“Fake news” is not something new.
It has been around for generations . . . many, many generations. Maybe you remember the term “yellow
journalism” of the late 19th and early 20th century’s
newspapers as they created sensationalizing news to drive up circulation. “Fake news” is just this generation’s name
for it. At the same time, “fake news” is
a little more hardcore and meaner than previous generations’ “yellow journalism”. Today’s “fake news” consists of deliberate
disinformation spread through the traditional news media—both print and
broadcast—or online social media. The
intent of “fake news” is to mislead the receiver of such news in order to
damage an agency, entity, or person for financial or political gain. Often this “fake news” is sensationalist,
dishonest, or outright fabrication. It
is a tool many politicians use quite regularly, especially as we are seeing
during election years.
We are all familiar with the term “fake news” . . . it is not something
we are unfamiliar with as we practically encounter it on a daily basis in our
lives. In actuality “fake news” has
probably been around since the start of humanity. In our reading this morning we see Jesus take
on the “fake news” of his day. In our
reading Jesus is more than a little dismayed at the response of those around
him from his message and ministry . . . they just don’t seem to care or want to
be bothered. He states: “To
what can I compare this generation?” He invites them to join him, but they do
nothing. When pressed as to why they do
not heed his message and ministry, they respond with “fake news”.
Remember the one who came to prepare the way for Jesus, his message, and
ministry? John the Baptist. Though he spoke the truth he was written off
by the people and the powerful religious who were in control. In the way that John lived and practiced his
faith—asceticism which is a severe practice of self-discipline and avoidance .
. . well, it kind of floored people. It
was not something they understood or practiced themselves as a people of
faith—it was different. Because it was
different they wrote him off as being demon-possessed . . . even though there
was no truth in it at all. It was “fake
news”.
Remember what they said about Jesus because he came and lived life and
laughed and welcome all kinds of people—especially those who were “unclean” and
“impure” like sinners, tax collectors, and prostitutes . . . people in the
shadows? They condemned him. They wrote him off as a glutton and a
drunkard. Called him a tool in the hands
of Satan. They created “fake news”
because he went against the practices and rigidity of those who controlled the
religion . . . those who were in power.
And, again, none of it was true.
It was “fake news”.
Out of their fear of Jesus and his message, those who were powerful and
in control did whatever they could to discredit him. They worked hard to damage his reputation and
ministry . . . to disillusion his followers.
Their fear drove them to lie and make up things about Jesus and his
followers that were not true. They did
whatever they could do, even create “fake news”, to keep their power and
control over the people.
As dismayed as Jesus was over the situation, he was even sadder over it
all. Jesus responded by announcing that
he had come to set the people free . . . to set them free of the burdens of the
rigidity of their faith as ruled by the powerful and controlling . . . to set
them free to step up and take their place in the family of God and to love . .
. to love God and one another as they had been loved by God. He invites them to join him in his life and
ministry . . . to live life in love not rigid dogma and rules. He tells them: “Come to me, all you who are
weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in
heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
But, despite it all . . . Jesus got no response from the people.
Change . . . doing things differently . . . well that scares
people. It upsets the apple cart. It makes life a little more difficult. Whether it was John the Baptist or Jesus, they
were preaching change to a world that had drifted far from God and God’s
will. The people were happy in their
apathy, indifference and living their lives comfortably the way they were. They did not want the tough asceticism of
John that renounced worldly pleasure, nor did they want Jesus and his welcoming
of everyone and hanging out with the sinners.
Instead they created “fake news”—John the Baptist was possessed by
demons, Jesus was a glutton and drunk.
They did not want anyone rocking the boat no matter how oppressive and
unjust it was to those who were standing in the shadows of life.
Jesus was frustrated.
As the followers of Jesus, it should not be that difficult to relate to
Jesus and what he is feeling in our reading this morning. How do we share the “good news” of God
through Jesus’ words, actions, and life when the world around us appears to not
even care . . . or at least those who are in power and control don’t care? How do we address what we, the followers of
Jesus, see in the world around us that go against God’s desire to be one family
in which there is love between each member?
How do we stand up to deal with injustice, hatred, ostracism, and
prejudice we witness around us? How do
we love in a world that does not care . . . that likes things the way they are
. . . and works hard to discredit God and God’s message of love, peace, and
justice? How do we address a world that
does not care and would rather keep business as usual? How do we speak to a world that is scared . .
. scared to change and become something that seems so impossible to grasp . . .
God’s Kingdom?
Jesus tells us to lay down our burdens—our yoke, and to pick up his
yoke. He states: “Come to me, all you who are
weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in
heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Here Jesus is telling us that we must let go of that which impedes us
from following his witness and example.
We are to set aside that which keeps us from embracing a ministry of
love . . . of reaching out to those who are in the shadows . . . of welcoming
all to the Lord’s table. We are to drop
our fear that doing such things will be difficult . . . that others may not
agree . . . and, that there is danger in going against the flow of society and
those in power and control. We are to
quit buying into “fake news” that is meant to throw us off of what we know is
God’s will . . . to love one another as God has loved us. We are to lay down our “yoke” and follow
Jesus’ words and example. We are to let
go and let God have control of our lives.
There is no denying God’s desire for us.
It is written upon our hearts. We
are called to love. We are called to
restore God’s family . . . to invite all to come to the table—sinner or saint,
black or white, able or disable, educated or uneducated, rich of poor, whatever
sex or gender. Everyone is invited to
the table of God . . . everyone is to be treated with love and respect . . .
accepted for who God created them to be.
And, we know this deep down in our hearts that it is true if we do not
allow ourselves to be scared and to buy into the “fake news” of those who are
unwilling to let go of power and control.
We know this . . . so let us not be scared or bullied by the lies and
fabrications of “fake news” by those who do not want to lose power and
control. We know the truth and the truth
can set us free . . . if we allow ourselves the gift of setting down our
burdens and following Jesus. Let us heed
the words of Jesus. In our weariness let
us set down our burdens and follow Jesus.
Jesus shows us the way. In his
way we will discover a better way to live our lives . . . to live in love and not
fear. In it we will discover rest for
our struggling souls. The time has come
to live in truth and love. Amen.
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