Sermon: “Three Steps to Tomorrow”

As Christians we are not called to passive love

The way to the cross is a vigorous, assertive pursuit of social and personal righteousness.

 It is loving in a way that refuses to play the worlds game.

Like…high dollar positions; limelight’s and media; building borders to keep out the persecuted and poor; military might to fight back and retaliate; or believing that “life” means comfortable homes, plenty to eat, vacations, good health care, and not insulting the social codes of “right color, right sex, right age and right religion.”

Jesus’ non-violent way, is the way of salvation, healing and eternal life. 

The 1^st step to Christ’s tomorrow, in today’s reading, was taken by Peter when he confessed that Jesus was the long awaited Messiah. The Christ of God, sent to usher in the Kingdom of God. Christos, the anointed one!     

But we already knew this before we read the text in chapter 8.

 At the beginning of the gospel Mark begins by telling us he was writing the Good News, of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. In previous sermons we heard of demons, angles, voices from heaven that already recognized Jesus as more than an ordinary man. Even called him Man of God..

 So we aren’t surprised at Peter’s astute identification.

Peter had been observant, had “listened” well, he watched all Jesus did and then he determined that ancient prophesy was finally fulfilled.

The Messiah King; the Majestic Lord, the Savior of the world was finally present, no longer

“Just” teacher, rabbi, healer, magic man, demon chaser, the real superhero was with them.

The 2^nd step to tomorrow. (All the gospel writers begin Jesus stories with “6 days later or immediately, I just like “tomorrow”)

Anyway, after Peter makes the startling observation of WHO he thinks Jesus is…Jesus “sternly” as if this knowledge is really a secret, says, don’t tell!! 

That is probably ok with his friends as they have to figure out what it really means if Jesus IS who Peter says.

So Jesus tells them. He says, expect people to get really upset about another King challenging in Caesars Empire and that he, Jesus will probably be arrested, tried in a court and die on a cross. Peter misses the part about a “resurrection scene” and argues until Jesus says “Peter, stop thinking like Satan” and everyone is looking around like “what happens now?”

What happens then is Jesus offers them the challenge of a life-time. They have been following him everywhere! They have listened to him teach and preach; they watched him touch and heal lepers, demoniacs, blind guys and bleeding women! They are pretty impressed with all he has done.

So he says, “hey, if you want to continue to follow me, easy nuff, chose a cross to carry and dump the concealed weapon, put your life on the line, take on the Empire, the religions leaders, touch the lepers yourself, start loving sinners like you, and enemies who disapprove; anticipate being rejected, persecuted and challenged and even be ready to lose your head by offering your heart to “the cause of justice and mercy.”

He said it to “followers” then…and Jesus still makes the same offer to millions of Christians in pews today.

   

Many theologians make the 3^rd step of this story sound like some si fi event or better yet like a movie.  Actually a kids movie. I think about the ending to Beauty and the Beast…or better yet…Shrek!! Remember true love means she give up her princess status to be transformed back to a ogre so she and Shrek can go dancing and singing through life.

In God’s creation, transformation is not science fiction or supernatural. Watch National Geographic! Or better yet, talk to religious folks who pray regularly, meditate and seek relationship with God.

   

 Every Christian who has had an experience with God during a retreat, prayer time, meditation or time of real emotional struggle knows, that God, in our head and in our heart, has this way of convincing us that we just may not be who we thought we were, or doing what we really could be doing.

Many have felt the hand of God on their back or arm, calming, comforting or redirecting their steps.

 Jesus has actually leaned forward from a cross on a wall to speak words of direction during a worship service, but was heard only by the one whose life was redirected.

Loved ones have spoken words of redirection or assurance from the place beyond to one who is listening.

Mark tells us, Peter, James and John heard God speak from a cloud and command them to “listen” to Jesus.

To those who are “listening” for God to speak they will hear when God has something to say to them.

Listening takes many forms but mostly it takes allowing ourselves to be vulnerable, something not easy for most.

We listen best when we are searching for answers, solutions or direction for our lives.

On the mountain top 2000 years ago, three disciples were pondering Jesus prediction                                                   about his death and resurrection.

How could this confessed King, sent to challenge Cesare and the Empire, sent to SAVE Israel, HOW, could that happen if he allowed the Empire and the religious leaders to short circuit his power and presence?

They didn’t understand but they did have ears and eyes to see as Jesus prayed and was transformed                                          in their sight and hearing,

from Jesus the man of miracles to Jesus Christ, the man of sorrows, come to save humanity.

They were present and uncertain as Jesus took his third step to his tomorrow.

Lent and Easter challenge Christian’s as Jesus did when he announced his future on the cross and in the tomb.

This year is a personal challenge for me with the first sentence of today’s sermon.

I invite you to join me this Wednesday evening as we begin 7 weeks of Lent, and a Sermon Series:

“That We Might Follow Him”