“Contrast of Blessing” (Luke 2:22-40)

As required by the Law of the Lord, Mary and Joseph took the baby Jesus to the temple in Jerusalem to be consecrated to the Lord.  As the firstborn male child, Jesus was to be consecrated . . . to be declared sacred . . . to be dedicated to a divine purpose . . . to be given over to the Lord.  It was a ceremony of blessing . . . the blessing of a child into God’s care.  The parents of Jesus were not the first to consecrate a son in the temple; no, they were just a part of a long line of parents who had dedicated their firstborn sons to God as required by the Law of the Lord.  It was standard procedure . . . nothing special . . . or so it seemed.

The Gospel of Luke tells us that Mary and Joseph followed the rules.  They brought him to the temple, they offered a sacrifice of a pair of doves or two young pigeons . . . they presented Jesus to the Lord.  They had sought the blessing that all parents seek for their children . . . except . . . except they also receive two unexpected blessings as they were going through the ritual.  Blessings from two unanticipated individuals.

These two unforeseen individual--Simeon and Anna, were regular fixtures in the temple.  Both were quite old in age.  Simeon was on a mission, and that mission was to see the Lord’s Christ . . . the Savior . . . the Messiah.   It had been revealed to him through the Holy Spirit that he could not die until he saw this savior with his own two eyes.  Thus he waited in the temple for that day when the Savior would be revealed to him.  Anna, was a prophetess . . . a very devout . . . fasting and praying, day and night in the temple.  She, too, waited for some divine sign from God . . . some message.

Entering the temple, Mary and Joseph encounter Simeon . . . who gushes over the child.  In this child he recognizes that which he has been waiting for . . . the Savior, the Messiah.  He declares with great gusto the role of this child as the savior not only to Israel, but to the whole world.  He blesses the child.  Then he turns to Mary and tells her that though this child will be a blessing, there will also be grave consequences to this blessing.  Simeon tells her: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of may in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed.  And a sword will pierce your own soul too.” 

Then Anna comes up to them.  Like Simeon, she too, gushes over the child.  She gave thanks to God and declared the child to be the one “who all were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.”  In her own way, Anna too, delivers a blessing.

Now, I don’t know about the rest of you, but on those days that Dana and I brought our children before the congregation to dedicate and bless, we were filled with great joy and hope in what we were doing.  In our actions were handing over to God our children to be blessed with all the love and grace that is God.  We were proclaiming our children to be God’s gifts to us.  We dreamed of the promise that they would be, and rejoiced in the gifts that they were.  Most of all, we hoped for the best . . . for them . . . for ourselves . . . and, for God.  And, as I said, it was a joyful time.

I expect that it was not much different for Mary and Joseph; and, yet, it was much different.  Sure, there was the joy, but there was also an ominous feeling accompanying the blessings.  There was a contrast in the blessings they received.

Of course, the Gospel of Luke does not tell us whether or not Mary and Joseph were perplexed or anxious about the blessings they had received from Simeon and Anna.  No, basically it tells us that they did what they were supposed to do, returned home to Nazareth, and that Jesus grew, became strong, was filled with wisdom, and that the grace of God was upon him.  Pretty much a typical childhood, wouldn’t you agree?

So, it would seem.  But, as a parent, I know that I listen to what others say about my children . . . the good, the bad, the affirmative, the negative--all of it.  And, as a parent, I know how the words of others about my children play upon my heart.  Thus it is that I can only imagine what the words of Simeon must have done to the heart of Mary.  In her moment of great joy, she receives that not only is her child going to be a great blessing to the people of God, but that he will also be a thorn in their side.  And, to add a little spice to his words, he tells her: “And a sword will pierce your own soul too.” 

Talk about raining on someone’s parade!

I think that Mary and Joseph thought about what they had heard . . . what parent wouldn’t?  Such a contrast in blessings.  But as time went on, and life seemed pretty normal, I imagine that they both pushed those words to the back of their minds . . . that they chose to focus on the present moment.  It would not be until much later that they would come to see how the blessing of Simeon would be played out.

With the birth of Jesus, the season of Advent ended and the season of Christmas began.  The season of Christmas is the shortest season of the Christian year . . . a mere twelve days.  In those twelve days the faithful celebrate the gift of the Christ Child . . . a gift of love and grace.  At the same time, the faithful receive the blessing . . . and, an ominous warning.  That warning is that this will not be typical blessing . . . that it will be one that will take a tragic turn before it is fulfilled.  The words of Simeon reminds us this.

