TRIBAL COUNCIL
Matthew 22: 34-46 (NRSV)

Do you like to live “vicariously” through the many people who end up on the “who’s the last person left” shows? We can see others experience the joy and tragedy of winning and losing popularity contests. These types of shows create what’s called "a culture of humiliation." We want to see who can pass the test.

The prize is prestige and money. The penalty is being sent home, one's dreams destroyed, with lots of people watching. Let's see who can sing on "Voice or American Idol," or lose fat and gain muscle on "Biggest Loser." Let's see who can dance for us on "So You Think You Can Dance?"

Let's see who can survive in the wilderness on "Survivor." Let's find out who can cook on "Chopped." Let's see who can put on a wet suit and subject him or herself to an obstacle course complete with huge rubber mallets and tubs of green goo and a moat to fall into at the slightest misstep on "Wipeout."

At my house we especially enjoy the show Survivor, as it seems to be the last hold-out of true reality TV because the participants are out in nature surrounded by few possessions and are given only basic temptations to alter their personalities for gain.

Animosity between contestants and outright back-stabbing occurs but everyone is undergoing the same level of hunger, frustration, and paranoia.

Also the participants will frequently ask each other questions designed to gage character, truthfulness, and personal allegiance, to see who to get rid of.

“To win at Survivor,” I think I once heard 4 time player, ‘Boston Rob,’ say, “you need to keep focused at all times on one or two things you always need to do and always avoid those things you never want to do.” Sounds kind of simple, doesn’t it?

Do what you need to do and don’t do what you shouldn’t do. He must be the Yogi Berra of the Survivor set. But  it’s not unlike being a Christian as well.

Each of us engages in survivor mode every day of our lives, especially in the scary, threats a minute world we live in. Even driving your car a few feet often results in fear, palpitations’, and a near death experience. (That’s just with Becky driving!)  In reality Becky’s a far better driver than I am.

I just don’t have the nerve and heart to drive anywhere at any time anymore. It’s just too scary for me. I get creeped out every time I look in the rearview mirror.

I still get nightmares sometimes about getting stuck in the inside traffic circle lane at City Hall in Philadelphia, a fate not unlike being stuck in some wilderness somewhere with survivor winner Richard Hatch.

There are two types of people on these shows; the “lay low” type who say very little and who tries to get through with little notice or problem; and the engaged “active participant” who operates by manipulating people and events. Both types have won and it’s hard to say which strategy works best.

I think there’s two ways we can live our lives as well; there’s Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.’s view: “I guess everybody who isn’t dead yet is a survivor;” and then there are those who embrace life ach day as an opportunity to live despite struggles/setbacks.

Stop and think for a minute: What things or people would you vote off the island if you were threatened with expulsion or a drastic change in your life? Who or what would have to go? How would you deal with a threat to your survival at Tribal Council?

Let’s take it another step: If we put the shoe on the other foot for a moment let’s consider the Scribes, Pharisees, and Sadducees of Jesus’ day. How would they have handled Jesus at Tribal Council? Let’s hear our passage from Matthew 22: 34-46:

When the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together, ³⁵and one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. ³⁶“Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?”

³⁷He said to him, “’You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ ³⁸This is the greatest and first commandment.

³⁹And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ ⁴⁰On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”

⁴¹Now while the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them this question: ⁴²“What do you think of the Messiah? Whose son is he?” They said to him, “The son of David.”

⁴³He said to them, “How is it then that David by the Spirit calls him Lord, saying, ⁴⁴‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand, until I put your enemies under your feet”’? ⁴⁵If David thus calls him Lord, how can he be his son?”

⁴⁶No one was able to give him an answer, nor from that day did anyone dare to ask him any more questions.

We are in that area in the Gospel of Matthew that’s called the “Temple Disputes” where Jesus’ authority is repeatedly questioned. Jesus has questioned, pointed out hypocrisy, and downright thumbed His nose at the religious leaders and rulers of His day – and now they are beginning to fight back.

We see the developing hostility as we come to the end of Matthew's gospel. But what else would we expect when Jesus has turned over tables in the temple, cursed a fig tree, and told three offensive parables?

How could He expect those on the receiving end of his prophetic words to react?

When those with prestige and position are challenged, when the status quo is changed, such people react with hostility, fear, anger. It was true then just as it is today. They push back.

