October 24, 2021 “Lowering our Voices That Blind Bartimaeus May Be Heard.” Pastor Hines

 

October 24, 2021

“Lowering our Voices That Blind Bartimaeus May Be Heard.” 

Pastor Hines

This story in Mark is the last healing miracle that Jesus did. The story is unusual not only because it is a healing story but because we know the name of the person Jesus healed. We don’t usually know the names of the people Jesus healed. His name was Bartimaeus – “Bar” meaning “son of” and “Timaeus” being the name of his father. When Jewish boys and girls come to the age of responsibility, they celebrate with a Bar/Bat Mitzvah. They then become a son or daughter of the Law, of the Commandment. Bartimaeus was the son of Timaeus. Timaeus is associated with the name Timothy which means “honor.”

Bartimaeus the son of Timaeus had a disability. He was blind. Evidently there was little in ancient times like the American Disability Act that began for us in 1990. Bartimaeus, son of Timaeus apparently had no job. He spent his day sitting by the roadside, waiting for someone to give him money for food and other things he may have needed.

When I was in Spain many years ago, the seminary professor who set up the trip decided it was cheaper to get a hotel in a “red light” district. As several of us were walking down the street for dinner, there were women who appeared to be drug abusers hiding in the shadows of the dark doorways, mumbling, inviting, even begging for the men who accompanied us, and promising a night out on the town in exchange for money. They seemed to be poor souls, hiding their hunger for love.

You’ve probably seen a recent television commercial showing a young child coming home from school, opening up the refrigerator and closing it because there was nothing there to eat. His mother then comes home with a bag of rolls of bread she brought from the cafeteria where she worked that day. She puts it on the table and the little boy grabs a roll and begins to eat one. The words spread across the screen said – “Hunger Hides.” We all need something at one time or another. We all have our pride too. We all want our dignity. There is no evidence that God intends that we be humiliated and need to hide our need, humble yes, humiliated, no.

I was stranded in a snow storm on the way from Washington, D.C. and I joined dozens of travelers in a fire hall who camped out. We stood in line waiting for volunteers to give us food. We were all in the same boat. We were all hungry and homeless for a couple days because the snow had made it impossible for us to get to our chosen destination. There was nothing to be ashamed of.

We were one big family waiting for the blizzard to stop and the sun to melt the feet of snow so we could be on our way. No one wants to stick out like a sore thumb. No one wants to be alone in a time of need. We as the body of Christ help one another in our distress. We cover one another with a blanket of loving care. We lower our voices enough to hear the voices of those in need, to see their faces as God sees them. Through us, God provides the comfort and the care we all need at one point.

Sometimes that care and provision is blocked. There is a spiritual battle going on. There are strongholds that cause certain blessings to be delayed. However, even in the waiting, God is present. There are particular blessings that God has ordained in our seasons of waiting and wanting. 

Bartimaeus was on the side of the road in full view. When he saw Jesus he found hope. He began to yell loudly to Jesus. He called Jesus Son of David because he recognized him as the Messiah, a descendent of the royal line of King David. Do you recognize how great Jesus is?  Bartimaeus was asking Jesus for help. Are you wise enough, hungry enough and self-aware enough to ask Jesus for help?

Jesus heard him shouting and called him to come forward. Those in the crowd were quiet enough to understand what was going on with someone who needed help. Some may have been annoyed or disturbed by the shouts of a begging man. Others were encouraging, understanding. Perhaps they even lowered their voices so that Blind Bartimaeus could be heard which is a prayer I have been led to pray: Help us to lower our voices that the voices of blind Bartimaeus can be heard. They spoke gently and kindly to him, saying ‘Take heart, Bartimaeus. Be encouraged. Don’t cry. Look, Jesus is calling you. He wants to help you.’

We have all heard such kind words from people in our circle when we are in trouble, haven’t we? Bartimaeus was so happy to hear, though he could not see what was ahead of him. He jumped up, leaving his precious coat where he was sitting, not something everyone can afford to do in a crowd. Whether we are on the side of the road where all can see us or whether we are hiding in the shadows, Jesus sees us. Jesus sees you. He knows what you want before you ask and what you need before you need it. He knows.

