James 3:1-12;
Mark 8:27-38
We have once again entered the season of
bumper stickers. I read every one and
agree with very few. That sort of makes
them a bit dangerous. If you are like me I drive a little too close to the car
in front of me just to read the pithy statement concerning our upcoming
election. I am afraid the accident rate
on 151 is going to increase as we get incensed by the flawed political views of
our fellow travelers.
It is amazing to me what one can say, or
fail to say, in eight words or less.
Bumper sticker language is simplistic, aimed at raising our blood
pressure and seldom passes the litmus test demanded of good judgment. I believe wisdom evolves learning how to
think carefully and act virtuously in complex situations where one is tempted
to think simplistically and act recklessly.
Or as the writer of James so eloquently wrote, “A great forest is so
easily set ablaze by a small fire such as the tongue.
In the scripture we studied last week,
the writer of James speaks about our actions as a response to faith. Remember the key verse, “Be you doers of the
word and not hearers only.” In this
third chapter James wants to concentrate on how we speak a word about The Word.
James
begins with some obvious observations. First, language is powerful. Being a political junkie I watched both conventions.
Many words were spoken. In fact the
same words were spoken, over and over and over again. But what will be remembered are two
distinctly different but equally powerful moments. At the Republican Convention, Clint Eastwood
stole the show talking to a chair. At
the Democratic Convention Bill Clinton brought the house down with one word,
“Arithmetic”. Both were classic moments
which will be remembered long after the 2012 campaign is forgotten.
Second,
language can be a blessing. There are
words that we use that lift the spirits of others. When a child comes home after a bitter defeat
on the field of competition the words we choose go a long way in restoring the
confidence of our off- spring. When we
are sitting with someone in a moment of crisis, the words we select can begin
the healing process. When our choir
sings, it is not just the melody that touches our heart. When I say “The Lord be with you,” and you
respond, “And also with you,” this holy place is embraced by a love that is
almost beyond human understanding. A simple exchange of words can lift a heart
and create a sacred moment.
Unfortunately
while our words can evoke a blessing, they can more easily be a curse. In the Jewish wisdom literature it is
written, “Honor and dishonor come from speaking. The tongues of mortals may be
their downfall. Do not lay traps with
your tongue.” (Sirach 5:13-14) Who here has not fallen the victim of that
idle chatter we call gossip? It is so
much fun to talk about others. Once we start, we are like a horse without a
bridle. Our mouth runs through the
pasture of our reckless imagination forgetting the lies we speak become truth
when passed to the ears of others.
James
was well aware of this struggle between the veracity and the fraudulence of the
spoken word. James proclaims when the word spoken is the truth, it announces a
sacred reality which is vocalized in the midst of a desolate land left bankrupt
by empty promises and broken dreams. But
when the word is less than the truth, or when the word is only what we care to
hear, the opportunity for a holy moment is lost amidst the more familiar
phrases that bombard our lethargic minds. Barbara Brown Taylor writes, “To
often the church is guilty of selling the gospel in glib speech, making what is
difficult sound easy, or what is mysterious sound plain.”
What
words are you wiling to offer concerning your faith? Gracious we talk about
everything else. What week will the
leaves hit their peak? Do you think the
Skins will win today? If I am holding 16
points and a five card minor suit what should I bid? Who do you think Jesus was? I can instantly get a discussion on the
weather, football or bridge, but what about a conversation about Jesus? That is
dangerous stuff and I confess I understand your reluctance. One of the main reasons I hate to go for a
haircut is because when I sit down the first question the stylist asks is what
I do for a living. If I say I am a minister
they get nervous…… and make mistakes…….and fix the mistakes……but make more
mistakes and try to fix those mistakes so that by the time they finish they are
filled with guilt and I have no hair. So
I just tell them I am a counselor and I spend the next twenty minutes listening
to their problems.
Talking
about faith is hard. Can you can imagine
the fear that must have swept over the disciples when Jesus said, “Who do you say
that I am?” Very quickly the disciples
reached for everyone’s our favorite pronoun when it comes to being
indecisive. “THEY say you are
Moses. THEY say you are Elijah.”
The
wonderful thing about “they” saying it is the answer requires no commitment on
our part. Third person language is safe;
it places space between us and the inquisitor.
But Jesus didn’t have much use for third person responses. He asked a second time, “Who do YOU say that
I am?”
I
imagine the disciples looked at each other sheepishly. John said to Bartholomew, “Didn’t we cover
this last week?” Matthew looked away
hoping Jesus eyes wouldn’t meet his.
James and Andrew punched Peter and whispered, “Say something or he will
start preaching again.” So Peter said
the first thing that came to his mind, “You are the Messiah.” And all the disciples applauded and secretly
wished they had come up with that answer.
I imagine Jesus said to them, “You are right, only I suspect you have no
idea why right you are.”
A
word, a single word, “messiah”. For the
disciples it was a word that signified greatness and power. It was a word that brought back memories of
the golden age of Israel. It was a word that meant Jesus was the
personification of King David. Messiah
meant that God was going to step forth, God was going to sweep Rome out of
Jerusalem, God was going to return creation to its rightly order. It was a word
of civil restoration.
But
the word had a second meaning. Instead
of the restoration of a past order it called for the recreation of a new
order. Instead of power and glory it
called for suffering. Instead of a royal
throne it called for a rugged cross.
Instead death to the Romans it promised death to the messiah. Instead of life reinstated it called for life
resurrected. This time Peter didn’t have
to be prompted to speak. “Jesus, take it
easy. Let’s discuss this. We didn’t sign up just to watch you die. Isn’t there an easier, less complicated way to
do this? Can’t we find some middle
ground that doesn’t involve language which is way over the top? Let’s step back, take a deep breath and be
realistic.”
Jesus
looked at Peter, he looked at the other disciples, and I suspect he looked at
us, then quietly said, “If you want to become my follower, you must deny
yourself, take up your cross, and follow me.”
That is strong language, scandalous language that can both bless and
curse us. It is bold, challenging language. But most of all it is fundamental
language that not only defines who Jesus is, but points to a clearer
understanding of who we might become.
Calvin
wrote, “We are not our own, we are God’s, therefore let God’s wisdom and words
preside in all our actions. We are not
our own, we are God’s. With God as our
legitimate end, let every part of our life be directed toward that which is
holy.”
Who
do you say that Jesus is?
Perhaps
Jesus is the one that offers light for your darkness.
Perhaps
Jesus offers courage for your fear.
Perhaps
Jesus offers hope for your despair,
or peace for your turmoil,
or strength for your weakness,
or wisdom for your confusion,
or forgiveness for your sins.
Or perhaps Jesus offers all or none of the above.
Who do you say that Jesus is?
Who
do you say that you are?
Be
careful how you answer. Someone, perhaps
everyone is listening. Speak a word of
wisdom; speak a word of hope; speak a word grace. Speak from your heart and not from the back
of your bumper. Speak with a tongue
that lights the way rather than starts a fire.
Amen.
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