Thy Kingdom Come

July 24, 2011

Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52

“Thy Kingdom come”.  Christians recite this prayer every Sunday as part of worship. In a moment we will do the same. Three words…four syllables. A simple request…an incomparable gift. Have we really considered what this prayer means? Jesus said to his disciples "have you understood all this?". Matthew tells us they answered simply, "yes." Really? Ya think? I'm certainly in no position to second-guess the disciples, but I'm not convinced that they really understood all of what Jesus told them concerning the kingdom of heaven. Let's be honest, it's a pretty difficult concept to grasp. If it were in fact easy to understand, Jesus probably wouldn’t have had to use so many parables to explain it.

Over the last several Sundays we’ve read parables about seeds and sowers, treasures in fields, yeast, priceless pearls, and good and bad fish caught in the same net. There have been countless commentaries written, attempting to explain and expand the meaning of these parables, and innumerable sermons have been preached trying to do the same. Perhaps so many parables were needed because one single analogy isn't sufficient to define the kingdom of heaven. After all we're told it's like a mustard seed, so small that it can hardly be seen. And it's like a treasure in a field hidden from view. That the kingdom is like a single priceless pearl. Then Jesus continues and explains that the seed grows to become a mighty tree, the hidden treasure is discovered, and the pearl is worth everything the merchant owned.

The meaning of the individual parable notwithstanding, suffice it to say there’s a common thread running throughout these stories. We’re told that God’s kingdom is ‘like…’ something else. I suppose we need parables, metaphors, and allegory to help us understand this concept that nothing else compares to. The old standby ‘tastes like chicken’ just isn’t going to cut it. It’s like trying to explain the color blue to a blind person, who has never seen it. So all we really have are comparisons.

But do those first-century agricultural references succeed in describing for us the kingdom of heaven? How about a 21st-century parable; "the kingdom of heaven is like a viral video that someone uploads to the Internet. It starts out as a short film and within hours is seen by millions of people around the world”. Or; "the kingdom of heaven is like pressing ‘send’ without proofreading or spell-checking an email. It’s too late to stop it and there is no way to ‘unsend’ it”. The underlying concept is basically the same; something starts out quite small and expands into something else, quite unexpected and of exponentially greater impact. Back in the 60’s a scientist coined the term "butterfly effect". This theory holds that if a butterfly in China flaps its wings, that it’s likely to affect the path of a tornado thousands of miles away in the American midwest. Again something rather inconsequential leads to a monumental result.

Back to "thy kingdom come". There's quite a bit going on in these three words. It’s a statement of belief: the kingdom of heaven will someday come. A prayer of petition: we ask that the kingdom of heaven will be revealed. And an acknowledgment of reality: the kingdom of heaven has come and is here and now. The connecting theme in today's readings seems to be one of insight; more specifically spiritual insight. In the first reading Solomon asks God for an understanding mind. The psalmist states that the Lord’s word gives light and understanding. In his letter to the Romans, Paul writes with deeply reassuring insight as to the nature of God's relationship with his people. He writes; nothing in all creation can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus.

It’s been said that the kingdom of heaven exists wherever God reigns. What conclusion can we draw from this insight? I recall an example from a logic class in college. “All cats chase mice. Whiskers is a cat. Therefore, Whiskers chases mice”. If we extend this logic we can conclude that; “the kingdom of heaven exists wherever God reigns. God reigns everywhere. Therefore, the kingdom of heaven exists everywhere". So "thy kingdom come" is a reality for us in the present. So where does that leave us? We have all of these wonderfully descriptive parables depicting for us the wonders of God's kingdom. And, we acknowledge that we are present within it. All that remains is deciding how we intend to live lives that demonstrate recognition and gratitude for this wondrous gift of God's grace. There are of course the big things we know we have to do. There are Ten Commandments after all. These describe obvious actions, or in some cases, inactions. Within God's law there are "thou shalt not’s” as well as the "thou shalt’s".

Nothing earth-shattering here and I daresay for the most part we probably do an okay job at keeping the majority of the Commandments. But perhaps our understanding of lives within the kingdom of heaven parallels the descriptions Jesus gives us. Again, rather small things resulting in enormous consequences. Our everyday thoughts, words, and deeds are like that mustard seed or the buried treasure. It's those things that we think, say, and do without much concern for the outcome that may have dramatic results; for good or bad. Our lives are mustard seeds growing within the kingdom of heaven. But if we’re not rooted in good, nourishing soil, if we don't carefully tend our actions, if we don't bask in the light of God's love our lives might easily germinate not into useful, beautiful, flowering plants. We could just as easily turn out to be weeds.

Helen Keller wrote that if it weren't for her teacher Anne Sullivan constantly encouraging her that she would not have accomplished all she did. Anne never gave up on Helen; she believed that in spite of Helen’s disabilities, that if nurtured, she was capable of great things. On the negative end of the spectrum we have the tragic story of Phoebe Prince. You may recall that this high school student from South Hadley found herself facing constant disparagement and ridicule. After months of what Phoebe herself described as "intolerable" verbal abuse she finally put a stop to it…by taking her own life. Jesus tells us what the kingdom of heaven is like, this wondrous and awesome gift from God. The kingdom is here for us, and we assume our role within it. We are called to be gardeners, treasure seekers, and pearl merchants. We can nurture tender seedlings, recognize treasure that others don't see, and to do all we can to support that single cherished gem. And while we might never purposely do anything to cause damage in God's kingdom, we must be ever vigilant that some small word or action doesn't do just that. We have to be careful not to inadvertently step on a struggling plant. We need to see not just a barren field, but discern whether there is a treasure buried deeply in it, or maybe concealed just below the surface. We have to remember that a priceless pearl must be properly cared for; the slightest mistreatment may cause damage.

So, let us go forth from this place as workers in the kingdom of heaven. In the coming week let us strive to nurture and encourage seeds of faith to grow and bloom. Let us recognize the treasure of goodness in otherwise obscure, barren places. Let's be certain that we care for the priceless gems that have been entrusted to us. Within this kingdom of heaven very small actions result in momentous outcomes. May this realization be ever in our hearts and minds when we pray …"thy kingdom come".

Amen.

"As We are One"

June 5, 2011

John 17:1-11

Grace, Peace, and Mercy to you from God the father and our Lord Jesus Christ…amen. This morning's gospel continues what is known collectively as Jesus’ "farewell discourse". Over several chapters in John’s gospel, Jesus gives his final teaching to his disciples, reassures them, encourages them, and as we read today, he prays for them. A great deal of ground is covered in John 13 through 17, this so-called "farewell discourse" of Jesus. John recounts that Jesus washed his disciples’ feet, gave them the new commandment to "love one another", and promised them that he would send the Holy Spirit to reassure, guide, and help them. In the first few verses of today's lesson, in Jesus’ prayer to the Father he asks that God would glorify the Son, so that Jesus might glorify God. He speaks of eternal life and the finishing of the work he was sent to do. He speaks this prayer out loud and within the hearing of the disciples. It’s obvious that he does this so that they might learn something of the relationship between Jesus and God the Father. Christ speaks of the glory he shared with God before time began. This relationship that he alludes to seems to me to be the salient point of this portion of Jesus’ prayer. It speaks to oneness, unity, and fellowship. Jesus walked the earth as a human being. He experienced all those things that define a person's humanity. All of the emotions, passion, and physical manifestations that determine "humanity". More than most, Christ experienced anguish and suffering, both emotional and physical. From being reviled and rejected, to being scourged and hung on a tree. Jesus as a divine being knows through his incarnation what is to be human. He is all too aware of the suffering that people endure, having borne all of the torment, anguish, and misery that define the human condition. It is with this knowledge and understanding that Jesus prays to the Father "I am asking on their behalf". "Protect them". "They are in the world". He knows what they will have to endure because of their faith in him. He is aware of how "the world" will respond to them and how they will be treated. He knows this because he assumed human form and trod this world just as they did; just as we do.