No sooner has Jesus finished telling three offensive parables to Jews (two sons, wicked tenants, wedding banquet) than the push back committees arrive. We will see a series of people come to Jesus with questions for which there is no right answer.

 

Each time, Jesus speaks a word of truth without falling into their trap.

First, the Pharisees send some lackeys to trip him up over a tribute (taxes) question. He avoids that trap. Next some Sadducees try to trip him up with a tricky question about the resurrection. Again he avoids the trap with theological depth and finesse.

 
And now, in our passage for today the Pharisees come in person with a question about the greatest commandment to test him. To find out where His head is in the game of human “Survivor” that they are playing, who his alliance is with, and whether He’s got the immunity idol.

We know, in hindsight that Jesus will win the prize and be named “Resurrected Lord and Savior,” and think maybe those around him with power and possessions already suspect it, and are throwing every obstacle they can think of in the way of his mission and identity.

I don't think it's that they don't know with whom they're dealing. I think it's that, at some level, they do, and they are inwardly upset by the idea and what’s going to happen.

In my experience, people don't put this kind of persistent anger into trying to trip up someone who doesn't threaten the h-e-double hockey sticks out of them.

That’s why his opponents try to make him into a reality show contestant in these temple disputes in Matthew. They want to vote Him out at Tribal Council with what little actual power they think they have.

Now some of you may be thinking that my argument may be ridiculous and disrespectful to Jesus' mission and identity. But, taking into account the social, political and cultural context of Matthew's gospel, so are many of the questions asked of Jesus in most of the Gospel of Matthew.

In answering the Greatest Commandment question, Jesus becomes the one asking the questions. He asks a very relevant theological question to the Pharisees with implications of prophecy, history, and Jewish identity.  

He asks whose son the Messiah is supposed to be. They answer "David's." Jesus then asks why David, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, would call the Messiah “Lord” when he wrote Psalm 110:1.  If David uses such a title of respect and distance for this Messiah, how could the Messiah be David's son?

We know the answer they wouldn’t or couldn’t admit: that Jesus is/was the foretold Kinsman Redeemer promised by God to Eve. He was of David’s family line but HE also was God’s only begotten Son.

Then the passage ends on an ominous note. "No one was able to give him an answer, nor from that day did anyone dare to ask him any more questions."

Folks we know that when the talking stops, the relationship is over. In this story, when dialogue with the teacher ends, plans for his death begin. For us, these temple disputes are the beginning rather than the ending. We will explore in the coming weeks that Jesus will now tell us what we need to do if we are His disciples.

Will we, like the ten bridesmaids, keep our light burning?

Will we invest the gifts and talents given us wisely?

Will we feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and visit the imprisoned?

Will we honor Jesus with our devotion and loyalty or just be satisfied with criticizing others' efforts?

The essential question is:

 

Will we love our neighbor in loving God and will we love God in loving our neighbor?

 

Or will we become self-centered on our own survival and keep voting Jesus out of our lives in Tribal Council? Amen.

“PRIDE AND DIGNITY IN THE SOUP LINE”
Matthew 22: 15-22 NRSV 10-19-14

Do you have a favorite Hymn? Is it because you like the tune or the words? Does the hymn contain references to scripture or highlight some aspect of God’s character, attributes, or promises? My favorite Hymn is “Let us Break Bread Together.”

Thinking about favorite hymns brought back a fond memory of Heidelberg Church in Marion for me. There was a member of the Choir named Don who would, after we would practice sing a hymn, would make fake tearing sounds and say, “take that out of here.”

Do you have hymns you don’t like or can’t connect with? And of course if we do then we'll risk offending someone's sacred music. But I'm going to risk it.

My least favorite Hymn is “They’ll know we are Christians by Our Love,” also known as “We Are One in the Spirit.” Overall the hymn has a nice tune and the words with two exceptions, are okay.

But in verse 3 when the words say, “And we’ll guard each man’s dignity and save each man’s pride,” grates in my heart and head each time I hear it.I believe it was written to scratch itchy ears. Have I got your attention?

The person who wrote this hymn in 1968 was a Catholic priest, musician, social worker, teacher, community organizer, therapist, author, and civil rights consultant in Chicago.

