Space the final frontier. These are the voyages of the Starship Enterprise; its five year mission to explore strange new worlds, to seek out new life and new civilizations, to boldly go where no man has gone before.
I was never really a Star Trek fan growing up as a kid. I always wanted to be a Jedi Knight, like Luke Skywalker in Star Wars. But there was always something about Star Trek that inspired me. I listen to the words, “To boldly go where no man has gone before” and could dream of new worlds, new possibilities and even new ways of living and being. Well this morning that would describe the journey I am on. I am sure that our announcement to leave would seem premature to many and came as a shock. Believe me; it came as a shock to us too. For several days, Bonnie and I wrestled with this. At first we failed to understand what God could be saying to us. To boldly go meant to leave friends behind. It didn’t seem fair to the young people. They were just beginning to get to know us, and think we were sticking around.
This morning we look at how Jesus’ own disciples struggled to understand what he was talking about. Through the Scripture lesson this morning we will see how we need to look at the bigger picture in how God works. As Bonnie and I contemplate changes in our lives, we are learning what it means to be obedient to the call of God. This call is for everybody. So on our last Sunday with ya’ll, we will discover what it means to Boldly Go! The Scripture lesson this morning is from Mark 8:27-31.
Mark 8:27-31
Jesus and his disciples left Galilee and went up to the villages near Caesarea Philippi. As they were walking along, he asked them, "Who do people say I am?" 28 "Well," they replied, "some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say you are one of the other prophets." 29 Then he asked them, "But who do you say I am?" Peter replied, "You are the Messiah.” 30 But Jesus warned them not to tell anyone about him. 31 Then Jesus began to tell them that the Son of Man must suffer many terrible things and be rejected by the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He would be killed, but three days later he would rise from the dead.
LET’ PRAY
Have you ever felt like you just don’t understand something? Don’t panic, you are not likely to be the only one. Jesus’ disciples never got it, and when confronted with change, they reacted how we tend to react today. The disciples were sadly set in their ways. The way they interpreted the Old Testament Scriptures, caused friction between themselves and Jesus. Jesus often rebuked them for lacking faith, or not understanding.
I am not here this morning to scoff or rebuke people for their lack of faith. I am guilty of lacking faith in my own life experience. This morning I am even cautious in drawing any parallels between Jesus predicting his own death, and Bonnie and I leaving Athens. We too are disciples of Jesus, and we lack understanding how the kingdom of God works, just like you do.
When Jesus foretells his disciples of his death they scoffed and carried on, “Who’s dying? Certainly not Jesus, he is supposed to help us get rid of the evil Roman Empire. Yes, he surely is a great military leader, like King David and he will kill our enemies.” It wasn’t that they lacked instruction from Jesus. He was often talking about the kingdom of God and laying one’s life down for their neighbor, feeding and clothing the poor. Jesus did many wonderful acts that defied logic. He calmed a storm, walked on water, fed thousands of people on next to nothing, healed the sick, and occasionally raised people from the dead. If that was not enough to get most people’s attention, I don’t know what else would.
Sadly the disciples did not see the bigger picture till days and weeks after Jesus was crucified, and many of his disciples saw him resurrected.
1. We make plans, God laughs
You may have heard or seen this phrase I have seen on a bumper sticker, “We make plans, God laughs.” Sometimes it might not seem funny when plans go astray, and things don’t work out the way we envisioned. Yet at the same time there is truth in this. Our plan may not be God’s plan.
The mistake the disciples fell into was that the presumed to understand the plan. Let’s face it they became complacent in the knowledge that they were doing great things. Yet they missed the point Jesus was trying to impress on them. They were looking for a military resolution to their problems. The nation of Israel had to this point in history been under foreign occupation for centuries. In the social climate of Jesus’ day, Israel was under the authority of the Roman Empire. They were forced to place their allegiance to Rome, and the Roman Emperor. This was hard for the people of Israel, because their allegiance was to be to God, the creator of the universe, who had rescued their people time and time again. Their mission was to overthrow Rome, and insure that Israel would become a great nation again, and people would see that their God was the all-powerful, all-conquering God of the Jews.
Perhaps we would presume to know what is best for this Church. Maybe you have plans for this Church, and the ministry undertaken by it, and us leaving doesn’t figure in it? Let me say, Bonnie and I are both honored and flattered that many feel this way. This has been a great experience for the both of us that we will never forget. We remember the generosity and hospitality shown in our first weeks here. We wish we could have made the supper ya’ll had prepared for our arrival, but the UHAUL truck had other plans. Nor will we forget the hospitality that was shown to both of our sets of parents.
Bonnie and I look over the photos taken on various trips and retreats. And many of the photos have significance for us. They remind us of certain mishaps, and adventures and a laugh that was had, or a tear that was shed. We have been blessed time and time again, and we have felt God’s presence in this place, and with you the people. So, when all is said and done, maybe it doesn’t make sense.