The blessing of God . . . the life and story of Jesus . . . begins with a bang, but it ends with a shock before it is full received.  Though we are celebrating the gift of Jesus during this Christmas season, we cannot let ourselves forget the rest of the story . . . the ministry, the preaching, the healings and miracles, the betrayal, trial, and eventual crucifixion.  It is all a part of the blessing . . . the fulfillment of the blessing. 

It seems strange to consider the contrast of these blessings because we want to focus on the positive of the blessings . . . to receive the gift . . . to receive the salvation.  Nowhere in the Gospel of Luke did the writer ever write, “And they lived happily ever after.”  No, the blessing was not that simple . . . through this small child, we follow his life and example, in which he ultimately demonstrates the greatest act of love . . . he gave his life for those he loved.  You and me.

Though we are apt to push those contrasts to far reaches of our mind, especially during this Christmas season . . . they will still be there to remind us.  Simeon reminds us with his words of blessing, that sometimes the blessing doesn’t come until the very end.  And, that between the utterance of the blessing until it fulfillment there is a lot that can happen . . . even the unimaginable.  On that first Christmas day, the world was blessed with a promise . . . a promise that was not fulfilled until Jesus laid down his life for the lives of all.  At first glance, Simeon’s blessing doesn’t seem much like a blessing; but, in the end, out of what seems a terrible mistake comes the true gift . . . the love and grace of God for all. 

This Christmas season, let us celebrate the gift and wait for the blessing.  Amen.   

Leave the Light On" (John 1:1-18)

This morning we have heard a lot about Jesus as being the “light”.  We hear in the Gospel of John this reference to “light”: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was with God in the beginning.  Through him all things were made; and without him nothing was made that has been made.  In him was life, and that life was the light of men . . . The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.”

This metaphor of “light” to describe Jesus is appropriate and relevant because it is “light” that reveals.  The “light” takes away the darkness and allows that which seems hidden to be seen.  In this case, Jesus as the “light” reveals God . . . God’s presence . . . God’s love . . . God’s grace.  Jesus, as the “light”, reveals it all for anyone and everyone to see . . . it is there for anyone willing to see.

I remember from years ago, how my parents used to tell me on those evenings when I was going to be out late, that they would “leave the light on” for me.  And, I can remember how much I appreciated this act and what it came to represent to me . . . a sense of security, a sense of welcome, and a deep sense of home . . . that there was someone who was waiting for me.  I can also remember, as a parent of teenage children, how Dana and I would tell them that we would “leave the light on” for them on those nights they were out.  It was our way of letting them know . . . that we cared for and loved them . . . that we would be waiting for them.

I am sure that this is something all of us have heard from those who love us when we are away . . . that they will “leave the light on” for us.  It was in 1986 that Motel 6 took advantage of that old saying making it their recognizable motto in their advertising.  Hiring Tom Bodett--an author, voice actor, and radio host on National Public Radio--they acciddently stumbled on the saying when Bodett ad-libbed it at the end of the first commercial he did for them.  He said, “I’m Tom Bodett for Motel 6, and we’ll leave the light on for you.”  For over 32 years we have heard that reassuring voice telling us that we are “welcome” . . . that we are always “wanted” . . . as the light will be left on for us.
 
I have always said that the secular world has trumped the religious world when it comes to simple theology . . . and, in our case this morning, Motel 6 has done the same thing.  As we celebrate the gift of the “light of the world” being given to us, we need to remember that this celebration is a reminder that the gift represents the fact that God will always “leave the light on” for us.

It is a “light” that shatters the darkness.

It is a “light” that allows us to see . . . to see God.

It is a “light” that shows us God’s love . . . God’s grace.

It is the “light” that shows us the way . . . “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16, NIV)

And now, it is our responsibility to keep the “light” shining.  It is our job to “leave the light on” for those who are still in the darkness, those who have yet to come . . . those who are seeking.  Together we spread the “light” in the world where we are.

God has left the “light” on for us . . . let us share the “light” . . . let us “leave the light on”.  Amen.

“Through and Through” (I Thessalonians 5:16-24)

The epitome of the Chicago Cubs was Ernie Banks . . . “Mr. Cub” was his nickname . . . and, he was a Chicago Cub through and through.  Though I admire the tenacity of the Cubs and their old bear logo, I have to confess that I am a Baltimore Orioles baseball fan.  For me the individual who epitomized what it meant to be an Oriole was . . . nope, not Cal Ripken, Jr. . . . but, ol’ number 5--Brooks Robinson.  He played 23 years for the Orioles, was an 18-time All-star, won the Gold Glove Award 16 straight years as a third-baseman, played in four World Series--winning two, and is in the Baseball Hall of Fame.  His nickname?  The “Human Vacuum Cleaner”.  He was and still represents everything that a Baltimore Orioles player should be . . . he is an Oriole through and through.

