Risky Ministry

Rev. Beth Anderson

Bermuda Hundred UMC

July 15, 2012

Mark 6: 14-29

Friday, our family attended the James River District Welcome Picnic in Yale, Virginia at Sharon UMC with the other pastors and their families.  It was a great opportunity to begin meeting others on the district.  A few of us were talking about the texts for this Sunday and no one except for myself and one other pastor were willing to preach on this text—John the Baptist --- losing his head.  J   

We usually only hear about John the Baptist at the beginning of the year – around January when we celebrate the Baptism of the Lord.

We think of John the Baptist at Advent as we remember Mary and Elizabeth pregnant at the same time. 

We read passages in December proclaiming the prophesies of John –remembering that  he is the one who will prepare the way for our Lord. [i]

We remember Zechariah unable to speak until John is named after his birth.

John’s birth, life, and death—prepare the way for Jesus Christ our Savior.

We hear a lot about the John and Jesus before and at the time of their births and then we do not hear much about them until they are adults. 

When we catch up to John– he now lives in the desert, he wears clothing made of camel hair, and he eats locust and wild honey.

John is not typical.

John doesn’t have a couple kids and spend his evenings at the kitchen table worried about a mortgage. 

He’s living in a cave down by the Jordan River and dining on insects…

John doesn’t negotiate business deals, answer to supervisors, or work with a team to build something or agree on a decision. 

John calls it like it is.

When all kinds of people came from Jerusalem to be baptized and were repenting and confessing their sins

The Pharisees and Sadducees also came (a reflection of the wide of appeal of John’s renewal movement…)

Yet when John saw them he  said,   “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?  Bear fruit worthy of repentance .  Do not presume to say to yourselves, “We have Abraham as our ancestor; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham.”[ii] 

Yeah- John is a prophet.  Not a diplomat.

He doesn’t mince words—John wasn’t going to let them be okay with simply saying, “Hey--we’re children of Abraham—so… we’re good.” 

He was going to speak up- when he had to …and even when he didn’t have to. 

He was going to talk about hard things—sin, repentance, justice, compassion, holiness.  

John would use his voice—he would cry out in the wilderness.

He would use his voice- even if it shook.

And he was spirited.

He leapt in Elizabeth’s belly when Mary came to visit and he has been lively ever since. 

Lively that is…. Until we slam into today’s text.

Mark’s Gospel is full of immediacy –and things kind of hit us with a shock—

That’s how we hear the news that the man who baptized most of Jerusalem and Jesus himself is now--- dead.

We hear the news – at the beginning of the text----almost nonchalantly:

“King Herod heard of it, for Jesus’ name had become known. Some were saying, “John the baptizer has been raised from the dead.” 

The first time you read through it – you’ve got to take a double take.

—Did Mark’s Gospel just say John the Baptist was dead?

When did that happen?  Did I miss something?

Then, you get the fullness of the story as a flashback—you hear about Herod, Herodias, and her daughter (Herod’s step-daughter) also named Herodias… who danced. 

If you’re not careful it’s easy to get lost in what’s happening in this dangerous soap opera of a story…

We get more backstory-- Herod wanted to marry his brother Philip’s wife—AND John spoke out against it. 

“John had been telling Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brothers’ wife.” 

Herodias (the wife) didn’t like hearing this—and she had a grudge against John- in fact this wasn’t just a grudge- she wanted to kill him. 

But Herod— feared John—Herod knew John was “righteous and holy” and Herod protected him.  – (perhaps from Herodias…. )

Whenever Herod heard John—the Gospel tells us that “he was greatly perplexed”…. “and yet he liked to listen to him.”

John was speaking the truth to him—it was probably hard to hear—yet he was drawn to hear it—it perplexed him. 

There is something alluring about the truth. 

When we hear it – it may sting, it may trouble us, it may challenge us—but no matter what—we can’t shake it.

John the Baptist was serious about pointing people to Jesus and to His Word—

As we keep reading through the Gospels we come Jesus saying,

“ If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples.  Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” [iii]

Herod- a wealthy man- with a huge banquet- food, drink, power

—was not free. 

He stayed chained doing what all others wanted of him—he feared losing what seemed like real power—so for as long as he could,  he protected John the Baptist- when that seemed like the politically safe maneuver.

