“Perfect Love”

Meditation on Matthew 5:38-48

Feb. 23, 2014

‘You have heard that it was said, “An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.” ³⁹But I say to you, Do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also; ⁴⁰and if anyone wants to sue you and take your coat, give your cloak as well; ⁴¹and if anyone forces you to go one mile, go also the second mile. ⁴²Give to everyone who begs from you, and do not refuse anyone who wants to borrow from you.

43 ‘You have heard that it was said, “You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.” ⁴⁴But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, ⁴⁵so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous. ⁴⁶For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax-collectors do the same? ⁴⁷And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? ⁴⁸Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

***

     The elderly lady in a knitted cap wore a puzzled expression as she stood outside the fellowship hall of Christ United Presbyterian Church in Marshall. She watched as a few church members cleaned the kitchen after the coffee fellowship that followed the worship service. It was almost time to go home.

    I happened to be walking by as I waited for my husband, Jim, the interim pastor, to finish with his confirmation class. I had a rare opportunity to visit the small, downtown congregation last Sunday when I was on study leave. 

   As I was a stranger to the congregation, I didn’t know the lady in the knitted cap. She could have been a member or a first-time visitor, for all I knew. But she hadn’t come for worship at all. She was a regular for “Esther’s Kitchen,” a feeding program of Christ United Presbyterian and the food pantry Second Harvest. With donations and volunteers, the church provides a free meal every Thursday night for between 50 and 80 people.  It’s the only free meal in town.

      A church member named Barb has run the program for the last four years. She plans the meals, shops, and cooks and recruits and trains volunteers to help prepare and serve the food. The meals are open to everyone—no strings attached. You don’t have to be a member or attend church services. You don’t have to be a Christian or listen to a sermon. You don’t have to reveal your income or provide proof of your need. You don’t sign in or pre-register. You can come as often as you like. You can have seconds, if there’s food left after everyone is served—and there often is. And you may be able to take some of the food home with you because all of the leftovers are given away to the folks who come.  Barb makes sure the meals are well balanced and changes the menus frequently to suit people’s tastes. Favorites include shepherd’s pie, sloppy joe, and spaghetti.

      The program began 11 years ago with one free meal on Christmas Eve. When it was well attended and the need was obvious, the church decided to continue offering the free meals. They sought help from other churches, businesses, and nonprofits such as Second Harvest.

      It was and is a big project, a big commitment for a small church worshiping in a large, old building in need of major renovations and repairs. And Barb is a busy person—married with two children and a full-time job. There are times when she would rather not give up every Thursday night for this ministry, which is emotionally and physically demanding.

    But Barb and other volunteers keep on doing it. And the people keep on coming on Thursday nights. In May, the program will expand to 2 free meals a week through a grant from the nonprofit Loaves and Fishes. A staff person will be hired to take over the management of the program and help ease Barb’s burden. But she will stay involved.

     What she likes best about the ministry, she says, is that it provides opportunities for others to serve. Most who serve and partake of the meals are not members of Christ United. Some volunteers are college, high school, or confirmation students fulfilling a community service requirement. Others are families, groups from area churches, or just caring individuals who hear about the ministry and want to help.

    Those who come for the meal Thursday nights come by car or walk, some from nearby low-income housing. They may be employed or out of work. Widows or widowers. Divorced, married, single or single parents. They are young and elderly. They are families with small children. They are seniors living by themselves.

      Like worshipers who gravitate to the same pews every Sunday, visitors to Esther’s Kitchen sit at the same tables every Thursday and save places for people they have met through the program. People come not just for the food, Barb says.  They come for friendship. They come for love!

***

     Our gospel reading in Matthew, part of the Sermon on the Mount, is all about love. Jesus has already told the crowd and his disciples that the merciful and meek, the peacemakers, poor and persecuted are all blessed in the Kingdom of God.  Those who suffer for His sake are building up heavenly rewards.

