Sermon

June 14-15, 2008

Exodus 19:2-8; Matthew 9:35-10:8

The Power of Identity

Hillary T. West

 

Over these past weeks, I imagine all of us have had some opportunity to attend a graduation event of some sort.  If not, we’ve certainly been able to read about them and hear about them.  It’s always exciting news to hear about endings that bring new beginnings and new opportunities.  There’s much to celebrate at this time of year.    

 

One recent grad, Carolyn Barnes, is on her way to  graduate school.  You may have read about Carolyn in the paper last week.  Carolyn is going to study political science and public policy.  She’ll be very successful, because she’s a hard worker.  But, also because, Carolyn has some first hand, hard earned knowledge about the social welfare system. 

 

Carolyn has spent most of her childhood living in and out of one room motel rooms and homeless shelters with her mother and two sisters.  Shopping for school clothes has always been an embarrassment for Carolyn.  The store, more than likely has always been a thrift store or she’s hand outs.

 

On the first day of school every year, Carolyn was never sure what address to list because she had no permanent home.  Of course, schools must have a contact phone number.  But, Carolyn was unable to give a number because she didn’t have a phone.

 

But, somehow, despite all their relocating and shuffling around, Carolyn’s mom made sure her girls were always in school.  She made school a priority. 

 

In fact, for Carolyn, school became her passion.  She excelled at Virginia Tech in her undergraduate work, graduating in three years; with the highest honors from the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences. 

 

Carolyn thought she’d become a lawyer.  She liked the idea of the security of being a lawyer, after a lifetime of no identity.  But, in the end, she couldn’t run from her life’s experiences. 

 

Instead, Carolyn embraced them, recognizing her circumstances to be the very gifts that equipped her to be who she is to be.  Empowered and filled with hope for the future, Carolyn is venturing off to University of Michigan.

 

The article in the paper does tell us that her mom and her sisters serve as a huge support to her.  The article doesn’t tell, though, where she finds the authority and power to go for it, to do it anyway;  despite all the obstacles; despite being hungry and homeless and insecure about her future.

 

Maybe it’s because Carolyn knows that it’s not about how many opportunities and gifts we have.  But, rather, it’s about recognizing that we are the very ones, named to be who we’re supposed to be.  To do all that we can with all that has been given us.     

 

That’s how it is when we live with Jesus.  See, he has identified us as the ones to do his work.  And he knows there’s lots to do. 

 

He’s traveling around near his home town, Capernaum, on the edge of the Sea of Galilee.  The work is demanding.  Everywhere he goes, they’re more and more people in need.  He preaches and teaches and brings healing and hope to one crowd after the other; and they keep coming.  More and more harassed and distressed, lost and helpless.

 

He needs help.  He says to his disciples, “The harvest is rich but the laborers are few”.  There’s work to be done.  Jesus, doesn’t get overwhelmed.  Instead, he’s a problem solver.  So he does three things. 

 

First, he summons his disciples.  We know that to be a disciple, means to follow.  And, in Mark’s gospel, we learn that there many, many followers.  But, this job is for those who go out; for apostles.  And Jesus wants 12.

 

They’re not extraordinary men.  In fact, they’re actually quite ordinary and even sinful.  But, Jesus invites them into the blessings of the kingdom of God.  Knowing full well, that ordinary people can make extraordinary of the ordinary with his blessing.    

 

So, Jesus calls them to him.  And, as we all know, he doesn’t just call us and leave us high and dry.  Jesus’ call is about covenant living.  See, covenant living means we’re living in a divine promise with God.  We’re God’s particular treasure; adored and loved by God.  So, precious are we to God that he begs for us to be in an intimate, loving relationship with him.

 

When God brings his people from bondage in Egypt and issues the divine promise, “you shall be my personal possession…a holy nation;” that’s our promise as well.  In other words, God’s saying, “be close to me. Let me set my love upon you, and love me in return.”

 

And God’s people respond, “whatever God says, we will do.”  Being in a covenant relationship with God demands certain parts of us.  God asks for our faith and our willingness to obey.  It means we move from being followers to pioneers.

 

And Jesus equips to do just that.  So, the second things he does is, he gives authority. He’s got 12 new members of his team, and as Matthew identifies them, no longer disciples; but as apostles, those called to go out, to be messengers of the good news.  And, he  trusts in their ability to use their power.