But when sitting in a crowded banquet room—all eyes watching--- he feared Herodias and the pressure of the guests all around—and stayed locked to the security of earthly power.

 Herod was consistently inconsistent—going with whatever won him the most popularity at the time

Yet, John the Baptist never wavered. 

He risked everything and it lost him everything.

He pointed to Jesus- the truth, the kingdom, our Savior

He prepared the way for Jesus—

Both would lay down their lives for the Truth.

And Jesus, who came baptizing with the power and fire of the Holy Spirit would die and rise. 

Jesus Christ came and prepared the way for all us

—to have everlasting resurrection lives. 

They risked it all for us to have it all. 

Risk is scary.  It’s putting yourself on the line. 

It’s standing up and using your voice

—when you don’t have to, but you choose to.

My mother taught me a lot about this.

She was a teacher in Prince Edward County Schools in the mid 70’s through 80’s. 

Prince Edward County when ordered on May 1, 1959 to integrate its schools, chose instead to close the entire public school system. 

Private schools were created for white students as a protest to integration and no provision was made for educating the county’s black children.  This system remained until 1964, when the U.S. Supreme Court outlawed Virginia's tuition grants to private education.[iv]

 Yet, during the time my mother worked there- she was the only white female teacher in her school. 

She encountered death threats and slashed tires. 

My sisters and I were called names. 

Our family was known.

We lived on a farm in Pamplin and attended Charlotte County Schools. 

We were the first to be picked up and the last to be dropped up because the bus driver, my friend Kia’s father lived up the hill from us. 

Kia was my best friend.

I’ll never forget the day a bully on our bus---- I don’t remember his name—

He was a really tall big guy with flaming red hair. 

He had slew of brothers all with the same bright red hair.

 Our bus had Elementary, Middle, and High School kids all on the same bus. 

I was in 1^st grade and my sister Caroline was in 6^th. 

He pushed my sister and knocked off her glasses.  He was about to step on them laughing as he pushed her back. 

He stood over her calling our family names.

  I slid out of my seat and came between them.

 My scrawny but tall for my age 6 year old self said,

“HEY – you can’t talk to my sister that way!

You sit down and be quiet and you learn to be nice!”

 I didn’t even realize what I was doing!  I just did it because he was wrong! 

Everyone became still. 

He sat down.

 Everyone quieted.

 I picked up Care’s glasses and slid next to Kia

                                                                ----and then I started to shake. 

She put her arm around me and we rode home in silence. 

I knew to do that because of my Mom.

My Mom and I had lots of conversations about why things were the way they were and why people acted the way they did. 

Usually all she could say was – “there is not a reason why –they’re just wrong and that’s not how we’re supposed to be. You be different.  Stand up and use your voice.”

Sometimes we’re taking risk and we don’t even know we’re taking risk, until its over—and we’re shaking….

Sometimes we’re taking a risk and our voice shakes, but we still must speak.

Risk is defined by the one taking the risk.

When you’re wearing camel hair in the desert eating bugs—risk is telling a powerful king how wrong he is.

When you’re the Son of God- risk is knowing that the world will hate you—and crucify you.

When you’re me and you…. risk very well may look differently than it did for John the Baptist.

 We’re not called to be John the Baptist. 

Isaiah didn’t say we would be the one to prepare the way for the Lord. 

But the Lord, our Savior Jesus

has prepared the way for each of us.

Risk looks different depending on your circumstances.

It was one thing to live in Detroit

-when we were young, just married, out of college

-and gangs burnt down our garage

-and drug deals happened a block away     

-and we didn’t have any children.

Would we do that now?

I don’t really know – to be sure.  I really don’t.

I only know that- that’s not where God has called us right now.

What I do know is

that I’m right where God wants me.

I know that – for any of us… the risk taking for our ministry is

to look at  who we are and where we are and discern:

what does God call NOW?

How do you know what risks God is calling you to take?

You pray.  And pray.  And pray.

You listen to God.

You read God’s word for the Truth—

--it will hold you accountable and  it will set you free.

And you remember the wisdom theologian Frederick Buechner shares,

“There are many different voices calling you

to many different places. 

The place where God calls you is where your

deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.”

So---Where----- How is the world hungry for your gifts?

Go there- Do that--take Risks!

Amen.