I don’t think the primary purpose of this hymn was designed to worship God and even now it’s often used to promote ecumenical “feel good” community stuff.

You see Jesus taught that human dignity and pride are and will be barriers to His Kingdom. Why would we want to celebrate barriers to salvation?

Ok pastor, what’s wrong with pride?

A busy executive named Dick Jones lived as if everything in the community depended on him. One morning he woke up early with a high fever, so his wife called a doctor friend.

He diagnosed Dick with viral pneumonia and suggested that he stay in bed for several days, but Dick protested, “No, I’ve got a breakfast meeting at the school, I’m president of the PTA. Then I’ve got crucial business at the office, a luncheon date with an attorney, and then three very important business appointments this afternoon. There’s no way I can be sick today, doctor.”

“I’m sorry,” said his doctor friend, “But I don’t know anyone who is indispensible, and I suggest you stay in bed.”At that very moment, the story goes, Dick’s high fever sent him into a trance. And there in that trance he saw himself looking in on heaven. The angels were gathering around God’s throne, but everything seemed to be in disarray.

Some papers were being passed, and finally after some discussion, the angels handed a significant looking paper to God. God read it and was obviously upset.God got up off His throne and said, “Oh no! Oh no! What will I do today? What will I do? The angels in chorus said, “What is it, God? What is it?”

And God replied, “What will I do today? Dick Jones is sick!”I’m sure Mr. Jones would say his illness was a blow to his dignity, as well.

I think it was this type of thinking among our Church and community leaders, politicians, and social progressives over the last 50 years by focusing on human pride and dignity, that has brought us to political and social correctness and our society’s relentless pursuit of personal preference over God, Country, human decency, and absolute truth.

Let me give you a humorous example of what guarding a person’s dignity and pride means in our screwy world: A young man walked into a corner store with a shotgun and demanded all the cash from the cash drawer. After the store clerk put the cash in a bag, the robber saw a bottle of scotch that he wanted behind the counter on a shelf.

He told the clerk to put the scotch in the bag with the money and the clerk refused and explained, “I don’t believe you are over 21.” The robber said he was, but the clerk still refused to give him the bottle because he didn’t believe him.

The robber then took his driver’s license out of his wallet and gave it to the clerk. The clerk looked it over and agreed that the man was indeed over 21, and so he put the scotch in the bag. The robber ran from the store with his loot.

The clerk immediately called the police and gave them the robbers name and address he had read off the license. The police arrested the robber several hours later at his home.

If this was the end of the story we’d laugh and say that was a pretty dumb criminal.

But guess what? His defense attorney got the case thrown out because the robbers’ identity was obtained under the false pretense of entrapment. His civil right of expecting his qualifying identification to purchase alcohol being kept confidential, as the law of that state requires, was violated.

His dignity hadn’t been protected, and perhaps even his pride had been trampled down by the clerk and the police. He in fact, was now the victim! Sound familiar? (Even though this story’s probably an urban legend.)

Each day guarding the pride and dignity of some group of people or an individual in our society results in a dumb story or circumstance that seems to identify that another person or group has been denied their civil and moral rights.

We’ve seen it many times in the last few years and it’s destroying our culture, country, churches, and communities. It’s also becoming more common with hate laws.

Have you heard about the problem in Houston with the so-called “HERO” (transgendered rights ordinance allowing access to whatever bathroom a person choose as their gender that day) action of the mayor and city council? They have now subpoenaed sermons from pastors as evidence in a lawsuit.

 

Now combine with the story of the two pastors in Idaho who threatened with SEVEN years in jail if they refuse to marry homosexual couples. This stuff is amazing and our country is getting scary!

Our work ethic is even being changed. Recently a gold prospector came upon a friend who had just lost his job. The prospector told the man that while he wasn’t getting rich he was making enough to feed his family and save a little money. He told his friend to get a shovel and join him on his land the next day and that he could keep whatever gold he found.

The next week the prospector ran into his friend again and asked him why he hadn’t taken him up on his offer. His friend replied that the welfare and money he had on hand wasn’t enough and that the job training program he was involved in didn’t consider gold mining worthwhile enough to buy him a shovel. I guess the man couldn’t risk the cost of a shovel out of his public assistance as it would hurt his pride and/or dignity.

