“Heinz 57—The Body of Christ” (I Corinthians 12:12-31a)

When I say, Heinz 57, what do you think of?  I would imagine that a lot of you thought of steak sauce . . . and, if you did, you would be partially correct.  Heinz 57 is a steak sauce, though I prefer mine on pork chops.  Heinz 57 is more than a steak sauce . . . much, much more.

Heinz 57 is a part of an advertising slogan that Henry J. Heinz of the H.J. Heinz Company in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, came up with in 1896 to advertise his company’s products.  At first it was “57 varieties of pickles” telling consumers about the numerous pickle products it sold.  The slogan stuck as “57 varieties” was slapped on all the products it sold, and it is still going strong today.  And, I bet you thought that the steak sauce was called that because it had 57 different spices in it.

Now, there may have been a few of you, when you heard Heinz 57 you thought of dogs . . . mixed breed dogs.  That is the answer some owners give when asked what their mixed breed dog is.  But dogs are not the only creatures referred to as Heinz 57 . . . even humans get that designation.  Heinz 57 has come to mean anything that is comprised or mixed from a lot of parts or origins.

Heinz 57 would be a good description of the body of Christ, or what we call the “church”.

In the Apostle Paul’s first letter to the church in Corinth, he dealt with several issues that were stressing it members and its existence.  One of the chief issues was the congregation splitting into factions that were competing against one another as to which was the true followers.  Each group insisted that their group was the “in” group while all the others were “fakes” and “imposters”, even heretics.  Like good human beings none of the groups were giving an inch while demanding that they were correct in their beliefs . . . it was their way or the highway.  This division threatened to destroy the church.

It is into this divisive situation that the apostle wades into.

In the apostle’s mind he saw the body of Christ or the “church” like a great big puzzle that took many parts to make it a whole.  Paul writes: “The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though its parts are many, they form one body.  So it is with Christ . . . the body is not made up of one part but of many.  Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you are a part of it.”  The apostle could of save a lot of time and effort by declaring to those he was writing that the body of Christ, the “church”, was a Heinz 57—something that is made up of a large number of parts or origins.  And, in the apostle’s heart, he believed this in order for the followers of Jesus to fulfill God’s call.

Now we know that God did not create any two of us alike.  We know that we are all unique and special in our creation.  We also know that—as it is stated in the Book of Genesis, that we each were created in the image of God.  None of us is the same.  We are all different.  We are special in who we are . . . and, we are vital in who we are, especially when it comes to being the body of Christ, in being the “church”.  It takes all of us . . . just as we are.

As the followers of Jesus, we should take heed of Paul’s words here when it comes to being the body of Christ.  A significant event in the history of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) occurred with the Reverend Barton Stone and several other Presbyterian clergy withdrew themselves and their congregations from the Springfield Presbytery on June 28, 1804.  The foundation of their argument centered around doctrines and interpretations of scripture as being tests of faith, but more importantly for membership in the church.  Simply put, people had to express their belief in certain doctrines and interpretations or they could not become members.

Stone and these other members of the clergy believed that creeds were not relevant to one’s faith . . . only confession of belief in Christ was important to belong to the church.  Thus, the famous Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) saying, “No creed but Christ.”  They also believed that individuals had the right and responsibility to interpret the scriptures as the Spirit led them, not according to some religious hierarchy’s standards.

Like the Apostle Paul, Stone and his followers recognized that there was no cookie cutter or template or rubric that fit individuals who had become followers of Jesus.  Recognized that it took all the people in their diversity to be the “church” or body of Christ.  Thus, it was that the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) movement embraced the diversity that is the body of Christ—the “church”.  That is a fundamental part of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and who they are.  With that in mind, the movement coined another saying, “Unity in our diversity.”

The apostle acknowledges that there are differences while emphasizing that it takes all the different parts to be a whole.  Each part has a role to do in order to succeed . . . and, it takes all the parts to make it happen.  In this way, no one part was more than any other part.  As far as Paul was concerned, it was an “all for one, and one for all” mentality.  It was the only way that it was going to work.  Paul said, “Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you are a part of it.”  

