"It's Not Just the Baby or the Bathwater"

Matthew 5:17-20, 43-48

The old adage don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater implies that you should avoid tossing everything out the window when you are changing something, because you might just toss out the most important thing of all.  That isn’t exactly what this week’s scripture and text are suggesting, but it is in the same vein.

In this scripture, which we are only reading a portion of, (but the entire passage is included on the link), we can see that Jesus continues his Sermon on the Mount by trying to explain to them what it means to fulfill the law.  He starts out by saying he doesn’t come to abolish the law, but to fulfill it.  Those who love the letter of the law are probably thrilled to hear him say he doesn’t want to abolish it, but wonder what he means exactly, when he says he wants to fulfill it.

In We Make the Road by Walking, McLaren suggests that we are not supposed to stay “where tradition has brought us so far,” nor are we to “defy tradition reactively.”  We are instead to try living into the “highest and best intent of tradition.”  In other words, get below and under the surface of what the law is aimed at.

When Jesus says, “You have heard it said…” he follows it up with a “But I say” pattern throughout the longer portion of this scripture. You have heard it said an eye for an eye… but I say turn the other cheek.”  Don’t repeat a violent action against you with another violent action of our own.  The core of the non-violent protest movement is mapped out here, something Martin Luther King, Jr lived by. And died by. 

The suggestion here is a strong and difficult one, but so powerful.   Rather than just looking at the surface of the law that has been established, go deeper and get at the root of the problem.  Work on the root of the problem and the rest will more likely fall into place.

Living into the perfection of a righteous life. That is what Jesus calls us to. Not perfect actions on the outside, but perfect intent on the inside.  Living in a way that is more than just ‘good enough.’  Trying with every ounce of our being to try to do our very best in every situation. The overused slogan WWJD seems to fit here, actually.  What did Jesus say to do? Dig deeper. Find the best intent of the law and the tradition and fulfill it.

So, it doesn’t make sense to say that all the traditions of the past are tossed aside because we have a new and funky way of being followers of Christ now.  That’s just silly.  It’s like throwing your Bible aside and saying it isn’t relevant anymore.  It also doesn’t make sense to say that ‘this is what the law says, or ‘the Bible says I should only do this’ and not look deeper into the hows and whys of a particular law or tradition.

Are you a staunch rule follower or do you try to bend the rules?  When does bending the rules actually serve to fulfill the intent of the rule

"It's Like Looking in a Fun House Mirror"

Matthew 5:1-16  (Chapter 27 in We Make the Road by Walking by Brian McLaren)

The sermon series during Lent is based on Matthew 5-7, commonly known as the Sermon on the Mount, some of the most difficult and daring words of the scriptures.... designed to show the disciples and the others gathered there exactly what it might mean to follow this path Jesus is suggesting.

The Beatitudes are the first words he utters... Blessed are the poor, those that mourn, the meek, etc.
Brian McLaren tells us that in this day, to say 'blessed are these..." would be to say "Pay attention: These are the people you should aspire to be like."  Wow.  I have never heard any pep-talk or motivational speaker tell me I should aspire to be poor and meek and crying.  I am sure the people gathered that day were no different in their assessment of what he was suggesting. Sounds crazy, foolish even.

It is like looking in a fun house mirror and thinking you will see one thing, but seeing something entirely different instead.  You think you are medium height, but the mirror suggests you are very short and squat or very tall and thin.  Jesus suggests that the labels we and others have put on ourselves of how we want to be seen, or how others want to see us are false. They are not the reality that Jesus calls us to. We don't have to seek the society view, we can seek the gospel fun house view instead.

This is game-changing instruction in a world that rewards the rich and powerful and tells us to be out for our own happiness and independent and self-made.  Jesus suggests that self-interest and self-promoting people are just not the kind of people needed to create this new Reign of God.  He says we should turn the social and societal pyramids upside down.  We shouldn't be climbing a ladder of success but embracing a world with care. He tells us there will be a price to pay for following this upside down, crazy, inverted way, but we will receive priceless rewards.  McLaren calls it 'unconventional blessedness,' which can lead to 'true aliveness.'

This early part of Matthew 5 also compares this way of living to being light the salt of the earth and light on a hill.  Claiming ourselves to be salt and light are wonderful metaphors all on their own of what it means to follow a crazy, unconventional path. To create an unexpected identity in a world that likes to label us a certain way.

From We Make the Road by Walking:

"That identity will give us a very important role in the world. As creative nonconformists, we will be difference makers, aliveness activists, catalysts for change. Like salt that brings out the best flavors in food, we will bring out the best in our community and society. Also like salt, we will have a preservative function--opposing corruption and decay. Like light that penetrates and eradicates darkness, we will radiate health, goodness, and well-being to warm and enlighten those around us. Simply by being who we are--living boldly and freely in this new identity as salt and light--we will make a difference, as long as we don't lose our 'saltiness' or try to hide our light."

Jesus is trying to let the people gathered know that this is a whole different way of seeing God, of seeing yourself, and of seeing yourself in relationship with God. It is a whole new way of being religious, so to speak. Jesus isn't trying to restore the old religion, nor is he trying to start a new one. He is suggesting a movement, steeped in the traditions of the past, that is 'bigger, deeper, and more subversive: a global uprising that can spread to and through every religion and culture."  It requires deep inner reflection about who we are, who we want to be, who we might become and what we will create of our lives.

This journey of Lent this year at NUMC is called "One Step Up and Two Steps Back." That is not to suggest that we aren't actually making any progress getting somewhere, but rather to suggest that the road sends us not forward, but in a kind of dance... that will take us not on a path of expected norms, but in a swirl of movement in chaotic, but life-filling directions.

