THE FIRST SUNDAY of LENT 2008

February 10, 2008

(Exodus 24:12-18; Ps. 99; Philippians 3:7-14; Matthew 17:1-9)

The Rev. Ken Kroohs

ONLY THROUGH THE CROSS

St. Christopher’s, High Point, NC

MAY THE WORDS OF MY MOUTH ... AND THE MEDITATIONS OF ALL OUR HEARTS ... BE ALWAYS ACCEPTABLE TO YOU --- OUR STRENGTH AND OUR REDEEMER   AMEN

   I love our worship space.  Back in the 1970's I came here several times when St. Christopher’s joined with other Episcopal churches for various events and I was always intrigued by this worship space.  The large windows which placed the world ... the real world into our worship is so different from many churches which exclude the world.  Other church designs tend to create a fortress feeling — in those we separate from, or even protected from the real world whereas at St. Christopher’s we get the opposite feeling.

   That said, the fortress approach can be comforting!  After all ... despite what we hear on the campaign trails ... that world out there is certainly not a Christian world! .... We should not be so egotistical to claim this world in here is a completely Christian world but a quick glance at CNN emphasizes THAT world is not.

   THAT world out there is confusing.  How can a completely loving and all powerful God create a world so unChristian?  Why is there evil?  Why is there pain?  Why would a loving God proclaim that “blessed are those who mourn?”

   Our theme for Lent is: “The world is only clear when viewed through the cross”.  Our lives only make sense when viewed through the cross.  Otherwise our view is very distorted, confused — very dark.  We think we understand ... until we really spend time reflecting than we understand how little we understand!!

   My answers to your questions will seem a bit incomplete – especially today.  I hope they will gain in depth and completeness as Lent proceeds.

   A few years ago we offered the Alpha here.  It has a fairly typical structure: a talk presented on DVD, then discussions.  Alpha has 15 talks each around a fairly narrow question about Christianity.

   I vividly remember one evening after the talk on “Why did Jesus have to die?” when a woman did not even wait for the discussion to begin before blurting out: “This has always bothered me!  Why would a supposedly loving God and Father send his son to have 4" nails driven through his hands!!!” ....

   A very good and deep question.  Consider, if God is all powerful and all loving, and if God wanted to change the world, why use a cross?  Why use his son’s suffering?  Why wouldn’t the all powerful and all loving God snap his fingers and change things?  We are told God created the universe basically with a finger snap — so why not change the universe the same way?

   Furthermore, why wait?  Why hasn’t the change, IF it happened and that’s certainly an open question ... why hasn’t it had a more obvious effect?  If Jesus’ death and resurrection was the answer than the reward has been a long time coming!

   I argue that today’s lesson for the Old Testament provides an important part of the answer to that question. ... Aside ... I am convinced that when we debate the unimportant aspects of scripture and thereby ignore the important parts, only evil wins.  I am convinced evil loves the debates over the Garden of Eden account because that means we are NOT discussing the lesson we are intended to learn!

   I argue that this lesson actually contains one of the, and maybe THE single most important teaching about our relationship with God.  Notice again what happens.  God creates Adam and Even and places then in the garden and then gives some instructions.  God tells them they can eat the fruit of any tree EXCEPT ....

   I have argued that the word “except” or “but” depending on your translation is the single most important word in all of scripture.  That one word tells us that we can make choices.  That one word explains that God created human beings with the ability to make choices.  That one word explains that God ... for whatever reason ... and I frequently wonder if God doesn’t regret this decision! ... That one word explains that God has given us freedom to act.  That one word tells us that God will not change the universe with a snap of his fingers ... no matter how tempting that may seem from time to time!!

   That one word tells us that God loves us enough to give us freedom. 

   The cross tells us that God loves us enough to do anything to help us make the correct choices. .... Notice I am not minimizing much less denying the cross’ role in our salvation.  I am suggesting .... and as I frequently tell you LOTS of people will disagree with me .... I am suggesting that the cross’ role in our salvation is not as magical as some describe.  The cross’ role is not, in my opinion, like Harry Potter waving his wand in a certain way and producing some result.

   In fact, I am suggesting the we have a part in the cross’ role in our salvation.  That our response to the cross is essential.

   BUT, we need to remember that our response is as the subservient member of the partnership and not an equal partner.  I think that may be the implication from the Gospel, and particularly when Jesus responds that you shall not put your God to the test. 

   This is an extremely serious issue that we frequently minimize.  The issue really is not: “will God respond” as Satan seems to suggest.  The issue is unconditional, versus conditional love.  Satan, the tempter tries to convince us that God’s love is conditional, it is something that must be proven, it is something we must earn.  The cross says that God’s love is unconditional.  The cross says that God’s love has been proven. 

   And the cross says that God’s love cannot be earned.  We frankly are not good enough to earn God’s love.  We frankly cannot be good enough to earn God’s love.  Despite that — God loves us.

   This world, this life only makes sense — only is clear when viewed through the cross.  May we continue to struggle with our sight.

           AMEN

We have previous sermons on our website.  To read an earlier recent sermon just enter: www.st-christopher.org/sermon.html.

CLICK HERE TO RESPOND: I would enjoy reading your comments about this sermon. Please feel free to discuss content or presentation.  (If you wish to use another email system send your comments to:  ken@st-christopher.com)