We know Bartimaeus was blind. We are not told why. Sight can be lost in a number of ways. There is a condition called River Blindness where eyesight is loss due to exposure to a parasite. Some become blind after an injury from an accident or a medical condition that affects the arteries like strokes or diabetes. Psychiatrists have treated those who suffer from what is called hysterical blindness or psychological blindness. Great anxiety can blur the vision and overshadow one’s life with darkness. Those traumatized by war, who see death and destruction to the point where their hearts shut down and they just can’t stand to see anymore, are blind, even though doctors see nothing medically wrong with their eyes.

We may wonder what caused Bartimaeus to become blind, but we don’t have to wonder about whether it is ok for US to call Jesus when we are on the side of the road figuratively or literally, when we can’t see what’s ahead of us, when dark shadows surround us. Are you on the side of the road in any way in your life…does your health have you sidelined? Is the coronavirus casting grey shadows on your life?  Is your family troubling you? Your neighbor, your job…your mental health.

Jesus asked Bartimaeus as Jesus may be asking you today, “What do you want me to do for you?” Bartimaeus’ answer was simple. He said “Good teacher, let me see again.” Spiritually or physically, he wanted to see again. That presupposes that at one time he was able to see. Spiritual or physical sight may come and it may go. Whatever the case, we do well to cry out to Jesus.

Jesus may say to us like he said to Bartimaeus: “Go; your faith has made you well.” Immediately Bartimaeus regained his sight and followed Jesus on the way. Many times if we have the faith to ask Jesus for healing, we immediately feel better. That is often how the healing process begins. We feel better immediately for having put our faith into action by trusting that Jesus can help us.

God has many ways to heal us – counseling, doctors, family, friends, sleep, surgery, supplements, rest, diet, exercise, church fellowship and more. Some healing is simple and quick. Some healing is complicated, costly and may take more time and energy than we are willing to give. Have you ever gone to the doctor with pain in your body and discovered that the problem was not what you thought. Maybe the problem was not even where you suspected. Our healing is not always as clear or simple as we imagined it to be. Every fix is not quick. Every pill is not pleasant.  

When the bible describes someone whom Jesus heals, the description may be two or three sentences, but what is described in a few words may represent hours and days and weeks and months of activity in the process of healing. Paul Harvey used to tell us “the rest of the story.” When we listen to the stories of Jesus’ healing, we also want to keep our ears open for the rest of the story. And, if we want to be healed, don’t we have to do our part like Bartimaeus, to honor God, to go wherever God sends us, to follow Jesus?

There is much that happens if we could only read between the lines. It may be like the lady I knew who was inspired to give up smoking, so she threw her pack of cigarettes out of the window. The next day she had cravings so strong that she was outside crawling around on the ground looking for that pack. Or the story may be like the person who gave up smoking and had no cravings at all and never smoked again – adding years to their life without the struggle that Joyce Meyers said she had when she stopped smoking.

The work of God is never confined to a sentence on a medical chart or a beautifully written biblical story. God never fits into a box. There is always more to the story. In the in between there may be joys and concerns. The may be challenges and tough choices. Keep the faith and you will see how God turns our stumbling blocks into stepping stones and our messes into miracles. Stay committed to God. Let it not be said among us that we want the wedding but not the marriage.

When we keep our covenant we are saying we are trusting God to work all things together for good. When we keep the covenant we are believing God is able to do great things. When we keep the covenant without complaining, we are lowering our voices, we can hear love in the voice of Jesus and those surrounding us. They are telling us to “take heart, be encouraged. Go.” When we go to Jesus we will immediately see something wonderful. We won’t worry about the rest of the story. We will follow Jesus. We will walk by faith, not by sight. What do you want Jesus to do for you today? Take heart. He’s calling YOU. Have faith. Most of all keep the faith. Go. Immediately, you will see Jesus. Follow him and you will be healed in one way or another. Amen.