There are certain groups parading around our communities engaged in a new form of neighborhood watch: political, social, and non-religious correctness aimed at the dignity and pride of marginalized persons.

We can’t even close down transportation between disease epidemic centers and healthy areas because it may be discriminatory and harm the dignity of those who are sick.

It reminds me every day of the Gospel lesson for today: Human law may demand precedent over God, but that will still never make it right! Hear Matthew 22: 15-22:

Then the Pharisees went and plotted to entrap him in what he said. So they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, "Teacher, we know that you are sincere, and teach the way of God in accordance with truth, and show deference to no one; for you do not regard people with partiality.  Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, or not?" 

But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, "Why are you putting me to the test, you hypocrites?  Show me the coin used for the tax." And they brought him a denarius. 

Then he said to them, "Whose head is this, and whose title?" They answered, "The emperor's." Then he said to them, "Give therefore to the emperor the things that are the emperor's, and to God the things that are God's."  When they heard this, they were amazed; and they left him and went away.

In this passage Jesus is suggesting that human government and earthly values have a place in the world but that God’s will and word must still be reckoned with as well.

The Greek word (prosōpon) translated in the phrase “you do not regard people with partiality” literally means “pay no attention to who they are.” Jesus doesn’t care who and what we are, the color of our skin and eyes, what body type or how short or tall we are.

God loves us equally, and hates any sinful behavior we commit equally as well. But He also created us in His image and we are to honor that image, because we are His.

God will have His day soon. Until then, evil will seemingly go unchecked. The Apostle Paul, writing to the believers at Thessalonica, said, “For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work. Only he who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way.” (2 Thessalonians 2: 7)

This verse is one of the evidences and arguments we have for what’s called the “pre” tribulation rapture of Church depicted in such movies as “Left Behind” and written and preached about so frequently.

Before the Antichrist can be revealed, Paul said that the Holy Spirit would stop restraining evil on earth. This may mean that the Holy Spirit’s presence might leave and/or be sent away from the earth. It would be a very significant event for believers.

Since it was promised that the Holy Spirit would never leave the Church, then the removal of the Church, which is indwelt by the Holy Spirit, would seem only logical as this prophesy comes about.

While I do believe the working of the Holy Spirit will go on during the tribulation, because people will still be born again believers, His influence would be muted or reduced because of the missing Church. This lack of corporate intercessory prayer will hurt.

Can you imagine how evil things are going to be with the removal of the Spirit’s dampening effect on it?

We know that the place called Hell is evil because there will be nothing of God present, but the earth during these days, called the tribulation period, will be dark and nasty as well, as everyone and everything will be forced live under the devil, temporarily.

In the final analysis, this passage is a strong reminder that each of us must come to the understanding that God has been, is, and always will be in charge of things that have been, are, and will come to pass.

The church, since the ascension of Jesus to heaven, has preached him crucified, risen, and very much alive and celebrated as a spiritual presence in our world. We preach that sinful man must confess their sins, declare Him the Son of God, and live as He taught.

If we do that we are promised eternal life. Each person has the personal responsibility, regardless of wealth, health, and parentage, to repent and build a personal relationship with Jesus.

A rabbi was teaching his students a lesson on preparation for death, eternal life, and repentance. One of the students asked, “Rabbi, when should a man repent?”  The rabbi responded, “Repent a day before your death.” His students were confused.“How can a man know the day of his death?” they asked. His answer: “He cannot and since he may die tomorrow, it is all the more necessary for him to repent today.”

Individual pride and dignity may keep a person from admitting his sins and iniquities and humbling himself before even God. That’s why Jesus told his followers that they must be born again, become as small children, with little pride or dignity to get in the way.

We must never allow the idea that God and Jesus are unfairly punishing anyone. Jesus’ message is that He came to offer dying people forgiveness, healing, and hope.

These words are more consistent with Jesus’ teachings and mission than celebrating human dignity and pride.

He offers everlasting water for those who are thirsty and bread for those who are hungry, but it’s not a soup line set up by community activists and do-gooders feeding poor people physically without encouraging them to know better!

You see, pride and dignity can be preserved in the soup line, but it gets in the way when you humble yourself before God. 

Back to the Hymn: in verse 3 when the words say, “And we’ll guard each man’s dignity and save each man’s pride,” we should pencil in the following change: “And we’ll guard each man’s charity and save each man’s faith.”

