FEB 5, 2006 PASTOR SCOTT FULLER
IS 40:21-31; I COR 9:16-23; MK 1:29-39
Prepare our hearts, Lord, to receive your Word. Silence in us any voice but your own that in hearing we may believe and in believing we may obey your will revealed to us in Jesus Christ. Amen.
Dear friends in Christ: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
It’s Super Bowl Sunday, in case you’ve been unconscious or on the moon for the last few weeks. Seattle vs. Pittsburgh. I’m going to be cheering for the Seahawks…any Steeler fans in the group? The one thing we can all agree on, I’m sure, is that one of the best things about the game is the creative advertising we’ll get to see…
You may remember one commercial from long ago that I think made its debut at the Super Bowl. It showed a man sitting in his recliner nursing a can of suds. When he puts down the empty and yells to his wife, Alice, get me a beer!…she shakes her head and yells right back, Get it yourself, Bob!
I have absolutely no memory of how the commercial ended or the remotest idea of what it was about, but this message came through loud and clear: Alice did not believe that she was called by God to serve Bob.
Contrast that modern mindset with our Gospel lesson this morning. Jesus and his disciples go to the home of Simon Peter whose mother-in-law is sick, probably close to death. Into that dark valley, Jesus stretches out his hand, touches the woman, and restores her wellbeing. The good news is: she’s healthy once again. The bad news is: that bunch of Bobs immediately put her to work in the kitchen, serving a houseful of guests.
Now, it’s safe to say that Peter’s mother-in-law and Alice from the t.v. commercial lived in entirely different worlds. That woman from the first century was more like the moms that even many of us grew up with. It was ok for dads to play at cooking…on the barbeque, but the kitchen was the domain of the Grande Dame of the house. She would have to be on her deathbed before anyone else could cook and serve.
So, out of all the things that Jesus did over his three years of ministry, why is this quiet story of healing included in the gospel?
-to prop up the chauvinist platform that women belong in the kitchen? No.
-to show that Jesus takes care of his friends before anyone else? No.
I think it proclaims two things. Early in his ministry, Jesus is out to draw a big ol’ line in the sand. Already we’ve seen him call disciples, cast out a demon and crush traditions that cause people pain. Now we see him heal a sick woman –all are signs of God’s coming kingdom.
This event also shows how people respond to Jesus’ gift of love and well-being. For in this moment, touched by God, Peter’s mother-in-law is changed. From inaction to action, from care-receiver to care-giver, from lying and dying to living and giving. That’s what makes this story perfect for a Stewardship sermon…touched by the hand of God, this woman offers in response the gifts she has to give.
Time, talent and treasures – all are important, even vital, to a strong ministry, a healthy Body of Christ. But the one to concentrate on today is the issue of money. For here we are, God’s people called Gloria Dei, getting ready to gather for the annual meeting. It’s a time when this family of faith holds its leaders accountable. When you expect to see a vision, detailed in dollars and cents, of how our hard-earned money is going to help spread God’s Word and help us help others in need.
Here’s the challenging question for you and for me; How much shall I give to the work of God through the Church? What are some percentage figures that people have used in the past?
-10% (Biblical tithe)
-5%
In my first parish, someone came to me and said: I don’t have much money right now, so I’m going to wait until I can give a gift that matters. Anyone want to guess the bible story I told that person in response? The poor woman who put two copper coins in the offering. Said Jesus of her, Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of the rest; for they have contributed out of their abundance, but she, out of her poverty, has put in all she had to live on.
God doesn’t care about the amount that we put in the plate…God cares about our heart-felt response to the healing touch of Christ. Think of different ways that can happen:
In prayer, Jesus touches our spirits.
In Baptism, God touches us with water and the Spirit.
In the Word, the Law touches our conscience and convicts us of sin.
Also in the Word, the Gospel touches our whole being and fills us grace.
In his Body and Blood, Jesus touches us with God’s life-giving, faith-creating, hope-producing, love-offering gift of forgiveness.
How much should you give? Whatever feels right as a response to how God has touched your life. Just remember this: our offerings to God, great and small, will be welcomed and written into the symphony love that we share through Christ with the world.
Lois Weber sent me an e-mail a while ago about a performance by the great pianist Ignace Jan Paderewski. Attending the concert was a mother with her young son who was reluctantly taking piano lessons. She thought that bringing him to hear the great man would maybe rekindle his interest.
With the mother’s attention captured friends, she lost track of her bored son. His attention was captured by the beautiful grand piano under the dazzling lights. Before long, the attention of the audience was captured by someone playing a choppy version of that old standby Chopsticks.
The mother didn’t know what to do, especially as people in the audience began to fret and stew. Paderewski, though, waiting to begin his concert, heard someone playing the piano. Quickly he put on his coat and walked out on stage. Then he slipped behind the boy on the bench, put his arms around him, and began playing along. He whispered in the boy’s ear "Go ahead. I’ll help you! Keep it up!" The great musician took what little the boy had to offer, a discordant version of Chopsticks, and turned it into a beautiful piece of music (many sources).
From:
-Peter’s mother-in-law, who was healed by Jesus and began to serve as a response of thanks, to
-the poor woman who contributed two copper coins, her life’s savings, as a song of trust to God, to
-the bored little boy whose somewhat self-centered “sonata” was received by the master and turned into a work of art, so God touches us, takes our offerings and turns them into opportunities for the Spirit to work its blessings of faith, hope and love in Jesus Christ. Amen.