---

[i] Isaiah 40: 1-11

[ii] Matthew 3: 1-17

[iii] John 8:32

[iv] http://www.vahistorical.org/civilrights/pec.htm

The Force of Forgiveness

Rev.  Elizabeth Anderson

John 20: 19-31

“The Force of Forgiveness”

Guest Preaching- Dranesville UMC

Most of us when we hear today’s Gospel lesson think immediately of the story we hear. 

 We become refugees hiding with the disciples locked away in a room.  

We are amazed with them by the peace Jesus brings.  We either understand or judge Thomas and his desire to touch and see Christ risen, to soak into the wounds he suffered for us.  And yet, I cannot help but linger on verse 23 “If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” 

Here – after Jesus has died on the cross for our sins.

Here after Jesus has said, “Father forgive them, for they know not what they are doing.”[i] 

After Christ has forgiven us “while we were yet sinners”  -- we hear this.

Jesus says, “As the Father has sent me, so I send you” 

He breathes on the them the Holy Spirit—which fills them with power, ability,  and authority to live out this commission. 

And then Jesus charges them with the work of reconciliation: “If you forgive the sins of any- they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” 

A few months ago, a dear friend and parishioner lay dying.  His wife asked us all to pray the Lord’s Prayer and just keep praying it.  She had no other words. She knew no other prayer in these moments. She just knew that is what she needed to pray and needed others to pray. 

We need no other words really- than these words Jesus gave us all-- when the disciples asked him how do we pray?

We did exactly as this wife of a dying husband asked.   

We prayed it morning, noon, and night.

I ran into another person and we were discussing these friends, she also was praying.   

“It is so hard,” she said.

I raised my eyes.

“You know- to pray it.

To really pray it and mean it and say those words.

TO say, “forgive us AS we forgive others.

I have to really forgive—really forgive.”

She’s right- no matter if you say sins, or trespasses or debt—that “AS” is always there.

““And forgive us our trespasses, AS we forgive those who trespass against us.

Forgive us- AS we forgive others—it is there.

In fact Jesus gets fairly explicit in Matthew’s Gospel saying “For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”[ii]

 We are nearly forced- to forgive…

Jesus died on the cross for our sins—we are forgiven.

 It’s all done, right?

But Jesus said, “As the Father as sent me, so I send you.”

And Jesus said, ‘You must also take up your cross and follow me.”

And Jesus said, “If you forgive- they are forgiven- if you retain- it will be retained.”

Jesus doesn’t ONLY come and pay the price for our sins,                                    he invites us into participation in his life, death, and resurrection. 

He sends us, He commissions and commands us to also Carry the Cross- to make disciples, and to go and forgive as we have been forgiven. 

Forgiveness comes from Christ, but it does not end with Christ.

Once, Jesus healed a man and told him, “Your sins are forgiven.”  Some of the scribes saw this and were grumbling, questioning in their hearts- and Jesus knew this.  They thought, “Why does this fellow speak in this way!  It is blasphemy!  Who can forgive sins, but God alone?” [iii]

Jesus wanted them to see this forgiveness and know that he- the Son of Man had authority to forgive.  And not only did he have the authority- but he gave this authority to others—to share in the work of forgiveness. 

Can we do this work?

John Wesley said of the Lord’s Prayer that “uttered from the heart, and in its true and full meaning, [it] is indeed the badge of a real Christian.”[iv]

 While the beginning of the prayer notes our need for daily bread- for physical sustenance-- that need is quickly supplemented by the need for forgiveness—“not once, but continually.”[v]

“IF you forgive the sins of any”  -and  this is going to need to happen a lot—

There is an IF here-  just like that “As” in the Lord’s Prayer- it tells us that this is going to be a continual thing—and here as Jesus is breathing on the disciples (giving the gift of the Holy Spirit), giving them authority, sending them out- he gives them an IF—this is a condition--- a call to a radical way – an always do this way of being. 

“If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any; they are retained.”  -- There is no letting go if we don’t forgive.

 There is no healing – there is retaining all the pain—it is held on to if there is no forgiveness. 

All of that pain and fear is- still locked up if there is no forgiveness.   

Locked up – Like those disciples in the locked room and hiding- thinking Jesus is still dead. Not fully able to live in the forgiveness of the cross.

If we are not participating in the life of Christ               by forgiving as he has forgiven-                                       its as though we’re still locked up                                 with the disciples                                                                and Christ is still in the tomb. 