When we have faith in Jesus we discover the hope of new life and the promise of eternal salvation. We also learn to love God and our neighbor. Amen.

IGNORANCE WILL BE NO EXCUSE
MATTHEW 14: 1-14 (NRSV)   

I confess that there are things God is still working with me on in understanding and seeing the reason for why Jesus uses the figures of speech he does. “Bridegroom, Bride, and Wedding Feast” has always been one of them.

He worked with me this week to struggle through our text and see why it’s necessary to Jesus’ message to use these examples.

A pastor once sent his elderly parents a microwave oven for Christmas. Here’s how he told his congregation about the experience:

“They were excited that they now could be a part of the “instant” generation. When my father unpacked the microwave and plugged it in, and literally within seconds it changed two smiles into frowns! Even after reading the directions they couldn’t make it work.”

“Several days later, my mother was playing cards with a neighbor and confessed her inability to get the microwave to even boil water. ‘To get this thing to work,’ she told the neighbor, ‘I don’t need better directions; I just need my son to come along with the gift!’”

I got a new phone yesterday and it’s going to take me a long time to learn how to use it; I’ve already had to go to the company’s website to get more technical info to put it together.

I think all of us older, technologically challenged folks would agree. Technology and electronics are moving faster than most of us can keep up with.

Thank God, that when God gave the gift of salvation, he didn’t send complicated directions for us to figure out on our own; He sent His Son. God’s promises, His Love, and the grace of Jesus Christ are pretty straightforward concepts. It isn’t too hard to understand and walk once a person has come to know God.

It get’s simpler as you grow older.

A pastor in a small church was disappointed that things were not “happening” in his church, and so he asked one of the most respected deacons, “What is wrong with the church? Is it ignorance or apathy? The deacon responded, “I don’t know and I don’t care.”

But ignorance and apathy are killers – the rut of the usual road and path we walk daily gets deeper each day and the direction and how we walk harder to change with every step. It’s why communicating with God in prayer and in your daily life is a necessity.

I will not sugarcoat today’s message that has Jesus using a parable comparing the believers and churches’ relationship to Jesus being as one like a wedding feast and that the invitations are the fulfilling of prophecy.  Let’s hear Matthew 14: 1-14:

Once more Jesus spoke to them in parables, saying:  "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding banquet for his son. He sent his slaves to call those who had been invited to the wedding banquet, but they would not come.

Again he sent other slaves, saying, 'Tell those who have been invited: Look, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves have been slaughtered, and everything is ready; come to the wedding banquet.'

But they made light of it and went away, one to his farm, another to his business, while the rest seized his slaves, mistreated them, and killed them. 

The king was enraged. He sent his troops, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city.  Then he said to his slaves, 'The wedding is ready, but those invited were not worthy. Go therefore into the main streets, and invite everyone you find to the wedding banquet.'

Those slaves went out into the streets and gathered all whom they found, both good and bad; so the wedding hall was filled with guests. "

But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing a wedding robe, and he said to him, 'Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding robe?' And he was speechless.

Then the king said to the attendants, 'Bind him hand and foot, and throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'  For many are called, but few are chosen."

Jesus’ parable needs to be explained somewhat to modern believers to translate what He’s really saying because they rooted in the Jewish marriage customs in existence during His life. Wedding hosts would send out two invitations for a wedding.

The first was sent out far in advance to let people know that a wedding was being planned and prepared and that they were invited. This was necessary because weddings were major events that could last as long as a week. It also allowed time for the replies (the RSVP’s) to come back.

Then when everything was ready, messengers were sent out with a second invitation telling the guests that it was time for the celebration to begin. The hosts would also provide suitable clothing/gowns for all honored guests, and guests were expected to wear what was provided.

To turn down the second invitation and/or not wear the customary attire, which was the one the guests in the parable refused, was not just bad manners, but was a rejection of the host family’s hospitality and considered as an insult to their dignity.

Jesus is using this framework to tell this parable.

We know that God had sent Israel an “early” invitation to His Son’s wedding banquet through the Old Testament Law and prophets as the called for Kinsman redeemer promised Eve at the fall of man.

Now Jesus is announcing God’s second invitation, and the parable is warning of what a rejection of that second invitation will mean.

