Begotten....for you and me

Hebrews 5:5; Mark 10:35-45

Second Service, after the hymn and before the offering, we stand and say the Apostle’s Creed. I suspect sometimes it rolls off your tongue without more than a thought. Some folks hesitate when we say, “He descended into hell”. But for the most part we have no problems. What if I were to ask you to turn to page 15 in your hymnal and recite the Nicene Creed? Many of you are familiar with it. Some of you come from traditions that recite it each Sunday. I have a friend who is Roman Catholic who tells me that Presbyterians have it easy. Memorizing the Nicene Creed is much tougher than the Apostle’s Creed. When we read the Nicene Creed, the one word that stands out is “begotten”. Listen as I refresh your memory. “We believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, Very God of Very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father by whom all things were made.” Why is this one word so critical in our understanding of the God-ness of Christ?

For the first 300 years, Christians struggled mightily just to remain alive. Their religion was considered a threat to the Roman Empire. We are all familiar with tales of persecution and death. In the year 312, control of the Roman Empire was won by Constantine at the battle of Milvian Bridge. Attributing his victory to his new found faith, Constantine’s motto was, “One God, one Lord, one faith, one church, one empire, one emperor.” With Constantine, the age of persecution ended and the age of theological dispute began. Now that Christians were free to travel and openly discover their faith, it was astounding the different questions that arose concerning what Christians actually believed. Constantine’s dream of “one faith and one church” was turning into a nightmare. The major question which divided Christianity was, “Who was Jesus Christ?”

It is hard to imagine that such a question could cause such bitter divisions. Arius, a priest from Alexandria asserted that Christ, through whom all things have their existence, was created by God. Christ was similar to God, but not of the same essence. Another priest, Athanasius, claimed Christ the Son, is of the same substance as the Father. To believe otherwise would be to worship two similar but different Gods. A council was convened at Nicaea in 325 to discuss the matter. The discussion was so hostile that many priest hired armed guards to protect them on their journey to and from the Council. The voices of Athanasius won the day and a creed reflecting the idea that Christ was begotten not made was written. For the next 60 years the two forces continued to argue until a second council met in 381 and adopted the creed now known as the Nicene Creed. Those not adhering to the document were declared heretics and forced to leave the Church. This was the first of a long line of disagreements throughout the history of our faith.

Perhaps I am mistaken but I think many folks still struggle with the question, “Who was Jesus Christ?” We proclaim Jesus as Lord, we claim Christ as our savior, but sometimes I think the road Jesus traveled and the road Christ has asked us to travel is a bit unnerving. The gospel text that we read this morning goes a long way in giving us an answer to this question.

Once again the writer of Mark makes his point by putting the disciples in a less than favorable light. James and John corner Jesus and ask a very presumptuous favor. “Jesus, when you come in all your glory, may we sit on your right and left hand.” Obviously the disciples understood the kingdom of Jesus to be an overthrow of earthly powers. James and John wanted to sit by the throne. They wanted to be the recognized as the architects of the new Kingdom. And obviously they wanted the rights and privileges that came with such fame. When the other disciples heard what James and John had asked, they were outraged. Of course their anger was not at the improper behavior of their fellow disciples. They were irritated that they had not thought to take a similar course of action. Jesus answered the disciples with three insightful comments.

First, “Are you able to drink the cup that I drink?” Let’s admit it. We all know following Christ is difficult. The disciples had no idea what a full time job being a follower of Christ can be. When someone comes into my office and wants to talk about how complex their life has become, the first discussion we have is an evaluation of their priorities. We talk about job, family, faith and all the other things that complicate our busy lives. We see if there are things that can be dropped to relieve some of the pressure. It is a gut wrenching conversation and often what is discovered makes for difficult decisions. Jesus looked at his disciples and said, “Can you drop everything else and make God’s desires your priority?” That stops us in our tracks. Who among us is able or willing to make that kind of commitment?

Before the disciples could answer Jesus said a second thing to them. “Even if you are willing to make God’s work your priority, I can’t promise you a reserve seat.” Some of the disciples might have thought, “Well that makes sense, there are 12 of us and only two seats.” Other might have thought that the seats of honor were reserved for the likes of Moses or Elijah. Jesus ended the discussion by telling them the seats by the throne of God were not his to offer.

Then Jesus offered an insight into his true identity. “Whoever wishes to be first must be a slave to all. The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve and give his life as a ransom for many.” Of all the statements concerning the meaning of the life and death of Jesus, this one has boldly spoken to Christians throughout the ages. It is this Jesus who came not to be served but to serve. It is this Jesus who has touched each one of us in our hour of need. It is this Jesus who has shown us the real power of God. It is this Jesus that we are asked to follow, and challenged to emulate.

There are two absolutely amazing things about God. When confronted with the problem of death and sin. God did not turn God’s back on our imperfection. When overwhelmed with the reality of human sickness and misery, God did not turn a deaf ear. When perplexed by the human propensity toward disobedience, God did not put us in some kind of cosmic time out. God choose to send a heavenly visitor to come among us.

But even more amazing is who God chose for the visit. Why not choose Gabriel or one of the better known angels? Why not send Elijah or Moses? Perhaps God figured the best had already been sent. Regardless, this time God sent no substitute. God begotten……for you and me. God begotten; to nurse our wounds. God begotten; to overcome our fears. God begotten; to heal our brokenness. God begotten; to sooth our anger. God begotten; to conquer sin. God begotten; to vanquish death.

Through the years John Calvin has kind of gotten a bad name. I think that comes from folks knowing too little about Calvin and therefore assuming the worst. Allow me to share three things that were of primary concern to the great reformer. First, GOD KNOWS US. Calvin believed that God not only knows us by name, each of us has a special place in the heart of God. Second, GOD SAVES US. God is at work in our lives to both reconcile and redeem us. Through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, provisions for our salvation have been made before we were born. Finally, GOD EMPOWERS US. Salvation is the beginning, not the end. We have been chosen by God to live for God and for others. As God in Christ came to us, so we through Christ have been empowered to help others nurse their wounds, overcome their fears, heal their brokenness, sooth their anger, conquer their sins, and even survive death.

If he has lived this week, would have marked the 102 birthday UCLA coaching legend John Wooden. One of his players, Bill Walton said, “Everyone should have the experience of walking into Coach Wooden’s living room. There are no plaques or trophies remembering the glory days or the honors bestowed upon him, only a quote from Mother Theresa stating, “A life not lived for others is a life not lived.”

God begotten knows us.

God begotten saved us.

God begotten empowers us not to be served but to serve others. Who is Jesus Christ? He was and is God begotten, servant of us all. Who are we to be in light of this revelation? Servants of all to the glory of God. Amen.