Despite the popular myth of Montanans being big, tough, independent people who pull ourselves up by our bootstraps and don’t need anyone; I think deep down within us we know that this is not true. I think that we all know that we do need others . . . that we need family, community . . . that we need to be acknowledged as belonging. That we are wanted. And that goes for everybody. Especially the part about being “wanted”.
One of my favorite television shows was Cheers. Cheers was about a neighborhood bar in Boston where the locals gathered in the evenings after a hard day at work for a little liquid refreshment. Those who gathered were from various walks of life, ran the gamut from the right to the left politically, had different faith backgrounds, were in different income classes, and considered themselves to be a community . . . a family. When each person entered the bar they were greeted by their name from those already gathered. They were acknowledged and wanted.
As funny as the show was, the part I always enjoyed the most was the show’s theme song. From the first musical note the song caught my heart.
Making your way in the world today takes everything you've got.
Taking a break from all your worries, sure would help a lot.
Wouldn't you like to get away?
Sometimes you want to go
Where everybody knows your name,
and they're always glad you came.
You wanna be where you can see,
our troubles are all the same
You wanna be where everybody knows
Your name.
You wanna go where people know,
people are all the same,
You wanna go where everybody knows
your name.
It is like going home. We all want to go home.
Our scripture reading this morning comes at a time when the people of God, having been captive by the Babylonians for nearly 70 years, have been given permission from their captors to return to Jerusalem and Israel. Have been given permission to go home. To go home after nearly 70 years! Needless to say, there was some reluctance . . . some anxiety . . . around this missive. Seventy years is a long time. What would “home” be like? What would it hold for the people? Some were well-established and rooted after the long time in Babylon. It would take a lot of energy to re-establish themselves in Jerusalem . . . to rebuild the ruins . . . to start over once again.
I think that the people of God needed a little encouragement. The words we hear this morning are words of encouragement spoken by the prophet that biblical scholars have named Second Isaiah. These are words of encouragement from God. God calls the people by name saying, “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.” God assures them that they are not alone . . . that they would always have the Holy with them as they journeyed . . . that God would protect them by never leaving their side. Tells them to not be afraid, “Do not be afraid, for I am with you.” Assures them that they are wanted, that they are loved . . . that they are called by name. The Lord tells them: “Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you . . . do not be afraid, for I am with you.” God calls them by name . . . calls them by name to come “home”.
Each and every one of us finds ourselves on a journey . . . a journey we call “life”. A journey to get “home”. And, I imagine, that each and every one of us can attest that it has not always been a smooth or easy journey. I think that we could all agree that it has not always been smooth or easy and that it might be better called an adventure. This adventurous journey has had its highs and lows . . . its good days and its bad days . . . filled with joy, laughter, and love . . . and also sadness, tears, and despair. Life is not for the timid and a little encouragement goes a long way in helping to keep on going.
And so there will be those who journey back to Jerusalem . . . those willing to begin once again . . . to rebuild. As they embark on the journey back home they do so with the divine presence and protection with them. There will be danger and obstacles along the way, but they will not be alone. God will be with them because God chooses to be with them. The community would survive. The community would perform God’s mission. God will work through them despite the dangers they face. Because of this they will return home . . . home where the heart is . . . home in the presence of God.
As God called the people of Second Isaiah’s time by name, God calls us by name. As God invited the people to come “home”, God invites us to come “home”. The same assurance given of God’s presence through the journey given to the people of the prophet’s time, it is also given to us. None of us is alone. God is with us . . . always with us. But remember . . . the journey is never easy. It is filled with all sorts of adventure.
Typically, the first Sunday of Epiphany the scripture lesson would focus on the baptism of Jesus. It is a scene in the life of Jesus we all know. How John the Baptist baptized Jesus . . . lowered him into the Jordan River and as he lifted him up from the depths of the water “heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended on him . . . and a voice came from heaven: ‘You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” (Luke3:21-22) God acknowledges Jesus . . . calls him by name . . . claims him . . . welcomes him home. With that acknowledgement Jesus, too, is surrounded by the assurance that God is with him every step of the way. That he is never alone . . . and, thus, Jesus begins the journey home.
God knows us. God created us. God desires us. God calls us by name. God invites us to come “home”. And God assures us that God will be with us on the journey “home”. God tells us: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine . . . Do not be afraid, for I am with you.”
So, what are we waiting for? Let us receive the assurances of God and make them the foundation of our faith as we journey through life. Let us acknowledge that we have been called by name. That God has claimed us . . . that we are going “home”. In the Christmas story Immanuel is revealed . . . “God is with us” is witnessed. This is the message of the season of Epiphany . . . that God is with us. Always with us. We are going “home” . . . where not only everybody knows our name, but God knows our name. How cool is that? We are going home. Amen.
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