Friday’s thoughts
As things are beginning to work themselves out on the sermon I have been drawn to a couple of important thoughts related to John the Baptist and Jesus. Here are two insights for your consideration:
1. John the Baptist has a following, and Jesus didn’t even have disciples. John yielded to Jesus and that shifted the focus from a Gospel of Sin and Forgiveness to a Gospel of Love and Joy. I wonder if, after the baptism in the River Jordan, John’s preaching was changed. I believe it was. I believe John came preaching the need for conversaion, and he was moved by his encounter to preach on the need for joy in faith and accepting of the outcast.
2. Jesus shared his power with John when he asked John to perform the baptism. In a way Jesus enabled John by assuming a subservient posture. Jesus had all power. In Mark’s Gospel what follows Jesus’ baptism is his time in the wilderness when he is promised political power, magical power, and the power of the protection of God. He, who had all the power in the world, gave power to the roving evangelist.
The end of the story suggests the words of God who said, “This is my son of whom I am so proud.” I think those words refer both to John and to Jesus, and I wonder when God is proud of God’s sons and daughters. Here is some of what may make God proud:
When people care about each other and are willing to give unconditionally.
When enemies are forgiven and past difficulties can be forgotten.
When there is understanding between people who have been in conflict.
When people are willing to speak out for the marginalized.
When little children learn to share.
When grown adults learn to share.
When who a person is is more important than their station or position in life.
When the church becomes THE CHURCH.
Can you identify when God is proud of us?
Are there examples of this?
I’d love to hear from you. Write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you’d like others to see your response click the “comments” box.
Thanks for your help and for your interest in reading “Build a Sermon”.
Charles
