Dear Friends of Longview Chapel,
Last Sunday, we remembered the story of Jesus’ baptism. Some of us remembered our baptism or our confirmation. All of these stories were about stepping up in faith to do what God was asking us to do. Entering into the new life God has for us happens every time we do what God asks us to do and take a step of faith.
New life in Christ is about much more than our own personal comfort or security. It is about seeing how to live in situations and events in ways that make Christ’s presence visible.
I was talking with a woman whose boss holds a very different political view than she does. That can be more than tricky, especially in the times we live in. Both of them are people of faith, and each of them tries to be respectful of the other. That being said, she realized that there was some important information her boss didn’t have about how a bill would affect his family directly. She shared a story about how the law affected a family she knew, and, without major comment on her opinions, she invited him to check into the portion of the bill that might be of interest to him and his family.
Now on the surface, what did this have to do with Jesus? Let’s look at a story of how Jesus taught by telling stories and giving information that could potentially change someone’s point of view and heart.
Jesus was surrounded by people who held a different idea of mercy, love, justice, and truth than he did. The Pharisees and legal experts were very upset with Jesus. Jesus was welcoming “sinners” (people not like them) and eating with them. How dare he? Maybe another question in their minds was, “Why isn’t he choosing to spend time with us?”
The tax collectors and sinners were eager to hear what Jesus had to say. So, they and the Pharisees and legal experts were told a series of stories that challenged those who thought that those who were not like them, or thought differently, or lived differently, were not of value to God. Notice, Jesus did not tell the Pharisees and legal experts they were wrong. He showed them another way of thinking.
In Luke 15, Jesus first told them about a shepherd with 100 sheep. When one was lost, of course the shepherd left the 99 to find the one lost sheep. How could the shepherd do any less? And when the shepherd returned home carrying the lost sheep on the honored place of his shoulder, he invited his neighbors to celebrate with him. In the same way, “there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who changes both heart and life than over 99 righteous people.”
Then Jesus told the story of the woman who had 10 silver coins and lost one. Of course, the woman would light a lamp and sweep her house and search until she finds that lost coin. She, too, will celebrate with her friends. In the same way God’s angels celebrate when a sinner returns home.
And just in case those who were angry that Jesus opened his heart to “sinners” missed the point, he told a third, longer story, which we call the “Prodigal Son.” For those who were parents, undoubtedly the son who ran away and the son who stayed and did the hard work would both have pulled at their heart strings. The father in the story loves both sons, AND he rejoices beyond measure when the one who was lost returns. This does not mean he did not love the son who stayed and worked. There was enough love and care for both of them.
Jesus allowed these stories to be beacons of a new way of thinking to those who hear them. How will we share Jesus’ story in the days to come?
Pastor Donna