Sports fans will tell you that there is always one player . . . one individual . . . who epitomizes what their favorite team represents.  For the Chicago Cubs it is Ernie Banks . . . for the Baltimore Orioles it is Brooks Robinson . . . for the Boston Celtics it is Bob Cousy . . . for the Boston Bruins it is Bobby Orr . . . and, for my Minnesota Vikings it is Alan Page.  But, sports fans are not the only fans who elevate individuals into the role of whatever it is that they are representing.  Take for instance religion . . . Christianity.  Every Christian probably can name someone who they believe epitomizes what it means to be a Christian . . . Billy Graham, Mother Teresa--to name two.  Whoever that individual might be, they are said to be whatever they are “through and through”.

Basically “through and through” means “in every aspect, thoroughly or completely.”  Synonyms for the phrase are “thoroughly, utterly, absolutely, completely, totally, wholly, fully, entirely, unconditionally, unreservedly, altogether, and out-and-out.”

The Apostle Paul calls the followers in the church in Thessalonica to become the epitome of what it means to be faithful in their daily lives.  Paul tells them: “May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through.  May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of Lord Jesus Christ.”  In other words, Paul wants the Thessalonians to be the picture of faithful . . . to be “thoroughly, utterly, absolutely, completely, totally, wholly, fully, entirely, unconditionally, unreservedly, altogether, and out-and-out” faithful . . . faithful “through and through”.

Of course, Paul's admonishment comes at the end of his words of encouragement to the Thessalonians.  Prior to that he gives to them a model of how they are to be faithful “through and through”.

First, he tells them to “be joyful always”.  He tells them to rejoice . . . always rejoice.  Understand, Paul is not telling them that they are to rejoice at a particular time or place, but to always rejoice.  Nor is he telling them to only rejoice when something good happens . . . no, he wants them to rejoice always . . . in the good times and in the bad times.  He wants the people to develop and live a positive attitude.  He tells them, “. . . give thanks in all circumstances . . .”

Second, he tells them to “pray continually”.  This is a favorite theme of the apostle’s . . . to “pray continually”.  Now, I know what you are thinking . . . you are thinking about how you pray . . . the actual act of praying.  And, you are thinking, how in the world am I supposed to do that twenty-four hours a day, 365 days a year?  When am I supposed to sleep . . . eat . . . work . . . play?  Well, as important as your prayer life is and the way that you pray, Paul was not actually talking about prayer in that manner.

No, what the apostle was talking about is developing an awareness or consciousness of the presence of God . . . the God that surrounds us like the air that we breathe.  God wants the faithful to become aware of God’s presence in all of life . . . in each waking and sleeping moment.  God is there . . . always there!  The problem is that the faithful are not always there.  Paul wants the people to develop an awareness of God so that they are living their lives in and through God.  In this way, their lives become a prayer.

Third, Paul tells the people to be faithful “through and through” they must have an openness to God’s calling.  God’s calling comes in many shapes and ways.  For some it may be the words spoken by others . . . for others it might be something they have read . . . it might be a dream or a feeling . . . from prophets.  God speaks to everyone differently, but God does speak . . . God does call for the faithful to listen and follow.  Thus the apostle wants the people to have an openness to God’s call in their lives.

At the same time, he warns them to be careful.  Not everything that is bright and shiny is good for you.  He tells them to “test everything”.  Here he wants the people to develop some common sense . . . to think about what they are hearing . . . to pray about what they are hearing . . . to discern.  To discern the call of God through their experience of the Holy, not someone else’s.  If is is God’s will . . . so it will be; if it is not . . . watch out!

So, there you have it.

The Apostle Paul tells the followers in Thessalonica that they are to be faithful “through and through”.  Through always rejoicing . . . always praying . . . listening to God’s call . . . and, using common sense . . . they have the ability to be faithful “through and through”.  They can be the epitome of what it means to be faithful.  Paul tells them that if they can do this, well then, “. . . the one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.”

What will be done?

Paul said it: “May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through.  May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

 As the Thessalonians were called to be faithful “through and through”, so are we.  On this third Sunday of Advent, we are call to be the epitome of faith . . . to be that role model that is held up as being faithful “through and through”.  To live our lives in such a way that they become a witness to others of what it means to be faithful . . . not our words, but our actions.  Saint Francis of Assisi said, “Preach the Gospel at all times, and when necessary use words.”

