Sunday, February 20, 2022

Seventh Sunday after the Epiphany
Genesis 45:3-15
Psalm 103
1 Corinthians 15:21-26, 30-42
Luke 6:27-38

But I tell you who hear: love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who mistreat you.

We are used to going to the grocery story and finding everything we need. If we can’t find it in a store, or don’t feel like going out to find it, we can get online and order it to be delivered within days or even hours. Of course, we’ve all recently had some issues with delayed gratification; our mail has been a few days late and our overnight orders have taken more than a day. It has been such a struggle! It hasn’t really been a struggle since there are worse problems we can face, but I heard many people complaining (including myself) about the inconvenience of not being able to find what we want or need. We have been frustrated, and frustration often leads to improper action.

A few years ago, I ordered something online that I needed in a timely manner. I paid the most expensive shipping cost to guarantee arrival by a certain day. When I tracked my package the day before it was due I realized that the box was still far away; I knew it would not arrive on time. I called the company, quite upset about the situation and spent a long time on the phone. The woman on the other end of the line tried to explain the ways of that small company and even shared her own frustrations. She was kind, and quiet, and apologetic. She asked me to write my concerns in an email so that she could share them with her manager. She said, “These are the very concerns we keep trying to bring up to management and they won’t listen.”

She reminded me that they were a Christian company and my attitude changed. It was not that I thought I should treat them kindlier because they were Christian; her words reminded me that I am also a Christian, and that I should be forgiving and patient and gracious. At the very least, I should not have been yelling at a lady on the phone who was really not at fault for my late package. In the end, the box arrived, and I was still able to share the contents even though it was late. The company even gave me a refund on some of the cost.

The woman’s reminder that I was dealing with a Christian company almost sounded as if it was an excuse for their poor business behavior. Yet, it is because we are Christian that we have a responsibility to stand above the crowd, when we are dealing with our neighbors in every way, including business. It may not seem fair, but the world expects more from us, and it is in the walking that extra mile and in the giving of our cloak as well as our tunic that they will really see the sacrificial nature of our love. They wonder, “What is it that makes these Christians so willing to love their neighbors?” It is then that they will be willing to listen as we tell them about Jesus. If we live as they do, and do business as they do, then there will be nothing that sets us apart. For the love of God changes our hearts and our minds so that the life we live is different than the world.

Every teacher remembers a difficult student: the student that never pays attention, that is a distraction to the other students, and that is often physical to the point of being dangerous. These are the kids that do not make it easy for the teacher to say anything positive about them. They make you want to pull your hair out. Yet, it is the teacher’s job to find some way to teach this child and the rest of the class. I learned much too slowly that negative attention does not help the child or the class. The disagreeable youngster uses the bad behavior to get the teacher’s complete attention and energy, leaving nothing for the rest of the children. Our natural tendency is to hate that child. Perhaps hate is too strong a word, however if we are honest with ourselves, we will admit that we have difficulty loving these children.

We can all say this about people we know. Think about your life, your work, and your neighborhoods. Even the most kind and loving people know someone that drives them crazy for one reason or another. It is a fact of life; we don’t get along with everyone. Personalities clash. Unfortunately, these relationships often go beyond quiet disregard and the people become enemies. They attack one another verbally, physically, or emotionally, thinking this is the only way to overcome the differences. Yet, Paul writes that we should bless our enemies, not curse them.

There was a case on one of those court tv shows on which two Christian women did not love their neighbors. The case involved a plaintiff who ran a non-profit dedicated to her son who had been killed by gang members. The defendant was a woman who called herself a prophetess. They met because they thought they might be able to merge their ministries to get more accomplished together rather than separately.

The meeting did not go well. Afterwards, the defendant posted awful things about the plaintiff and her son on social media. The plaintiff then showed up at the defendant’s church and made a scene. The defendant called child welfare on a friend of the plaintiff. The judge was incensed at the actions of both women. How could Christian women act this way toward one another? “What do you think God is thinking now?” She passed her judgment on the case but reminded them that they would both face an even greater judgment.

