from Liberia a week later, he was even able to laugh about it, for he understands even greater than most of us Americans what it is to celebrate Liberty. I had been knocked to my knees by a bomb in Belfast once, but I had an American Passport in my pocket (I was not harmed, just shook and scarred), but to hear what it means to be an American from a humble Liberian reminds me how God wants us all to be free across the World no matter what bodies of water we enjoy. God wants Liberty.

Freedom Seeds

Galatians 5:1, 13-25

I saw this arm reaching through the open window, reaching for whatever was in arms length. Luckily there was nothing close enough to grab. As the leader of this mission team I felt I had to confront this individual who was so brazenly trying to steal from us. I left the building with the intention to run off this street person, however by the time I got around the corner and saw the street person, I simply introduced myself. He was holding his shirt up to cradle six to eight mangos. It was obvious he had stumbled upon these mangos in the countryside to sell, barter, and for his own nourishment. He offered me one, but I had no need for another mango as we had a tree right outside where we were staying. I did accept the gift and felt good about not running him off. We were wary of his presence the entire week just as the local Jamaicans were of this man. We did not have any trouble.

I had brought 18 people from the age of 12 to seventy something to work on a metal roof of a church school house and run a vacation bible school. It was July in Jamaica and it was hot and humid, or as the locals termed it "hot, hot." We did great work for Jesus that week and even added tiling the new bathroom in the church to our work load, a skill that was learned 5 years earlier in Costa Rica when we tiled a 5,000 square foot sanctuary. We stayed up the road in the Manse (parsonage) with the pastor and his family. It was a large building that had bars on every window and door and thus resembled a jail at first glance. The accommodations for most of us (especially on the ground floor) were not much better than a jail, but within one evening of hospitality we felt at home. Except one woman shared with me she had a hard time the first couple of days with the accommodations. Honestly her room which she shared with one other woman was by far the worst room. No windows, no room for their luggage, and they had to walk through a shower. Now at first thought you would think it was about the physical comfort, but it seemed to be more than that, but her attitude changed all of the sudden she said when she realized that many of the children she was working with lived like this every day, and she would be going home to her cool, clean home in a week. This made her realize she needed to be yoked with these children and concentrate on the on the spiritual fruit, rather than the fleshly, being envy, jealousy, etc. over and above simply fleshly comfort.

Paul writes that our freedom we receive from Christ effectively makes us slaves to each other. Often we read of these fruits of the flesh and we think of sins that deal directly with the body, however, if you read the list carefully, "fornication, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, anger, quarrels, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these," you will notice that these fruits are feelings and actions, associated with an individual. Thus not the type of freedom Jesus gives us. The women on the mission trip realized she needed to think as if she was baptized into the one spirit, in order to receive the fruit of the spirit.

I tell you that an apple comes only from an apple seed, a mango from a mango seed, and a pomegranate from a pomegranate seed. Thus the fruits of the spirit can only come from the seeds of the fruit of the spirit. When I turned that corner to run the street person off, something in me changed and I offered the simple hospitality of an introduction. It was a small seed of love and compassion, and I received back the full fruit of the Spirit.