Lady Gaga, Bill Gates, Tiger Woods, Steve Jobs, Peyton Manning, J.Lo, P. Diddy, Beyonce. What do these people have in common? They are all big names with FAT paychecks. They are famous and wealthy people, and I bet most any college student could give me a complete bio on anyone of these names.
Have you ever noticed how when Jesus tells the story about the rich man and Lazarus it is the poor guy who he calls by name and the rich guy who goes nameless? In our culture and society the wealthy are usually the well-known. We know their names because we hear about them all the time. They invented something useful and cool, or they’ve done something really stupid, or maybe they are just super hot. Whatever, the reason, they are wealthy and their name is F-A-M-O-U-S. In the kingdom of God though, it is the poor who are given names.
There is nothing clearer in the Bible, from the Old Testament through the New Testament, than our duty for care and involvement with the poor. God cares about the poor. Over and over again throughout scripture, we read about God being in relationship with and speaking for and through the poor. Why is it then that in many of our churches and campus ministries, being involved with the poor in our communities is “optional”? I mean, why do we have a “committee” for serving the poor? Being in relationship with and serving the poor should be a non-option for all Christians. Caring for all people; it’s what we’re supposed to be about as Christians. And notice, no where in scripture is the distinction ever made between the “deserving poor” and the “undeserving poor”.
It’s interesting that often when Jesus preaches about heaven and or hell, he talks about the poor being in heaven with him and the rich (who ignored the poor) being in hell (think: Matthew 25, the sheep and the goats). Clearly, Jesus cares about the poor and he does not take kindly to those who have plenty, ignoring the poor among them.
What are we, as Christ followers doing with and for the poor of our community? There are many opportunities to serve in the Knoxville community. Many of our churches have FISH pantries that give food to families in need. The Volunteer Ministry Center and KARM feed and shelter the homeless. Family Promise offers shelter and meals for families trying to get back on their feet. This coming Saturday we have a work day at the Smoky Mountain Home for Children.
I urge you to notice those among us who struggle to make it each day and as a Christ follower, do something.
So he (i.e. Jesus) told them this parable: ‘Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it? When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders and rejoices. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, “Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.” Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who need no repentance.” – Luke 15
In Luke 15 Jesus describes God as a shepherd searching and searching for his lost sheep – even at the possible cost of the rest of his herd. When the Shepherd finds the lost sheep, he doesn’t rebuke or punish the sheep for wandering off. This shepherd throws a party to celebrate the sheep being rejoined to the flock! Jesus continues his parable, describing God as a woman who searches for her lost coin – completely turning her house upside down to find it! When she finds her coin, the Woman throws a party and rejoices.
Neither of these parables about God make much sense to our worldly economy. I mean, what shepherd would leave the rest of his flock, his livelihood, to the wolves in order to go after and find the one lost sheep? And what woman would turn her whole house upside down, messing everything up, to find one lost coin? People just don’t usually operate this way. But good news: God does. No matter how lost we are; no matter how much we think we want to stay lost; God searches for us and when God finds us – there is not punishment and rebuke for our wandering off. God throws a party and rejoices that we are back home.
O Lord, you have searched me and you know me. For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. – from Psalm 139
You are wonderfully made. God knit you together in your mother’s womb. God meant for you to be here, right now, today, in this moment. God knows you through and through…and God loves you.
I don’t want to be a wishy-washy Christian. You know the type? The type where “anything goes”, where I don’t stand for anything. However, I also don’t want to be one of those cheesy, in-your-face, judgmental Christians who thinks it’s my business to tell you how to live your life.
One of the (many) things I love about Jesus is that he knows what he stands for and he calls people out for misbehaving, yet he does so with a mix of wisdom, compassion, and my personal favorite; sarcasm. Last night in worship we read Luke 14. In this scripture Jesus calls out the selfishness and pettiness of the Pharisees and the others trying to catch him in the act of being…loving. Yes, I did mean to say loving. Jesus was invited to a Sabbath meal at the home of one of the top Pharisaic leaders (a “very important” religious leader) and while he was at dinner he noticed a man who was hugely swollen in his joints (probably a very painful condition). Knowing that these religious leaders frowned upon “working” on the Sabbath, Jesus decided to challenge their beliefs and posed the question: “Is it permitted to heal on the Sabbath? Yes or No?”
I read somewhere that while “emergency healings” were permitted on the Sabbath (i.e. the person will die if they aren’t taken care of that day), if someone had a long-term illness, the religious leaders preferred that they wait until the next business day to be healed. So, the religious leaders now find themselves in a difficult situation. They know what Jewish Law states, yet they’ve got a willing “healer” and a sick person in their presence – so what is the right thing to do?
Have you ever found yourself in this kind of situation? You know what your parents, your church, your friends, or school would say is the “right” thing to do, but deep inside you, you know that the “right” thing to do is something completely different?
The Pharisees were in this situation. They knew that Jewish religious law stated that they were not to allow healing to take place on the Sabbath, yet Jesus was here, willing to heal, and asking them if it was permitted. (Note: I do not think Jesus was asking their permission. He was being sarcastic. Trying to teach them a lesson. Trying to make them think outside the box, or outside their religious law.)
The Pharisees are silent. They didn’t have an answer for Jesus.
So Jesus heals the man…on the Sabbath! God forbid!
It seems to me that Jesus chooses to live and work according to the Law of Love – not the religious law. He knows the Law, he is a rabbi after all, but he also sees the hurting man, and chooses to work according to mercy, healing, grace, redemption, and love. I like that about Jesus.
I LOVED being back in worship with you all!!! I forget, over the summer, how much you all encourage my faith. Hearing everyone sing – all the harmonies, Jason playing the piano, Karissa on the congas , helped me remember WHY I’m in ministry! Thank you for coming to worship last night and singing LOUDLY! I loved it!
Sometimes I worry that the PC will become a social club, a fraternity/sorority here on campus instead of being the community of faith that we are called to be. We run this danger when we forget why we are called together – to worship and love and serve others in the name of Jesus Christ.
Last night we talked about what we are all about here at the PC. The message was based on Acts 2:42-47 in which we get a description of the early church. This early church was able to reach out to the larger community and share the love of God in Christ because of how they lived out their life of faith together (with the help of the Holy Spirit)!!! The people of the early church were “committed” and/or “devoted” to four things. These four things were…
1. the teaching of the apostles
2. the life together / fellowship
3. the common meal
4. prayer
By living within the rhythm of these four things, the early church lived the Good News of God in Christ to each other and to the greater community.
I know it’s difficult sometimes to love (or even like) some of the people in God puts in your path. It’s easier with friends – we get to choose them. The community of faith can be a lot like family. We are called to love them, yet we don’t get to choose them! We’re all here because we’ve been called by God into this community of faith; and with the help of the Holy Spirit, we can respect, honor, love, and yes…even, possibly LIKE each person who comes through our doors.
I want to challenge each of us this year to be open to all kinds of different people, to be committed to one another, and to devote ourselves to showing each person we meet the amazing love God has for each person!
I hope you are enjoying your summer…but most of all I hope you are getting excited about the upcoming school year here at the PC! Incoming students: we are looking forward to getting to know you and pray you’ll find your home at the PC. Please feel free to leave me a comment or send me an email if you have any questions. Also, you can join our facebook page. Just search for “Presbyterian Center campus ministry”. We’ll have a lot going on in the fall, including a retreat, mission opportunities, bible studies, small groups, worship, etc. Thanks for checking out the site! Hope to see you in person…SOON!
In Christ,
Kally
Contact
Presbyterian Center
1831 Melrose Avenue
Knoxville, TN 37916
