Sunday,February 23, 2025

Seventh Sunday after the Epiphany
Genesis 45:3-11, 15
Psalm 103:1-13
1 Corinthians 15:21-26, 30-42
Luke 6:27-38

For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is his loving kindness toward those who fear him.

Since Easter is a movable feast, based on the lunar calendar and the phases of the moon, as well as the spring equinox, landing close to the Jewish holiday of Passover, which Christians we is when Jesus was crucified. Since Easter moves, so does Ash Wednesday, since we count back forty-six days. We observe Lent for forty days between Ash Wednesday and Easter, not counting the six Sundays during that period. The earliest date for Ash Wednesday is February 4th and the latest is March 10th. This year Ash Wednesday is March 5th. The late date affects the length of the season of Epiphany, which lasts from four to nine weeks. The final Sunday is always the celebration of the Transfiguration of Jesus. This means that the Seventh Sunday of Epiphany does not happen very often.

This means that though the texts for this week are familiar, they aren’t heard together very often. What do they have to say for us today? What do these texts do to help us prepare for the next season? After all, we are just days away from Ash Wednesday and the season of Lent. As we leave the season of Light and enter the season of repentance, we are reminded to be humble, to know our salvation is not dependent on our own works, and that as recipients of God’s grace, we are to share that grace with mercy and not judgment.

We have a reputation to protect, not our own but God’s. How do our words and actions impact the people who hear and see us each day. John Bunyan knows how it can positively impact a life. He is the writer of the Christian classic “A Pilgrim’s Progress”, but he was not always a Christian. He described himself as a lost and profane man before his conversion. One day when he was in Bedford, he crossed the path of three or four women discussing their faith. He was drawn to listen to their conversation, and though he did not understand he stayed for a time. The women talked about faith, 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 eventually continued on his way, but their words did not leave him. Their words and witness 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 repeatedly drawn into the company of those women because they spoke the Gospel of truth in words of praise and thanksgiving. They may have even been singing hymns or reciting Psalms.

Our witness is not always so wonderful. I like to watch “The People’s Court”, and I’m constantly amazed at how the litigants are willing to admit the worst of their faults on national television. In an episode I recently watched, the litigants talked about their drug use as if that lifestyle was normal and trustworthy. The judge never judges these aspects of their testimony unless it directly affects the case, but I can just see her shaking her head at the foolishness of the admissions because their words and actions definitely affect their lives in negative ways.

She is often harsher with those who claim to be people of faith. On another episode, two Christian women were fighting each other over something trivial. Their words and actions were not Christ-like. The case involved a plaintiff who ran a non-profit organization 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 asked both litigants. 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 human law it is the job of the judge to judge between one sinner over another. In God’s court, of course, we are all sinners and those who are set free are those who trust in God. Both women had reason to confess and seek God’s grace for their words and actions. The plaintiff seemed humbled by the judge’s words, the defendant not so much.

The judge turned to the defendant and said, “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 the 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 the greater judgment that comes from God. The worst part of this court case was not the argument between the women, but that their witness to the television audience did not glorify God.

The women in John Bunyan’s story shined the light of their Lord Jesus, those on court television vehemently claimed to be women of faith, but they did not live their faith.

Being a Christian is not an easy thing. I confess that I’ve had my own moments when I did not live up to the expectations of my God. 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, angry and yelling about the situation. The woman on the other end of the line was kind, quiet, and apologetic, admitting that she was frustrated by some of the problems they were having in the company. 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.”

I calmed myself when she reminded me that they were a Christian company. It was not that I thought I should treat them better because they were Christians; I realized during our conversation that I was not being a good witness. I should not have been yelling at a lady on the phone that was not at fault. It didn’t matter whether she was a Christian or not. It didn’t even matter if she knew I was a Christian. I knew I was not living up to the expectations of my Lord.

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, like those ladies on the court show, 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.

We live in a world where people are constantly watching. They watch social media. They watch interactions with neighbors. They watch when we treat a server poorly or yell at a cashier. They are especially watchful when they know you are a Christian. As Christians, we have a responsibility to stand above the crowd. It may not seem fair, but the world expects more from us, and it is in 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.

