Sermon for Pentecost 14

 Video of Divine Service at St. Luke, Rensselaer

Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost          

Isaiah 29:11-19      

Ephesians 5:22-33         

Mark 7:1-13

I imagine that most of us can tell a good story about needing something and discovering that it is “out of order.” We pull up to the gas pump. “Out of order.” Big sigh and something muttered under our breath. 

We are travelling and pull off at a rest stop and think that a caffeinated beverage would be most helpful to keep us alert while we push through. Nope, not happening today, because there is an “out of order” sign on the machines. Big sigh and maybe something muttered under our breath. 

In our modern world, many of us are affected when the computer does not work. But, it is particular demoralizing when we switch to another device and discover that it’s not the device, but the Internet is down. The Information Highway is taking a break. Out of Order. Perhaps more than a big sigh and perhaps a clear statement is uttered? 

Speaking of computers and the Internet, not long ago, frustration was at an all-time high for countless people across the globe when CrowdStrike’s software issue affected people everywhere. One of my relatives works from home and she spoke with resignation that day about the “blue screen.” Just waiting for the tech person to get back with me, she said. Then the blue screen phenomenon continued. Delta Airlines declared that they lost 500 million dollars due to that malfunction. That was only Delta, loads more people and businesses were impacted. The scale of disruption is nearly unimaginable! Big sign “out of order.” 

The lectionary readings today might as well have an “out of order” sign posted on them. They address spiritual conditions that are out of order and in need of repair. There are essentially two things that are addressed in today’s lectionary. The first has to do with where faith is placed.  The second is how faith is lived out. Only now, it’s not the people, the sinners, who are sighing and muttering, it’s God. Only he is speaking clearly. If only those with ears to hear and eyes to see, would do just that. 

When we go through catechism instruction, the first thing we learn is the first commandment. “You shall have no other gods.” What does this mean? “We should fear, love, and trust in God above all things.” That pithy explanation that Martin Luther offered is not a new insight of Pastor Luther’s. Moses could have said that. In fact, all the prophets and the Son of God would agree with it. 

Isaiah is addressing Israel’s religious and political leadership because they do not see that their relationship with God is out of order. While they say the words. Do the rituals that are expected. Their heart and mind is not in it.  They do not fear, love, and trust in God above all things. 

At the turn of the century, in 701 BC it looked like Assyria was about to barrel down on Judah and Jerusalem. Instead of doing what Ninevah did under Jonah’s preaching, the King and his court sought worldly solutions.  They did not call for a fast and a national time of prayer. They did not call for a reform of faith practices. They did not reform their own economic practices which promoted grave injustice for its less influential citizens. Instead, they formed a political and military alliance with Egypt. They built up their own army as best they could. They looked for ways to strengthen themselves. And, if people wanted to worship and seek solace from other gods, well, what can that hurt? The leadership chose to take matters into their own hands. They chose not to fear, love, and trust in God above all things. 

In the Lord’s great mercy, He sends the prophets. Isaiah was only one of several prophesying at this time. He called them on their rebellion. They are God’s people and so should act like it. Instead, they said the words, but their actions showed where their hearts lay. And, it was not with the Lord. 

Isaiah is left to eloquently declare that they are “out of order.” They are broken and their spiritual blindness and hardness of heart prevents them from calling out to the one God that can help them. 

Jesus and his disciples are confronted by well-meaning Pharisees who observe that the Rabbi Jesus’ students are not doing that which ought to be standard practice for good Jewish folk. The presenting issue in this scene from Mark is the tradition of “washing hands before eating.” 

I suspect that most of us grew up and live in households where the prevailing wisdom is to wash one’s hands before handling the food. We remember that in the early days of Covid, we were instructed to regularly wash your hands. But, I want to be clear, the Pharisee’s concern is not about bacteria, germs, or viruses. The issue is about an external appearance of spiritual purity. The same with making sure that your kitchen and eating utensils are kept separate for their different functions. This is not about our modern issues of health.  Jesus’ response to them helps us to see this.

Eating with undefiled hands, and eating food that is prepared in a particular way, was yet one more way in which they could take ownership of their salvation. As Jesus makes clear, the Pharisees’ development of the tradition was not leading people into a state where people will more deeply live into the meaning of the first commandment to fear, love, and trust in God above all things. Rather, it became a frustrating game of following all the rules. The rules became the thing, not love of God. 

Then Jesus lets us know that there were some odd interpretations in that community of Pharisees about the limits of the fourth commandment. Because certain things and certain money was dedicated to God, then these men of God were free to not assist their parents in their old age. In their mind, keeping their interpretation of the Law overrides the clear command to honor and take care of their parents when they are most vulnerable. 

Jesus, in exasperation, no doubt, declares that they have completely misunderstood the commands of God. They did not trust God. They trusted themselves to the detriment of their faith and their God appointed responsibilities. Jesus quotes from the prophet Isaiah when he rebukes them. In doing so, Jesus declares this group of Pharisees to be “out of order.” 

In his second letter to Timothy, the Apostle Paul says that “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness…” Jesus uses Isaiah as a means of reproof and correction. The Church with all of the honesty and self-reflection that she can bear, admits how easy it is for us to misunderstand, misinterpret, or simply disregard God’s Word and God’s desire for our lives. We can easily say, “that was then, and this is now.” We can with any variety of excuses, fall into the habit of saying the words, but not fully trusting, or taking matters into our own hands, and not calling upon the Lord for His mercy. So, the Church presents us with the words of Isaiah and Jesus, and asks us to reflect for a moment. Are your words and actions in line with God’s expectations of you? 

If not, there is help for us. Jesus, not only accuses, but he also sacrifices himself on the cross for our sakes. Jesus, the Son of God, co-eternal with the Father and the Holy Spirit, has embraced our humanity. Instead of choosing to destroy us or let us destroy ourselves, he chooses to save us. Jesus dies on the cross to forgive us of our sins, our selfishness, our lies that we tell each other and ourselves in the mirror. Jesus asks for our faith, our trust in Him, so that we hear His words, “For my sake, you are forgiven. Go in peace with faith, love, and trust in the Lord God above all things.” 

Because we have heard the word, received the correction that Scripture offers, and  repented, we are free to love God and live the way he calls us to live. Jesus declares us in good working order. No longer broken. 

The peace of God which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.