    But today’s passage may be the most difficult message to receive of all. Jesus’ audience, living under Roman occupation, is living in a culture of violence. He knows the people want to retaliate against the violence and injustice they and their loved ones have endured. And yet he tells them to not to fight back. What’s more, he says to open themselves to even more persecution and suffering! Turn the other cheek—allow the evildoer to strike again when he hits you in the face! And when someone takes your outer garment—your coat—give him also your inner clothing—your cloak!

    This is love in the Kingdom—the love of our Heavenly Father for us revealed through the sacrifice of His Son. We don’t deserve His love. We haven’t done anything to earn it. This love is His gracious gift to all who believe and accept His love. This love gives and gives—and forgives! It doesn’t say “no” to any one with a need. It isn’t concerned about self, but only about the other. This love keeps on loving, even when the love is not returned!

     What Christ is teaching us when he tells us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us is that there is never a situation in which we are excused from loving. And there is not a person for whom we are not called to love and pray.

    Christ says that if you love those who love you—the people you already know and call your brothers and sisters in the faith—what reward do you have? How are you any different than unbelievers?

    Be perfect, therefore, like your Heavenly Father.

    Be perfect in your love.

***

   When Barb talked to me yesterday about Esther’s Kitchen, my response was, “How can my church be involved? What can I do to help?” It would be for us a new opportunity to serve, to reach out with the love of Christ, a love that seeks nothing in return.

     Before I talked with her, I had already been blessed by some of the fruits of Esther’s Kitchen when I encountered the lady in the knitted cap outside the fellowship hall.

      She had lost a coin purse when she had come for the meal Thursday night, she said. I offered to help her look for it. Inside the purse was a little bit of cash and a meal ticket for the Senior Center that cost $2 or $3. But soon, as we looked, she began to share about her life. And I realized that she had come to the church—to the fellowship hall where she knew people with Esther’s Kitchen—hoping to find someone to talk to. She had a neat story to tell—about a stranger who had come to her aid.

      She had driven her daughter to work and then went on another errand, but could not restart the car when she returned to it. She grew frightened because it was one of those below zero days and she was alone. So she stood in the road, gesturing with her arms. A driver pulled over and asked what was the matter.

    She was startled that he was dark skinned and spoke with a foreign accent. She wondered if she should be trusting this stranger.

    But he didn’t hesitate. He got in the front seat and tried to start her car. When the engine wouldn’t turn over, he went back to his car and returned with a box, she said. He proceeded to do something under the hood of her car with the box. Her car started up right away.

     She was so happy, she said, smiling and clapping her hands. She asked, “What I can do for you?”  She tried to give him some money.

    But he only shook his head and smiled. He took her hand and gave it a firm shake. And then he drove off.

   “Can you believe he did that for me?” she asked. “A stranger?”

    I smiled and said yes.

    She had had a divine encounter. And, if she thought about it, she might realize that it wasn’t unlike her meals at Esther’s Kitchen every Thursday night—served by kind strangers, seeking nothing in return.

     She had been touched by perfect love.

   

Let us pray.

Holy One, we thank you for your love for us—a love we can’t understand, a love that is difficult for us to accept and imitate. Help us, Lord, to be perfect as you teach us in your Word. Help us to love people without expecting anything in return. Give us courage to love people who are hard to love—and may even be unkind to us and scoff at our faith. Prick our hearts to such gratitude for what you have done for us through the sacrifice of your Son that we are moved to acts of kindness for others every day.  And we pray you would bless the ministry of Esther’s Kitchen and Christ United Presbyterian Church. Please guide and strengthen Barb and all the other volunteers who so generously give of themselves, their time, talents, and resources so that people in need may be nourished body, mind, and soul and be touched by your perfect love. In Christ we pray.  Amen.

“You are Salt and Light”

Meditation on Matthew 5:13-20

Feb. 9, 2014

***

       ‘You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot.

      ‘You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hidden. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.

     ‘Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter, not one stroke of a letter, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

***

     I can’t remember the first time I sang “This Little Light of Mine.”  I do remember singing it in Vacation Bible School and Sunday school when I was young. Along with “Jesus Loves Me,” probably most of you learned “This Little Light of Mine” when you were a child, too.

