Jesus is In the Boat

We are comfortable with the idea of Christianity – after all it’s been around for close to 2000 years. And in this country-- and for us – Christianity has become a part of our tradition, and our heritage. We are used to what sociologists call our Judeo-Christian foundations and ethics. So used to it that sometimes maybe we forget that Christianity was not always around… so used to it that maybe we forget that when Christianity hit – it hit like an 10-on-the-Richter-scale-earthquake – maybe we forget that Christianity was a monumental change that rocked the world and shook up a whole lot of people. We are living in a time of monumental rapid change that seems constant. Sometimes things change before we are able to get used to the previous change – sometimes we lag behind numerous changes. Change can make us feel really good…and then again, change can make us miserable and uncomfortable. However, from the day Jesus was born and from the day he showed up at the Jordan River – his mission was about challenge and change. Jesus challenged every known belief of his time. He chipped away at the patriarchal system by speaking to and associating with women in public – and by including them among his disciples. He broke the sacred cleanliness laws when he touched a leper and let a bleeding woman touch him. He broke natural law when he turned a few fish and loaves of bread into a feast for 5,000. He broke Jewish Law when he worked and healed on the Sabbath. He stood in the synagogue, and in the Temple, and in the streets and he challenged the way things had always been done - challenged the authorities – both religious and civil – challenged people and their way of living and their way of thinking. He inserted himself into societal norms; political thought; cultural beliefs; and religious doctrine. He made waves, pushed the envelope, caused problems, infuriated people and scared people. He had the audacity to question the authority of the Hebrew Scriptures //// and thousands of years of religious teaching; the audacity to reinterpret Scripture: You have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, but I say…..and he said an awful lot that changed what it meant to murder, to divorce, to commit adultery, to swear falsely, to turn the other cheek..to love and pray for your enemies. And to fly further into the face of every authority he added the 11th commandment: love one another --just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. And to add insult to injury he told people he was God’s son and the fulfillment of the law. And he lost followers –we know this because it’s recorded: From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him. And he caused families to break up; and he caused schism in the Temple and in the synogogue. And some considered his ideas and his proclamations crazy – even his family said so... And some said he was evil – that he came from the devil and was the leader of demons. And he was hated, considered a blasphemer, made so many enemies that there was a plot to kill him…a plot based on lies and conjecture and opinion – all of which fueled the hatred of the crowds – that plot to kill Jesus succeeded. We know that sometimes his disciples didn’t understand why he did what he did or why he said what he said. We know that his disciples were not happy every time Jesus upset the traditional applecart – when they tried to shoo the children away from him – and when they found him talking to that woman at a well – and how many times did they try to get him to stop talking about all that betrayal and dying stuff. But he didn’t stop any of it – he forged ahead – taking the people into a future they could not yet imagine. And we know that when the Holy Spirit came upon them = and when the disciples --now apostles left that house and began to preach and teach and heal…the authorities plotted to kill them too = because they were afraid of what was happening to their faith --- and they said – these are a people who are turning the world upside down. Right now the PCUSA has turned many a world upside down. Some in a good way – and others in a very bad way. Some in this denomination are – like Miriam and David - dancing --and others – like Job -have put on ashes and sackcloth. Some believe their prayers have been answered, and other prayers are filled with questions. But we have been here before – with Luther and Calvin. Been here before when we allowed divorcees to become elders, when we allowed African Americans to leave the balcony and join us on the main floor, when we invited women to take on leadership positions as elders, deacons, and yes, ministers. And..When we said yes to the gifts a person brought to ordination. Oddly enough we had a combination of happy, sad, joyful, and despairing even when the divided northern and southern churches came back together and we once again became one church – the PCUSA. A thought from our book study struck me as I considered this sermon. The author wrote that when the disciples dropped everything to follow Jesus, they had no idea what they were in for..no idea what would happen..no idea about the end game. After I thought about it for a while, I thought Well, neither did they ask. When they became members of Christ’s mission - They didn’t ask for an agenda or an itinerary, didn’t ask for a promise or a guarantee that it would be smooth sailing from then until whenever. But – in this faith journey - they witnessed the good, bad, and the ugly…and miracles --and helped establish a diverse community made one in Christ – this thing called the church. The thing called the church is always symbolized by a ship - tossed periodically on the sea of disbelief, worldliness, and persecution but finally reaching safe harbor with its cargo of human souls. This morning we heard of a great windstorm that suddenly arose on the sea of galilee. And as the boat that carried Jesus and the disciples began to pitch and sway – as the waves began to sweep higher and crash into the boat – the disciples became scared and unnerved and cried out Lord save us – we are perishing. But Jesus who was in that boat – and Jesus who is in this boat with us right now as I speak…said: Why are you afraid – you of little faith. And like he did then -- now today Jesus will get up, rebuke the wind, and in his loving mercy and grace he will show HIS church how to be calm…and how to reach safe harbor. Today we are reminded that no matter what we humans think or do or say – no matter if we agree or disagree -- Jesus is in charge of this ship called the church.