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2 Pentecost
May 29, 2005 Sermon
by Rev. Peggy Tuttle, Interim Rector
Readings
World renowned evangelist,
Billy Graham, is met at his hotel by a limousine to take him to the
airport for his flight home. Mr. Graham greets the driver and says 'You
know, I'm 87 years old and in my entire life I've never driven one of
these. Do you mind if I drive while you sit in the back?'
The driver thinks, 'Shoot...I'm not supposed to do this, but it's Billy
Graham! How can I refuse this simple request?" So Mr. Graham gets behind
the wheel and the driver climbs in the back of the limo.
Mr. Graham exceeds the speed limit and gets caught on radar by a state highway patrolman. As the patrolman approaches the window, he recognizes a familiar face and immediately gets on the radio.
He says to the dispatcher that he has stopped someone really important. The dispatcher asks "who is it, the governor?" The patrolman says "no but it is someone really important". The dispatcher says, well is it the president? The patrolman says "no". The dispatcher says, well who is it then? The officer says, "I think I stopped Jesus...he's got Billy Graham for a chauffeur".
The Rev. Dr. Billy Graham is a familiar name to people all over the world. As evidenced by this silly story, Dr. Graham’s reputation precedes him in all of life. Unlike many evangelists today, Dr. Graham is known for his purity of heart and simplistic approach to life. A great preacher -- but more than that. He is a man who has walked the talk, always pointing beyond himself to the Jesus he serves.
In the Gospel lesson today, Jesus isn’t talking about the Billy Grahams of the world, those whose preaching is woven into the fabric of their lives. Jesus is describing people who appear to have great ministries, who not only call Jesus “Lord”, but also appear to achieve spectacular things in Jesus' name. They prophesy, cast out demons, and accomplish deeds of power in the cause of Christ, but do so primarily for personal gain and glory.
I grew up in Texas where a parade of evangelists came through every summer. They would preach for a week or two, usually on sin and evil, which they vaguely defined as something about “the appetites of the flesh.” They always seemed to be somewhat angry or sad, and the more angry and loud they were, the more the people in the congregation praised them for preaching the gospel. These visiting preachers spent a lot of time telling us how difficult it was to be a Christian in this world, but in these revivals, they urged us to be faithful. These preachers urged us to persevere and assured us that every pain and every struggle we encountered here on earth would be rewarded in heaven with stars in our crowns. It was easy to grow up thinking that God intended this life to be miserable. It seemed that the more we suffered down here the more likely we were assured of getting into heaven.
In contrast to that teaching is something more present in today’s world. On television, in bookstores and in many pulpits across the country we hear of how the Christian faith is supposed to offer us constant joy. Of course, the people who come immediately to mind are televangelists – show people, men and women alike -- those who tell the lame to throw away their crutches for the benefit of the cameras -- those who sell prayer handkerchiefs -- those who spend television time raising funds to buy more television time. Some are preaching that God intends for everybody to be positive, happy, successful, and victorious. In other words, we are “too blessed to be stressed.” Faith in Jesus will answer all your problems. Faith in Jesus will make you successful, bring you full health and happiness, and help you drive away every cloud from the sky. Heavenly life can begin right here, right now, and if you get in right relationship with Jesus by faith, then your whole life will be one blessing after another. From glory to glory in Jesus’ love.
For most of us, real life is somewhere in between the two, a mixture of difficulty and joy.
So, what does this lesson have for us today? We are simple people living our simple lives in a complex world. None of us are famous miracle workers nor are we famous for our great works.
But Jesus’ rejection of the notoriously religious is not only for greedy televangelists. Jesus says we believers are not immune to criticism ourselves! These words are not only meant for others. They are meant for us, as well. Who is to say that people with modest ministries are exempt? Is it possible that Jesus might reject a person who spends a lifetime in ministry? Is it possible that Jesus might reject a long-time elder, deacon, choir member, Sunday-school teacher, board chairperson, committee chairperson, or usher? If so, why? By what criteria will we be judged? How will Jesus decide whether to accept us or to reject us?
The dividing line is whether or not we have done God’s will (v. 21). Neither our theological degrees nor our tenure in church offices will save us. A resume that might wow a pastoral search committee will not influence a God with x-ray vision -- capable of seeing into the innermost recesses of our spiritual hearts.
It is all too easy to busy ourselves about the work of the church without stopping to reflect on whether we are obeying Jesus. It is all too easy to busy ourselves with programs while neglecting people. It is all too easy to prepare sermons while neglecting prayer. It is all too easy to do great things in Jesus' name while neglecting Jesus. It is all too easy to assume that full pews validate our ministry when, in fact, we have lost touch with God.
Jesus' emphasis on doing the will of God raises the issue of salvation by works. Are we saved by that which Jesus has done or by that which we do? It would be easy to misinterpret Jesus' requirement to do the will of God. Jesus is not advocating salvation by works but salvation by authentic faith. True faith produces faithful fruit. True faith impels us to act in accord with God's will. True belief leads to action.
"Now when Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as their scribes."
Jesus "taught them as one having authority."
His words have authority, not only to instruct but also to heal. In this Gospel, he tells a leper, "Be made clean," and the leper is immediately cleansed (8:3-4). He tells a centurion, "Go, let it be done for you according to your faith," and the centurion's servant is healed in that hour (8:13). He tells a paralytic, "Stand up, take up your bed and go to your home" and the man does exactly that (9:6-7).
The scribes drew stale water from closed cisterns. But the words of Jesus were like a spring; clear, fresh, with power to slake the soul's thirst.
The scribes quoted authorities; Jesus spoke with authority. Scribes, the recognized authorities in the field of scriptural interpretation, quoted famous rabbis to support their arguments. Jesus teaches without footnotes; he teaches on the basis of his own authority.
So each of us needs to go forth in the name of Jesus and follow what he has said. “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” And the second commandment is like unto it. “Love each other as I have loved you.”
Let us pray,
Holy God, guide us this day to be faithful followers always pointing to the source of our salvation, the God who loves us beyond measure. Amen.