Rev. Mary Shipley, September 24, 2006

Just Ask

Mark 9:30-37

Just Ask! That is what Jesus did. That is what the disciples did not do at first, then, when they did ask a question it was the wrong one. Jesus knew his disciples were wasting their time - yet again- asking the wrong questions. The gospel says, in verses 30 to 34, that Jesus and his disciples were traveling through Galilee, and Jesus was teaching his disciples about how the Son of Man was going to be betrayed into the hands of men, and be killed, and then on the third day rise; but that the disciples did not understand what he meant - and were afraid to just ask him about it. They were arguing about which among them was the greatest. Imagine Jesus' disappointment - but he does not give up on his disciples, he does not yell at them or punish them. Instead he uses the situation as a teaching moment. Jesus asked them what they were talking about - they were silent. Silent because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest among them.

A silly argument really - one that I am sure no one here would ever get into, especially during the college football season. I mean imagine it - trying to decide who is more important. What measuring stick would we use? Those who farm - are they the greatest - because they produce the milk and food we need to eat? Are the teachers among us the most important - because they mold the vary minds of our children and youth, they help to shape our very future? Or is it doctors - because without them most diseases would be fatal? Or how about janitors and garbage collectors - for without them we would choke in our own waste products?

It is an endless argument once you get into it, and one the disciples did well to remain silent about when confronted by the master. Why this quest to determine who is most important? Why this quest to be number one? I mean, why bother with the whole question? Why bother wondering who is greatest? Why this quest to be better or more powerful than other people? Surely there is a different question they could have been discussing? A more helpful conversation - a way that totally avoids the question of greatness, the question of who should be first and instead looks at quality of life.

Jesus speaks of a different way of living and of thinking when, after asking his disciples about what they were arguing about, he calls all twelve of them together and says to them, "If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all." And then taking a little child and having him stand among them, he takes the child in his arms and says to them, "Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name, welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me, does not welcome me, but the one who sent me."

I have always liked that, both as an image, and as a teaching. Jesus calls the twelve - and he calls us - away from our arguments about who is greatest, and who deserves more and who should call the shots, and turns our mind instead to the question of our attitude and how willing we are to humble ourselves and to serve one another.

You need to remember what things were like during Jesus' time to better understand the two images he is giving us. Children were not valued at the time of Jesus in the way they are today. They had no rights. There were no United Nations declarations about how they should be treated, and what it is that they deserve out of life. Children were not the most important persons in their families, nor were they considered to be the greatest members of their society. Rather children were expected to be obedient to their parents and to help the family earn its living and to learn what the family expected them to learn. Their needs were subordinate to the needs of the entire family.

Who are the children today -- who are those people who are not highly regarded? Who are those without a place of their own, those without a leg to stand on? Those whose voices are heard not because they have a right to be heard, but only because the more powerful indulge them from time to time? Who is seen as less important, by us, and by our society? Whoever welcomes one of these in my name, welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me, does not welcome me, but the one who sent me.

As Christian we are to recognize that it is really only God who is important, and that God is found in the simple things, in the lowly things, in the ordinary things.

There is poem by Carol Wimmer about the attitude that Jesus calls those who bear his name. It goes like this:

When I say..."I am a Christian" 
I'm not shouting "I am saved" 
I'm whispering "I was lost" 
That is why I chose this way.

When I say ..."I am a Christian" 
I don't speak of this with pride. 
I'm confessing that I stumble 
and need someone to be my guide.

When I say..."I am a Christian" 
I'm not trying to be strong 
I'm professing that I'm weak 
and pray for strength to carry on.

When I say..."I am a Christian" 
I'm not bragging of success. 
I'm admitting I have failed 
and cannot ever pay the debt.

When I say..."I am a Christian" 
I'm not claiming to be perfect, 
My flaws are too visible 
But, God believes I'm worth it.

When I say..."I am a Christian" 
I still feel the sting of pain 
I have my share of heartaches 
Which is why I speak His name.

When I say..."I am a Christian" 
I do not wish to judge. 
I have no authority. 
I only know I'm loved.

I think that most of us looking for a better life for ourselves and our families and our world would like to feel more at peace. We would like to have more joy and happiness. We would like to see an end to the world's problems. We would like to see our children, and our children's children be able to grow up with enough to eat, and the ability to do what they want, when they want to, and we hope that what they will want will be good for them and for those that they meet. I believe that part of this can only come to us when we give up the world's standards of success as they are measured by power, status, and money - and turn as humble children to our God.

