December 13 -Prepare the way of
the Lord-
Be Fair, Share & Care
Did you notice the change in mood between the second
reading and the gospel?
Both tell us the Lord is coming, but what that might
mean is quite different.
In the second lesson, Paul writes:
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I
say Rejoice. The Lord is near. So rejoice. [Philippians 4: 4,5]
Then in the gospel, John the Baptist also announces
the Lord is near, but says:
You brood of vipers. Who warned you to flee from the wrath to
come? Luke 3:8
He compares his listeners to a nest of snakes,
slithering away from a fiery doom. Not seeker sensitive
preaching. John the Baptist
breaks all the rules for preaching that I learned in seminary, saying when the
Lord comes:
He’s going to separate the good seed
from the trash – and then throw the trash into the fire. You better get
washed up and ready. Luke 3:17
As he spoke, you could see the respectable people
moving toward the exits. As they tried
to leave, John screamed I’m talking about
you. Don’t say we’re descendants of
Abraham – or
we’ve been church members all our lives – we support this church. I tell you,
you better turn around, repent, get right. God can raise up a
family from these stones if he wants. 3:8
Why would anyone have stayed for the rest of the
sermon after an introduction like that?
People don’t come to church to be judged, to be
criticized, to be made uncomfortable. That’s why the message of most of my sermons is “God accepts
you and loves you just the way you are. Just be nice to one another.”
Begin a sermon with “You’re not right. God demands you be transformed, done
over. Or there will be hell to pay” –
and none of you would be back next week.
Why would anyone have listened to John the
Baptist? And
why do all four gospels demand that we not hear Jesus until we first hear John?
Maybe I know.
There’s something about you that knows this is
a message you need to hear. In your
better moments, you know you’re not right, your world
is out of kilter. Only a preacher like
John tells the truth.
Rabbi Harold Kushner tells of looking out at a full
synagogue on Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, when Jews reflect on their sins
in the last year: "Men and women who attend no other service of the
year attend this one. People who usually arrive halfway through one of our
lengthy services make sure to come on time tonight."
When all are
seated and the service is ready to begin, the cantor chants:
"By consent of the authorities in heaven and on earth, we permit
sinners to enter and be part of the congregation."
"People crowd into that service," Kushner observes, "because
they know their shortcomings and they need a word of forgiveness and
acceptance."
John the Baptist stood up,
stirred up the contented, self satisfied religious folk saying that they –
especially they, needed to change. Their
religious background was no guarantee of escaping the judging gaze of God. More than that he
told them they could change. Help was on
the way to empower that change. One who is more powerful is coming. He will
baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. 3:16
Me? I’m sort of happy with my life at present. I wasn’t really
planning to change. Like a little boy
who prayed, "Lord, if you can't make
me a better boy, don't worry about it. I'm having a real good time like I
am."
John the Baptist is not my idea of a model preacher.
But maybe there is someone here in
church who’s anxious to hear John’s message. Somebody wise enough to know that
you need to change; faithful enough to believe you can change, courageous
enough to want a separation of the good wheat from the trash; open to the ax
being laid to the tree so that something new, a life-giving branch can spring
forth.
Not me, cause I’m content with present
arrangements. I’ve
learned to work the system to my advantage – to stabilize the status quo. Isn’t that how I’ve
managed to remain your pastor for all these years?
But I bet there is someone here not
content with the way things are – somebody willing to tolerate a preacher who
calls things by their true names and tells the truth no matter what anyone
thinks, somebody who knows that more moderate, middle of the road religion
wouldn’t be strong enough to do you any good.
A few years ago as the world watched the opening
game of the World Series in
John the Baptist’s message was not told in soft monotones, but rather an urgent
scream, like that cop. “Why are you not getting ready?” Why are you just standing there. Don't you see that your time is running out
on you. You need to be preparing the way for the Lord
in your life. Go and get ready.
Prove by the way you live that you have really
turned from your sin and turned to God.
The crowd asked: “What
then shall we do?” How shall we
prepare for the Christ?
John
answered them, “He
who has two coats, let him share with him who has none; and she who has food,
let her likewise share with those who do not.”
Instead of
getting, John recommends we think about sharing
- sharing with those who have less
than we do.
Sharing,
giving, - because if you look for happiness in just getting - then “too
much is not enough” - there’s never enough
and you end up with a lot of stuff you
really don’t need, still thinking, “Is
this all there is”
John said: “Let those who have share with those who
do not”. And then another group asked John: “What shall we do.”
He replied: “Don’t try to get more than you deserve, be
content with what you have.”
Show your honesty.
What ever your job is, do it well and with fairness.
BE FAIR, SHARE, AND CARE.
And be satisfied with what you’ve got Don’t think about
more, but be content and
- appreciate
what you have
- not
the things, the stuff, but family, friends, loved ones
- home and job - appreciate them, give thanks for
them- and share with those who are less fortunate.
As
The truth is that much of what we label as “life’s
joys” are really temporary pleasures - stuff that will
come and go and make us feel good for a while. Real joy, biblical joy, comes
from knowing without fail The Lord is near - your God is with you - He is
mighty to save,
When your joy comes from Jesus, it is a joy that can never be stolen or simply die off. The money may run out, the kids will stop
calling, and sickness my come,. But when we’re
connected to Christ, the life he gives us lasts forever. The peace he gives us surpasses all
understanding and the gifts he offer - forgiveness, grace and life - will never
get old.
John's answers to the question, "What then
shall we do?" to prepare for the coming of the Messiah, the Christ,
might well be summarized, "Bloom where you are planted." The
call to serve God comes to each of us where we are right now. Turn to the Lord
by sharing in love with those who are in need whether their need by physical or
emotional or spiritual.. Be prepared to meet Him by
being the best you can in your daily life. BE FAIR,
SHARE, AND CARE. Let your gentleness, your generosity of spirit, be known to all.
Because for those who serve God where he has placed
them in life, there is no fear about the coming of the Christ, for they will be
ready.
So John’s call to prepare for the Lord’s
coming is really good news - for he invites us to turn to the Lord, that he
might enlighten us and empower us - even transform us - and we will be better
for us.
So
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I
say Rejoice. The Lord is near.
Christmas Eve Services at 5:00
& 7:30 pm