2nd Sunday of Advent

December 09, 2007

the Rev. Ken Kroohs

(Isaiah 11:1-10; Ps. 72:1-8; Romans 15:4-13; Matthew 3:1-12)

CREATING BARRIERS TO JESUS

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 was asked an interesting question last week ... Why do we say the confession every week but never talk about how to correct those mistakes? .... Why do we admit to those mistakes – those sins but not talk about how to live a better life?

 

  After some reflection I would answer that question in three ways.  First, as a community we do talk about how to avoid sin, repent, and change our lives but we do that before the confession in the teaching part of the service.  So it is true that the connection may not be clear and direct.

 

  Second, it certainly is vitally important for us as individuals to have the opportunity to focus on our lives in direct and personal ways.  Someone wrote on the “dreams” list – accountability groups.  I am not exactly sure what that person meant, but the way I understand that phrase is to have a small group which meets very regularly — weekly is best — and as part of the conversation I speak about how I want my life to change.  The group’s responsibility, which typically is primarily to listen, is to hold me accountable. 

 

  For example, I was a member of such a group for about 20 years.  If I told them I had not done any Bible study for a month but intended to start up, then repeated that same comment for a couple weeks — eyebrows got raised!  I was accountable to them and I would certainly do some Bible study before the next time we met!

 

  The third answer to the question about our confession would be — “You know, you are right.  We don’t make the connection directly enough.”

 

  One of the reasons we don’t make the connection more clearly is that although we are all saying the same words we are all confessing different sins.  That’s why the words in each of the services are fairly general: “we are heartily sorry for these our mis-doings” ... “for what we have done and for what we have left undone” ... “for things done in our name”.

 

  Some statements are more direct: “we have not loved you with our whole heart” ... “we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves” — but even those sins are lived out differently by each of us.  Each of us does not love our neighbors as ourselves in different ways.

 

  So let’s try to focus down a bit more.  Our Isaiah reading continues the flow of the prophet speaking about what will happen when the true kingdom of God is alive on earth.  I think that is fair way to look at what should be our personal goals.  That is, Isaiah describes the mark we should be aiming at, and when we miss that mark it is what we call “sin”.

 

  I believe that in understanding Isaiah we need to understand the language a bit.  When Isaiah speaks about “delight is in fear of the Lord”, I don’t believe Isaiah is speaking about “fear” as in “I am afraid of the mugger”.  Rather he is using the word in the sense of “awe”.  I am afraid to play Tiger Woods in golf — I am in “awe” of him.  I would look like a complete idiot next to Tiger Woods!!  The person in right relationship with God ... the righteous person ... is in awe of God.  Their delight is in awe of God .. in knowing the wonder and majesty of God.

 

  The remainder of Isaiah’s teaching focuses on peacefulness.  Some scholars argue that peacefulness is such a major theme because Israel was always being attached, and defeated, by someone.  That’s probably true but peacefulness between individuals is just as important a theme.  When we are not peaceful to our neighbors we certainly are not loving our neighbors.

 

  So a direct, personal question for the confession: “how are you not peaceful toward other people?” ... and what do you intend to do about it?”

 

  Then we reach Romans.  I think we slide too quickly past the beginning of this lesson: “Whatever was written in former days” that’s is the Hebrew Scriptures, what we call the Old Testament ... “Whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that by steadfastness and encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope.”

 

  Notice a couple things.  Remember, Paul is clear that the gentiles do not have become Jews to be saved.  So it is not about obeying every procedural rule.  But it is about understanding that God wrote the Bible to help us.  That the rules are in there because they help us — not because of some arbitrary decision by God.  It is like when the parent tells the child not to run into the street.  The child may resent the parent interfering with their play but it is for the child’s benefit. .... Oh, in that image, we are the children!

  Second, notice the emphasis on hope.  That may be difficult for us to connect with.  If ... a mighty big “if” ... our lives are already wonderful and perfect, and “if” the next life is already absolutely reserved for us ... then there is no need for hope.

 

  On the other hand, if we know that our lives ... these lives could be better.  If we acknowledge that we don’t really deserve God’s love and compassion than we are left only with hope.

 

  Notice Paul’s focus on scripture “encouraging” us.  He explains how scripture tells us we can believe, we can have faith, we can have hope.  What’s interesting about that is how we may miss the power of the word.  To “encourage” means to “give courage”.  When Paul speaks about scripture “encouraging us” he means that we can gain courage to live the life intended for us.

 

  Which presents a direct, personal question for the confession: “With the encouragement of scripture are you steadfast in following God’s rules?  If not, what do you intend to do about it?”

 

  When we get to the gospel we have an interesting scene.  John the Baptist’s activities are in many ways similar to our baptisms.  He is washing the sins away — that is how it was understood. 

 

  When John shouts “REPENT”! — for those of us who do not like the fire and brimstone style of preaching we would have HATED John the Baptist!  When John shouts out REPENT they all understand it to mean: “change your lives”. 

 

  Again, we tend to confuse words.  We tend to confuse “repentance” with “confession”.  They are very different.  “Confession” is to fess up – to admit what we have done.  The student who admits to cheating has “confessed” but if they cheat again they have not “repented”. 

 

  So to “repent” requires we first confess — we first understand what behavior needs to change.  But simply to confess is not enough.  Simply to say these words each week, even if we associate each phrase with specific actions when we did wrong, is not enough.  We must turn around, take another path, that’s what repentance means.

 

  Notice also how John is described: “the voice of one crying in the wilderness – prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.”

 

  The image is of a great ruler coming into a village.  The villagers would improve the road to make the ruler’s journey easier.  We are being told we should make Jesus’ – God’s journey easier.

 

  Huh? .... Imagine for a moment, and I think this image is legitimate, imagine for a moment that each of our sins are a roadblock ... a barrier that Jesus must move around to reach us.  Imagine that when we don’t treat people around us well, that creates a barrier to Jesus.  When we speak rudely to the check-out clerk ... when we blow our leaves at the lawn next door ... when we cut off that person in traffic.  The big ones we identify easily, such day to day actions we can easily ignore.  When we do such things we have created barriers that Jesus must find a way around.

 

  Or, I suspect even more frequently, in the words of the confession “things we have left undone” — times when we could have served God.  99% of the time – probably more — we serve God by serving God’s children.  So this speaks to times when we could have ministered to one of God’s children but did not.  Be it through organizations such as angel trees, or habitat, or Hospice, or Open Door, or the food pantry, or the cancer cart, or the church ... or more individually — the person who needs a meal, the person who needs a break from care giving .... when we leave things - ministries undone we are creating barriers to Jesus.

 

  John tells us to repent – to stop creating barriers and remove those we have already created.

 

  It appears to me that John is making the distinction between confession and repentance when he calls the Sadducees and Pharisees a brood of vipers.  He tells them to bear fruit — take actions which befits — indicates, demonstrates, implements repentance. ... “repent” is an active verb – not passive.

 

  So a direct, personal question for the confession: “What barriers have you created for Jesus?” ... and what do you intend to do about it?”

 

  The other difficulty with the confession is that if we are honest and sincere we can easily slip into depression – into the feeling we will never be good enough. .... Which is true we never will be good enough but that is why Paul tells us: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.”   

         

                              AMEN

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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)