What kind of person do you want to be right now? What kind of child of God do you want to be? How can the Beatitudes offer you instruction on how to reshape your identity this Lenten season?

Email me at peverhart@niwotumc.org or comment below.

"Housewarming Party"

Mark 2:1-19

In this scripture, Jesus, whom some called Rabbi,  is in a home and so many have gathered around to hear what he has to say that no one can even come close. The house is full of people and the yard area is full of people. People everywhere trying to hear the rabbi teach and to seek healing from him.

Some people wanted their paralyzed friend to receive healing, healing that they had heard Jesus could offer.   Because of the crowd they couldn't get close, so they went on the roof and dug a hole through it and lowered the man on his mat down to Jesus.  Now, I'm not sure what happened with the insurance claim on that roof, but Jesus was impressed with the faith of the crew who lowered the paralyzed man down and with his faith. He offers the man forgiveness of sins and this upsets the scribes. Who does he think he is to offer what only God can offer? Jesus challenges their rebuke and does more than that.  Long story short, the man is healed and takes up his mat and walks.

Next, Jesus goes to the home of a tax collector for dinner.  Again a challenge to the scribes who say, "Who does he think he is to eat with sinners and tax collectors?"  Jesus calls them out once again for their critique of his inclusive ministry.

These stories show Jesus challenging authority, yes. But they also show Jesus inside of homes, being among the people, eating with them, praying with them, offering them a new life, a forgiven life, a healed life. He is not on some distant pulpit offering God's love; he is within the contexts of the people's lives. Without regard to what someone else might think.

These stories show us that faith is all that is needed to connect to this new and radical Kingdom of God. The Kingdom of God only has to be trusted to be true.  Chapter 26 of We Make the Road By Walking says "when people trust it is true, they act upon it, and it becomes true. Our faith unlocks its potential."
Thinking of the Kingdom of God like an uprising, a faith uprising, is a kind of exciting prospect.  Even though it seems crazy to think of a world where the least are first and the shunned are saved, it isn't as crazy, says McLaren, as thinking that "a little more hate can conquer hate, a little more war can cure war, a little more pride can overcome pride..." and so on.

Perhaps trusting in the message of Jesus and following Jesus are one in the same. We can't help but follow if we trust in the radical message of discipleship he preaches.  These stories today suggest that our faith is what transforms the world. If we have faith, then our hearts and heads are transformed to a new way of living and that will allow us to change the world.

If the paralytic man or the tax collector had distrusted or been suspicious or cynical of the message of Jesus, they would not have had their lives transformed. But because they chose to open their hearts, to take a chance and invite themselves into the life of Jesus, their faith changed them.

What does it mean that Jesus changes these people's lives within the context of a home?  What does it mean that his message was received by many as life-saving, but by the religious leaders as blasphemous?  Who do we act more like today... the people who wanted to see Jesus or the cynical religious leaders?

Questions or comm

"Wedding Gifts"

John 2:1-12  Chapter 21 of We Make the Road By Walking by Brian McLaren

Have you ever wondered why miracles seem to happen so often in the Bible, but not anymore? Are you one of the skeptics who can't buy into the fact that the miracles of Jesus actually happened?  Miracles in the Bible can test our faith.  You either believe the stories and then get disheartened because children aren't risen from the dead or blind men cured of their blindness anymore, or you don't believe them and, in so doing, reduce your life to a smaller disenchanted version of a world where the impossible never happens.

In We Make the Road by Walking, we read of a third way to look at the miracle stories. Ch. 21 asks what if we look at the miracles in the Bible in a way that asks us "what happens to US when we imagine miracles happening?"  It suggests maybe the miracle stories are meant to shake up or normal assumptions and inspire us to imagine what might be possible if we can look at the world in more miraculous way.

The wedding in Cana, the setting of Jesus' first miracle, has run out off wine. Jesus' mother Mary encourages him to fix the problem, but he doesn't want to try. Doesn't think it is his place or time.  Off to the side, there are all these stone containers used to store water for the ritual baptisms we spoke of a few weeks ago. Containers, then, that are supposed to be a way to separate you from the unclean.  But they are empty.  And Jesus asks the servants to fill them with water.  And then he asks them to get some out and let the head of the banquet try it.  Suddenly, the water has been made into wine... the best wine... and all is well. The head of the banquet can't believe that the wedding party has saved the best wine till the lasst.

John says that this miracle in Cana is a sign. Signs point to something else. Send us in a deeper understanding of what is going on. They explain things.  What is this sign explaining?

What does it point to... the container that used to be used to separate the purified religious from the 'other' now being used to hold a celebratory beverage? An ABUNDANCE of celebratory beverage, in fact?  What does it mean that Jesus reimagined what the baptismal waters might be used for ONCE again, just as his cousin John did by baptizing in the river?  What does it mean that God shows in this miracle that the best is saved for the last?  (Ch 21, McLaren)

You see, the miracle stories are gifts to us.  This wedding story is a gift to us. We can see all the signs we see in this story as gifts... Gifts that keep on giving because they show us different ways of interpreting the message.  We can create new life in an old party by turning our own old water into a new wine.  We can reimagine our own church traditions and rituals in new and interesting ways. We can listen to the nudging of others who believe in us when they tell us we can indeed begin a ministry here and now in a new way.

What signs (messages, directions) do you get out of this story? What water into wine experiences might you want to be a part of in our church or in your own life?    Have you ever experienced a miracle? Have you ever prayed for a miracle that never came?  Sit with the words "empty," "full," and "transformed."

 I would love to hear your thoughts. Email me or comment below.