 

October 17, 2021 “Church Unity” Donna Kunsch

 

October 17, 2021

“Church Unity” Donna Kunsch

Good morning and welcome to Laity Sunday.  Portions of this message were authored by the Rev Matthew McCraw (First Baptist Church, Florida).One of the greatest challenges in local churches is disunity.  Squabbles over use of funds, music preferences, choosing a mission project, worship times, and more.  In today’s scripture Paul is giving the church instruction and knowledge that will better help us operate as a church in which Jesus Christ is head.  We will be focusing on three aspects of unity within the church.  Before we do so, let’s define unity.  Unity is the state of being united or joined as a whole.  Unity is not uniformity or conformity.  It’s not about everyone agreeing with everything.  Unity means we work together as one.  Unity is a solidarity among believers focused on the mission of the church, in order to advance God’s kingdom for the good of the people.  Division is focused on self and unity is focused on God.

The first aspect is unity in our walk.  In verse 1 Paul says “I urge you to walk worthy of the calling you have received.”  As part of the family of God we have the inheritance of God, we have access to the incalculable riches of Christ, and are a unified people in Christ.  God has chosen us to be Christ’s representatives on earth.  Paul challenges us to walk (or live) in a manner that is worthy of this calling.  We are to be humble, meaning we think of others’ needs ahead of our own.  We are to be patient, meaning we don’t prioritize our time and desires ahead of others.  We are to bear with one another, meaning that we put up with other people in a peaceful manner.  Bearing with one another is based in love.  If we love each other we should bear with one another.  It is essential to our unity.  No one is ever going to be perfect here on earth, so we must accept and love other Christians in spite of their faults.  People are watching your life.  Can they see Christ in you?  We will never be a fully unified church unless we are humble towards one another, patient towards one another, and we bear with one another.  There is unity found in the way we live and the way we act towards one another.  Unity doesn’t just happen; we have to work at it.  Often differences among people can lead to division, but this should not be true in the church.  Instead of focusing on what divides us, we should remember what unites us:  one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God!  God is over all and through all, this shows his active presence in the world and in the lives of believers.

The second aspect of unity is in our ministry which leads to maturity in the faith.  Verses 7-13 stress the way in which the Lord personally and intentionally gives gifts to the church.  Our oneness in Christ does not destroy our individuality.  The Holy Spirit has given each Christian special gifts for building up the church.  Now that we have these gifts, it is crucial to use them.  Are you spiritually mature, exercising the gifts God has given you?  If you know what your gifts are, look for opportunities to serve.  If you don’t know, ask God to show you, with perhaps help from the Pastor or Christian friends.  Then, as you begin to recognize your special area of service, use your gifts to strengthen and encourage the church.  Christ is building his body, and he knows exactly how he wants it shaped.  Therefore, he uniquely redeems and repurposes people in the church.  The whole church is built upon God’s word, and the saints are equipped to use their gifts to build up the body as the pastor/teachers teach and explain the Bible to us.  In this way, the whole church is built up in love, with the result being a body that grows together in maturity.  Everyone in the church is to be ministering, not only the pastor.  As the body of Christ, we can accomplish more together than we would dream possible working by ourselves.

The third aspect is unity in our growth.  Paul says in verses 14-16 that if we walk in unity, if we serve in unity, and if we grow into maturity, then we will no longer be like little children, who are easily drawn away by false teachings.  Paul goes on to say that we should speak the truth in love.  This sounds simple, but it seems so hard for us to do.  Some of us are fairly good at speaking the truth, but we forget to be loving.  Some of us are good at being loving, but we don’t have it in us to level with others if the truth is painful.  The instruction here is to do both.  Let us speak what is true to each other, but let us do so in love.  Let us encourage each other, unify each other, build up each other.  As we speak the truth in love, we will grow into Jesus who is the head of the Church.  As we grow in Jesus we are fit together and knit together, we are bound together, and we are supporting each other.  If you want to participate in further dialog on this topic, I encourage you to join us after the 10:00 service as we discuss the book Speaking the Truth in Love – How to Be an Assertive Christian.  We will be discussing how to use assertive behavior to serve people, to build your self-respect, and to enlarge your skill and willingness to show respect for others in a manner that will bring honor to God and to the whole body of Christ.  An assertive Christian is a person who is open to God’s direction and leading.  Assertive Christians are concerned first for God’s approval and ask God’s help to reject unhealthy social pressure.  Assertive behavior enriches, stabilizes, and protects relationships with others, with yourself, and with God.