We are given faith, and transformed to be Christ-like, loving even our enemies. This doesn’t just mean avoiding them so that we will not treat them poorly, Paul says we are to speak well of our enemies. Jesus took it a step further, teaching us to do well for our enemies, serving them with grace and mercy. Sadly, we live at a time when there is not much goodwill between people who disagree. I spend a lot (perhaps too much) time on social media. It is one of the places where I share my writing. It has been hard because so many people have become so passionate about their point of view that they have no consideration for people who see the issues differently. I’ve seen people, Christians, who use inappropriate language, who tell lies or half-truths (they often believe), who call other people names just for having a different point of view.

I know a lot of people who have chosen to disconnect, for good reason. People are harsh on the World Wide Web. I’ve been “unfriended” based on something I liked or shared. I have made conscious decisions to stay out of the battles. I don’t really care what people think of me, but how can I be a good witness to the love and mercy of God if I hate them with inappropriate language, lies and half-truths, or name calling? We can’t take Jesus to the world if we separate from it, and sometimes our separation comes not by our choice, but because others reject us based on our witness. We can be witnesses like the women in John Bunyan’s story, or we can be witnesses like the litigants on the court show. They might reject us either way, but we can rest in the hope that God will use our good witness to His glory, but He’ll never be glorified if we hate our enemies.

It is natural for us to want to separate from those who we do not like in this world, but Jesus Christ gives us the gifts to overcome our natural tendencies so that we can be 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 those whose opinions differ from ours, saying nice things about our enemies is not something we are naturally able to do.

It’s a scary world out there sometimes. Natural disaster threatens our well being. We fear for our children, with drugs and gangs abundant in cities and rural areas. We fear poverty, hunger, sickness and death. We fear accusation from the enemy. Yet, we should not fear because God is always faithful.

Today as you face those things about this world that bring fear, concern, worry, anger, doubt or pain, always remember that you are a beloved child of God. Though the things you fear may touch your life, the Lord God Almighty will be your refuge and your strength. He is the only One to fear, and that fear is one of reverence and awe for what He is able to accomplish. God gives us everything we need to prepare for all our circumstances, even when they seem to be out of control. In the name and by the blood of Jesus Christ our Lord, we are in the hands of God and trust in His faithfulness to see us through. It’s a scary world, but we live in another and can know true peace, hope, and joy.

Can you imagine what Joseph must have been feeling when his brothers came in search of food? After years of experiencing fear, concern, worry, anger, doubt, and pain, somehow Joseph knew true peace, hope, and joy, so much so that he could forgive and seek reconciliation when faced with his “enemies.” I would not have blamed him if he had just kicked them out of Egypt forever.

He didn’t.

If only we could look at our enemies with the same grace and mercy of Joseph with his brothers. He had every right to be upset. They sold him into slavery, after considering murder. They lied to their father, who mourned his death. Joseph was not perfect; he was immature and perhaps even arrogant, the favored son from Jacob’s beloved wife Rachel. The brothers were jealous because he was showered with gifts, including a richly ornamented robe. Jacob’s favor made him conceited. 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 showed his mother and father under his realm. 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 had several dreams that Joseph was able to interpret thanks to God’s intervention. They were promises for good years from the fields followed by warnings of years of famine. Pharaoh gave Joseph the power to lead Egypt during this time, to prepare with the feast so that they wouldn’t starve during the 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 bad.

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 did not immediately reveal himself; he 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 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.

You are surely familiar with the rest of the story. 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. He could not hate his brothers though they acted like enemies. This merciful action showed the great love he held for them 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 mercy will be returned to us.

Mercy is about being compassionate, forgiving, and kind. We deal with so many evils in our world that mercy is difficult to understand and even harder to express when our enemies seem to 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 begin by sharing God’s grace with our neighbors, whoever they are, even if they are people who have harmed us. We are not to seek revenge, but rather 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. 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? We are just two weeks from Ash Wednesday, when we’ll begin the period of repentance called Lent as we prepare for Holy Week and Easter. Are you willing to humble yourself and accept that you are as much a sinner as the one you call an enemy? Even if your sin is only 0.0000001% of your life, you are still a tainted sinner.

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? 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.

God is faithful to all 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 harm us.

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 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. It begins with singing praise and thanksgiving to the God who has dealt with us according to His loving kindness. Who knows? Your words and acts of praise might just be the very witness to God’s grace that someone needs so that they will begin to believe and be saved.