In Matthew’s Gospel Jesus says, “Truly I tell you , whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”[vi]

What are we retaining? What are we binding here and now and thus binding in heaven?

What is God holding onto because we are holding onto?

When we have accepted that Jesus has forgiven us from our sins, we are washed anew- we are freed!  This is indeed “the inner core of the holy experience”[vii] to soak into this well of forgiveness and let our Savior’s love wash over us.

  Can you imagine what it is to also extend this?

When we give and accept forgiveness from others, we extend this holiness!

We share in grace! Grace upon Grace! 

We carry out our “sent” authority that Christ has given us!

We see and know that essentially – “forgiveness is at the heart of the Christian faith.” [viii]  We live into our new our identity as Christ followers—

“Christ’s followers are called to

radical forgiveness,

unreasonable forgiveness,

reckless forgiveness,

endless forgiveness,

seemingly impossible forgiveness.” [ix]

It is not easy- in fact Peter once tried to find where the wiggle room in this forgiveness command lay?  Where was the “out”? 

“Lord, how often should I forgive?” As many as seven times?”  Jesus said, “Not seven times, but I tell you, seventy seven times.”  [x]

Jesus then told a story about a servant who experienced forgiveness, but did not carry it forward—it did not propel him into a life of forgiveness.  He did not forgive someone as he was forgiven. 

The servant was forgiven by his master and refused to forgive another- when his master found out he said, “You wicked slave!  I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me.  Should you not have had mercy on your fellow slave, as I had mercy on you?  And in anger his lord handed him over to be tortured until he would pay his entire debt.  So my heavenly Father will also do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”[xi]

This forgiveness is serious business. 

This is the force of forgiveness.

Now that may sound harsh…-Force…

But think of what “force’ really is—

Force-- is any influence that causes something to undergo a certain change, either concerning its movement or direction. 

Now, I’m not a physicist//

-----but I remember learning that force is that which can cause an object with mass to change its velocity.

Being in a relationship with Christ is a force in our lives that causes real change in us. 

The Christian life is a prayer of forgiveness:

“Forgive us as we forgive them.”

The Christian life is a suffering cry of forgiveness:

“Father, forgive them.”

The Christian life is a commission to forgive:

“If you forgive anyone, they are forgiven.” [xii]

Being a follower of Christ means that we are compelled- in fact we are sent out-by a powerful the powerful force of a life in Christ- sent with a velocity of love and grace fueled by the Holy Spirit—

You are commissioned – don’t be locked up—Jesus breathes on you the gift of the Holy Spirit! 

Go and do as Christ has done for you! 

Amen.

---

[i] Luke 23:34

[ii][ii] Matthew 6: 14

[iii] Mark 2:1-12 and Matthew 9:2-8

[iv] JW notes 11:1

[v] JW Notes11:4

[vi] Matthew 18:18

[vii] Wesley Study bible page 1200

[viii] Zahnd, Brian, 8 “Unconditional?”

[ix] Ibid, 35

[x] Matthew 18:21

[xi] Matthew 18:32-35

[xii] Zahnd, Brian, 11.

He Said What?

Rev. Beth Anderson

Scriptures that Keep us Awake at Night

“He Said What?”

Matthew 15: 21-28

February 19, 2012

Today, is Transfiguration Sunday, the day we see and acknowledge that Jesus is Christ. Christ stood before the disciples and his face shone like the sun, his clothes becoming white as the light. Transfiguration Sunday is the last Sunday before Lent. It is a time to celebrate the revelation of Jesus Christ. It is also a time of transition from Jesus’ work of teaching and healing to the journey of Lent.

Today we end our Sermon Series on “Scriptures that Keep us Awake at Night” - we have explored the scriptures you all submitted and each pastor has preached a scripture that keeps them awake at night.

Many of you have shared that this series has sparked an excitement in exploring the bible.

I’m excited by that.

I believe that is just what we need—a faith that is ignited—transformed from a flame into a fire—ignited to burn bright.

Can our faith be aglow as Jesus was, as he stood on top the mountain at His transfiguration?

Can our faith withstand both the mountain tops, and the valleys?

Wednesday we begin Lent as we repent and acknowledge that from dust we were born and to dust we will return. We explore forty days of Lent seeking to grow closer to Christ who sacrificed everything for us on the cross. Lent is a time to draw close to Christ and the word of God.