In the Scripture lesson this morning, when Jesus asked the disciples who people were saying he was, they replied with a who’s who list of important figures from their history books. "Some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say you are one of the other prophets." So Jesus asks them, who they, his disciples say he is. Peter, one of his closest and trusted friends, says, "You are the Messiah.” Good answer Peter. Well, one would think it was a good answer. Jesus rebuked Peter, because in his answer he still failed to see the significance of what God was doing through Jesus. He failed to see the bigger picture.
2. The big picture
So, what is the big picture and how does it relate to us? In the case of the disciples, it is fairly evident after the fact. Jesus’ mission was not to free Israel from its oppressors. His plan was to see all humankind free from the oppression of sin, and to no longer fear death and evil. The mission of the Church, as demonstrated by the ministry of Jesus is concerned for the whole person. We are not just “saving souls,” bringing people to “conversion,” or turning people from their sins. We are charged with radical discipleship, and that is “putting others first.” Putting others first.
One day some men lowered a cripple man down through a hole in the roof. Jesus was preaching inside. The men had heard that Jesus could perform miracles. Their hope was that Jesus would heal this man, and have him walk. Witnessing the faith of the men, Jesus says, “My child your sons are forgiven.” This outraged many of the religious leaders who heard this, because only God can forgive sins. They failed to see the big picture. Hearing this, Jesus says to them, “Is it easier to say to the paralyzed man ’Your sins are forgiven,’ or ’Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk’?” Jesus turns to the paralyzed man and says, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!”
Jesus was concerned for the whole person. Jesus took care of both the spiritual needs and the physical needs of the person. When we talk about physical needs, we can extend our thinking to include, feeding and clothing the poor, providing shelter for those who need it, provide employment opportunities to give people a hand up. We don’t just enter their world, bring them to a relationship with Christ, and then send them back to their same world. This is a radically different way of seeing the mission and purpose of the Church. It has serious implications, and should not be taken lightly.
So far this morning we have considered that we do not always understand the words and deeds of Jesus, and the purpose in the mission of the Church. Because of this we must look at the bigger picture of what God is doing. So, “great”, I hear you say, “this is too much and unrealistic, it can not be done.” Well, you are right; it certainly can’t be done if we don’t do it. I believe it can be done, and it is our duty to do it.
3. How to move forward
In my own spiritual journey, I have been challenged this past year as to what our mission is. On the occasions I have been fortunate to preach, I have been compelled to speak about this. This past week, while completing my final paper for course I have been studying this semester, I came across a great story which demonstrates that people, despite the odds, can fulfill this kind of mission.
The article I had to read was called, “Reconciliation as the Mission of God: Faithful Christian Witness in a World of Destructive Conflicts and Divisions. It was concerned with Christians becoming agents of biblically holistic reconciliation. It pointed out that Christians must be people of hope and be conduits for mission of God’s kingdom here on earth. One story in particular had an impact for various reasons.
Bishara Awad was nine years old when he witnessed the death of his father during the 1948 Israeli/Palestinian conflict. Bishara and his family were themselves Palestinian. His father died in the crossfire, and was buried in the family courtyard. On graduating from High School, Bishara was given a full scholarship to study in the United States. He ended up in Mitchell, South Dakota.
In 1967, war broke out again in the Promised Land. This caused another blow for Bishara. He lost his right to return to his homeland. Bishara applied for a teaching position in the United States. In 1971 he became a United States citizen. As a US citizen he was finally able to return home on a three month visa. While reuniting with his family, Bishara met Salwa, who would become his wife. She applied to the Israeli Government for a family reunion and he became a resident of his own country.
Bishara was assigned as headmaster of a Mennonite School for Boys – an orphanage started by the Mennonite church. The school provided for boys who were orphans, poor, lost in the war and completely needy. Both Christians and Muslims were invited to come.
While considering his progress in the school, Bishara realized that he needed to deal with his anger and hatred towards Jews, for what had happened to his family. As a Christian, Bishara knew he needed to ask God for forgiveness, and receive healing. Not only did he feel forgiven, he was able to forgive those who seemed to act unjustly toward his family. It is about this time that Bishara believed a Christian Bible School was needed to equip local pastors. With funds from Churches local and abroad, Bishara started his Bible School. Not located near the Church of the Nativity where it is believed Jesus was born. Today, more than one hundred students are taken on each year.
Of his experience Bishara writes, “All of this started because of the great transformation in my life. It took a humble spirit to acknowledge the sin of hatred. God can do miracles and the Bible College is one of those miracles. This I write for the glory and honor of God who is able to use us to behold His Kingdom!”
Bishara got to the point where he saw the big picture. This story may seem extreme and beyond reach to the normal person. However it should be noted that Bishara considers himself to be a very normal person. What is unique is his willingness to risk everything in order to seek God’s will for his life.
This can best sum up the feeling Bonnie and I feel about leaving for Florida. It is not so much that we leave for what seems a better opportunity. Rather it is becoming our life experience that as we trust God more, we realize that our life is not our own. We do not fully understand why we must go. But we feel we have made the right decision. As a reminder of this, utter again the words of Bishara Awad, “This I say for the glory and honor of God who is able to use us to behold His Kingdom!” Let me ask you in closing, are you willing to Boldly Go, where God is able to use you to extend the kingdom of God?