The church cannot grow strong if the individual members are not working in harmony.  As anyone who has been involved in the leadership of a congregation knows, working harmoniously is harder than it sounds.  The only way we can do it is by acting in agape love—love that focuses on the well-being of the other person.  That kind of love makes it possible for us to hold our tempers when things don’t go our way—and to maintain harmonious relationships even when we don’t agree with one another.  It makes it possible for us to avoid selfish, self-destructive behaviors.

We find unity in our walk, we find unity in our ministry, and we find unity in our growth.  God’s design for His church is that we would work together to maintain the unity that He gives.  Through that unity, we will be mature, holy, and focused to accomplish the mission that He has given us here at Bethel. Commit to bearing with one another.  Commit to equipping others and being a gift to one another.  Commit to growing together as a church: each of us focused on growing in the Lord and helping others grow in the Lord.I invite you to do your part at Bethel to maintain unity in our walk, ministry and growth.  Amen.

October 10, 2021 “What Good Must We Do?” - Pastor Jacqueline Hines

 

October 10, 2021

“What Good Must We Do?” - Pastor Jacqueline Hines

A certain young man came to the great Rabbi Jesus. He fell to his knees as was a common gesture of respect and humility in the Middle East. Not everyone gets that type of honor. Even today, a man will often propose marriage to a woman on bended knee, but not everyone gets the honor of having that type of respect and adoration.

It was all over town that Jesus was freely and kindly offering a way to have the best life, a good life, eternal life, a life deep enough in the Spirit that pain and sorrow were less significant.

This young man wanted to learn what he needed to do to have the good life that Jesus was teaching and preaching about. He was wise enough to seek good things for himself, even if he could not yet completely comprehend God’s ideas about life, he believed in God and he was willing to take a chance that the life God had to offer was worth further exploration and investment, so he knelt before Jesus to learn from him.

Have you ever come to Jesus asking about life? Would you ever want to talk to Jesus about your life, the good life, a deeper spiritual life?

Verse 21 says that Jesus looked at this man on his knees and he loved him. Most of us don’t know what to think of a rich man, especially a young rich man, and especially a young rich man who was large and in charge. We think all kinds of things about people. We’re suspicious of wealth sometime. We lack confidence in youth sometime. He was a ruler and he probably ruled over a few slaves in his day. Hopefully, he was kind and not cruel. He had a lot to give. God had blessed him richly. And we all know that the more God gives us, the more God is entrusting us to be a blessing wherever and whenever God guides us to be a blessing.  God is constantly pouring love and everything good into our lives, and we dare not hold it too tight, lest it become like sand. The tighter we hold it, the more it spills. We do better to pour into the lives of others, as God assigns us. It is better to give and give and give rather than be greedy, greedy, greedy. Greed is despicable, disagreeable, distasteful…Greed reveals my heart not totally trusting in God, a heart afraid that if I am left with nothing but God, God will not be enough. Greed, perhaps, reveals a lack of appreciation for the blessings I have and a lack of hope that God will provide what I need, even if it is not always what I want. Greed reveals my longing for some other love – the love of stuff and status – even though I have pledged my allegiance to an all-loving God. There’s nothing wrong with stuff and status in its proper place. There’s nothing wrong with stuff and status, until we choose it first, rather than put God first. Putting God first is a day to day decision.

The young man was smart enough or perhaps impressed enough to compliment Jesus. He called him good teacher, but Jesus pointed him to God. Perhaps Jesus was like those football players who make an amazing play and while everyone is excited and tells them how good they did, the player points toward Heaven, letting the crowd know that it is not about their being good, it’s about God who is good.

  “You know the commandments, Jesus told him.” Every serious student appreciates knowing that the teacher notices what they know, proving that they are smart. In fact, students remember what teachers and those in authority say about them. “You know the commandments,” Jesus said to him. Knowing the commandments is not something that Jesus could say about every student.