May God bless you . . . through and through.  Amen.

"Here is Your God!" (Isaiah 40:1-11)

      It has been said that “reap what you sow.”  If we could ask whether or not this is true of the people that the prophet Isaiah is speaking to this morning, I think that their response would be one of affirmation when it comes to that statement.  In our reading this morning, they are hearing these words in Babylon where they have been exile for failing to do God’s will and heeding the warnings of the prophet.  Their homeland has been destroyed . . . laid to waste . . . and, they are now exiled in a strange and foreign land.  This is what is covered in the first 39 chapters of the Book of Isaiah.  The people are reaping what they have sowed. 

     In the 40th chapter there is a shift . . . Jerusalem was destroyed, the people did go into exile . . . but, that was the past.  Now comes a new word to the people--a word of comfort and hope for a new future . . . a new beginning.  For a people filled with discouragement and despair, these words shatter the hopelessness and replace it with a sense of comfort and hope.  It is a chance at a new beginning . . . a new deliverance . . . they are to return to God.

     In verses three through five we hear the familiar words of Advent when the prophet proclaims: “In the desert prepare the way for the Lord; make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God.  Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain.  And the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all mankind together will see it.”  Are these not the words that a later prophet, John the Baptist, proclaims when he speaks of the coming of Jesus?  Though the words seemingly point to the future, they also point back.

     Can you think of another time in which the people had to trek through the wilderness to get somewhere?  Surprisingly, this marks a second exodus story for the children of God.  A second chance.  Instead of a Promised Land, they are journeying towards the “Promise” . . . the “Promise” being God, of course.

     Thus it is that the prophet offers words of consolation to the people.  He tells the people that God will come in glory . . . that God’s word is sure--where humans are not reliable, that they are nothing more than grass--God’s word is sure and reliable . . . and, finally, that God’s kindness endures forever.  God wants the people to know this . . . and, God wants them to understand that this is a second chance . . . a chance to make things right . . . to make things as God always intended them to be . . . a chance to begin anew with God and one another. 

     Then the prophet looks the people in the eyes and proclaims: “Here is your God!”  The prophet challenges the people . . . here is your God, so what are you going to do?

     Ideally, the people would embrace the opportunity.  They would reconcile their relationships with God . . . begin to love God fully with one’s heart, mind, and body.  They would begin to reconcile their relationships with others . . . they would begin to love one another.  Ideally, that is what they would do . . . after all, these are the two most important commandments they are asked to follow.  But . . . well, they are human.  Humans are unreliable.

     The prophet knows this.  “All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field.  The grass withers and the flowers fall, because the breath of the Lord blows on them.  Surely the people are grass.  The grass withers and the flowers fall . . .”  The prophet argues that this is a useless task . . . that the words will not be heeded . . . that the people will fail once again.  And, the prophet catches himself in his disbelief, and then finishes his statement with “. . . but the word of our God stands forever.”  Yes, the “grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.”

     The “promise” is not in the people, but in God.  God does not give up on the people . . . God will constantly be there . . . waiting, waiting for that time when the people come to the realization that they are to embrace God and rely only upon God.  Thus it is that these words spoken by the prophet are words of consolation and hope in the people’s desperation and despair.  God stands before them . . . and waits.

     Well, we know that just like the first “exodus” story, this “exodus” story fails also.  We know because if we had focused on the gospel reading this morning, we would have heard the call of another “exodus” opportunity being offered to God’s people.  Over in the Gospel of Mark, chapter three, verses two and three, we John the Baptist proclaim: “I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way--a voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’”

     As Isaiah did, so does John the Baptist . . . he delivers the “good news”.  God is coming . . . God’s word is certain and reliable . . . and, it endures forever.  Then John points over to Jesus and says to the people: “Here is your God!” 

     And, the challenge has been laid.

     Fulfilment has not yet been attained . . . not then, not now.  We are still a people in exile.  The world around us is filled with desperation and hopelessness . . . it doesn’t take a degree in rocket science to see that as we watch our televisions, listen to our radios, and read our newspapers . . . it is a pretty scary world that we are living in.  We don’t feel like we are “home” . . . that we are searching for that safe place.

     Some would argue that it is because we have not embraced the opportunity we have been given . . . to love God . . . to love others.  Thus we are still in exile . . . we are still longing for that which makes us whole and holy.

     The prophets stand before and offer to us words of assurance that God does not abandon us . . . that God loves us . . . and, that God is still waiting.  Thus it is that they stand before us and declare, “Here is your God!”

