2022 07 03 Sermon
Sermon for July 3, 2022 Pentecost 4 C House of Prayer Lutheran Church
Luke 10:1-11, 16-20; Galatians 6:1-16 Rev. Karl-John N. Stone
When my family lived in Nebraska, our favorite place to go for the 4th of July was the town of Seward. Named after Henry Seward, the Secretary of State to Abraham Lincoln, this town earned the moniker (in 1973) of “Nebraska’s Official 4th of July City”. Then in 1979, the town received a proclamation from the United States Senate naming it the “National Fourth of July City—Small Town USA” because they portrayed a fine example of the “small town patriotic ethic to the entire nation”.
Of course, you can find wonderful 4th of July celebrations all across the country, but Seward, Nebraska really does a great job. With the feel of a county fair, vendors set up in booths all around the courthouse lawn, food trucks lining the streets, music stages and performers, a car show, and of course fireworks. We always made a point to go to the parade. We’d get there early to set up our chairs and blankets in a spot that would be shady in the afternoon—which was necessary because this was the biggest parade in the state, and the temperature would frequently excede 100 degrees. Despite the heat, it made you feel good to be part of it, celebrating the blessings of liberty with all kinds of people, all walks of life, all corners of the state—one year, even some random travelers from Ireland were selected to ride one of the floats—so many people coming together to celebrate the gifts of Independence.
Henry Seward and Abraham Lincoln helped ensure that these celebrations would continue beyond 1865, and did so by leading the country on the path to incorporating former slaves as full citizens. Of course, sadly, the country was divided about that back then, even in the north. Even back in 1776, the historical evidence shows that maybe 1/3 of the people really supported the Revolution, 1/3 were against it, and 1/3 could go either way. Even so, tomorrow, we will celebrate Independence Day, and the ideals of the Declaration of Independence, for the 246th time. As a biblical commentator I was reading, Kathryn Schifferdecker, pointed out, we celebrate July 4th “as a country divided by many things: for example, our views on politics, vaccinations, gun control, or abortion [and the list could go on]. The disagreements have caused bitter divisions between friends, families, and church communities.” While we lament the divisions, and hope to find ways to move beyond them, this is not a new phenomenon.
She also pointed out that even 2,000 years ago, Jesus’ own followers (all from the same small region of Galilee) were not a uniform bunch. They included Levi the Tax Collector, who had collaborated with the Roman Empire while lining his own pockets, as well as Simon the Zealot—who was zealous in wanting to get rid of the Roman Empire. You had James and John, the “Sons of Thunder”, who cleverly calculated about how to advance themselves—and Nathanael, an Israelite in whom there was no guile. Thomas the skeptic had to see to believe, while Peter the leader tended to act before he thought.
How did Jesus hold a group like this together? He gave each one of them the same call: “Follow me!” And each one responded with a desire to learn from Jesus, and to let Jesus mold and form them from now on. Their basic personalities and ways of being and doing things remained the same; but through God’s gifts of faith and grace, their ways of living out who they were did evolve over time. And their openness to learning from Jesus and growing in Christ was an example to others.
Jesus began by teaching his way to the 12 disciples; he showed them how to heal the sick and preach the gospel, and then sent them out to try it for themselves. Then (as we hear in today’s gospel) Jesus expanded the 12 to 70 others—men and women—whom he sent out in pairs to the towns where he intended to go. And he gave instructions for how they should make connections, and build community, and share God’s grace. Jesus instructed: “When you enter a house, first say ‘Peace to this house.’” Notice that the opening word is “peace”. The opening posture is peace. Don’t prejudge if the people in the house are worthy. Don’t assess ahead of time if they will also share their peace with you. Simply offer peace, in the confidence that God is with you, and that God is with them, too. Have no agenda other than that.
If they want to share their peace with you, then stay and receive hospitality from them. Eat and drink together. Realize that “the kingdom of God has come near.” Find the common ground, and know that God is already there, regardless of the differences or similarities between you. This is how we begin to bring healing and unity to one another, and to develop compassion for one another, even in our differences.
If they don’t want to share their peace with you, then simply move on. As a protest, don’t fall into the temptation of James and John in last week’s gospel who wanted to “call down fire from heaven and consume them.” Just “wipe off the dust from your feet” instead. You’re not there to impose yourself on anyone. Just let it go, and as you move on, keep your heart and mind open for how God’s grace is somehow present in all things.
So these 70 disciples whom Jesus sent out do as he instructed. And they return with joy at the power they have found in being representatives of God’s kingdom. They’re excited. They say, “Lord, in your name even the demons submit to us!” Jesus acknowledges their joy, but tells them—don’t let it go to your heads! “Do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”
Your names are written in heaven. Who you are, everything you have, is a gift from God in heaven. The source of your power is God, and the goal of using your power is to benefit others, so that they can experience God’s grace and love in their lives. Just as God (through Christ’s cross and resurrection) used his power not to coerce but to invite—so should it be with all who want to follow Jesus. Therefore, be humble. Power needs to be tempered by humility, and put to use not for ourselves but for the values of God’s kingdom in serving others—compassion for people in their real lives and circumstances; caring for people by affirming their value and worth; love for all people, since all have been created in the image of God.
The body of Christ—that’s us; that’s all the followers of Jesus—is a misfit, broken body, full of hurting people—and joyful people. We’re people who come together as we try and fail and learn and grow, seeking to serve our neighbors. We’re people who sometimes have differing worldviews and do not agree about everything, but we do desire the good of all, and we’ve all received the same call from Jesus, to “Follow me!”; and we have responded with a common desire to learn from Jesus and to let Jesus mold and form us from now on. We are here to “bear one another’s burdens” as St. Paul says, through the ups and downs of life, with God’s help, until by grace we become a new creation in Christ. Amen.