At the same time that Jesus was giving him kudos for knowing the Ten Commandments, Jesus had some lessons for this student to learn. Jesus started talking about the Ten Commandments, but he left out the first four of the Ten Commandments. The first four focus on God: have no other Gods, worship no hand-made images – no statues or monuments, don’t take the Lord’s name in vain, take God seriously; and honoring the Sabbath rest to celebrate and give thanks rather than working ourselves to death to get more stuff.

Jesus leaving out the first four was like telling the rich young ruler not to think about a pink elephant. When you say don’t think about a pink elephant what do we do? We only think about a pink elephant. Jesus did not mention the first four commandments that refer to our right relationship with God. Instead, Jesus named out loud those commandments that he knew the young man understood and was good at. Honor your mother and father, do not murder, no infidelity, no stealing, no lying, and no fraud (which is coveting to the point of cheating).

Verse 20 says “Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.” It was as if the young man were saying, “I understand all those things. I know it all. Give me a challenge.”

Jesus looked at him with the eyes of love and said²¹  “One thing you lack,…Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” Now that’s a challenge. Most of us would be glad Jesus did not tell us to sell all we have and follow him. There are a few who have done just that, who have taken a vow of poverty, who have made up their mind, or perhaps have heard Jesus calling them to walk away from stuff and concentrate on the spiritual side of life. Mother Theresa  is  one who made a vow to serve the poor and not just the poor, the poorest of the poor.  St. Frances of Assisi of the 12^th century is another. He was born wealthy and heard God’s call to give to repair the church which was in ruins, so he gave all his money to the church which made his father very angry. Francis left his father’s home and took on a vow of poverty.

When I worked at Cokesbury, our United Methodist bookstore named after the first two United Methodist bishops –  Thomas Coke (9 September 1747 – 2 May 1814) and Francis Asbury ( 20 August 1745 – 31 March 1816), a nun came to purchase a gift. She had made a vow of poverty and she only had so much money to spend on this gift. If was very hard to watch her agonizing spending the very small amount of money that she was designated to spend.

At the very least, Jesus seems to be calling this young, rich, ruler to let go and let God. That is always a good thing. It is good every day in every way to let go and let God.

Verse 22 says the man’s face fell and he went away sad because he had great wealth. Most of us are challenged, not necessarily to sell all we have, but to at least keep our stuff in perspective as we keep the faith. Most of us have great wealth. Think about it – clean water, nice clothes, safe homes, inside plumbing, parks and beaches, well maintained highways and bridges, internet, cell phones, secure banks, working government, freedom of speech, freedom of worship, computers, beautiful building, hotels, resorts…we have great wealth. We are abundantly blessed.

The man who came to Jesus was blessed. Most people are happy after spending time with Jesus. This man went away sad. In the Greek, the word for his mood when he walked away is “stugnasas” usually translated as “shocked,” “surprised,” or “in sorrow”.  

Though most may not be asked to give up all we have for the sake of the poor, there is, no doubt, something that we have given. We have practiced our faith, we have delighted in serving, and we have loved our God with all our heart, all our mind, all our soul.  Every now and then, there may be something that we are less willing to give that causes us to struggle in our giving. We are all different and we all have different values and perspectives. God knows. You may have heard the story of three people looking at a tree; one may see the tree as so many boards and feet of valuable lumber worth so much money. The second sees the tree as so much firewood to be burned, to keep a family warm in the winter. A third may see the tree as a masterpiece of God’s creative art, given as an expression of God’s love and enduring strength, with a value far beyond its worth in money or firewood. It’s all good and it all works out if we keep our eyes on God. We all see a vision of what God has for us and if we are willing, we can be the church united, with one purpose, one goal, one vision, to be and do whatever the father, son, and Holy Spirit stirs us to do. For, without a vision, without hearing and responding to God’s voice, God’s people cannot be the church, passing the baton on to our neighbors, our family, our friends, or our children.

I heard one of the men of God of Bethel say  – “The world is in such chaos, but I am not concerned about myself. I am concerned about my grandchild.” That Bethel father’s heart is like the heart of God, and if we all are just as concerned about the next generation, we will be willing to ask God to guide us to not only to see the chaos that surrounds us but to see God’s will and to be willing to follow where God leads us, to surrender our all and put our all in the hands of an almighty God – putting our loved ones, our dreams, our comfort, our gifts, our talents and our money.