The plaintiff won the case. The defendant lost her countersuit because the judge found that her losses were the consequences of her own actions. Despite losing the defendant left the courtroom with a holier-than-thou attitude and preached some word about God. We never really found out went so wrong at the first meeting, but the events that followed were not the way Christian women should act in the world. Both were wrong, but in a court of law the judge can find in favor of one sinner over another. In God’s court, of course, we are all sinners and those who are set free are only those who trust in God. Both women had reason to confess and seek God’s grace for their actions. The plaintiff seemed humble, the defendant not so much.

The judge turned to the defendant and said something like, “You might be doing 99% good but you have done 1% evil. That’s all of us, we all sin.” She was kinder to the plaintiff, but her comments remind all of us that we are sinners in need of a savior. The Gospel is our only way out of our bondage to sin and death. We might look at our neighbor and think that they are somehow worse than we are and that they deserve our wrath, but the reality is that even if we are only 0.0000001% sinner, we are still tainted sinners. We will all face a greater judgment.

Being a Christian is not an easy thing. We are called into a relationship with Christ not to separate ourselves from the people we do not like in this world. Rather, in Christ we are given the gifts to overcome our natural tendencies so that we can live more Christ-like in the world. When our flesh wants to hate, we are commanded to love. When our mouths want to curse, we are commanded to bless. This is a difficult thing. Just like trying to find a good word about a distrancting child or a difficult neighbor, saying nice things about our enemies is not something we are naturally able to do.

Paul says we are to speak well about our enemies. Jesus took it a step further, telling us to do well by our enemies, to love them and serve them. Instead of complaining about our difficult neighbor, the Christ centered response to his or her action is to love and encourage them. Instead of doubling down when we get into a battle with a neighbor, we should find a way to reduce the animosity. Yet, it is not enough to speak positively in the presence of those who are difficult. We also need to be kind behind closed doors and in the depths of our heart. Our worst sins against our enemies happen in the places no one sees, but God sees and He knows when we curse those we hate. We have been given the grace to love our enemies as Christ loves us.

If only we could look on our enemies the way Joseph looked on his brothers. He had every right to be upset. His flesh and blood sold him off to slavery, after considering murder. They lied to their father who mourned his death. Joseph was not perfect. He was the son of his beloved wife Rachel and was given the most wonderful gifts, especially a richly ornamented robe. This love and his gifts made him a little conceited. Jacob’s other sons were jealous of the attention Jacob paid to Joseph. It is no wonder that they wanted to be rid of him.

Joseph had dreams; he had strange and unusual dreams that seemed to speak of his being a powerful ruler over his brothers. Another dream even put him as ruler over his mother and father. His brothers became so jealous that they schemed to get rid of him. While they were in the field grazing the sheep, Joseph went out to see if all was well. His brothers thought they should kill him and pretend a wild animal did it, but Reuben convinced them to just sell him as a slave. Joseph ended up in Egypt. He suffered through many trials, but eventually Pharaoh put him in charge of the whole land. Pharaoh had several dreams that Joseph interpreted. They were warnings of good years from the fields followed by years of famine. With Joseph’s guidance, the Egyptians saved enough grain through the good years that they were able to help feed the world during the famine.

Joseph’s brothers traveled to Egypt to purchase food for their family. They interacted with Joseph but did not recognize him. The dreams were fulfilled. Joseph had a plan to restore his relationship with his family. His brothers went home but returned again for more grain, since the famine lasted many years. They met again with Joseph; he treated them well but hid a silver cup in his brother Benjamin’s bag. The guards discovered the silver cup was missing and Benjamin was held for theft. Judah pleaded with Joseph to let the boy go so that Jacob would not perish at the thought of another lost beloved son. Joseph’s pain - his loneliness and his longing to see his father - was so great that he revealed himself to his brothers. He wept and kissed them with love and mercy.