As we look around a world in rebellion from God I can say not many have sent God an RSVP for the coming wedding banquet of Christ and His church.

Many have ignored God, some have become hostile toward God, and some are just so intentionally ignorant that God’s never came up in their life.

Imagine their surprise when God holds them accountable for the invitations they received, rejected, and have now been thrown off the list of the wedding feast!

Revelation 20: 11-15 tells us how the final judgment goes:

Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. Earth and sky fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life.

The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what he had done.

Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. If anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

I have often pondered the question of who the guest is who has gotten in without wearing the proper wedding robe.

After some thinking I wonder if he might be that old serpent we called Satan, who has had access to heaven and creation as an angel, but because he chose to do it his way, rebelled from God?

Scripture tells us, just like this wedding guest, that he will be bound hand and foot and cast into the Lake of Fire (Revelation 20: 9-10) for all eternity:

“And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night forever and ever.”

God’s people, that’s you and me, need never fear God’s judgment – the Grace of Jesus Christ is sufficient to cover our sins. I finally understand how the church is the bride and Jesus is the bridegroom.

We have been invited and have sent our RSVP to the Banquet. We have the Victory in Jesus! Amen.

“BANGING THE DRUM FOR WORLD PEACE!”

MATTHEW 21: 33-46 (NRSV)

I have read about and am aware of many churches engaging in the practice of sitting around and drumming for “world peace.” Now I don’t want to suggest I’m making fun of anyone with such lofty desires but I wonder how much they really accomplish except for making themselves and their ears feel better. It certainly doesn’t seem as if peace is catching on anywhere.

 

The concept of peace is being lost in our world because nobody remembers where to look for it.  

A woman was walking along the beach when she stumbled upon a Genie's lamp. She picked it up and rubbed it, and lo-and-behold a Genie appeared. The amazed woman asked if she was going to receive the usual three wishes.

The Genie said, "Nope ... due to a stagnant economy, constant downsizing, low wages in third-world countries, and fierce global competition, I can only grant you one wish. So ... what will it be?"

The woman didn't hesitate. She said, "I want peace in the Middle East. See this map? I want these countries to stop fighting with each other."

The Genie looked at the map and exclaimed, "Ghee wiz, lady! These countries have been at war for thousands of years. I'm good, but not THAT good! I don't think it can be done. Make another wish."

The woman thought for a minute and said, "Well, I've never been able to find the right man, one that's considerate and fun, likes to cook and helps with the housecleaning, whowould also get along with my family, doesn't watch sports all the time, and is faithful. That's what I wish for ... the perfect man."

The Genie let out a long sigh and said, "Let me see that map again!

Peace? Is peace possible? How can humanity have peace when we are so self-centered, envious,andwant to do only what we want to do?

Do you remember seeing the recent article in the paper about people seeking peace here in Hagerstown? They sat in a circle and beat on “drums of universal peace” and chanted John Lennon’s godless “Imagine” until they felt like they had contributed to the world peace effort – but nothing really changed. And nothing will change.

Why? Sources say our world may have experienced only about 200 years of relative peace in its 6000 year plus existence. Why? Human nature, that’s why.

First we have to define what actual peace is. Is peace the absence of war or sitting around the campfire and singing kum-baya and feeling good? Or is it something the world will never know because it has never sought the real source of peace?

An unknown source one said, “Peace that Jesus gives is not the absence of trouble, but is rather the confidence that He is there with you always.” So peace might not be something we humans have control over, but is a gift of grace from God through Jesus!

Peace is mentioned some 429 times in the scriptures (102 times in the New Testament).

The Hebrew word is “shalom,” while the Greek word is “eirēnē (pronounced a-ra-na).” Peace can be both a noun and a verb; you can have peace, you can do peace, and you can give peace.

The most important verse, I feel, regarding peace comes from John 16: 33 and says,

“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”

We as believers in Jesus need never fear because He has overcome the world and has promised to give peace not as the world knows..

What is the source of hatred and animosity in the world? Certainly a lot of it has to do with coveting possessions, power, and things on the other side of fences. Listen to the story of the Landowner, the vineyard, and the tenants, and learn about the peace of Christ that is coming (from Matthew 21: 33-46):

"Listen to another parable. There was a landowner who planted a vineyard, put a fence around it, dug a wine press in it, and built a watchtower. Then he leased it to tenants and went to another country.

