15 Dec Sunday, December 15, 2024
‘Tis the season of Advent, a season of not only quiet anticipation for Jesus’ arrival, but specific time set aside for us to prepare for Jesus’ coming by doing things we haven’t yet thought about. How about that?
Are there things you haven’t yet thought about with regard to what God may be asking of you? I hope so and I imagine so or else I don’t think you’d be coming to church on a Sunday morning or listening online. Or perhaps today, you’re here because you love a handbell concert or a fun Christmas party. That’s alright, too, because God will work in you that which is well pleasing in His sight.
Part of the reason I find being a pastor so fulfilling is because it constantly reminds me that there are things still outside of my purview: things that point out my limits, purpose or scope. Regardless of our role or title, circumstances will define our range of limits, the extent of our authority, our competence, responsibility, or concern.
John was frustrated with the crowds because he realized the limits, purpose and scope of his own mission. He knew that dunking people in the River Jordan could only do so much and that action alone would accomplish little without a certain depth of understanding regarding God’s vision of salvation. Self-assessment, conscious awareness and repentance were necessary prerequisites for full participation in John’s baptism. If people only show up half informed or remain ignorant, they’ll miss out.
And God doesn’t want anyone to miss out so he draws them in by any means, food, music, or other entertainment. They didn’t want to be excluded from what they heard was going on. And some among the crowd felt entitled to join in, as though they had a claim on what was being offered. Others like them were partaking, why shouldn’t they be included? Why not invite themselves even though John hadn’t approached them? Were they not God’s people, too? Of course they were. God never intended for them to miss out.
But had they only come forward to be baptized or partake superficially they would have received and been satisfied with far less than John or God intended. If they oversimplified what showing up meant or what was required of them to participate and thought that showing up alone would suffice, they would be shortchanged. Don’t focus on one single aspect of a thing which doesn’t require effort on your part even though showing up and coming as you are inherently valuable.
Ask, “What then shall we do,” as the crowd did. In reply John said, “Whoever has two coats must share with anyone who has none; and whoever has food must do likewise.” How many of you try to save money by picking up take out rather than have it delivered?
How many of you feel perturbed at being asked to tip customer service that amounts to no more than “counter help”, that is, someone taking your order over a counter in an establishment where you pick up your food once your name or number is called and clear your own table once you’re done eating? Being asked to tip really does make me grumble, but lately, I’ve been tipping anyway because it occurred to me that if I’m eating out and spending $8-$10 on a cup of coffee or $12-$15 on a sandwich, I can afford to share something with those at work behind the counter. I still grumble though.
Elsewhere in the world, as we go to work ourselves, we are to do exactly what is honest and fair. We are not to try and find ways to profit exceedingly, to pad our paychecks, or make extra cash above and beyond what’s offered. Even when it comes to overtime, consider the tradeoffs between time spent earning money and time spent with family. Many hardworking adults end up alone for lack of devotion to the task of building close relationships within their own families.
“As the people were filled with expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Messiah, John answered them by saying, ”Don’t set your sights lower than what God plans to give. Don’t settle for baptism by water or consider me your savior. I’m only here to prepare you to receive what the true Messiah can give. The thing you really need is something I cannot provide.”
Here’s my first question for you. Are you people filled with expectation or have you come with just a simple one? Might John help you discover that the reason you decided to come is not the same reason God might have wanted you to come. The bottom line of the gospel message is this: It doesn’t really matter what your reasons are for showing up. God will be glad that you came.
I also wonder if there is anyone here with questions in their heart concerning who Jesus is or how you will recognize His baptism by the Holy Spirit and fire? You see, the entire point of everything in the readings today is understanding this: that the purpose of judgment is to lead a person to repentance.
And the purpose of repentance is to prepare us for salvation. Now don’t stop listening just because you’re already “saved.” Last week John spoke of a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins and we discussed what repentance looks like. Step one is becoming aware of what we do wrong. And that’s what John was doing when he told people what to do or not do when they asked, “What shall we do?”
He told them what to stop or start and how to act differently. Make the 180o turn in behavior so that you stop either causing harm or start doing good. Step two and three were to, “Say what you did wrong out loud. In other words, verbally confess, then go to the person you wronged and say, “I was wrong for fill-in-the-blank.” Don’t merely say, “I’m sorry,” because that really isn’t full acknowledgement. That’ll put in the brood of vipers category, those who do what they think is necessary to smooth things over, look good in the eyes of others or make themselves acceptable.
Listen to the good news surrounding the idea of having been judged and in response, having repented. According to today’s first reading. “Sing aloud, rejoice, exult with all your heart since the LORD has taken away judgements against you. Fear disaster no more. Do not let your hands grow weak. Be renewed by his love. You will not bear reproach for disaster. You have been saved and gathered by God such that shame is changed to praise. The LORD will restore your name in all the earth.”
At the time you are gathered, you are brought home. You have been gathered here today by God’s Holy Spirit. I wonder if you realize that you are brought home. That you belong here and are claimed, not only by your Lord and Savior, but also by the church family of St. Peter and Messiah Lutheran Churches.
Many places make people feel winnowed out. An article about the earned perks of big spenders left me feeling quite left out. I will never earn preferred status in a private airport lounge or club of any kind. And even those who have those privileges will at times feel worthless like chaff which is cast into fire and destroyed. That’s the fear we all possess: Being strewn about rather than gathered in.
May we not be like John, who became angry, because he was afraid of losing control of the job God assigned to him. May we not become frustrated by those who show up unfamiliar to the order of service or other details of how we operate. May we never ascribe negative traits to those who come realizing that they have unmet spiritual needs.
Let today’s reading from Luke which makes mention of John’s frustration/anger and also people’s innocent or not-so innocent ignorance remind all of us that it’s commonplace to find circumstances outside of our purview, to find ourselves limited in purpose or scope.
May each of us re-examine the roles we’re in or the titles we’ve chosen and reassess the extent of our authority, competence, responsibility, or concern. So that, like Paul, we may honestly declare that there is no better news than this, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Let us pray. Dear Lord, we need everything that you offer: forgiveness, wisdom, your presence and peace. Help us be aware of anything we should stop or start doing while fulfilling our many roles. Turn us toward finding where and to whom we genuinely belong so that we are fully prepared to serve and to love according to your plan of salvation: the restoration of all to wholeness and perfection.