Readings:
Jeremiah 23:1-6
Colossians 1:11-20
Luke 23:33-43
Lay Preacher: Jan Veseth-Rogers
Jan began her sermon with notions of astronomy and America’s space program, of the necessarily tedious attention to detail that studying and exploring the cosmos require, the tough challenges that must be met and overcome. Of memories of Peggy Whitson, the first female in charge of the International Space Station.
But Jan is right to remind us also that Jesus never calls himself a King. When asked if he is King of the Jews, his response is “It is you who say that I am”.
This is not the kind of King people understand. He responds in ways they do nt expect. He surprises them with his words and deed ….
The Son of Man came to seek out the lost. He is here not for the well, but to aid the sick. He came to turn the world upside down. He came with an abundance of love and compassion for the sinful, the broken, the lost.
He came for us.
His was to be a counter cultural King who turned the rule book on its head.
In the topsy-turvy world that Jesus would come to show us, He used His power to stay on the cross rather than to save himself.
Jeremiah 23:1-6
Colossians 1:11-20
Luke 23:33-43
Lay Preacher: Jan Veseth-Rogers
Jan began her sermon with notions of astronomy and America’s space program, of the necessarily tedious attention to detail that studying and exploring the cosmos require, the tough challenges that must be met and overcome. Of memories of Peggy Whitson, the first female in charge of the International Space Station.Surmounting these challenges and reckoning with the cosmos often conjures images of Leonardo DiCaprio on the bow of the Titanic shouting, “I’m King o’ the world!!!”
Or Peggy Whitson exclaiming, “I’m queen o’ the world!”
Today, Jan reminds us, is the last day of the liturgical year, but it is eerily empty of any jubilation. Christ is soon to come, but as King cut of a different cloth. This King, Jan reminds us, is given vinegar to drink; he is taunted, scoffed, mocked and ridiculed. This is the one who will be crucified with a sign above his head proclaiming “This is the King of he Jews”.
Or Peggy Whitson exclaiming, “I’m queen o’ the world!”
Today, Jan reminds us, is the last day of the liturgical year, but it is eerily empty of any jubilation. Christ is soon to come, but as King cut of a different cloth. This King, Jan reminds us, is given vinegar to drink; he is taunted, scoffed, mocked and ridiculed. This is the one who will be crucified with a sign above his head proclaiming “This is the King of he Jews”.
But Jan is right to remind us also that Jesus never calls himself a King. When asked if he is King of the Jews, his response is “It is you who say that I am”.
This is not the kind of King people understand. He responds in ways they do nt expect. He surprises them with his words and deed ….
The Son of Man came to seek out the lost. He is here not for the well, but to aid the sick. He came to turn the world upside down. He came with an abundance of love and compassion for the sinful, the broken, the lost.
He came for us.
His was to be a counter cultural King who turned the rule book on its head.
In the topsy-turvy world that Jesus would come to show us, He used His power to stay on the cross rather than to save himself.
In so doing, Jan tells us we are tasked to
Follow the King who follows his call
Today we celebrate the topsy-turvy, the ‘it ain’t what it appears to be’.
In the final chapter of the Indiana Jones trilogy, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, Indiana must pass through a labrynth by correctly choosing, at one point, the Holy Grail from among a collection of some 100 chalices and goblets. Many are encrusted in rare jewels, others ornately constructed from rare and valuable gold and silver. Indiana reaches beyond these, way to the back and, after hesitating with his fingers circling it, chooses a small and simple goblet, handcrafted from common and ordinary wood. As he tightly wraps his fingers around its stem, he says, “This … this is the cup of a carpenter.” The gatekeeper looks at Indiana, with a wisp of a smile, and tells him “You have chosen wisely.”
Let’s do the same. Let’s look with new eyes at the world this Advent, and see, among all the ornate and glittery showiness of this world, the simple cup of a carpenter; the quiet and ordinary way that God chose to have his Son enter the world. Let’s celebrate the counter cultural King.
Follow the King who follows his call
Today we celebrate the topsy-turvy, the ‘it ain’t what it appears to be’.
In the final chapter of the Indiana Jones trilogy, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, Indiana must pass through a labrynth by correctly choosing, at one point, the Holy Grail from among a collection of some 100 chalices and goblets. Many are encrusted in rare jewels, others ornately constructed from rare and valuable gold and silver. Indiana reaches beyond these, way to the back and, after hesitating with his fingers circling it, chooses a small and simple goblet, handcrafted from common and ordinary wood. As he tightly wraps his fingers around its stem, he says, “This … this is the cup of a carpenter.” The gatekeeper looks at Indiana, with a wisp of a smile, and tells him “You have chosen wisely.”
Let’s do the same. Let’s look with new eyes at the world this Advent, and see, among all the ornate and glittery showiness of this world, the simple cup of a carpenter; the quiet and ordinary way that God chose to have his Son enter the world. Let’s celebrate the counter cultural King.
No comments:
Post a Comment