This message was first delivered at Court Street United Methodist Church in Lynchburg, Virginia on August 23, 2019. It is based on the lectionary texts of Luke 13:10-17.
Have
Courage and Be Kind
Luke
13:10-17 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
Now he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath. And just then there appeared a woman with a spirit that had crippled her for eighteen years. She was bent over and was quite unable to stand up straight. When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said, “Woman, you are set free from your ailment.” When he laid his hands on her, immediately she stood up straight and began praising God. But the leader of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had cured on the sabbath, kept saying to the crowd, “There are six days on which work ought to be done; come on those days and be cured, and not on the sabbath day.” But the Lord answered him and said, “You hypocrites! Does not each of you on the sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from the manger, and lead it away to give it water? And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen long years, be set free from this bondage on the sabbath day?” When he said this, all his opponents were put to shame; and the entire crowd was rejoicing at all the wonderful things that he was doing.
That is quite the scene isn't it? Really no way to start this message with a funny story – because Jesus cuts right to the point, I've got to start there myself. Because he isn't just talking to one guy – he's addressing an attitude that we need to be cautious of ourselves. That's the attitude of being God's enforcers. Which clearly is out of our lane. How many times does the Bible have to tell humanity that judgment isn't our job for us to get it?
We need to be like the crowd of followers that were rejoicing at all the wonderful things that Jesus was doing – not judging the WAY he was doing it. Because the leader of the synagogue wasn't offended that Jesus healed the woman – he wanted to point out that what Jesus did was illegal. He wanted to point out that Jesus was a rule breaker. That he was a rabble rouser. A trouble maker. Hmmm...think somebody is feeling threatened by the new concept of people having a direct relationship to God?
Jesus is here to bring a new way of connecting to the creator and the guys in charge of the current system are not happy. Their existence relied upon the old way of reconciliation through acts of burnt sacrifice and offerings to the temple – there was a whole economic system of selling the animals for sacrifice...these were prestigious and very political positions. And now this “Messiah” is telling the people that God loves them? The establishment is already starting to unravel. And we know what happens soon – they whip up a frenzy against Jesus only days after the crowd cheered at his arrival.
Jesus knew exactly what the synagogue leader was getting at. In verse 14 Luke characterizes the leader as “indignant” or “angry” - the Common English Bible translation says the leader was “incensed that Jesus had healed on the Sabbath.” And the guy loudly protests to the crowd about it. “There are six days during which work is permitted. Come and be healed on those days, not on the Sabbath day.” Whoa. Who is he mad at? He's mad at Jesus but yelling at the people! He's ticked at the crowd for following!
Now we are getting to one of the real issues with the leadership of that time. They are going crazy with worry because this Jesus-guy's teachings are creating a tremendous buzz with huge groups and he isn't telling people about staying in line with The Law. He's telling people that God loves them and that the meek will inherit the earth and stuff.
And this isn't the first time Jesus has been healing on the Sabbath. In Luke 4 he cast a demon out of a man in the synagogue at Capernaum. In Luke 6 he heals a man with a withered hand right after he's been called out for picking grain and eating it on the sabbath. Great crowds are following Jesus and he is healing and teaching.
And the leadership of the day is furious – they are already talking about “what to do to Jesus.” Think about how they felt when Jesus started talking like this: Luke 6:21-23 gives hope to the ones on the bottom - Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, for surely your reward is great in heaven; for that is what their ancestors did to the prophets.
These are words of comfort to the people who are poor, hungry, weeping, hated, excluded...hope for blessings to come!
But to Jesus' enemies – this is salt in a wound. Who is he to promise the kingdom of God to them? And then verses 24-26 leaves no room for doubt about what Jesus sees in THEIR future: But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. Woe to you who are full now, for you will be hungry. Woe to you who are laughing now, for you will mourn and weep. Woe to you when all speak well of you, for that is what their ancestors did to the false prophets. Jesus pulls no punches – if you've made it to the top by stepping on those you believe are beneath you – look out.