The story continues beyond our scripture lesson for today. Jacob and his family moved to Goshen where Joseph took care of them. When Jacob died, Joseph’s brothers feared that he would take revenge. They pleaded with Joseph to be merciful, to remember their father and spare their lives. There was no need to beg. Joseph had forgiven them long before they asked. He understood that God used his life and even his suffering for His glory. This merciful action showed the great love he held for his brothers despite the evil he suffered at their hands. They could have been enemies, but Joseph loved them through the grace of God. Our Father did the same when He sent His Son Jesus Christ to win forgiveness for those He loves. He gives beyond measure in love and mercy.

Can we be so gracious to those who hurt us? That’s certainly what God expects from us and we will see that our mercy will be returned to us.

A great and ferocious lion ruled over all the animals of the forest. He lay down after a long day of unfruitful hunting and though he was still hungry he fell asleep. A short time later he was disturbed from his sleep by a tiny mouse that scampered across his massive form, thinking it was a rock. The lion waited patiently and at the right moment, he caught the mouse. Just as he was about to pop it into his mouth, the tiny creature begged for mercy. “Please forgive me! I did not mean to disturb you. If you let me go, I promise that I will return the favor one day.” The lion laughed at the silliness of such a small creature ever being of use to him but agreed. The mouse ran away to safety. Sometime later some hunters captured the lion and tied him to a tree. The tiny mouse appeared before the lion and began gnawing through the rope. Eventually, the mouse managed to loosen the rope enough for the lion to escape. The lion showed mercy and it was returned to him.

Mercy is about being compassionate, forgiving, and kind. In the story of the lion and the mouse, the lion set the mouse free even though he was hungry. If the lion had eaten the mouse, the mouse would not have been alive to chew the ropes for the lion. Both were blessed by the relationship. We deal with much greater evils in our world. Mercy is more difficult to understand and to express when our enemies have the power to destroy our lives.

We are called to be merciful, and our heavenly Father gives us the strength, courage and wisdom to do so. Our Lord Jesus Christ paid the highest price to give us the forgiveness that only He can give. He died for us even when we were His enemies so that we would be forgiven and set free from our lives of sin and debt to God. It isn’t easy, but we can begin as we are able with our neighbors, friends, and family members who have harmed us. We are not to seek revenge, but rather seek reconciliation by doing good to them. The love of God will manifest in the mercy you give, showing your life to be one as a child of God. God was kind and merciful to each of us, sinners and His enemies, forgiving our sin for the sake of His Son.

Those women on the judge show knew that they were strangers in a foreign land, Christians living in a fallen world. They knew that they had been saved by the grace of Jesus Christ, but their story played more like a reality show. They did not live as God has called them to live, loving their enemies and treating all their neighbors with mercy. Unfortunately, the judge was correct when she said that they’d face a greater judgment one day. The question that all of us need to ask is whether or not we really trust in God’s salvation. Have we been transformed by His mercy? Are we living forgiven, recognizing our own sinfulness? Are we willing to forgive; are we willing to see our neighbors including our enemies through the eyes of Jesus?

John Bunyan, the writer of the Christian classic “A Pilgrim’s Progress,” was not always a Christian. As a matter of fact, he recalled being a lost and profane man before his conversion. One day when he was in Bedford to work he came across a few women who were discussing their faith. He was drawn to the conversation, and he stayed to listen. The women talked about the miserable state of their nature and how God came to them with love and forgiveness in the Lord Jesus. John could hear the joy in their words and voices. He needed to return to work but their words did not leave him. What he heard changed his life. He wrote in his book “Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners”: “Therefore I should often make it my business to be going again and again into the company of these poor people, for I could not stay away...” John Bunyan was drawn into the company of the women because they spoke the Gospel of truth in words of praise and thanksgiving.