The disciples were amazed when they heard Jesus telling the man to give everything away, but in verse 29 Jesus tells us that he has better stuff than we could ever accumulate. Jesus has 100 times more than we could ever have along with some tough times. The only way to find out about all the good stuff Jesus has for us is to follow him.

May it be so today!

 

 

 

 

October 3, 2021 “Our World is in Trouble” - Pastor Jacqueline Hines

 

Job was a blameless man from the land of Uz. The scholars’ best guess is that Uz is in a land called Edom. Edom was not, however, blameless. When the Israelites came to the border of Edom, the Edomites refused to let them in, even though they were not planning to stay – just passing through to safety, even though they said they would pay their way, Edom would not have mercy on them and let them in. Edom was not blameless. Our World’s in the same trouble today. The world is not blameless.

Our scripture reading begins with a mystical experience around a blameless man from a world in trouble. It is good to note that even in this world of trouble, heavenly beings appear in this story. They come to God. Satan also comes to God in this mystical moment. Nothing more is said about the heavenly beings. All seems good with God and the heavenly beings. There is, however, a conversation with God and Satan, whom we also know as the devil, the evil one, the destroyer, the liar, the father of lies, the murderer, the thief, tempter, fallen star, ruler of darkness.

Satan presents himself to God and God asks, “Where have you come from?” This is an important question for us to ask of evil. Where do you come from? Inquiring minds want to know. Where does this wickedness come from? How far will you go to hurt someone? What are your values? Your culture? Where do you live? Who are your friends and allies? What are you made of? Where have you traveled? How tough are you? How weak are you? What can you do for me? Knowing enough about evil can help us make good decisions in our journey of faith. When we know where a toxic person is coming from, when we can identify the root of an ugly situation that is in us or around us, we can take it into consideration and know what to pray for and what decisions to make.

This week we heard from a counselor from Safe Communities in Lancaster who was a victim of abuse. She did a workshop for our Conference this week. She told us that there has been a dramatic rise in abuse and use and trafficking of children in this country and around the world. The abuse of children has skyrocketed during the pandemic. Children have been calling 911 for help. There is big money in abusing people, especially children, big money. There has been an increase in violent abusive sites on the internet. One of the shocking points the Safe Communities counselor Linda Crockett made was that the rush of abuse from certain images on the brain is addictive. So people who abuse look for more and more – violence and harm to get a thrill. Our world is in trouble. The church is in trouble. There was a survey of 3,000 adult Christians who were asked if a pastor should be fired for using the internet in an evil way. Forty percent said “yes.” When the pastors were asked the same question, a mere 8 percent said they should be terminated. The church does well to consider the source of our behavior, whether it be from God or Satan.

I had a friend who would often say when someone said something evil, “Remember, they don’t love you.” It is good to consider the source. In considering Job it is quite clear that he could be considered the best human being ever. God asks Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job?” Of course, we quickly see that Satan considers Job to an opportunity to do what Satan does -  to steal, kill, and destroy wherever there is an opportunity. No matter who you are – Satan is somewhere far or near in your life, looking as I Peter chapter 5 verse 8 says, Satan is like a roaring lion, looking for whoever he can devour. I particularly like the Message version which says -

^8-11 Keep a cool head. Stay alert. The Devil is poised to pounce, and would like nothing better than to catch you napping. Keep your guard up. You’re not the only ones plunged into these hard times. It’s the same with Christians all over the world. So keep a firm grip on the faith. 

When we have an attitude or an action in our lives that belongs to Satan, Satan will come after us to claim what is his. Still, no matter how bad a person is, no matter how many mistakes and wrongs a person has committed, no matter how many skeletons one has in one’s closet or the number of secret handshakes or dirty deals one makes – no one is all bad. There is some good in each and every one of us. God still loves us. We are precious in God’s sight. God can’t take God’s eyes off of us – each and every one of us. God who put the good in us can make it grow and grow and grow to the glory of God.