     Let’s see if we can remember the words.

"This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine.

This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine,
This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine,
let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

Hide it under a bushel - NO!
I'm gonna let it shine.
Hide it under a bushel - NO!
I'm gonna let it shine,
Hide it under a bushel - NO!
I'm gonna let it shine, Let it shine,
let it shine, let it shine.

Don't let Satan blow it out.
I'm gonna let it shine.
Don't let Satan blow it out.
I'm gonna let it shine
Don't let Satan blow it out.
I'm gonna let it shine,
let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

Let it shine till Jesus comes.
I'm gonna let it shine.
Let it shine till Jesus comes.
I'm gonna let it shine,
Let it shine till Jesus comes.
I'm gonna let it shine.
let it shine, let it shine, let it shine." 

     When I learned this song, I thought it was all about learning to be like Jesus, trying to be a good example of a Christian, so others would come to know Him. And it is. Shining my light meant that I should talk about my faith, share the gospel and never be ashamed, never “hide my light” from the world.  The song, not the scripture, taught me that I should guard my light from Satan, because he wanted to blow it out—and take my faith away.  That was a scary thought. 

      Thinking back to my childhood, I know for a fact that I wasn’t a good example of a Christian. My brother and I were always bickering and fighting. I wasn’t always respectful to my parents. My room was messy, though my parents wanted me to keep it clean. I wasn’t always grateful for what I had; I often wanted whatever my brother or friends had. I didn’t often think about people who were poor and hungry. I wasn’t a friend to the friendless. And, worst of all, I don’t remember ever talking about my faith to anyone other than my best friend, who was already a Christian. Let me put it this way.  I didn’t live to love and serve the Lord.  Life was all about me.

     Though I know God doesn’t hold my past failures against me, I am still ashamed of my selfishness. Though I had His light within me, I did not choose to allow His light to shine through me. I am sure that I didn’t understand just how much God loved me.

     Even now, as an adult who fully accepts God’s lavish grace and unconditional love, I know that I cannot possibly measure up to Christ’s call to righteous living and perfectly follow the laws of God. None of us can! The only way we are more righteous than the scribes and Pharisees is through belief on the blood of Christ shed for our sins.

    Yet Christ, in His grace, assures us,

   “You are the salt of the earth…. You are the light of the world.”

***

     Today’s passage on salt and light is part of the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus speaks to His disciples in the presence of a great crowd of sick and afflicted people who prompt the sermon in the first place but who also listen attentively to His words.  Christ is talking about the crowd and His disciples when he says, “Blessed are the poor in spirit… those who mourn… and those who are merciful… the pure in heart… and the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God.” The salt and light verses immediately follow Jesus saying that those who are persecuted, falsely accused, hated and reviled because of Him are blessed!  They will receive their reward in heaven. Rejoice and be glad, Christ says, for the prophets were persecuted, too.

     The disciples, upon hearing Christ’s “You are the salt of the earth….You are the light of the world…” may have had mixed feelings. They may have, like me, been convicted of their own unworthiness. They may have been fearful of the future—and the suffering Christ said they would endure for Him. And they may have felt joy to be so valuable for God’s plan for the salvation of the world.

    Salt in the ancient world was a prized preservative; without it in a warm climate with no refrigeration food spoiled quickly. Salt was necessary for ancient sacrifice and a coveted culinary item; it brings out the flavor of foods.

     Light, in ancient writings, is often a metaphor for goodness, purity, wisdom, understanding, and truth. Light brings comfort and guides us at night as it illumines our way, revealing any obstacles or dangers along the path. The power of light is that it penetrates darkness—and the darkness is no more.   

 ***

   As a pastor now, I hear this passage in Matthew speaking not just to individuals, but to the entire Church. This is our calling, friends—to walk in His light, to be lights for Him, and to share His light! Jesus in John 8:12 says, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."