I hope that throughout Lent, scripture will continue to keep you up at night- and that it will also shape your days and transform your life.

Today, I am thrilled to share with you a scripture that has kept me awake at night.

I invite you to turn in your pew bibles to page _____

Here now this scripture from the Gospel of Matthew 15: 21-28

Matthew 15:21-28

Today's New International Version (TNIV)

The Faith of a Canaanite Woman

21 Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon. 22 A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is demon-possessed and suffering terribly.”

23 Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, “Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.”

24 He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.”

25 The woman came and knelt before him. “Lord, help me!” she said.

26 He replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.”

27 “Yes it is, Lord,” she said. “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.”

28 Then Jesus said to her, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour.

This is the word of God- for the people of God.

Thanks be to God.

So what is your first reaction when you read this?

It may be Wow? Really?

It may be: “He Said WHAT?”

We may need to read this over and over and over again.

We have reactions to all the characters-

To Jesus—

To the Disciples

And To this Canaanite woman

All of them react in ways that stir our emotions and rattle our expectations.

--- So we wonder—

He Said What?

We may wonder- why did she stay?

We may be frustrated with the disciples….

But the thing we must do is keep reading. And Reading.

Let’s get beyond our first reactions. Let’s not give up on the text.

Earlier in chapter 15 of Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus and the Pharisees get into it about handwashing.

Jesus called them on their hypocrisy – they were picking and choosing what laws they would follow.

They were more interested in the letter of the law than the spirit of the law. Jesus says to them, “you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition. You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you. “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.”

After this, we come to the story of the Canaanite woman.

Jesus left the places of disputing with the Pharisees, John the Baptist has just been killed, Jesus had fed 5000 people, and walked on water, --- he withdraws to the area of Tyre and Sidon.

Yet, even there, a Canaanite woman had heard of him.

She may be a Gentile- but she knows who Jesus is.

She may be considered unclean, but she has a heart filled with love for her daughter.

She may not know the law of the Jews, but she knows love.

She may not follow their tradition, but she has followed Jesus to this place.

She comes in to the place where Jesus is, crying out, calling to him, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is suffering terribly from demon-possession.”

Jesus hears her and says nothing.

Jesus, who heard the cry of so many.

Jesus, who’s Father in heaven had heard the groans of the Israelite slaves.

Jesus, who responded to people often- and even before they asked---

seemingly ignores her cry.

I wonder how often we have felt like this woman- crying out – wanting an immediate answer.

The Psalms are filled with pleading with God to answer our prayers—“Answer me when I call to you, O my righteous God. Give me relief from my distress; be merciful to me and hear my prayer” calls out the third Psalm.

Jesus’ disciples are annoyed by her—she is loud, obnoxious, and persistent.

They say to Jesus, “Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.”

She won’t leave us alone.

Take care of this… this…problem—this nuisance.

(How interesting that just earlier when Jesus had fed the 5000 just a few days before- the disciples had urged Jesus to send the people away—and Jesus put it all back on them and said, “NO- you feed them.” )

Here again—they are unwilling to do the work of compassion.

I remember so often- working in Detroit as a missionary – I would be worshipping on a Sunday in my church- the congregants knew me- I was the Bag Lunch Coordinator. Whenever a homeless person wandered into worship they were quick to find me—“Beth—go deal with that”. The homeless person who came in was not a sister/ a brother in Christ to worship God with—no—he was a thing to be dealt with.

Jesus finally responds to the Canaanite woman—“I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.”

This one hits me hard—Wow- Really--- Is Jesus limiting his scope of influence?

She is indeed a lost sheep—but not of the House of Israel.

Yet indeed we know Christ came and died for all.

He was sent first to the Jews, but to all the world to be a light to all the world—Gentiles included. [i]

She is not content with his answer. She pleads again.

This time she kneels before him “Lord, help me!” she says.

This is the second time she has called him Lord—this time she falls to her knees.

Her prayer and supplication become stronger- more fervent.

Jesus replies to her cry for mercy saying,

“It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.”

Wow- did he just call her a dog? Yep.

To call a person a dog- whether then or now—was and is a contemptuous insult. Jews often spoke with disrespect about “Gentile dogs”—like the dogs that roamed the street—savage scavengers….