 Bishop Schol tells the story of a man he met on a Baltimore train. Bishop was looking for a quiet place to work on his sermon, but he wound up in a conversation with this passenger who used profanity with every other word. At one point the man asked the Bishop what he did for a living. When he found out he was a preacher, he still continued to cuss up a storm. Bishop reminded us in his testimony that if he had condemned the man for using profanity, if he had rejected him, he would have missed God’s opportunity to minister to a child of God.

In our passage from Job, it is clear that Satan is the source of suffering. Verse 7 says he caused Job to suffer terrible physical pain. God does not cause suffering. Some scriptural passages show us how we cause our own suffering when we stray from God. Some scripture tells us that God is greater than our biggest burden. If you believe a certain scripture means that God is causing your suffering, pause and put a pin in it. Think about it. Does the God you love and serve cause you suffering? Think about it. Perhaps there is something lost in your translation. Perhaps the passage calls for us to put it into the historical or poetic context. Besides, dedicated translators and scholars have their own political and theological perspectives and opinions. I lean in the direction that says, if church tradition or translations say God chooses to hurt me, I don’t believe it. God does not cause suffering and when God allows suffering, God remains omniscient, omnipotent, and omnipresent. God is always with us –carrying us when necessary.

The Apostle Paul was a Christian who suffered like an Olympic champion. Through it all, he was convinced that no trouble or hardship could separate him from God in Romans 8 - neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, ³⁹ neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

He understood “If God brings you to it, God will bring you through it. ”We might raise our fist at God and say – “Take charge and stop all this suffering. Stop it, Stop it, Stop it.” Or we can humble ourselves all the more confident of God’s love and care and renew our commitment to our great and awesome God with John Wesley’s words: I am no longer my own, but yours. Put me to what you will, rank me with whom you will; put me to doing, put me to suffering; let me be employed for you, or laid aside for you, exalted for you, or brought low for you; let me be full, let me be empty, let me have all things, let me have nothing: I freely and wholeheartedly yield all things to your pleasure and disposal. And now, glorious and blessed God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, you are mine and I am yours. So be it. And the covenant now made on earth, let it be ratified in heaven.

I know we come here for the good news. Here it is. We are a Resurrection People in a messed up world. Jesus suffered, Jesus wept, and Jesus died on a cross.  Jesus rose from the dead. We are a resurrection people. We bow below God and not above God. We rise above our afflictions. Our troubles don’t tear us down, God uses our troubles to build us up. God works miracles with our messes. Our stumbling stones become stepping stones. We may, like Jesus, cry out “Why have you forsaken me?” We may decide to take the advice of Job’s wife. “Just go ahead and curse God and die.”  We can curse God, dismiss God, and ignore God. It does no good.

We live in a troubled world that curses God, dismisses God and ignores God. Someone asked, “What is the future of the church in this troubled world?” I hear an answer in two things Jesus said. First, “Let the dead, bury the dead.” Inasmuch as the church has no life in Christ, it is ready to be buried. Second, ‘This is a time of grief, but I want you to have peace…’ “Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

Today we set the table of the Lord for this annual worldwide communion Sunday. We imagine we are seated and taking communion among people from all walks of life and all countries. We know Jesus welcomes them all. All are invited. With Thanksgiving coming up in a few weeks, we will be sitting at another important table. Who will be sitting beside you for Thanksgiving dinner? Who will be welcomed the most? Who at the table brings you joy and to whom do you bring joy? Who might be bringing some troubling news? The tastiest dish? The sweetest dessert? Is there a seat for the savior of the world? Is there a safe place for the sinners and the sorrowful at the table?

You are here at this table, God’s table, a very important table, among all the important people even in this troubled world. There is an unforgettable story of a group of people who were starving. They could be seen in a banquet hall loaded with an abundance of delicious food. Everyone had a spoon. The spoon was two feet long. They could reach the plate and fill the spoon, but they could not get the food to their mouth so they were starving. Down the road in another banquet hall, you could see the same scenario. Tables filled with wonderful food and spoons that were two feet long, but these people were not starving. They were feeding one another. In this troubled world God has prepared a banquet for all of us. We will never leave hungry. Amen.