Before we started dabbling in artificial intelligence in our house with Alexa, Dana had to rely on either the morning news on the television or radio to hear the weather forecast . . . or she would check it out on her cell phone. Since Alexa joined the family the weather forecast is the first thing we hear after the alarm goes off. Before our feet hit the ground, we know the weather!
For me, that is good enough. As I start my day, I know whether it is going to hot or cold, rainy, or dry . . . the whole gamut. After that I can just look outside and see the weather. That is enough for me, but Dana likes to keep tabs on the weather throughout the day and not only for the day but the whole week. She is constantly asking Alexa what the weather is or is going to be. For the most part it never changes, and it drives me nuts!
Dana is not alone in this. Lots of people keep constant tabs on the weather. It is no surprise that weather is one of the most common topics of conversation among people. I don’t think that there is a Sunday morning that I don’t speak about weather with Bob before everyone starts arriving for worship. Weather affects his cattle . . . affects his garden, so why wouldn’t we converse a little bit about the weather.
Jesus knows this about people . . . weather is a hot topic! In our reading this morning he talks about the meteorological concern and expertise of the people. Points out that they know their weather! “When you see a cloud rising in the west, immediately you say, ‘It’s going to rain,’ and it does. And when the south wind blows, you say, ‘It’s going to be hot,’ and it is.” As far as Jesus is concerned people know their weather and what it means. But Jesus is not really speaking about the weather . . . no, the weather is only a metaphor for what he is attempting to confront in those who are listening. Particularly the disciples.
Jesus is trying to get his disciples—and all the listeners—to understand that things are changing . . . religion is changing . . . the way one lives life is changing. It is all changing because of him . . . the words that he spoke, the lessons that he taught, the miracles he performed, and the way that he lived his life. It was a life that challenged the status quo . . . the way that things have always been. It was a life that took on the power and control of the times. It was a demonstration of God’s presence, desire, and will . . . the coming of God’s kingdom. Because of this, Jesus knew that the transition would not be easy.
All the signs were there. The clouds were in the west . . . the southern wind was blowing, but everyone acted ignorant to the signs that were before them. Because of this Jesus says, “Hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and sky. How is it that you don’t know how to interpret this present time?” Jesus is pointing out that the writing is on the wall . . . so why are they ignoring it?
Well, because what Jesus is asking . . . no, expecting . . . from them is not easy. In fact, it is downright difficult and hard. It is divisive. It is going to cause conflict. There are going to be disagreements and fights. People are going to get mad at each other. Friendships are going to be broken. Families are going to split. It will be no fun. Yet, at the same time, it will be necessary. This is how growth and change take place.
It is easy to jump into the camp of judgment in the words of Jesus this morning. He speaks of fire. He speaks of conflict. But remember not all “fire” is bad. The “fire” Jesus speaks about is a “cleansing fire”. Fire is used to burn out the impurities . . . to get rid of what doesn’t belong to bring forth what is to be. This is the tension that Jesus is speaking about . . . the “fire”. It is in this tension that the muscles of the heart are strengthened . . . how they grow. It is in the tension that conversation takes place, differences are shared, and discernment takes place . . . where understanding begins to be born.
Remember . . . Jesus never said that following him would be easy. Never promised that being a person of faith would be a walk in the park. How could it be? Just look at the example he gave. Baptism is not meant to be simply an easy, joyous occasion. Yes, on the one hand it is a confirmation of God’s promises; on the other hand, it is much more. Again, look at the example Jesus set for his followers. It is a call to vocation . . . it is a signal of entrance into God’s kingdom . . . it is the beginning of sharing the “good news” of Jesus. News that not everyone is willing or happy to believe or accept. Not everyone is willing to give up power or control. Thus conflict . . . division . . . FIRE!
The world around us is constantly changing, but God’s call upon our lives does not. To be in relationship . . . with God and one another. To love . . . to love as God has loved us. To seek peace, justice, and to care for others as we would want to be cared for. To establish God’s kingdom. That never changes, but the context and setting seem to be constantly changing and with that change comes difficult and tough circumstances. Sometimes as a follower of Jesus it feels as if we’ve stepped out of the frying pan right into the fire.
Jesus’ response?
Well, we know the signs. What did we expect . . . something different? Jesus knows that we know. Remember he said, “You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky. How is it that you don’t know how to interpret this present time?”
Because it is difficult. Because it is scary. Because we might lose . . . we might lose friends, family, status . . . any number of things. There is no shortage of topics and issues that aren’t worthy of conversation in our present time. Topics and issues that are divisive. That have the potential to make people mad . . . to divide . . . and to destroy relationships. Yet, they need to be brought to the “fire” . . . to be cleansed . . . and to discover God’s will through the process. The conversations need to be had if God’s kingdom is to be realized.
It won’t be easy.
Remember that God has claimed us in our baptisms, not because we’ve been perfect Christians. God claims us because God loves us and believes in us. Because of that God is always with us . . . never abandons us . . . in the good times and in the bad times . . . and especially in those times of difficult conversation. This is not our world. It is God’s world. As the followers of Jesus, we must learn to “let go” and allow God’s spirit to guide us towards what God wants. The work must be done. The conversations must be had. The Spirit’s work must be allowed to happen. The signs are all there . . . can we ignore them forever? Amen.
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