In today's Gospel lesson we heard Jesus express that doing the right thing is never at a wrong time. Do justice and mercy always. This woman did not need to wait for the right time to be healed – healing was at hand and couldn't be held back. Jesus isn't patient when he is challenged about it. He points out their hypocrisy – they aren't applying the rules evenly!
The commandment that is at the core of the objection is “remember the sabbath and keep it holy.” It is a direction to set aside the day for honoring God, resting from the usual routine, to worship. A day set apart.
When I was growing up – I loved reading the Little House on the Prairie books. Also watched the TV show, but it wasn't quite the same. In several of the books there were stories of quiet (and sort of boring) Sundays with Laura and her sisters not allowed to run and play like on other days. Instead there would be quiet reading and sewing. No cards, no laundry...sigh.
But the one thing that young Laura Ingalls and I noticed was that Pa still had to feed the horses or ox. Ma didn't do a lot of cooking on Sundays but they still had food. Life still had to go on. Animals still need care – and so did humans. That wasn't really considered “work” - in Pa and Ma Ingalls' opinion, anyway.
Jesus points out the exact same thing to the leader of the synagogue - You hypocrites! Does not each of you on the sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from the manger, and lead it away to give it water? And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen long years, be set free from this bondage on the sabbath day?
He needs them to define their terms better – if taking care of your ox or donkey isn't work...then surely you can't consider what I just did to be work! All I did was call her over, speak a few words, lay my hands on her. Didn't even break a sweat. So if you are going to call an act of healing mercy work – then you've got a fight on your hands. Because this isn't work...this is just a part of who I am. And you're not going to stop me.
Okay – I added that part. But I think it is implied. Jesus keeps on running up against the rich and powerful and he doesn't back down. He tells them to get their house in order – to readjust their priorities...and they don't seem to be getting on board with this concept of caring for the least and unloved.
How about us? I know I've always aligned myself more with the poor and hungry in the beatitudes – but I need to check myself on the attitude part lest I get too cocky on the inheriting the kingdom thing.
Am I aligned fully with the heart of God? Do I look for the best in people? Do I see the shape of God in the guy who should learn how to drive or the lady who just threw that can in the river? Am I willing to reach out to the least and the lost? Or just when there isn't any real risk to me? And how about this whole idea of loving my enemies??
A favorite author once paraphrased Jesus' words in Luke 6:32 – if you love those who love you...big whooo. The NRSV states is more formally, If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. But I like Father Greg's better – if you love those who love you...big whooo. We've got to face the bigger picture – what we've been called to be in the world. We're supposed to let the love of God flow through us onto everyone we encounter.
Let me share the whole love message from Luke 6:27-36 from Eugene Peterson's The Message: To you who are ready for the truth, I say this: Love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer for that person. If someone slaps you in the face, stand there and take it. If someone grabs your shirt, giftwrap your best coat and make a present of it.
If someone takes unfair advantage of you, use the occasion to practice the servant life. No more tit-for-tat stuff. Live generously.
Here is a simple rule of thumb for behavior: Ask yourself what you want people to do for you; then grab the initiative and do it for them! If you only love the lovable, do you expect a pat on the back? Run-of-the-mill sinners do that. If you only help those who help you, do you expect a medal? Garden- variety sinners do that. If you only give for what you hope to get out of it, do you think that’s charity? The stingiest of pawnbrokers does that.
I tell you, love your enemies. Help and give without expecting a return. You’ll never—I promise—regret it. Live out this God-created identity the way our Father lives toward us, generously and graciously, even when we’re at our worst. Our Father is kind; you be kind.
I like the way Peterson's paraphrase cuts right to the heart of the matter. Jesus is giving us the step-by-step instructions on what to do. When people say “I just don't know what the Lord wants me to do...” - well maybe they should look at some of these verses to help them decide. Help and give without expecting a return. Love the way the Father loves. Be kind.
One of my favorite movies in recent years was the 2015 version of Cinderella with Cate Blanchett as the evil stepmother and Helena Bonham Carter as the super strange fairy godmother. But one of the recurring lines was what Cinderella's mother told her before she died: Have courage and be kind. That's pretty wonderful advice. It not only got the fictional Cinderella through years of neglect and abuse – it can get us through the storms of life. Because what more can we do than to have courage – trusting in our anchor to hold fast until the storm is past...and to be kind.
