Sunday, February 16, 2020

"Sticks and Stones" (Matthew 5:21-37)


“Sticks and stones my break my bones,
but words can never hurt me.”

We’ve all heard the phrase before . . . we’ve probably used it a time or two after being called a name in our lifetimes.  We probably told our children the phrase when they came home crying after being called a name.  One expert stated that the rhyme was used as a defense against name-calling and verbal bullying with the intention of increasing resiliency, avoiding physical retaliation, and remaining calm.  If that is the case . . . well, I think it is ineffective . . . that it is hogwash.

Yes, it is true that sticks and stones can break our bones . . . that they hurt when hurled at us.  But it is not true that words won’t hurt.  Words can hurt.  Ask any person who has been bullied.  Ask any person who was in an abusive relationship.  Ask any person who was ever caught in a verbal assault.  Words can hurt as much as sticks and stones.

Jesus begins our reading tis morning talking about words . . . words of judgment . . .  nasty and mean words directed at others . . . angry words.  He proclaims that such actions are no better than if a person murdered another person . . . the intention is the same.  He warns those listening to avoid such behavior towards others, and if they have committed such acts, then they should go and right the situation.  In fact, what he tells them is to right the relationship.

It is here in the preaching and teaching that continues from the Beatitudes that Jesus shifts the emphasis from the individual to him or herself to his or her relationship with others.  He wants the listeners to move from what they have heard to putting that learning into action.  He calls for his followers to live daily in what they believe . . . to love God . . . to love others as they have been loved by God.  Here, Jesus lets them know that the way that they act and treat others reflects him.  As such, this is the picture and understanding of Jesus that they will walk away with.  Remember, actions speak louder than words . . . but, words also make an impact.

I’m not sure if there is anyone who would argue with the statement I am about to make, but I need to say it for the sake of naming the elephant in the room.  There are some “Christians” and “church bodies” that give the followers of Jesus a bad name.  For example, the Westbro Baptist Church.  Many of us know this as the church that have picketed at funerals of those they proclaim go against the teaching of Jesus.  They picket against those that they disagree with, those whose lifestyles are not acceptable, those who do not walk the faith as they do, other religions . . . and soldiers.  Their picketing gets them in the news as they hold up signs proclaiming that God hates this and that.  And, they call themselves “Christians”.  Such is the image of Jesus that they reflect.

Is this the Jesus we follow?

As I said, not only are there “church bodies” that give the followers of Jesus a bad name and reputation, there are also “Christians”.  Remember the PTL Club ministered to by Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker?  Remember how that ministry came crumbling down . . . how they were accused of taking their faithful to the cleaners while they got rich and had jet-set lives?  And, they called themselves “Christians”.  Such is the image of Jesus that others saw.

Is this the Jesus we follow?

Of course not.  Yet, we cannot escape the reflection that is seen through our actions—the way that we live our lives, the way that we treat others, the words that we speak, and the actions of those who proclaim to be “Christians” or followers of Jesus.  Remember, actions speak louder than words . . . sticks and stones do hurt . . . and, words are no better when they are meant to hurt.

Jesus reminds us that our faith is not an island unto ourselves.  Our faith is part of a community . . . it is expressed and lived in the presence of others and for others.  We are all connected as the children of God . . . each and every one of us a son or daughter of God . . . created in God’s image.  It takes all of us to be a community . . . all of us to be the Kingdom of God.  Like a great big jigsaw puzzle it takes all of us to see the big picture.  Because of this, Jesus wants us to know that how we relate to others is important.  Do our words and actions build relationships . . . or do they destroy relationships?

We are living in contentious times.  We live in a world that favors and rewards individualism, autonomy, and independence . . . every person for him or herself.  A world that puts nation above nation, races against races, religions against religions . . . that divides and separates . . . that looks the other way.  We live in times and in a world that anyone who does not believe as we do, worship as we do, live as we do . . . anyone who is not with us; well, then, they must be against us.  If they are against us then they must be the enemy to be vilified and demonized as evil . . . they must be destroyed.

A day does not go by where we do not see this on our televisions . . .
that we do not hear it on our radios . . . that we do not read it in our papers.  A day does not go by where we do not experience in our own lives as we witness others toss their sticks and stones and words at those they do not care for.  And, how many do such things while proclaiming their faith?  Is this not a reflection of the Jesus they claim to follow?  Is this the Jesus the world sees?

Again, I ask, is this the Jesus we follow?

Last week I quoted several who stated that if the world is going to change it must begin with ourselves.  If we love ourselves as God has loved us that love equates into living a life that flings that love on to others.  Our words as we speak to others . . . as we speak about others . . . as we speak, reflect that love.  Our words are never meant to hurt.  Our actions towards others . . . how we treat others . . . how we welcome others, reflect that love.

As we step out into the world as the followers of Jesus we do so with the intention of building relationships with others . . . of welcoming them into our lives for who they are—who God created them to be.  We do so with the intention of building community . . . of embracing our common unity in the love of God . . . of striving for what is best for all.  We do so with the intention of establishing God’s Kingdom . . . built on relationships that emphasis mercy, justice, peace, inclusion, grace, and love . . . all the things God desires of us.  We walk the walk that Jesus walked.

That is what we let the world see.  We let the world see that we do not throw sticks and stones, no we strive to embrace and welcome our fellow children of God.  We let the world see that we do not use words as weapons to hurt, but to build relationships that express acceptance and family.  We let the world see that we do not accept the tit-for-tat meanness that is thriving and accepted because those who are leaders do so despite proclaiming themselves to be “Christians”.  We let the world see that our words and actions are none other than the love God has showered upon us and shown us through Jesus.

Yeah, sticks and stones break bones . . . but as the followers of Jesus, we stand between those who are throwing them and those that they are being thrown at.  Words do hurt . . . but as the followers of Jesus we again stand between those who hurl them to hurt and those they are intended for.  We stand as love.  We stand as family.  That’s what Jesus did . . . that is the Jesus we know . . . that is the Jesus we follow and reflect.  That is the Jesus we want the world to know.  Amen.

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