22 Jan SUNDAY, JANUARY 22, 2023

While reading the welcome bio for the new Executive Director to the East Shore YMCA, as a member of that branch, I felt excited. But as pastor to this local community, I felt saddened. Reading that he’s coming from Northern Dauphin means he’s leaving the people here. 

But I guess it makes sense. He, like Jesus, had been around for more than a decade, had progressed to function in multiple ways, and already been a blessing to the local population. Both were recognized for their passion, leadership, oversight, and contribution. Each was promoted which as many families have experienced, may entail moving from one place to another. 

Jesus left E’ville, I mean Nazareth, to make his home in Capernaum by the sea. There, all he could offer would be received by larger, more diverse crowds. There were new roads traveled far and wide. There, Jesus could interact with more people day in and day out, draw upon resources and connect with businesses farther in every direction. 

Once established in the countryside, both God and the Y must have a larger plan in mind. It seems as though the plan involves organizational leaders, members, and others who believe in the mission branching out themselves.  

Jesus, and dare I say, Mr. Chelston Anderson II, lead the way. They move to where people remain in darkness and need to see great light, where some exist in the shadow of death waiting for light to dawn, and where people still need evidence that the kingdom of heaven has come near for them. 

From the Book of Matthew, we receive the same message we got from the Book of John. The kingdom of heaven has come near, in fact it walks among us, by the Sea of Galilee, a place where brothers fish to make a living, where sons are in their father’s employ and are mending nets. In Dauphin Co.,as where I grew up, siblings farm together plus hold other jobs to make a living. When not farming, they’re working on other projects: building, tearing down, or fixing stuff. 

Having heard firsthand about the struggles families face trying to keep a farm going without the help of relatives, I wonder how families near the sea of Galilee felt about Jesus’ call to leave and follow. How did the older generation or community-at-large feel about Jesus coming along and taking away a grown son who’s been of help? Did any of the locals cheer at the thought of their promotion?

This circumstance reminds me of when young men were drafted into military service. Taking them away from the work they did back home was a hardship and sacrifice. Some could have been excused, but for various reasons weren’t. Many families bore the hardship and sacrifice for the greater cause, for the idea of helping in a broader sense and doing more elsewhere. That’s why future generations of children were often encouraged to travel or become educated: so they could work for a greater cause, help in a broader sense or do more elsewhere.

What is the purpose of evicting people who make their home outdoors in public space? Will moving change their lives for the better, serve a greater cause or help them do more elsewhere? Perhaps. It’s hard to see God’s plan working against what people have decided agrees with them. Does the greater good always serve the concern of all individuals? When does acting for common interests prove to be of disservice? 

One gentleman who’s lived under the Mulberry St. Bridge for over a year said something like this, “It would be better and more fair to attack the problem rather than push around and displace unfortunate souls.” 

The good news, or gospel message is that everything God does shows concern for the soul while attacking the problems people face. Whoever Simon and Peter worked for could find more guys in Nazareth to fish. Mr. Zebedee could spare his sons, John and James. After all, he’d paid off his fishing boats, nets, and mending kits. Both families and their businesses would fare okay, just as the Northern Dauphin branch of the Y, its members and believers in the mission will, too. 

What’s also important to note is how God always builds upon prior experience. God always recognizes opportunity. God always senses a person’s willingness to take responsibility and meet challenges. If we are truly disciples of Jesus, willingness to take on responsibility and meet  challenges are necessary character traits. 

I know that many of you do both everyday for Jesus’ sake as well as God’s mission to the world. For this, your families, the church and this pastor are grateful.  

People are more valuable than commodities.

Another point Jesus makes is this: People are more valuable than commodities. People are the harvest and more important than any cash crop or kettle of fish. The value of people is so much more than what they do. For farmers, fishermen, and everyone who makes or mends things, your families, the church and this pastor are grateful. The rest of us need your skilled labor to live. Not everyone is asked or expected to walk away from a job or trade to follow Jesus. 

So what’s the bottom line? That Jesus came to teach people throughout every region, that the good news spoken as, “The kingdom of heaven has come near,” are not just words, but an opportunity for everyone to experience it. The kingdom of heaven come near cures every disease and sickness among the people. 

A few good things may come from clearing the homeless out from under the Mulberry St. Bridge. Some folks plan to enter recovery, some’ll find shelter elsewhere, perhaps under a roof rather than a tent. Whatever happens, it now seems those people know they’re at least minimally cared for and have options of calling some other place home. 

Another take home lesson is this: Jesus didn’t displace folks without offering them alternatives, another livelihood, another way to use their skill and talent, another place to find dignity and meaning. Whether it’s the YMCA, a non-profit church or other organization, every public service or mission has responsibility for people in the broadest sense. 

Like Jesus, we are to welcome and invite others to join in. We are encouraged to promote others in a real sense toward realizing their full potential. We are to use our ability to empower and bring resources to bear for the greater good. So, the question is, “How, like Jesus, will we as disciples, serve this community and broaden our efforts to include travelers far and wide?”  

For me, it was easy to go to the same dentist office after a certain business closed their Halifax location. But the loss of another medical provider was surely felt by local families. Knowing not everyone can drive or move to where services are available, is there anyone you know who might need access to services, appointments, childcare or grocery shopping? I know that many of you already do these needs for family members. I’m just asking if you or our churches could possibly do more? 

If the good news in the news is about people moving or being displaced with hope that a greater good will be served, how might we consider the fate of others our responsibility? Jesus acted for the greater good while considering everyone’s fate. In the span of an hour, after hearing about the proposed relocation site for those living under Mulberry St. bridge, I went from saying, “I didn’t move to Shipoke to have homeless people as my neighbors. I moved here because it was close to the river, had cute brick sidewalks, historic charm, and potentially cool neighbors. I’ll be glad when they’re allowed to go back under the bridge. Thank God the city’s allowing them to do that.” 

I thought, “How can they call it being evicted if they weren’t paying rent in the first place? Who else gets to claim land by covering it with personal property?” Then I thought, “How awful it must be to have lived outside for over a year? So the bridge obstructs rain and snow, so do tarps, but how much comfort or cover does either really offer?” 

Jesus thinks that every person matters. Each does have something to contribute to the greater good and every cause Jesus leads is run by him. The causes Jesus leads benefit everyone, north, south, east and west and he won’t leave or stop recruiting disciples until enough programs are established, services are rendered, and measures of sustainability are fully in place.

When Jesus says, “Repent, the kingdom of heaven has come near,” that’s good news. It means now is the time to realize that Jesus is both: wherever you are and also with those on the move, those in Nazareth and E’ville, in Galilee and Harrisburg, in Louisiana, California, Nepal and Ukraine. He still walks among us into homes, fitness centers, under bridges, and places of employment.

His message never changes. He constantly challenges us to take responsibility and learn while equipping us to meet challenges. Our role  requires willing submission to a greater good, a larger plan beyond making good for ourselves or families. What might that amount to for you? 

Perhaps it means donating goods or funds to others who are able to volunteer time or energy you don’t have. Perhaps it means doing a community service project involving a spouse or child. Perhaps it means committing to daily devotion or prayer. How is Jesus calling you?

Every service ends by saying, “Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.” That means take one more step toward making the experience of the kingdom of heaven on earth a reality for everyone. In December, one church family gifted me with two fifty-dollar grocery gift cards to pass on. I knew right away that I would give them to the director of the Halifax Youth Center. 

She is so in touch with families who struggle the most, are unable to purchase health and personal care items through food pantries or SNAP programs, families with adults unable to work due to health issues, or who are parenting without spousal or other family support. 

If our two churches raised just $1200 we could offer two fifty-dollar gift cards a month to the Halifax Youth Center. Steve and I will start things off with a donation of $200. If purchased with cash, the church can even get 5% of the total money raised back.

What do you say? Will you scribble a pledge amount on your offering envelope today or consider contacting me after church? I’m open to better ideas, too. Let us pray. 

Dear Lord, you’ve called us as disciples. Now help us make known thy kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven. Only through you and our willingness to sacrifice on behalf of a godly greater good can society benefit and individuals feel blessed. This we believe and pray in your holy name. Amen.