Jesus even gave us what NOT to do – literally right after he told us what TO do (love your enemies...if you've forgotten) then he told us what NOT to do – Luke 6:37 tells us Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. A couple verses later he tells us why Can a blind person guide a blind person? Will not both fall into a pit? The number one reason to not judge is that we are NOT good at it! How should I be able to tell you what is on God's mind? Am I God? (clearly, that answer is no) We are so often so sure that we know the “truth” - the right way is obviously the way that I'm headed, right? Maybe...maybe not...
A few years ago, 1996, when the Olympic Games were held in Atlanta, GA – an American police officer named Richard Jewell became known in connection with the Centennial Olympic Park bombing. Discovering a backpack filled with three pipe bombs on the park grounds, Jewell alerted police and helped to evacuate the area before the bomb exploded, saving many people from injury or death. Initially hailed by the media as a hero, Jewell was later considered a suspect. Despite never being charged, he underwent a "trial by media" with great toll on his personal and professional life. Eventually he was completely exonerated and Eric Robert Rudolph was later found to have been the bomber. In 2006 (after ten years!?), Governor Sonny Perdue publicly thanked Jewell on behalf of the state of Georgia for saving the lives of those at the Olympics.
We are human. We are quick to judge. We often discover that our initial judgment is completely wrong. We see the surface appearance of a person or a situation. We think we have all of the facts. Or at least enough of the facts.
The second (and probably more important) reason not to judge is that it isn't our job. Luke 6:40 and 41: A disciple is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully qualified will be like the teacher. Why do you see the speck in your neighbor’s eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye?
Jesus is telling us to stay in our lane – we are just the blind leading the blind much of the time. We need to check the log in our own eye and not spend all our time pointing out dust in other eyes.
The leader of the synagogue in today's Gospel lesson was part of an establishment that was really sure they knew what God wanted. And that was for people to stay in line and …. wait, that is really what THEY wanted.
Perhaps they had lost touch with what God wanted (or maybe they didn't think about that). So Jesus reminded them what is really important – and it isn't about what day of the week healing takes place. It's the healing.
Jesus just saw a woman who was hurting. She had been crippled by some condition – for EIGHTEEN years she could not straighten up. That is a very long period of time. From birth to graduation from high school. In 18 years from now I'll be old enough to retire. That feels like a very long time. As you are reading it in your Bible or hearing me read it – it is just a number. But think back to what was going on in your life 18 years ago. This country had not yet experienced the tragedy of 9/11. Does 18 years have more meaning now? Now imagine being unable to straighten your body that long.
Jesus said that enough was enough – this daughter of Abraham did not need to wait for one more day to be healed. It was about her feeling the powerful love of God coursing through her body and that spirit that was keeping her bent released and she praised God. And the people joined in.
We have a choice. Do we join in with the grumblers or the rejoicers? Are we called to be conduits of God's love or what?
And we do that by having compassion. And it isn't always easy – because we don't have the expansive heart that God has. But we are encouraged to at least try! Jesus could heal conditions with the touch of his hand – we work to heal conditions of brokenness in the world around us. Fractured relationships, people on difficult paths, souls tortured by all kinds of abuse – physical, emotional...we are called to reach out to those who are imprisoned, orphaned, lost and lonely. The ones who consider themselves “other.”
Sometimes it is enough to simply acknowledge how wide the gulf is that we all hope to bridge. To love those who are outside of our circles – to embrace the stranger. To reach out to the neighbor. To say a prayer for an unknown person when you hear a siren. To step in when you see someone struggling. To say, I care.
We seek to be in the world who God is. With a compassion that can stand in awe at what the poor have to carry, without standing in judgment of how they carry it. We do it with God's help.
Jesus helps set our priorities straight. The healing is more important than the when or how. The priority is to seek out those who are suffering and bring them release. And if that rubs some people the wrong way – then you are in pretty good company.
Let's all be troublemakers like Jesus. To seek justice and do mercy.
In the words of John Wesley - Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can.
Amen.