Now- some will make the point- that Jesus uses the “diminutive word for dogs (kunaria) - the kunaria were not the street dogs, but the little household pets, not the pariah-like” mangy dogs that roamed the streets.[ii]

But a dog is a dog.

Calling someone a dog- does not recognize them as a person.

Who is this Jesus?

What will this woman do? Will she give up hope?

What would you do if you were her?

What would you say?

She could have said a lot.

She could have said—“Who do you think you are – calling me a dog? I’ve heard all about this Jesus- this Son of David- this Messiah! I’ve heard of your kindness and character—you are no Messiah, sir! I am not a dog. I am a person- I am a woman. How dare you call me a dog!”

But she didn’t say that—she didn’t say anything like it.

In fact she didn’t even try to argue with him over calling her a dog.

But she didn’t walk away. She didn’t give up.

Her day began with following Jesus to this place.

She pleaded and prayed. Her faith did not waver—it grew stronger.

Her faith was on fire. Her faith was hot—she had a faith that would not stop.

She had a faith that fired back at Jesus!

“Yes it is, Lord,” she said. “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.”

He had said it is not right for her to receive bread.

He had said she was a dog --not worth his Mercy.

She said- Oh no- it is right. For, even the dogs- get the crumbs.

“What Christ said, had silenced the disciples; you hear no more of them; they took his answer, but this woman did not.”[iii]

She would not be silenced. Her faith could not be shut down.

Perhaps Jesus knew this all along….

Perhaps Jesus knew---How often had she been mistreated….. How often had she been dismissed as a woman- a Canaanite woman—but today – she would not be silenced. Today she would not let down. She came here with purpose and with faith- not for herself—but for her daughter- driven by love- ready to lay her life down. She came with faith.

Jesus knew this faith. Knew it had been silenced before.

Today that would be changed. Today her faith would transform.

Today, the flame of her faith would burst forth into fire.

Can you imagine standing up to Jesus?

Do you have a faith that can fire back?[iv]

Do you have a love that will not back down?

She did.

And Jesus saw it.

Jesus said to her, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour.

We still may wonder at this name calling—at why Jesus does this.

What does it mean?

She never contradicts Jesus. She calls him Lord each time-

Every time she addresses Jesus she calls him Lord. Three separate times.

She understands who Jesus is: He is Lord.

Jesus is Lord.

Jesus does not have to fit our expectations for Jesus to be who he is.

He is the Lord.

And maybe this is the fundamental point of faith.

Jesus is Lord.

She is persistent because she has faith in Jesus as her Lord.

What does it mean to call Jesus your Lord?

She kneels, obeys----she allows Jesus the freedom to speak and to act as Lord.

Perhaps- this is why she is not offended –

as I have so often felt when reading this scripture.[v]

Maybe she has figured something out--- she has seen and decided that before

the Lord, the King and ruler of All, the one who reigns over Heaven and earth…we are all dogs.

We are all dependent upon Him for everything.

We depend upon the scraps of the table.

He is our Master.

Even a crumb-- is the bread of life.

Her very humility has prepared her to be glad and grateful for crumbs.

Her faith encouraged her to expect crumbs- to be thankful for any morsel- which for her was finest wheat to renew her life and the life of her daughter.

She had faith.

She had a faith that could find encouragement even in that

which is discouraging.[vi]

She had a faith that transformed—she followed Jesus, kneeled, wept, prayed, and she fired back.

She had faith on fire.

In this week as we begin Lent, as we confront that we are ashes this Wednesday- as we journey to the table, as we receive crumbs of mercy…

Will WE have this faith?

Let us pray:

Lord Jesus. You are Lord. You see us and know who we are. We are humbled as we kneel in your presence. Transform us and walk with us. Heal us and make us new. Strengthen our faith. Ignite us, burst the flames of our faith into a fire that does not back down. Give us a faith persistent and strong for the mountain tops and lowest valleys. Give us a faith that is honest and true, real and raw, a faith that begs your mercy and receives your grace. In the name of Jesus who is our Lord, Amen.

---

[i] See Romans 15:8

[ii] William Barclay Commentary

[iii] Matthew Henry

[iv] Inspired by Trygve David Johnson’s article “Faith to Fire Back”

[v]Ibid

[vi] Matthew Henry