When people overhear your conversations about God and faith, what do they hear? Do they hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: His love, forgiveness, healing, and redemption? Do they see your life as one they would want to emulate, one of praise and thanksgiving to God? Can they hear the joy in your words and voice? If someone overheard your conversations today, would they stay to listen? Would they want to return?

What about your actions in the world? Do you live according to God’s Word, treating your neighbors with mercy and grace? Does the way you live glorify God? We do not know who might be watching us. We are called to praise God in our words and our actions, remembering that His promises are real. John Bunyan has touched the lives of millions with his story of Christian’s journey to eternal life. It all began because a few women were discussing their faith in praise and thanksgiving. Whose life will you touch today? Our impact may not reach so far, but God will bless you for being a magnet in His kingdom through your words and your deeds.

Lightning has an interesting effect on sand. When lightning strikes a beach, the heat of the lightning melts the sand into an interesting glass sculpture that looks much like a tree in winter. It is hard to imagine that grains of sand can become something clear, practical, and beautiful like glass. Yet, humans have had the knowledge and capability to make glass for millennia. Even the Romans had windows and mirrors in their villas. A local museum has a glass drinking cup that dates to the time of Jesus. Their glass was not as clear as we have today, but the techniques for glass making have developed over the years. We now know how to make the furnaces hotter and how to prepare the materials so that the glass will become perfectly clear. Artisans have discovered ways to work the molten glass to make beautiful pieces. It is fascinating to watch a glass blower at work, creating bottles or vases out of the hot, molten glass. There is no way to change sand into glass without putting it through intense work and heat, and once it is glass it can never be sand again. It can be ground and reused, but it will never again be as it once was. God’s grace changes us, too, and sometimes it is through intense experiences that we truly see His mercy.

Eventually we will die in the flesh, but that is not the end. We will be raised with Christ into something new to live forever in His presence and praise Him throughout eternity. It is natural for us to wonder what it will be like when we die. Christians know that we have eternal life, but we do not have a complete understanding of what that will be like. The glory of God is beyond our imagination. Someone once explained that heaven would be like taking the best of everything in this world and magnifying it a thousand times. The love we have for our spouses and children will be magnified well beyond our human capability, because we will be living in the presence of Love Himself. The beauty of a field full of wildflowers pales in comparison to what we will see in heaven. Food will taste a hundred times better than a meal created by a master chef.

The sand is burned until it melts so that it can be made into a window, vase or dish. The seed dies to be transformed into a living plant. Our bodies will also go through a transformation. Paul wrote to the Corinthians that they had to die to live. He said, “The body is sown perishable; it is raised imperishable. It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body and there is also a spiritual body.” In this life we might suffer through intense work as God makes us new for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ. This intensity may come from relationships with people that we do not really like. However, God gives us everything we need to be like Jesus, to love our neighbors and even our enemies. We should always remember that we were enemies of God, but Jesus Christ died on the cross for our sake even though we did not deserve His grace.

We know that God will be faithful to His promises. The transformation we will experience will be complete when we leave this world to dwell in God’s eternal glory forever, but that transformation began the day we believed in Jesus and became a Christian. This means that our life should look different than it did the day before. Our life is meant to look like Joseph’s, full of forgiveness for those who meant to do us harm.

Eventually we will die in the flesh, but that is not our end. We are raised with Christ into something new, to live forever in His presence and praise Him throughout eternity. We do not have to wait, however, for that day when we will dwell with Christ because we dwell with Him today. So, let’s live like Joseph, loving our enemies even if they have done us harm because God has a plan and can use the worst of times for His purpose. We are examples of His grace, blessed to be a blessing. We are saved to love our enemies and do good to those who hate us, to bless those who curse us and to pray for those who mistreat us. He has created and redeemed us to glorify Him in this world by the words we speak and the ways we act. We can do so with peace because He is faithful to all His promises.