Jesus gave us the two images that we have been rolling around in our minds today: one of serving others and welcoming all. Whether you watch television on a regular basis or not - if I say the following phrase you probably know what I am talking about. "Deal or no deal?" There is a game show that allows people to open up cases that contain money with the hopes of winning a lot of money. The host of the shows asks beautifully dressed women to open cases so that we can see what is hidden inside. While I have no beautifully dressed women or men standing behind me with cases - this phrase still came to me this week. As I read this Mark text, it is as if Jesus is dropping those images of serving and welcoming in our laps and just asking us - deal or no deal. We are told how we are to interact in this wonderful world. We are given the examples over and over again. But it is our choice. Unlike the people on the game show who do not know what is in each case. Jesus tries to help the disciples and us to understand that we are all created in the image of God. We are all God's children - that is within each of us. And when we do not serve or welcome one another - it is as if we are refusing to serve or welcome our beloved God.

Yes, it is hard to serve others. Yes, we live in difficult times that make us question whether it is safe to stop by the side of the road and help a stranger - and we must be safe in our choices. Yes, we live in a world filled with people that try to scam on our generosity and good heartedness. Yes, we live in a world where evil is around the corner. But we are still to serve and welcome all of God's children. Two weeks ago, during Kids Care Club, which is a gathering of 4th and 5th graders that participate in monthly mission projects, this topic came up. And one the kids said, "yeah, maybe but not the terrorist." It is hard to imagine serving and welcoming terrorist - or our enemies - who ever that might be. But, we are all created in God's image. We are all God's children. And, I do believe that the love of God shared with this world can and will have a greater impact then any war waged, document signed, or blockade put in place.

How many of us would try to save a friend knowing it might result in your own death? Probably some of us would. How many of us would try to save the life of an enemy knowing it might result in your own death? Probably very few, if any, of you would take that risk. 

As morning broke on December 14, 1862, the battlefield at Fredericksburg, Virginia revealed a ghastly landscape. More than 8,000 Union soldiers lay dead or dying before a stone wall where the Confederate Army had entrenched itself. The cries of the dying for help and water were chilling. Nineteen-year-old Sergeant Richard Kirkland of the Second South Carolina Brigade, had seen and heard enough. Kirkland went to Confederate General Joseph Kershaw. "General," he said, "I can't stand this!" He startled his commanding officer. "All night and all day I hear those poor Federal people calling for water," he said, "and I can't stand it any longer. I ask permission to go and give them water." Kershaw shook his head sympathetically. "Sergeant," he replied, "you'd get a bullet through your head the moment you stepped over the stone wall onto the plain." "Yes, sir," answered Kirkland, "I know that, but if you let me, I'm willing to try it." The General responded, "The sentiment which prompts you is so noble that I will not refuse your request. God protect you. You may go." Quickly the South Carolinian hurdled the wall with as many filled canteens as he could carry and immediately exposed himself to the fire of every Yankee sharpshooter in that sector. Kirkland walked calmly toward the Union lines until he reached the nearest wounded soldier. Kneeling, he took off his canteen and gently lifted the enemy soldier's head to give him a long, deep drink of refreshing cold water. Then he placed a knapsack under the head of his enemy and moved on to the next. Racing against the lengthening shadows of a short, somber December afternoon, he returned again and again to the lines where comrades handed him full canteens. Troops on both sides who had watched this unselfish act paid young Kirkland the supreme tribute -- not a standing ovation, but respectful awed silence. 

Why is service so central to Christian belief? Because we follow a God who serves. Do we dare hold ourselves to be greater than God, and hold that what God does is too menial or dirty? Even more, we follow a Christ who loves others. Dare we spurn those whom God treasures? Apparently, we do dare, because we do it. We fail to serve, to care enough about someone else to act in their favor. It's not as if servanthood is hard. We can do it. It doesn't take a God to pull it off. But then again, maybe it does in a way, for Jesus wasn't out for self-this and self-that, but rather others-this and others-that, and was able to pull it off. God wants to work through us. A servant of Christ chooses to be like Christ and serve others. They do it in whatever way is needed. They forgive those who do them wrong, since God forgave them in Jesus. As long as we discriminate between people, as long as we judge some more important than others, as long as we desire to be more important ourselves as long as we envy others and have selfish ambitions, we block out what God has in store for us, and our world. Jesus came among us not just as a Lord, not as a boss, not as an important crowned king but as servant. He came to touch, to embrace, to heal, to forgive, to help, to love, and this even when he knew it would take him to the cross. Our question and prayer should not be "make me someone important," nor should it be "give me wealth and success." 

Rather, knowing that God is fully able and fully willing to give us what we need in life, and that our God is found in those whom the world regards of no account, in closing, I believe our prayer should be like that of St. Francis. 

Make us a channel of your peace. Where there is hatred, let us bring your love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is darkness, light; and where there is sadness, joy. Master, grant that we may never seek so much to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love with all our soul. Make us a channel of your peace for it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; in giving that we receive; and in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen.