The Problem
It can be difficult when you figure out that people are out to get you. When you thought someone was your friend, but then you find out that they are scheming to do you in. That is what happened to the prophet Jeremiah. He lived in Jerusalem in the time before the Babylonians conquered them. He was a different kind of prophet. Most of the prophets in his day said that there was nothing to worry about. Most of the prophets said that God would protect them from their enemies. They shouldn’t worry. Jeremiah was given a different message from God. The message that God told him was that Jerusalem was in deep trouble. All round there was injustice. The Babylonian army was coming form the Northeast and they would utterly destroy Jerusalem. God also told Jeremiah not to think that anyone else would save them either. Don’t be tempted to go to Egypt for help.
At first Jeremiah thought that he was okay. The company of prophets had always had different prophecies. He believed that he was safe and protected to speak the truth, and even though not everyone agreed, he was okay to speak the words given to him by God. But that is not what happened. Jeremiah figured out that he had been betrayed by people he trusted. Powerful rulers and prophets who didn’t like his message conspired and had him arrested, beaten, and thrown into a pit to starve and suffer because of the message he gave.
Jeremiah understandably felt abandoned and betrayed. Perhaps you have felt this way. Perhaps you have tried your best to speak the truth, and rather than have your words received you have felt betrayed and rejected by the very people you thought were your friends. What do you do when this happens? Jeremiah asked God to take vengeance on his behalf. The Psalmist shares a similar theme in psalm 54. Sometimes things happen in life that push people in different directions.
The Solution
I heard from one of our previous members this week. Emily was a member here at Grace, and she taught biology at Chaffey College. Emily is now living in Albuquerque working in bio-medicine, and attending another Lutheran church. I was so happy to know that Emily was a part of a worshipping community. Sometimes things happen in life that makes us lose people in our community. This is always sad, but knowing that people find new churches for me, is a sign of the resurrection.
Emily introduced me to the work of Dr. James Lawson. Dr. Lawson is a Methodist pastor and leader of the civil rights movement. Some say he was the architect and intellectual that accompanied Dr. King. One of the things Lawson teaches is how to love your enemies. He emphasized that non-violent action isn’t passive. It is an active way to change the heart of your enemy. It is ingenious because it is about converting an enemy into a friend. It isn’t about dominating. It is about loving.
One of the ways to do this is outlined by James in chapters 3 and 4. James says to sew peace and you will reap justice. For example, if you find yourself having a discussion with someone and they say things or have opinions that you strongly disagree with: don’t argue! Don’t get heated. Stay calm and ask questions. Ask the person with whom you disagree with to tell you more. Don’t be setting traps for them, don’t paint them into a corner. No. No. No. That’s just tickery and not true wisdom. No true wisdom understands that they might say something that will make you uncomfortable. But just keep listening and invite them to talk more. Let them open up and build trust. And the miracle is that without you trying to be smarter or trickier most people who change their own mind. People will talk themselves into a more loving and less hateful orientation. This happens because the Holy Spirit enters into our hearts and it is only the Holy Spirit that can change us. I have used this method and it does work.
James writes, “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.” This is what you can do anytime you feel that the evil one is causing conflict and strife. Resist evil and the lure of rage and rivalry. Hang in there, draw close to God, and God will show up and change things!
The Gospel
Jesus takes time to be with the disciples and to teach them. He does the same thing for us today. Jesus seeks us out and teaches us through the things that happen to us in our life. Jesus cares about us and helps us to learn and to grow.
One of the most important lessons that Jesus teaches us is the resurrection. He told the disciples that three days after he is killed, he will resurrect. He will come back to life. This means that goodness, and justice, and peace, cannot be defeated by cruelty and trickery. Love wins!
Sometimes it is hard to believe that something this wonderful could be true. The message of the resurrection and eternal life at times is difficult to believe. The disciples had a hard time understanding it. And so they allowed themselves to be distracted by internal fighting. The devil tried to trick them into arguing about who was the greatest, and who was the closest to Jesus. If Jesus was to die, then you could understand why they would wonder not only who was next in the chain of command, but also how would they know the power and proximity of God.
So Jesus tells them that the greatest one, the one who is a true leader, is the one who serves with humility. He then gently embraces a child and instructs the disciples that if they want to find Jesus, and God the Father and receive them in their lives. Then all they have to do is receive children. What a tremendous promise! Jesus is all around you in the lives of children and the humble!
This past week, and most every week I start working on my sermon early in the week. I test out ideas on people all the time. If you’ve ever met with me during the week you know that I commonly bring scripture or even a bulletin and read it with people to get their ideas. One group that is always happy to do this with me is our preschool. Ms. Gayle, the teachers, and the children are always more than happy to have chapel with Pastor Wes, sing songs, and talk about the Bible.
So this past Wednesday we had chapel, and the whole lesson was about how God promises to be made known to us through children. And do you know what happened? The children went crazy! Maybe the message went to their heads a little bit, or maybe, what I think is more likely, is God was trying to tell me something. Kids aren’t easy! They are hard work, and sometimes they make bad choices. I kid not I was literally saying, “Jesus promised to meet us when we receive children” and they are climbing on the fence, on the bench, going int he bushes. It was like something I’d never seen before. So know this! Receiving Jesus isn’t always what you expect. It can be disruptive.
But here’s the thing. We had chapel again the next day. I don’t know what changed but all the children sat perfectly still criss cross apple sauce. Right as we began the lesson one of the teachers, Ms. Margie noticed a little worm struggling on the concrete. I was kind of annoyed at first. I thought I got a lesson to teach here. But then another voice in my head said, sew the word of God in peace and be docile like a lamb led to the slaughter. So I said, “Would you help us save the worm Ms. Margie?” So she got up, and so did the children, scooped up the worm, and put it on the cool damp earth right at the foot of the cross. We took our time to let the children see and help. Then they all sat back down again like perfect little angels. And the lesson was too easy. I said, “Jesus promises to meet us in small things. Like that worm we saved.” I could see the understanding was crystal clear in their eyes. Whoever welcomes one of these little ones welcomes me.
Jesus is making time for you. Jesus will teach you profound wisdom. Jesus is ready to be welcomed into your life. Jesus comes to you in the children. In worms. In trees. In small creatures. In the humble. Amen.
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