Trust Jesus' Words! (a message for July 5, 2020)
Will you allow me to use this expression? “You’re damned if you do and you’re damned if you don’t!”?
Because that sure seems to characterize the mood in America these days! No matter what you do, someone is sure—and angry!—that what you’re doing is wrong!
Protest is wrong. And wanting law and order is wrong. To say Black Lives Matter is wrong. To say All Lives Matter is wrong. To say that Blue Lives Matter is wrong.
It’s the 4th of July weekend. Being proud of our country’s freedom and greatness is wrong. Bringing up our country’s wrongdoings and need to change is wrong.
People are angry, quick to blame, and certain of their own rightness. So, as the expression says, You’re damned if you do and damned if you don’t.
And Jesus says, “Boy, do I know what that’s like!”
The parable that Jesus tells at the opening of today’s reading might at first seem a little obscure. Jesus says, “But to what will I compare this generation?”
And then he speaks this little parable. “It is like children sitting in the marketplaces,” Jesus says, “and calling to one another, ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we wailed, and you did not mourn.’”
And that’s it! The parable—which, by definition, is supposed to be something common and familiar to the listener—is anything but common and familiar to us. What does it mean?
Jesus is imagining kids calling their friends to come out and play! But, no matter what they do—no matter what game they propose—their friends raise objections. “Let’s play funeral!” “I don’t wanna!” “Let’s play wedding!” “I don’t wanna!”
No matter what game the kids propose, it’s the wrong one. And, Jesus says, that’s exactly the way people have responded to both John the Baptist and him! “For John came,” Jesus says, “neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon’; [and] the Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’”
No matter what John or Jesus do, they’re wrong! People didn’t approve of John the Baptist because he was too harsh and demanding. And they didn’t approve of Jesus because he was too lenient and accepting. Like us—if you will allow me again to use the expression—they were damned if they did. And damned if they didn’t!
The punchline that Jesus gives to all this, unfortunately, is equally obscure. He says, “Yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds.”
Hunh? Having read several scholars thoughts on the subject, I think that what Jesus is getting at is something like this: the proof is in the pudding. The wisdom of who is right—those who constantly challenge that whatever you do is wrong, or Jesus—will be shown by results. (Jesus is certain he will prevail. The naysayers and critics, frankly, are wrong … and he’s right!)
The last half of today’s reading has some of the most comforting words Jesus ever spoke.
“Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens,” Jesus says, “and I will give you rest.”
It’s no secret that our Cares Chorus is what I call “soul music” for me. Its words are always available to me when I need them: I cast all my cares upon you. I lay all of my burdens down at your feet. And anytime I don’t know what to do, I will cast all my cares upon you.”
Although, strictly speaking, I think it’s lyrics come primarily from a psalm, they also resonate with what Jesus is saying to us today!
“Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens,” Jesus says, “and I will give you rest.”
“Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Isn’t it interesting that this is the follow up to the first part of today’s reading? Jesus opens by telling a parable to his critics saying to them, in effect, “I can’t win with you people. And neither can John! We call you out to ‘play’ with us—John using harsh and demanding words and I using words of welcome and inclusion—but you’re not satisfied with either of us!
“I can’t win with you! But, so be it! Let the proof be found in the pudding.”
Undaunted, then, he turns toward those who will listen. Who do want to play his game! And he says, “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”
“Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
I’m titling this message, Trust Jesus’ Words! I used the phrase last week to remind us of Martin Luther’s simple but profound advice about the Real Presence of Jesus in communion and in our world.
Trust Jesus’ Words! If Jesus says of the bread and wine of communion, This is my Body. And This is my Blood! Trust Jesus’ words. And if he says, “Whoever welcomes you, welcomes me,” “me” means “me” for Jesus! If he says others encounter him through us, believe him!
Today’s message continues that theme. And, as a result, it gives wonderfully good news! We also find ourselves in a time when many of the things we wish or believe in are subject to attack. Is it Black Lives Matter, All Lives Matter, or Blue Lives Matter?
Does protesting matter more than law and order, or law and order more than protesting? Is it more patriotic to demand change in our country or to celebrate our greatness?
In the face of all this unsettlement and dissatisfaction—something which Jesus knows and had experienced all too well—Jesus opens his arms and says, “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.
“Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Trust Jesus’ words. Entrust yourself to him. And follow!
In Jesus' name. Amen.