When the harvest time had come, he sent his slaves to the tenants to collect his produce. But the tenants seized his slaves and beat one, killed another, and stoned another. Again he sent other slaves, more than the first; and they treated them in the same way.

Finally he sent his son to them, saying, 'They will respect my son.' But when the tenants saw the son, they said to themselves, 'This is the heir; come, let us kill him and get his inheritance.' So they seized him, threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him.

Now when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those tenants?"They said to him, "He will put those wretches to a miserable death, and lease the vineyard to other tenants who will give him the produce at the harvest time."

Jesus said to them, "Have you never read in the scriptures: 'The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; this was the Lord's doing, and it is amazing in our eyes'?

Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that produces the fruits of the kingdom. The one who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; and it will crush anyone on whom it falls."

When the chief priests and the Pharisees heard his parables, they realized that he was speaking about them. They wanted to arrest him, but they feared the crowds, because they regarded him as a prophet.

The most important point of Jesus’ message here, as He debates the Priests and Elders is that they do have the right to do whatever they want; but they will be held accountable for what they do as humans were given free will.But their choices have destroyed their peace. 

Do you remember the “Humanist’s Prayer?” I’ve talked about it before. Lyman Abbot paraphrased the “Lord’s Prayer” to reflect the philosophy of those people who choose a life without God, “the tenants in rebellion to the Landowner:”

“Our brethren who art on earth; hallowed be our name. Our kingdom come, our will be done on earth, for there is no heaven. We must get this day our daily bread; we neither forgive nor art forgiven. We fear not temptation, for we deliver ourselves from evil. For ours is the kingdom and the power, and there is no glory and no forever.”

This is how the world knows peace and it's very different from the peace of Jesus.

 

Jesus is saying that this rebellion of rejecting God is a tragedy: they will have no peace and they will come to a “wretched” end – a world without God, which they have chosen!

Sadly, many people, churches, and denominations have used this passage as a reason to persecute and hate Jews because they think Jesus I just condemning Israel in this passage, but that’s not the focus of what Jesus is saying if this parable and the next two we’ll cover in the next few messages are viewed as part of a comprehensive ministry.

Humanity’s original sin had everything to do with rejecting God’s Will and desire for us – we gave up our perfection and security to seek our own selfish desire, and we’ve had no peace since. This applies to humanity and just Israel.

A young man was getting ready to graduate from college. For many months he had admired a beautiful sports car in a New Car showroom, and knowing his father could well afford it, he told him that was all he wanted.

As Graduation Day approached, the young man waited for signs that his father had bought the car. Finally, on the morning of his graduation, his father called him into his private study. His father told him how proud he was to have such a fine son, and told him how much he loved him. He handed his son a beautiful wrapped gift box. Curious, but somewhat disappointed, the young man opened the box and found a lovely, leather-bound Bible, with the young man's name embossed in gold.

Angrily, he raised his voice to his father and said, "With all your money you give me a Bible?" and stormed out of the house, leaving the Bible and his father, swearing never to return. Many years passed and the young man became very successful in business.

He had a beautiful home and wonderful family, but realized his father was very old and thought perhaps he should go to him. He had not seen him since that graduation day.

Just before he could make arrangements to visit, he received a telegram telling him his father had passed away, and had willed all of his possessions to his son. He needed to come home immediately and take care of things.

When he arrived at his father's house, sadness and regret filled his heart. He began to search through his father's important papers and saw the still new Bible, just as he had left it years ago. With tears, he opened the Bible and began to turn the pages. His father had carefully underlined a verse, Matthew 7:11:

"And if ye, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your Heavenly Father which is in Heaven, give to those who ask Him?"

As he read those words, a car key dropped from the back of the Bible.It had a tag with the dealer’s namewho had the sports car he had coveted. On the tag was the date of his graduation, and the words...PAID IN FULL.

How many times do we reject God's blessings because they are not packaged, look, or are not what we wanted?Why do we become angry and lash out in hurt and frustration?Why do we seek peace in human terms, and not understand that Jesus is the only true source of peace there will ever be?

We find peace in the bread and cup of Holy Communion, as Christ’s body and blood was sacrificed for us. Our peace has been … paid in full by Christ on the Cross. Amen.