Hanging Between.

Sermon Title: Hanging Between.

Scripture Text: Luke 1: 5-17

One day, while walking through the wilderness enjoying the things that God created; out of the corner of his eye he saw this vicious looking tiger. In his mind the only thing he could do was run for his life. That’s what he did; run. The tiger was off like a shot and gave chase.

Running as fast as he could he came to the edge of a cliff, and the tiger was almost upon him. Having no choice, he held on to a vine that was hanging there with both hands and started his climb down.

Halfway down the cliff, he looked up and saw the tiger at the top, baring its teeth and swiping at the vine with its huge paw. He looked down and, my goodness, there was another tiger at the bottom, waiting for his arrival, roaring at him. He was caught between the two.

While hanging mid-way thinking - two mice, one white and one black, showed up on the vine above him. As if he didn’t have enough to worry about, they started gnawing on the vine.

He knew that as the mice kept gnawing, they would reach a point when the vine would no longer be able to support his weight. It would break and he would fall. He tried to scare the mice away, but they kept coming back.

Hanging on for dear life and not knowing what to do, he noticed a large delicious looking strawberry. It was so red and rip growing on the face of the cliff he could almost taste it. Holding onto the vine with one hand, stretching way over he plucked that big red strawberry.

With a tiger above, another below, and two mice continuing to gnaw on his vine, the man tasted the strawberry and found it to be absolutely delicious. Even the smell of the strawberry was bringing all his senses together to warm him all over.

Despite his perilous situation, the man chose not to let two tigers and two mice paralyses him. He was able to seize the moment and savor that strawberry. The tigers and mice will be there even after he enjoys one of his favorite fruits; that big red rip strawberry.

The story is full of metaphors. All the major elements in the story are representations that has deeper meaning.

The tiger at the top represents the things that we can't let go and the danger of dwelling in the past too much.

The tiger at the bottom of the cliff represents the future. It is the undiscovered territory, the unwritten chapter. It is the mysterious and uncertain domain of tomorrow.  The tiger at the bottom represents the danger of being excessively concerned about that which is yet to come. What are ours?

The man’s position between the two tigers represents the present.

Note that he hangs suspended in midair. In the same way, we too live suspended between the past and the future. How much influence do they have on us?

The two mice represent the passage of time. They are black and white in color for the simple reason they symbolize day and night. He will have no choice, as the mice gnawing away, but to confront one of the tigers; the past or the future.

The strawberry represents the astounding beauty, bliss, energy and vitality of the present moment. It is always there, always available for those who have the ability to see it, reach out and take it and experience it. We are living in this moment!

As I read our Scripture today look at Zechariah’s reaction to his situation compared to our man stuck between. Notice Zechariah’s Tigers. What are they for him? Time, the mice, are eating away at his life. He can see life will give away sooner or later.

What do the bright red and very rip strawberry represent for Zechariah?

How does he handle all of these pressing options of life?

What is Zechariah big hang-up that gets him into trouble?

NOW HEAR THE READING OF GOD’S WORD:

Luke 1: 5-17

5 When Herod was king of Judea, there was a Jewish priest named Zechariah. He was a member of the priestly order of Abijah, and his wife, Elizabeth, was also from the priestly line of Aaron. 6 Zechariah and Elizabeth were righteous in God’s eyes, careful to obey all of the Lord’s commandments and regulations. 7 They had no children because Elizabeth was unable to conceive, and they were both very old.

8 One day Zechariah was serving God in the Temple, for his order was on duty that week. 9 As was the custom of the priests, he was chosen by lot to enter the sanctuary of the Lord and burn incense. 10 While the incense was being burned, a great crowd stood outside, praying.