Now, you are probably thinking . . . we are all different . . . really different.  We do things differently.  We like and dislike different things.  We think differently.  We read different versions of the Bible.  We vote differently . . . like different hobbies, movies, books, and art.  We talk differently.  We understand the scriptures differently.  We look different.  None of us is the same . . . we are different.  So, how in the world are we ever going to come together and become the body of Christ . . . become the “church”?

Easy.  We all believe in Jesus.  We believe in the words he spoke.  We believe in the life that he lived.  We believe in the witness of that life.  We believe in his saving grace.  We believe in his promises.  And, because we believe in him, we have given our lives over to follow him . . . to live as he lived.  That belief is the glue that holds us all together . . . the many parts . . . as the whole . . . as the body of Christ . . . as the “church”.  That is the tie that binds us together as one.

Jesus is the “heart” that keeps us together.

Charles M. Schulz’s beloved character, Snoopy, is out jogging one day.  As he is jogging, the feet speak up proclaiming that they are the most important part of the body when it came to jogging.  Of course, the legs did not agree; nor did the arms.  In fact, none of the body parts agreed as to who was the most important part of the body except their own.  As Snoopy is jogging the argument is getting louder and louder, until a voice shouts out, “Stop it!”

Suddenly it got quiet.  The voice said, “Stop it now.  I am the heart . . . without me, none of you even exist as I am what gives you life.  I am the most important part of the body!” 

Realizing that the heart was right, the argument stopped . . . every part was silent . . . working together.  Snoopy jogged on.

So, it is with the body of Christ . . . the church.  Jesus is the “heart” that keeps it all together.

When someone asks you what sort of a “church” you are a part of, I hope that you tell them that it’s a Heinz 57 . . . many parts, one body.  The Apostle Paul told the Corinthians and us: “The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though its parts are many, they form one body.  So it is with Christ . . . the body is not made up of one part but of many.  Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you are a part of it.”

Heinz 57 describes us well . . . the body of Christ . . . the “church”.  We are all for one, and one for all . . . it takes us all.  Amen.

    

“Reluctant in Faith” (John 2:1-11)

The word “reluctance” means “unwillingness or disinclination” . . . for example, “She was reluctance to speak in public.”  A couple of words that might help us to understand the word’s meaning are hesitant, doubtful, questioning, or have a qualm.  I think that all of us know what “reluctance” means . . . that we have all experienced moments in our lives when we were “reluctant”.  I do not think that this is a foreign word, concept, or experience for any of us.  Which is good.  It is good because I want you to think about that as we consider our scripture reading this morning.

Here in the Gospel of John, we are told of Jesus’ first miracle.  At the prompting of his mother, Jesus turns water into wine at the wedding feast in Cana.  Typically, in the Jewish culture of that time, a wedding is celebrated with a feast that lasts a week.  During that time, it is customary for the wedding party to provide the hospitality . . . wine, food, and song . . . to the guests.  As the story begins, the feast has been raging for three days.  There is lots of partying going on . . . lots of people enjoying themselves, when suddenly it is noticed by Jesus’ mother that there is no more wine.

Now this is a huge “oops!”  It is embarrassing and borders on a disaster.  Wine isn’t just a social lubricant, it is a sign . . . a sign of the harvest, or God’s abundance, or joy and gladness and hospitality.  And so, when the wine runs out they run out of blessing.  In this situation, the wine has run out before the wedding is over.  And, it is a disaster.

Jesus’ mother, Mary, points this out to him: “They have no more wine.”  It was a short and sweet observation that Mary points out to Jesus . . . but, we who have been children, we know when our mothers are doing more than pointing something out.  We know when simple observations from our mothers are more than mere statements but are really commands for us to do something.  And, so does Jesus.

We can relate to Jesus’ response to his mother’s little hint.  Though it is not written that way by the writer of the gospel, we get the tone in Jesus’ reply.  His response was one we have all muttered to our mothers, “Aw, Mom . . . really!  Do I have to?”  Jesus and his party were guests at the wedding feast . . . it was not their problem.  It really did not involve them.  Plus, Jesus and his disciples were no big deal . . . they were just like everyone else . . . common people enjoying themselves at a wedding feast.  It wasn’t their party.