 

He doesn’t ask questions or look for credentials.  He doesn’t require resumes or background checks, or references.  He doesn’t want to know what their skill set is. 

 

Instead, he gives them the freedom to exercise the power of God’s love that they have within them.  You see, we’re not meant to keep the blessings given to us by God in Christ.  We’re meant to share them; and at times it may well be uncomfortable; because sharing gifts from God, will most likely bring us to change.  But, that’s ok, because, once again, Jesus tells us exactly what we need to do. 

 

So, his third action is instruction.  He says to his friends, “make things to happen; restore people to wholeness”.   “Whatever spirit within us that takes us out of relationship with God, command them to come out,” he instructs.  Also, he tells them, “those who suffer from sickness, from illness, cure them.”  

 

You see, in Matthew’s gospel, illness and sickness are related to how people understand themselves in the community, in the social system, in the culture.  So, when Jesus says, “cure them,” what he’s saying is, “bring people back from feeling alienated, alone, disenfranchised.  Look for ways to serve those in need.  Care for one another.” 

 

And, he adds, you won’t need to go far.  We know that the mission field is spread wide.  But, it’s also as close as our own backyard.  So, spread the good news of kingdom living, right here, close by. 

 

See, these apostles had the blessing of relishing in the gift of the living Lord.  So, when Jesus tells them that they’re to let their neighbors know that the kingdom of God is here and now; for them it’s a no brainer.  They’re reinforced with kingdom living every night when they come home to get tucked in by Jesus.     

 

God’s intent for us is to keep living the kingdom life. Keep living as God’s chosen, his covenant people.  Kingdom living is about God being in control.  In kingdom living, we live without fear and doubt. 

 

Rather, we live with hope and courage, and the constant promise of God’s love for us.  Jesus doesn’t tell us that kingdom living yet to come.  Instead, he tells us, it’s now and it’s our job to keep making it happen.  No sitting around waiting on this one.

 

So, Jesus calls us to be his people.  He gives us power and authority.  With power and authority, comes responsibility and with responsibility, we come to know that they are valuable.  Not just valuable, but necessary to Jesus.  In fact, so necessary that he calls us to be him.  That’s how he identifies us:  we are Jesus in the world.

 

And, he tells us to go, go, go.  Reach out to the weak and helpless.  Be the givers of restored strength and hope.  Let the ineffective and useless become alive with energy because of the power we instill in them through Jesus. May the authority given to each of us be used to make the impossible possible.     

 

And, do all this humbly, he says.  Don’t expect acknowledgement or acclaim.  Simply be encouraged that  “there is more happiness in giving than in receiving”.

 

Jesus gathers up his 12 and laying hands upon them, he places upon them the charge.  They go out.  But, not alone.  We don’t do this kingdom teaching, preaching and healing on our own.  We don’t live our faith in isolation. 

 

In Matthew, they go in pairs.  I’ve often wondered if this is to have a check and balance in their ministry. 

 

In the DOCC class that we offer on Sunday nights,  all the groups are facilitated by pairs.  The purpose being that two sets of ears are better to hear and two sets of eyes are better to see.  We trust and work as a team.  We depend on one another to keep things straight. That’s what it means to be the Church. 

 

You know, we almost never know how we make a difference.  But, that’s ok.  Because, Jesus knows.    

 

We may not always feel like the most able or even the most willing in fulfilling his purpose.  Some days, we might just be too tired.  Some days, we may not feel worthy of being identified by Jesus.  But, go ahead and try.  Today, let’s decide that we’ll give what we can.  Let’s turn our face to Jesus and say, “here I am Lord, I’ll go.” Respond to the extraordinary love of Jesus in our lives.        

Jesus calls by name:  Simon Peter, Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, Matthew, James,  Thaddaeus, Simon, Judas; and he keeps calling,  Brian, Eric, Carol, Fred, Margaret, Susan, Gary, Doug, Karen, Lee, Joe, Dave,  Bill, Michael, Saundra, Phil, Kevin, Scott, Don, Jenny…the list goes on and on. 

 

Now, say your name.  Say it again so others can hear it.  That’s Jesus; summoning you and me, and trusting us to be his blessing in the world, sending us out, to be not just like him; but to be him. He’s saying, be the makers of my work… as you serve others, you make miracles happen.  In you, offering hope means bringing life to death.   Through you, others know my love.  Go ahead, do it…anyway.