     The rest is up to us.

     The season of Advent calls us to make our way towards the God who loves us . . . the God who showed us the way through Jesus . . . the God who is patiently waiting.  It is up to us.  In the meantime, God loves us and offers to us comfort until we can truly embrace the God who stands before us wanting to be totally loved, and wanting us to love others as we would love ourselves.  God’s love never changes . . . it is we who have to change.  Once we do, we will be home . . . we will no longer be exiles.  This is the promise.  Amen.

   

“Wake Up!” (Mark 13:24-37)

Granddaughter Finley, age three, has a new game that she likes playing with her napping grandparents.  Whenever she catches one of her grandparents napping . . . well, she likes to leans over to whichever grandparent it happens to be and yell, “Wake up!”  Then she just laughs and laughs, while her grandfather or grandmother excuse themselves to go and change their pants.  

But, I must say, Finley is fair . . . she also enjoys being woken up by her grandparents yelling in her ears, “Wake up!”  She just gets a big smile on her face and says, “Do it again.”

As we enter into the season of Advent, I implore you to “wake up!”  Advent is the season in which the followers of Jesus anticipates the coming of Christ from three different perspectives--in the flesh at Bethlehem, in the heart daily, and in the glory of the end of time.  It is a season of expectant waiting and preparation . . . and, no matter which of the three perspectives the followers of Jesus are focusing on, it is a season in which everyone had better be awake.  The writer of the Gospel of Mark puts it this way, “. . . do not let him find you sleeping.  What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!’”  So . . . wake up!

Jesus did not spend much time in apocalyptic--or end time--teaching.  He was more focused on what could be done in the present time . . . in the present moment.  His teachings focused on what could be done now . . . that relationship between the individual and God, that relationship between the individual and others.  To love God completely, to love others as one would love him or herself.  This was something that was important and urgent to him . . . and, the key word in that sentence is “urgent”.

Though he did not mention it a lot, Jesus did teach and talk about the Second Coming . . . about his return.  It was something that was going to happen . . . and, he even gave a pretty descriptive picture of what the world would be like when it would occur.  It is a description that has fit every generation since he spoke it, creating many predictions as to when the end of time would occur.  Every generation has predicted that the end was near--even this generation in its present time . . . and, yet, we are still here.

As much as Jesus proclaimed it, more importantly he proclaimed an urgency to living up to loving God and others.  Predicting the end, with the signs fitting every generation, is a nice game that doesn’t get anyone anywhere.  Why?  Because Jesus himself stated that no one would know when the end would come . . . “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.”  And, because no one knows, Jesus implores his listeners . . . his followers . . . to “wake up!”  He proclaims: “Be on guard!  Be alert!  You do not know when that time will come . . . if he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping.  What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!’”

In other words, wake up and get to work.

As I stated earlier, Advent is a season of anticipation that anticipates the coming of Christ from three different perspectives: in the flesh at Bethlehem, in the heart daily, and in glory at the end of time.  Since, we actually missed the original birth of Jesus at Bethlehem, our anticipation of the Christ in the flesh at Bethlehem is primarily symbolic and metaphorical.  With Jesus’ words of no one knowing the date or time of the end time . . . that it could happen at any moment . . . this becomes a longing, a desire, something we cannot really grasp as a reality . . . but, as something that puts a little urgency into our lives.  Which leaves us with the anticipation of Jesus within our hearts on a daily basis . . . something that we can actually strive towards.

This is where the rubber hits the road . . . this is where the work really is.  It is in the present moment as we live our lives on a daily basis.  We are to put Jesus into our hearts and live out our love in our lives . . . and, we are to do it in everything that we do.  And, we are to do it right now!

I do not think that there is a single one of us seated in this sanctuary that does not know how fragile life is . . . how fragile our time is on this planet.  All of us are aware of the fact that any one of us might not wake up in the morning.  We just do not know.  Because we do not know, we should have a sense of urgency to live life to its fullest . . . to loving God wholly and holy . . . of loving others unconditionally . . . of being that representation of Jesus in our daily lives.  After all, as Jesus said, “No one knows about that day or hour . . .”

So . . . wake up!

As we begin the season of Advent, let us do so with a sense of urgency that calls us to explore and nurture our relationship with God and others.  If not now, when?  Let us focus our anticipation upon the coming of Jesus into our hearts on a daily basis . . . yesterday is gone, tomorrow may never come, now is the only time we have.  Jesus understood this . . . Jesus called us to this . . .

Wake up!  It is our only chance.  Amen.