Besides all of that, if Jesus does something . . . something miraculous . . . it is going to draw attention to him.  Maybe he wasn’t ready to expose himself and his purpose to everyone.  It could be all of this was behind the reluctance Jesus expresses in his response to his mother’s hint . . . “Aw, Ma!”

I think we need to cut Jesus some slack in this story, after all, we all understand this feeling of reluctance that Jesus is expressing.  We all know what it feels like when we are not quite certain about whether we are ready to do something.  We all know what it feels like to be hesitant . . . a little leery . . . about doing certain things.  The bottom line is that we all have had reluctance in our lives.  We know where Jesus is coming from.

Unfortunately, reluctance can keep us from experiencing and growing in our lives.  It can keep us from becoming and being fully who God has created us to be.  It can steer us away from responding to God’s call and purpose for our lives.  It can stop us from doing what we are supposed to do.  Reluctance is a powerful deterrent and one that we probably give way too much attention to . . . especially when it comes to faith and doing God’s will.

So, back to the story.  I do not think that Jesus was being disrespectful to his mother.  I think Jesus was just expressing his reluctance of doing what she was hinting at . . . do something!  We see in the story that Mary knows that her son is going to listen . . . that he will do what she is hinting at . . . that he will be a “good boy”.  In her love for her son, Mary understands her son and his reluctance to do anything; but, who better than Mary knows her son?  Mary understands that the time has come for Jesus to begin his mission . . . to begin his ministry . . . to make public his purpose . . . to reveal the Holy.  She has no doubt that Jesus will step through his reluctance and do what needs to be done.  She tells the servants: “Do whatever he tells you.”

And, we know the rest of the story.  Jesus meets a need.  Jesus converts the water into wine.  He saves the party.  He makes the hosts look good.  He continues the blessing.  With this miracle, in the Gospel of John, Jesus reveals himself to the world.  Jesus has come out to the whole world.

In hearing this story, what does it say to us . . . as a people of faith, sworn to follow in the footsteps of Jesus?

Since I cannot speak for anyone else, I can only tell you what this story means to me.  For me it tells me that I need to consider reluctance in my life, especially when it comes to my faith.  I need to discern where reluctance is keeping me from being fully who I have been created to be.  I need to understand where reluctance is blocking me from experiencing life completely . . . where it is keeping me from reaching out and helping others . . . keeping me from responding to those in need . . . and, where I am ignoring the call of God in my life.  I need to understand the power of reluctance as a deterrent and power that keeps me from blessing.

As a person of faith and an ordained minister, I have studied the scriptures . . . I have studied theology . . . I have been educated in the ways of ministry . . . I have been affirmed and confirmed through ordination that I am qualified to be a minister and witness for Jesus.  I am qualified and certified . . . and, I have all the papers to prove it.  And, yet, despite knowing that I have the knowledge, skills, and training to do the job . . . I still have reluctance towards the task set before me . . . to be faithful.  Faithful to God’s will and call.

I can be like Jesus in this story.  I can be like that person who is being urged by his mother to get up and go to school . . . “Aw, Ma, why do I have to go to school?”

“Because you’re the teacher!” comes the reply. 

When it comes to faithfulness . . . to following the will and call of God in our lives . . . there is no more training, no more practice, no more classes that we need to take.  No, each and everyone of us, has what it takes to follow the will and call of God in our lives.  We just need to step through our reluctance and just do it.  We need to step up and claim our place in the family of God . . . to receive our blessing . . . and, to follow where Jesus leads us . . . to feed the hungry, to clothe the naked, to comfort the mourning, to be with the imprisoned, to seek peace and justice . . . to be that presence of Jesus to another.

We should not be reluctant in our faith.  God, our heavenly and ever-present parent, knows what is best for us, and now is the time.  Now is the time to move beyond our reluctance . . . embrace our faith . . . and, receive the blessing.  As we step beyond our reluctance, it may not be of the magnitude of Jesus’ first miracle of turning water into wine.  It may be as simple as telling another person that you are there if you are needed.  But the blessing will be just as big.

From this story a question is posed . . . for me . . . for you: What are you waiting for?  Come, join the party . . . receive the blessing.  Amen.