So…
Ever since Sue and I came to this church
in 1983 our mutual understanding has been that I get to teach and preach what I
believe, and that you get to disagree with me.
I gotta give you all credit. You have
been amazingly gracious even when I know I make some of you crazy!
But, it seems to me that it is one of
the things that has made this congregation so amazing. Yes, there is respect
for the pastor’s teaching and at the same time respect for the followers of
Christ, who can listen, search the scriptures themselves, and respectfully
disagree.
It is not something that exists much in
our modern culture, but it is in fact one of the things that makes this and any
church amazing when it happens. Why?
Because it is clearly the model Jesus
himself uses even though he is the Messiah, God incarnate. He teaches, the
disciples listen, and then they try to figure out how to understand what he is
saying, even when they may really disagree.
They even at times tell Jesus what they
disagree about. But they listen first, think second, and then formulate their
opinions.
Jesus has no interest in forcing people
to believe. He talks with them, tells them stories, even teaches, but then he lets
people figure out for themselves what they are going to do about it.
He doesn’t compel them, he just invites
folks to a new way of thinking, believing, and doing.
Like in this encounter with the Pharisee,
Simon.
For those not familiar with Pharisees,
here is a short primer. According to the dictionary, a Pharisee is a member of
an ancient Jewish sect, distinguished by strict observance of the traditional
and written law.
They followed the writings of the Torah,
the five books of Moses: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy,
as well as the prophets, and the writings of the Rabbi’s contained in the Mishna.
Unlike the Sadducees who were part of
the priestly cast in Israel, and who only followed the Talmud, the Pharisees
were layman and scribes, who were trying to apply the Law of Moses to
contemporary life.
There were Pharisees who followed Jesus
both before and after his death and resurrection. Jesus arguments with them
seemed to be primary focused on their legalism, making laws wildly strict, failing
the law of love, or hypocrisy, applying the laws to others, but not equally to
themselves.
So, Jesus, decides to dine at Simon’s
house. Even though he has criticized the Pharisees, he is still open and welcoming
to table fellowship, where a real conversation and discussion can take place.
There Jesus enjoys the food and
friendship and open conversation, until a woman with a bad reputation decides
to anointing his feet. Knowing what Simon is thinking, he challenges Simon to come
to terms with a short story, inviting the Pharisee and keeper of the law to think
differently about the Kingdom of God.
And in the story, Jesus suggests the
quite radical idea that the Kingdom of God is not a place where only the holy live!
Now I know this is going to be a
complete shock just days before our annual ritual of bloodletting called an
election, but in the Kingdom of God, there are lots of folks, including Democrats and Republicans,
liberals and conservatives, and even, dare I say it, Patriot’s fans.
Did any of you notice that the last time
I picked on the Patriots they won big on Monday night! I preach and God laughs,
evidently.
So, I am turning over a new leaf. No
more picking on the Patriots. Squish the fish! (For non-football folks, the
fish are the Miami Dolphins. Oh, how I miss the American Football League!)
In any case we often assume either
consciously or unconsciously that the Kingdom of God has in it only people who
are not sinners. And by sinners we mean people not as righteous as us. I know,
you do not of yourself as righteous. You are not a Pharisee. But those people
(take your pick) really are bad.
That certainly seemed to be Simon’s
assumption; sinners need not apply!
And he believed that no real Godly man
would ever allow himself to be touched by a woman, no less anointed by her, and
certainly not by a woman who had a bad reputation, whatever that means.
So, in the story, Jesus decides to
introduce Simon to an aspect of the Kingdom of God he was not expecting: The
Kingdom is a place God is inviting sinners to come and be part of!
You know, Jesus and that whole tax
collectors and sinners thing!
Simon, he asks, who loves the master
more? The one who has been forgiven a little or the one who has been forgiven a
lot? To which Simon answers with the obvious answer: the one forgiven a lot.
So, who should we expect to love God
more, those who are holy (or think they are) and love God, or those who know
they aren’t holy, but find out they are wanted and accepted by God?
And why wouldn’t we who truly love God
with our whole hearts, not want God to be loved by those who think themselves
unworthy! God wants everyone to love him, and we want everyone to love
him!
So, shouldn’t we be out finding more
sinners, who finally understanding that God loves them - love God in return!
Isn’t that what we are all about?
Isn’t that the result we want?
Not two teams, us and them, but all of
us praising God together!
We, all of us, are invited to drop our
pretensions of being right, of being holy, of being on the right team, and
gather at Jesus feet and worship, with every sinner we can think of!
May it be so, to the Glory of God.
Amen.
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