This prayer was not just for the disciples but for all who followed. It is intended for us because little has changed in the way people live their lives. I daresay that things may have gotten worse. While it’s highly unlikely that any of us will be martyred for our faith, the dangers inherent in the modern world seem to be more varied and infinitely more imaginative. This brings us to the heart of this morning’s gospel… unity. Jesus knows that he may trust that the Father will grant his prayer, and that God will protect the disciples just as he asks. But he prays that God will take it a step further. He asks that the disciples might be granted protection by God and that they might continue Christ's work guarded and acting as one. Jesus asks that they may be one, as Father and Son are one. He prays that the disciples may find a unity with one another in the same way that God and Jesus share a oneness.
When I was nine or ten years old my best friend was Jimmy Maxwell. In order to seal our friendship we decided to become "blood brothers". Some of you may remember this time-honored practice. This ritual consisted of piercing our index fingers with a pin and rubbing them together to co-mingle our blood. In today's time of frightening diseases and an almost fanatic desire for avoiding germs this ceremony would most certainly be frowned upon. But way back then in the fourth grade being "blood brothers" was the ultimate way to show unity and to cement a friendship. Besides when you’re nine years old it's a "wicked manly" thing to do. The sad part is that about a year later we ended up going to different schools, and I haven't seen nor heard from my "blood brother" since then. So much for unity and “becoming one”.
Worldly rituals are just that, "worldly", temporal, and transitory. In another biblical translation Jesus’ prayer for unity among the disciples is paraphrased: "so they can be one heart and mind as we are one heart and mind". The operative term here is "we". As "we" are one heart and mind. As "we" are one. This seems to me to be a pretty tall order. Jesus is asking that the disciples, and by extension we be granted a unity with one another in the same way that He and the Father share a oneness. Perhaps, and more likely Jesus is requesting from God a similarity to this oneness; for He and the Father share unity that is unique. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are one, while being separate. We cannot hope to participate in anything that even comes close to that type of oneness. We’re talking the Holy Trinity here for goodness’ sake!
Nevertheless He asks that his followers share in an abundant unity; a unity of purpose, belief, and intention. A sort of single-mindedness. This abounding unity is intended to reach far beyond a pair of "blood brothers". Jesus wasn’t asking that Peter and John might find common ground and a singleness of purpose as they sought to bring Christ's message of salvation to the Jews, and beyond to the Gentiles. He wasn’t speaking of a unity between Paul and Timothy as they travelled together even farther afield spreading the gospel message. This oneness being requested encompasses the entire community of faith; the body of Christ. Jesus didn't ask God to meet the individual needs of the disciples. He wasn't asking that their singular needs be met, but that they be "as one" with regard to their mission. Christ spoke of corporate unity, communal needs. Jesus’ prayer asking that his people be one with each other as He is one with the Father centers not on the glory the Father and Son share, nor their divinity, nor even their unique relationship. But it is the love that the Father and Son have individually and collectively for humanity that Christ prays for the disciples to share with one another. God's love for his children is boundless. God so loved the world that he gave his only son, Jesus Christ to die for us. Jesus told his followers to "love one another as I have loved you". To prove that love he willingly went to the cross. Thus Jesus and the Father have exemplified their unity of purpose with respect to creation. They are unified in their desire for humanity to treat one another as they treat us.
As the disciples prepared to go forth Jesus knew that in order for them to be successful in their mission that they must be unified in their focus and intent. He was preparing them to counter a world of suffering, injustice, and hopelessness. In order to do this they have to be united; they must share a common cause. They must adopt a Christ-like, God-like love for others even to the detriment of themselves. In order to meet the world head-on and to spread the gospel message it was necessary that the disciples abandoned any sense of their own self-importance. It was essential that they approach "the nations", (all mankind) with the same unified sense of love for others-before-self that is so central to the gospel. The good news of God in Christ Jesus most certainly hinges upon salvation, forgiveness, renewal, and everlasting life. These are the results brought about through the unified love that Father and Son have for the people. We are saved, forgiven, renewed, and we live in the promise of life without end because God loves us.
It’s estimated that there are as many as 38,000 distinct Christian denominations in the world. So much for unity. This number encompasses every group from Roman Catholicism through the mainline Protestant denominations, as well as those with adherents in the single digits. It’s safe to say that there is some disagreement among them. Actually many denominations are very close in their beliefs as evidenced by the full communion the Lutheran Church has with a number of other denominations. On the other hand, many self-described "Christian" bodies espouse wildly divergent doctrine; so much so that one might not recognize their belief systems as Christian at all. How then do we attempt to bring unity to such a group of broadly dissimilar factions? We don't! We can't possibly do this. But, we have to start somewhere. We begin right where Jesus tells us to, with one another. He said "Love each other as I have loved you". This command from Jesus is direct and explicit; love as I love. Love as God loves. Place the needs of others before your own. Thus are we unified with Christ by acting toward others as He did, as He does.
We will likely never be called to lay down our life to save another, and in spite of the current economic climate we are blessed to live in the most prosperous country on earth. So any sacrifice we make to serve others will probably be rather minor. But if we do serve one another with love as we are commanded, if we do perform acts of kindness, if we do show mercy, we are sowing the seeds of unity with God. And if enough people live this way as individuals, before we know it we might start to behave this way in small groups. Then maybe as congregations, and synods, and even denominations. And who knows, Jesus’ prayer for an all-encompassing Christian unity, based on love, like the relationship He shares with God the Father, might just come to pass.
Amen.