Why We Do What We Do 10-18–15
-
Fertile LutheranOctober 18, 2015Text: Isaiah 53:4-12Psalm 91:9-16Hebrews 5:1-10Mark 10:35-45Why We Do What We DoRead Isaiah 53:7-9. If you were hearing those words for the first time and didn’t know it wasfrom the bible, what would you think about the person it talked about? Was He just somedowntrodden person down on his luck? A no-body unjustly killed by a mob? Someone fallenthrough the cracks with no name or power?But we know those words are about Jesus-the son of God whose name is above all names, whowas, who is, and is to come, who was with the Father at creation and sits at His right hand to rulewith all wisdom and might. And yet, he laid it all aside to go on a mission- to become like youand I and become a servant king to pay the debt of our sins with His blood only a perfect lifecould pay. It makes no human sense. Why would He do that?Jesus, the king of kings unjustly tortured and murdered by a mob. He could have stopped them inan instant, yet willingly let them whip him within an inch of his earthly life- nail his hands andfeet to a rough wooden cross to die a sinner’s death who knew no sin. And if the physical painwas not enough, the emotional and physical pain he endured would have been even worse as Hetook upon Himself all our sins and diseases. What would make Him do such a thing? Love forsinners such as you and I that’s what. Pray.Some of you may have heard or read about the brutal beating and murder of a teenage boy at thehands of his own mother and father. Where did this happen you may ask? In some dark alley inthe middle of a slum? By gang members in a power grab? No- sorry to say it happened in a smalltown outside of New Your City- in a church of all places- in a church with the name: “Word ofLife Church” on the front for all to see. What would make them do such a thing?That is an extreme- but what about you and I? Have you ever said something or done somethingand afterwards wished you could take it back? What motivates us to do what we do and say whatwe say- the good and the bad? It depends on who we are serving- self? or God and others?The apostle Paul wondered the same thing as he confessed that he: “does what he knows heshouldn’t and doesn’t do what he knows he should do!” He realized he needed a new heart butcouldn’t seem to change it himself no matter how hard he tried-and in his frustration he cried out:“who will deliver me from this body of death? Thankfully he knew who could do it: “Thanks beto God through Jesus Christ- that is who-He is the only one able to save me and give me a newheart.I venture to guess that most of us when we think of the disciples following Jesus- envisioneveryone getting along with each other all the time- never arguing, always giving each other ahelping hand, always a kind word and singing around the campfire together at night. But in the
-
gospel reading this morning, we get a glimpse into what it was really like- and realize they arejust regular people with all the same shortcomings and selfish ambitions that we all have. Theyhad received a person invitation by Jesus to follow Him – only to realize they were not the onlyones, but part of a group they had to learn to get along with. Isn’t that a picture of the churchtoday? We have all received a personal invitation by Jesus to follow Him and we think- okay-just you and me Jesus- only to realize we are part of something bigger than ourselves- a group ofimperfect people Paul calls the “body” of Christ and been called to get along with each other-even learn love each other more than ourselves!One day- two disciples- men we look up to and revere as pillars of the faith today – came up toJesus and said: “we want to ask you a favor- we want you do whatever we ask.” Jesussays-“okay- what is it?”Looking at Jesus and back and forth to each other nervously- they say: “We’ve been thinking-after all this is over and done, we would like to have some assurance that we will be recognizedfor all we’ve done- after all, we did leave everything behind and have been following you thispast year or two with no steady job- and after talking it over with each other, we would like to siton either side of you in glory! Reading that, we wonder what would make them ask such a thing?Jesus told them they didn’t know what they are asking- but they eagerly tried to convince Him-“don’t worry- whatever it is, we can do it!” Jesus went on to explain why it wouldn’t work andapparently the subject is dropped.I marvel at the way Jesus handled the whole situation. I mean, He could have just said: “no way-forget it” –but Jesus let them talk while He listened. Why would He do that? He is loveincarnate-patient and kind. When we come to Jesus with our requests that are sometimes selfish-Jesus always hears us out and listens to every word.Later when the other ten heard about the request, they became angry with James and John. Itdoesn’t say why they were angry- but I’m thinking it wasn’t because they thought the request ofJames and John was out of line-they were angry because they hadn’t thought of it first.So Jesus called them all together, sat them down and had a talk. He could have told them to: “juststop it” and left it at that- but Jesus saw this whole situation as an opportunity to teach themsome spiritual truths right then there.As it turns out- most often the best teaching opportunities we as parents and grandparents have toteach our children and grandchildren is when life is the busiest- in the middle of conflicts andchallenges of the day. Although it would be easier in the heat of the moment to take the easy wayout- we would be passing by a teaching opportunity to sit them down right then and there andtalk to them about spiritual truths.Jesus reminded the disciples what it is like to have a tyrant lording their power over them- solearn from that. You want to follow me? Then do what I do- learn to serve one another. That isyour steady job. Even though your sacrifice may go unnoticed or appreciated by others, yourfather in heaven will see it- and that will be your reward.
-
Mother Teresa comes to mind. She served the poorest of the poor in Jesus name- living inpoverty herself- putting the needs of others before herself. She was not one looking forrecognition or praise for herself- but simply served others. Why would she do that? She wascompelled by the love of God in Christ- knowing she herself was a sinner saved by grace.Many of you are familiar with the “Giving Your Best” and “Golden Apple Awards” shown on tvrecognizing selfless service to others. I’m pretty sure those receiving the award did not have agoal of winning the award- but simply served people in their own setting.Inspired by the Holy Spirit, God spoke the truth of our hearts through the prophet Isaiah: “all welike sheep have gone astray- we have all turned to go our own way.” It would have been a vividpicture to the people of that time. Many of them shepherds themselves, many times they hadshook their heads in frustration as they watched their sheep ignore their voice and go on theirway- often to danger.They also knew there were two kinds of shepherds-hirelings who didn’t really care about thesheep and would run at the first hint of danger- and the good shepherd who loved his sheep andwas willing to lay down his life for his sheep.Jesus is our Good Shepherd who willingly put Himself in harms- even death. What was it thatmotivated God to not just talk of love, but put it into action? What was it that motivated Jesus topray in the Garden: “not my will, but yours be done?” What was it that allowed mob drivensoldiers to nail his hands and feet to a cross when He could have stopped it with a word? It wasHis love for you and I- a love that is the same today, yesterday- and forever.May we remember- may we be compelled by God’s love for us- and respond with thanks andpraise. May our thanks and praise to God find joy in serving each other as Christ served us. InJesus name, Amen.
Upcoming Events 