EDITOR'S NOTE: On Oct. 23, 2021, I was ordained as a minister of word and sacrament in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and installed as pastor at Faith Lutheran Church in Wolverton, Minn. I also served the same church for four years from October 2017 to October 2021 a synodically authorized minister. The journey together these past four years has been an amazing one, full of learning, growing and a deepening of my theological mind. This sermon took place on June 28, 2023.
This week's gospel: Matthew 10:24-39
24 “A disciple is not above the teacher nor a slave above the master; 25 it is enough for the disciple to be like the teacher and the slave like the master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household!
Whom to Fear
26 “So have no fear of them, for nothing is covered up that will not be uncovered and nothing secret that will not become known. 27 What I say to you in the dark, tell in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim from the housetops. 28 Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather, fear the one who can destroy both soul and body in hell. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. 30 And even the hairs of your head are all counted. 31 So do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows.
32 “Everyone, therefore, who acknowledges me before others, I also will acknowledge before my Father in heaven, 33 but whoever denies me before others, I also will deny before my Father in heaven.
Not Peace, but a Sword
34 “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace but a sword.
35 For I have come to set a man against his father,and a daughter against her mother,and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law,36 and one’s foes will be members of one’s own household.
37 “Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me, 38 and whoever does not take up the cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 Those who find their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it.
The message:
So, in your experience, what is the effect when you tell a person who is afraid, anxious or worried about something … to not be afraid?
That child, that spouse, that friend … Who's just lost their job, maybe going through a divorce, who has just been handed a frightening diagnosis.
Hey friend, it’s going to be alright. Choose prayer over worry. The Bible tells us 33 times -- or some number like that -- to not be afraid.
Don’t worry … just be still and know that he is God.
So, what has been your experience when you tell that child … that spouse … that friend … not to be afraid.
I suspect it’s much like the experiences I have had as a pastor too. … It’s not very helpful, is it?
No … because we are human, and to some degree we are just simply hardwired for fear … for anxiety … for worry. … Those instincts are what have kept us alive for many a millenia, long before it was assured that we’d come out on top of the food chain.
But … in our gospel tonight … what is it that Jesus tells the disciples to do. … “So have no fear of them.” … And a sentence later: “Do not fear those …”
Again, just a little later: “So do not be afraid …”
Thanks, Jesus … yeah, that is really helpful.
Especially when you consider the message he is trying to drive home for the disciples.
Remember that tonight’s gospel is a continuation from last week’s gospel … in which Jesus started to tell the disciples how to go out in his name.
Remember that scene from last week … Go out to evangelize … but don’t bring any money, no extra clothes, not even shoes … and just take shelter with those kind enough to offer it. … And under no circumstances, you DO NOT take any money.
Righ-t-t-t-t-t! … OK, Jesus … no problem.
And then tonight comes the rest of Jesus’ sending discourse to his disciples.
Hey friends … I know I’ve asked you to go on a little adventure in my name, and the goal is to preach the Good News to as many people … as far and wide as you possibly can.
But, you know, just to warn you. … This not a road paved in gold, and you aren’t promised a land of milk and honey in the process.
So, you know, “Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul …”
Wait, Jesus, did I catch that one right? … All those folks who … just … might not be to hip to the message, and who are prone to a little violence … you’re saying, don’t sweat those guys? … Did I hear that right?
And just a little bit later there in your speech … did I catch something about you bringing a sword? … What happened to this New Testament Jesus we’ve heard so much about. … You know, the loving, caring … compassionate Jesus.
Ahh, where’d he go?
But Jesus wasn’t done there yet either, was he? … Hey, disciples, … eyes back on me. … Focus.
Look I’m not here for peace … Rather I’m actually here to stir up the pot. … I’m going to turn men against their fathers … and daughters against their mothers … and create to divisions among households.
Here’s the real news. … Just remember that anyone who loves their father or mother more than me … they’re not worthy.
And simply put: Anyone not picking up the cross to follow me isn’t worthy either.
But … you know … that’s it in the nutshell. There’s your Good News. … Now get out their and sell it boys! … Go get ‘em!
And most importantly … you know, no fear! Don’t be afraid!
So what you think? … Set to go? … That rousing peptalk do the trick?
It’s OK if you’re still on the fence.
Honestly, with all that we have going on in our family life right now, I have my own moments of struggle. … My own moments where I’m not feeling like the world's greatest evangelist.
“So have no fear …,” Jesus says. … Yeah, got it. … I’ll remember that when I look into the eyes of the Picotte family whose carried so much grief these last months.
Right, Jesus. … And when I look into the fearful eyes of our mother, I’ll remember to share that she should fear either.
And I’ll tell the family of our son’s future father-in-law to just check their fear as they consider the long term options for him.
I’m sure that will ease everyone’s pain, worry and heartbreak.
We all know better, right? … Just like the words of a pastor can ring a little hollow when you’re in the midst of the worst moments of your life … I don’t doubt that Jesus’ words tonight might not offer a lot of comfort either.
With the exception of maybe this little bit here: “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. And even the hairs of your head are all counted. So do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows.
Faith Family … I can in good conscience stand before you tonight and tell you to never worry. … Each and everyone of us is human.
I DO know that there are some antidotes to worry … such as prayer and the gift of service to others … but I will not stand up here and tell you that a faithful person is ever without fear, anxiety or worry. … It’s just not true.
So, what I can offer you is this. … When you find yourself in those lowest of the low valleys in life, know in your heart that God loves you so much … that the Creator knows exactly the number of hairs on your head.
That much love and compassion and grace and mercy.
And maybe … just maybe … in the times of your greatest need, that knowledge will carry you through the darkest of times.
“And even the hairs of your head are all counted.”
And that is the Good News for this Wednesday night, June 28, 2023. … Amen.
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