     Our Lord speaks to Christians in every time and place when He says, “You are the salt of the earth…You are the light of the world…”

      On our own, our lights may seem “little” like the song we learned in childhood. But together as the Body of Christ our light shines like a city on a hill. Our light cannot be hidden! And Satan can never take it away.

      Jesus doesn’t want us to look back and dwell on past mistakes. You and I will learn to forgive ourselves as we understand, more and more, that we are God’s beloved. Our Heavenly Father wants us to live in the present moment, to trust in Him now and move forward with what He wants us to do.

      We all have Christ’s loving, living presence inside of us. His Spirit is a gift to us from our gracious God at our baptism.  His light that dwells within us leads us to do good works for the world to see as a witness to the Father’s glory.

     Sharing His light means sharing His love, showing His compassion and kindness to people in need. We may not be aware of it, but we take Christ’s light, His reconciling peace and calming presence, everywhere we go. It’s up to us to let His light shine, let it shine, let it shine! 

      Being a light in the darkness means that we may be persecuted and hated, and suffer for His sake. But we are blessed! By sharing His light, we are building our treasure in heaven. Be assured today that God loves you and accepts you just the way you are. You are important to Him. The Lord is using you for His purposes, despite your flaws and weaknesses. Despite the mistakes of the past. And He will continue to use you for His work—to use US for His work—until He comes again.

      Listen!

     Jesus says, “You are…”

    “You are the salt of the earth…. the light of the world.”

Let us pray.

Holy Father, thank you for sending your light into our darkness and for filling us with the light of Christ at our baptism. Thank you for your unconditional love and forgiveness through belief on your Son, whose shed blood was sufficient for all sin. Please help us to walk in your ways and always choose to let your light shine through us.  Move us to share your love and compassion with people who do not know Jesus as their Savior.  Reassure us every day that we are your beloved and that the past mistakes aren’t held against us. That you’re not keeping score! Lead us to greater deeds of faith and to do your good works as a witness to your glory.   In Christ we pray.  Amen.

“Foolishness!”

Meditation on 1 Corinthians 1:10–18

Jan. 26, 2014

***

     Now I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you should be in agreement and that there should be no divisions among you, but that you should be united in the same mind and the same purpose. For it has been reported to me by Chloe’s people that there are quarrels among you, my brothers and sisters. What I mean is that each of you says, ‘I belong to Paul’, or ‘I belong to Apollos’, or ‘I belong to Cephas’, or ‘I belong to Christ.’ Has Christ been divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, so that no one can say that you were baptized in my name. (I did baptize also the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized anyone else.) For Christ did not send me to baptize but to proclaim the gospel, and not with eloquent wisdom, so that the cross of Christ might not be emptied of its power. For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

***

      Last time we were together, we prayed for our friend Marylynn. She was preparing to travel to Nicaragua for another short-term mission trip—her 10^th with Save A Generation. The Christian organization helps people living in poverty in remote Nicaraguan villages.

      She arrived home safely Friday night. She wanted me to be sure and tell you how grateful she was for our church’s donation. The $1500 bought medicines to treat pneumonia, skin diseases, bacterial infections, and parasites.  She had had very little sleep all week. The team spent the first night of the journey sleeping in an airport when ice delayed their flight. Then in Nicaragua, the group rose early each day to travel to minister to people. Sometimes they traveled and ministered in 2 or more villages in one day.

      The big disappointment of the trip was that the Nicaraguan government, at the last minute, did not permit the American doctors to treat any of the Nicaraguan people. The group was able, however, to find two Nicaraguan doctors from the town willing to go with them to help the people in remote areas who could not afford or access medical care.

        The highpoint of the mission was the Bible school.

        “Bible school was amazing,” Marylynn said. “The best we ever had!” Five hundred ten children attended Bible school over 4 or 5 days. As many as 75 or 100 children would crowd into a room not much bigger than her own living room, she said. Marylynn had brought Spanish language Bible storybooks and coloring books. She and a translator led the children to sing songs and play games, such as a Spanish version of “Simon Says” that made the children giggle.

