THIRD LENT March 15, 2009

the Rev. Ken Kroohs

(Genesis 17:1-7 & 15-16; Psalm 22:22-30; Romans 4:13-25; Mark 8:31-38)

CONSUMED BY ZEAL? NOT LIKELY!

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

Along with Jesus’ baptism, this story of the temple cleansing is one of the few in all four gospels. However, John’s version we just heard cause the scholars to write LOTS of books.

I love scholars. I enjoy reading their materials and hearing their thoughts. And I especially love telling them: you are missing the point!!

In this case the arguement is over the event’s timing. Today we heard from the 2^nd chapter of John’s gospel. He places this immediately after Jesus’ first miracle at the wedding feast in Cana when He turned water into wine. So John says this happens very early.

Scholars get all excited because the other gospels, Mathew, Mark and Luke all place this event at the end of Jesus ministry. In fact, they have it at the beginning of Holy Week. Many people argue this is the REAL reason Jesus was arrested, tried and killed. Not because of what He taught or the miracles ... the temple leaders could survive all that. But He was tried and killed because He messed with the temple leaders cash flow!

Some scholars go so far as to argue that in the disciples words: “zeal for your house will consume me”, the “consume me” refers to His death.

I would point out two things to the scholars concerned about the timing ... of course they would not likely listen to me but I would point out first, that John does not specifically say these events follow one after another. He is recounting things in Jesus’ life and we ASSUME they happened in the same chronological order but read it carefully and John never says that.

Second, I find no problem with the possibility that Jesus was in Jerusalem more than once and got upset at what was happening in the temple more than once. In fact, that seems to me to strengthen the idea that the last time especially upset the temple leaders.

But as I said ... it really does not matter! Let’s consider what did matter. In context Jesus’ actions seem a little strange. After all the Jewish laws were fairly specific that the people needed to come to the temple to worship. Furthermore Jewish laws specified what sacrifices had to be presented for what offenses ... and those sacrifices needed to be presented at the temple.

So if a person was to bring two turtle doves, or a lamb, and they were traveling several days it was much easier to purchase those at the temple then try to bring them from their village.

And when the person was to pay their temple tax, they were not allowed to do that with Roman or Greek coins because those bore the likeness of leaders who claimed to be a god. So, you had to have a money changer to help.

So these activities were necessary. Now those wonderful scholars split on what the problem was. Was Jesus upset because the merchants were making a large profit? Or, as some speculate, these activities had been done outside the temple until the temple leaders moved them inside so the temple got a bigger share of the profits.

Both interesting theories. Both DO NOT MATTER!

So what does matter? For the institutional church clearly there is a warning about focusing on the wrong things. Not to suggest that money or budget is unimportant, but the temple leaders were apparently putting LOTS of emphasis on money raising and, apparently, thereby reducing the focus on what matters. Reducing the focus on the fact that the temple was God’s house ... reducing the focus on God. Excessive focus on the material budget is always a danger.

Important teachings .... But there are not many churches where you walk through the gift store to get to the worship space! So what about us an individuals? What affect does this have on our daily lives? On our spiritual lives?

I suspect .... all the scholars set aside ... that the key phrase is that paraphrase from the 69^th psalm: “zeal for God’s house will consume me” --- message to the scholars – that would make a much more interesting book!

Go to page 679 in the Prayer Book. .... This is a wonderful psalm for us. The writer begins with the plea “save me, O God for the waters have risen up to my neck!” ----— ever felt that way?

This is even more powerful when we remember that for the Jews the seas represented chaos and disorder. So it is not just the physical death being discussed but drowning in the problems of life.

Go down to verse 4 ... the author says “my eyes have failed from looking for my God” .... ever felt deserted by God? ... Its OK. This is in scripture!

Then in verse 7 the author pleads that those, including him, who trust in God be never be put to shame. ... I did not have the time to count, but this very thought is frequently included in the psalms. People feel as if God has abandoned them and plead that their faith not be put to shame.

The author recounts how he has tried to stay faithful and in the process has become a stranger, even to his own family. He has been shamed in front on his friend. Zeal for God’s house has eaten him up.

If you read on in this psalm, this spiritual autobiography, you discover the author turns from simply asking for help to asking God to hurt his enemies. But then, in the last section, talks about what God has done and how he will praise God with thanksgiving. His zeal for God is strengthened - although I suspect it took several years.

Jump back to the link with the gospel ... the comment about zeal. Episcopalians are not known as “full of zeal” Certainly our worship services would not normally be described as “zealful”! (I made that word up.) Sometimes our worship is joyful, sometimes solemn, hopefully spiritual but zealful?

Notice that neither the psalm nor the Gospel suggested the need for charismatic enthusiasm in worship! Not there is anything inherently wrong with charismatic enthusiasm, it just is not required either.

Rather both talk about a zeal for God. Both do say something about a “zeal for God’s house” which would include the temple — or church. But neither is intended to limit that zeal to any specific part of God’s kingdom.

So ... what matters for us ... what this teaching is about in our lives ... is: “What do you have zeal for?” .... I know that is a dangerous question in the midst of basketball March madness! I am most likely to hear about a certain shade of blue uniform! Or orange or black & gold, or red.

Which raises an interesting question — what about God gives you the same zeal ..... oh, let’s be honest .... what about God gives you half the zeal you get for your favorite sports team? Or movie? Or music?

Forget about being consumed by zeal — what gives you some zeal? .... And if you are having a hard time thinking of anything I suspect that is an important symptom regarding our spiritual lives. The lack of zeal tells us something.

For me the zeal comes in when I get a chance to help someone grow closer to God. Usually it is not me personally helping them but I may have the chance to place them in a situation which will help them grow closer to God. The Bible study groups, the on-line Bible study, the various small groups, the various study groups, the prayer walk, our worship services, helping people be comfortable coming to — or even just considering coming to church.

Those activities can consume me at times! That’s in the sense that other things other people feel are important ... and are important ... get left aside.

That may be an important measuring stick — what about God would you be willing to set other things aside for? .... What about God would you be willing to set other things aside for?

Yes, being here today qualifies. Setting aside the golf game, lawn care, sleeping, to be in worship certainly qualifies. But what else?

And yes, being willing to contribute financially qualifies – even if “zeal” might not be the accurate description of our attitude!! Maybe for both worship and giving a more accurate description would be “habit” or “duty”.

So that’s two things, but I doubt either would qualify as something that consumes many of us. And wouldn’t it be wonderful to be consumed by zeal for God? Imagine for a moment that which gives you the most excitement — the most joy — the most zeal. Now imagine what it would be like to have a similar zeal for something about God’s kingdom. Not to replace your hobby or love but in addition to it.

What could it be? ... It will be different for each of us. There are times I take a trash bag and walk the street frontage of St. Christopher’s to pick up the trash. Part of that is because I want the property to look good. But part of it is because this is God’s house and we should respect it. That might be considered zeal.

People who lead the music every Sunday ... that might be zeal. NOT, I believe because the music is inherently important. But because the music can help people approach God.

People who help with the maintenance of our space — that could be zeal. NOT, I believe, because buildings are inherently important but because the facilities are necessary to provide those activities which help people approach God.

People who sort clothes at West End ministries or serve meals at Open Door ministry may be showing zeal.

I tried to pick some examples other than calling up friends and asking if you want to come to church. But that also is a great activity which can show a zeal for God and God’s kingdom.

Take that one hour each week that I have been talking about and experiment. Find your zeal.

Let us pray: Dear God, we do love you and want to follow you. Please inspire us to know what is your desire for our role in your kingdom, and then grant us the courage, energy, and zeal to live into that plan.

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)