      The most moving experience of the trip was the children’s reaction when she and the local pastor told the stories of Jesus calming the storm and the Prodigal Son, and the children acted them out. And these children, many who live without adequate food or clothing or decent housing, were lifted out of their situation for a few hours.  Those lucky enough to be chosen for the dramas were so proud! “They were movie stars!” Marylynn said.

      But she is aware that some Christians criticize the short-term mission model that churches have come to embrace over the years. Critics say that short-term mission isn’t really good for the people the groups seek to serve. And it doesn’t change the hearts and minds of the people who go. Some who go are just thrill seekers, tourists looking for an exotic vacation. Their motivation is selfish. And others would say that Marylynn, though motivated by compassion for people in need and a desire to please the Lord, is being foolish—risking her health and spending money she could be using to enjoy her retirement.  

     Marylynn has heard the critics, but still she goes. The mission, she says, is an opportunity to be a servant.

     And above all, for Marylynn, it is a matter of the heart.

***

   We return to the apostle Paul and the troubled church in Corinth in our Epistle reading today. Members are boasting of their allegiance to the evangelist or preacher who baptized them. They are claiming status according to the importance or popularity of their baptizer.  The church has become divided. They are no longer loving or serving one another—or helping people in need.

    Paul says he is glad that he hardly baptized any of them! He wouldn’t want anyone to claim status because of him. His message is that ministry isn’t about us or our beautiful speeches or any of the things we do. Ministry is about obedience to Christ, who calls us to take his message to the world. The message isn’t about our own greatness or accomplishments. The message is the scandal—and hope—of the cross, where the only One who could save us from our sins died and rose again.

    The message of the cross should humble us! It should stir us to be more grateful and let go of selfishness and pride. The message of the cross should move us to forgive one another and be kind to one another—as the Lord graciously forgives us and is always kind to us. The message of the cross should touch our hearts and change our lives.

    We shouldn’t be afraid to appear foolish—for Christ’s sake. For those who are perishing, Paul says, the message of the cross is foolishness. But to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

***

     It was fun talking to Marylynn last night—hearing about the success of the Bible school. It was good to know that she was home, safe and sound. Before she left, she told me that she wonders if it will be her last trip to Nicaragua. The children of the villages are doing well—so much better than the first time she visited 10 years ago. She knows that God opens and closes doors to ministry. She trusts the Lord will guide her in the decision. She has faith the Lord will use her for His work—wherever the Spirit leads her to go.

       Today, we will joyfully install five new ruling elders. They, too, are stepping out in faith, trusting that God will guide them. The Lord will use them for His work, if they seek to obey His call on their lives. And go where the Spirit leads them to go.

      Being a ruling elder, like the mission to Nicaragua, is an opportunity to be a servant. Ruling elders give of themselves to be good examples for the rest of us and to help us become a better church, following more closely in Christ’s footsteps. They are motivated by compassion for people in need and a desire to please the Lord.

     Some may be a little scared of this new mission. It is an awesome responsibility. But remember:  you’re not alone. We will do this together—as a church. As brothers and sisters in Christ.

    God is with us!

    My prayer is that our ruling elders will never lose focus, never become divided. May they always keep in mind the goal—proclaiming the gospel to the world.  May they never be afraid to appear foolish!

    May this always be for them a matter of the heart.

   And friends, let us all remain united in Christ, seeking to be His faithful servants. And may the message of the cross never be foolishness to anyone who comes to our church.

    May it be to us all who are being saved the power of God.

Let us pray.

Holy One, thank for the faithfulness of the many Christian missionaries who serve You by reaching out to needy people around the world.  Thank you for their obedience to the call of Christ to proclaim the gospel to all the nations—and to live a life worthy of the call. Thank you for the message of the cross, for the promise of eternal life through belief on the Son and our forgiveness through Him. Lord, humble us. Lead us to be more generous with ourselves, giving our time, talents, and other resources to build your kingdom. Help us to see your work never as a burden and always as an opportunity for us to be your servants. And may ministry in your church, community, and world be for us all a matter of the heart! In Christ we pray.  Amen.