Sermon for Sunday, August 20, 2017
Sermon Texts: Exodus 16: 2-15
Isaiah 56: 1, 6-7
Matthew 15: 21-28
Romans 11: 13-15, 29-32
Sermon Title: “No Virtue Is An Island”
Sermon Topic: Faith, alone is not enough
Sermon Purpose: To teach that faith must be joined with works, perseverance and humility in order to be productive and in order for the person to receive the benefits.
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Sermon Prayer:Son of David, Son of God, heal our souls, that we may be saved from our doubts and know the healing of faith that restores both us and those to whom You send us, of whatever nation or condition.
Be with us, now, as we study Your words and the Will of our Father, that we may truly follow Your teaching and be ministers of God's love. Amen.
I ask you to bear with me, as I take you on a short historic journey through our American culture.
In 1950, a popular song entitled "No Man Is An Island" was presented to the American public. Does anyone remember the lyrics?
["No man is an island,
No man stands alone,
Each man's joy is joy to me,
Each man's grief is my own.
We need one another,
So I will defend,
Each man as my brother,
Each man as my friend."]
In the late 1970's, the immensely popular movie, "Star Wars," borrowed from this theme. When an entire planet is destroyed by the Death Star of The Empire and the troops of the evil Darth Vader; Jedi knight, Obi Wan Kenobi feels the dwindling of that mysterious "Force" that joins at least all the good guys.
This theme recurs, from time to time, in story-line after story-line of the original "Star Trek" television series and movies.Other poems, books, songs, and films have reminded us of our connectedness with all humanity - no matter the other person's politics, race, creed, color, age or gender.
In the 1990’s, this congregation joined others around our, during times of national distress and war, singing:
"Let there be peace on earth
And let it begin with me.
With every step I take
Let this be my solemn plea:
With God as our Father
Brothers all are we.
Let me walk with my brother
In perfect harmony.
Let peace begin with me.
Let this be the moment, now.
With every step I take
Let this be my solemn vow:
To take each moment
And live each moment
In peace eternally.
Let there be peace on earth,
And let it begin with me."
Was this some unique thought of 17th century English poet, John Donne, of the so-called "Metaphysical School of Poetry?" Not hardly! Many centuries before the Bible was written this thought was prevalent among humanity.
Today's Gospel Lesson teaches that no virtue is an island. All virtues lean on one another to such an extent that it is impossible for a single virtue to stand alone. This lesson is not just important, it is vital to the life of a true Christian.
The specific lesson that Jesus teaches us, today, has to do with the virtue of faith and the accompanying virtues of perseverance and humility. Together, they work for a most amazing woman. Merebelief, alone, no matter how powerful and motivating it might be, would not have done the trick.
Consider the story itself, as Matthew tells it: Jesus and His apostles are traveling, by foot,in the land of Tyre and Sidon: the fringes of the land of Israel. So it's not all that strange that a Gentile should suddenly appear in their company. She is a Canaanite woman who is definitely not the quiet, mousey type. She is crying out her request. LOUDLY! She's almost demanding that Jesus do something to help her demon-possessed daughter. Whatever else happens, she is making certain that she is being heard. She asks for healing for her daughter. The girl is possessed! She needs an exorcism!
Now, notice that Jesus doesn't seem to be paying anyattention to her, even though the Scriptures say she is raising a considerable fuss.
We've all known people like that: every day is a new crisis, no one ever had a problem as serious as theirs, "If it's the squeaky wheel that gets the oil, I want/I need the whole refinery." Nothing ever seems to go right for this person (according to him/her), and so - because they've heard the old song so often - everyone has grown tired of making emergency responses. So, the community begins "turning a deaf ear" to that person: everyone ignores him/her.
Even if Jesus seems to be able to tune her out, His apostles can't! Eventually, they urge Jesus to getridofher!
And so, at last, Jesus turns to her in one of the oddest exchanges recorded in the New Testament. Not only does Jesus apparently refuse her request, but He seems to insult her, in the bargain.
First, He reminds everyone that His mission is foremost to the Jews. Why, then, should He take food intended for these Chosen people and cast it to the dogs?
Even though the words used here convey the meaning of "little dogs" or "puppies," referring to her as any kind of a dog is still a startling image to aim at a woman who wants only to help her sickchild. Even though Jesus uses "cute" language, it seems as though He's "kicking her when she's down."
This is something that's truly outofcharacter for the Son of God, Who has already taught that it's better to give than to receive, Who has already healed the blind and the leper. Since when does the One Who calls us to "Love one another" embarrass someone who comes begging for help? It's like "kicking her in the teeth."
Actually, it's this woman's response to Jesus' words that's soimportant for. At this point, there are any number of directions in which she might have gone:
1. She might have taken "no" for an answer and simply gone home.
2. She might have taken offense at Jesus' words and become downright belligerent.
3. She might have taken it into her head to become a proverbial "stalker," by following Jesus from town to town - trying to discredit His teaching by recounting this incident to whoever would listen.
But, look at what she does! She "goes with the flow" without missing a beat. She borrows the very phrase Jesus used to turn her away, and (with all humility and perseverance) she says, "Please, Lord, even the dogs are permitted to eat the leavings that fall from their masters' tables."
Thatdidit! In fact, it may well have been that Jesus set her up that way in order to teach us (by her example) that faithcannotstandalone. Obviously, she believed Jesus could cure her daughter. Her faith was, indeed, reinforced by other virtues. And, Jesus apparently wanted us to see and to be aware of them. So, His test of her perseverance and humility are for our benefit. Notice that as soon as she shows these additional virtues, Jesus grants her request. He tells her, "Woman, you have great faith! Your wish will come to pass." And, atthatverymoment, her daughter recovered.
Jesus told us to approach the Father with child-like qualities. At their best, children do not bribe or promise to repay their parents if they would be able to receive something. They simply come to their parents with faith and trust and a measure of perseverance and humility. In short, they harangue us with their requests, but they never try to bribe. Later, as they mature, children lose their beautiful child-like characteristics and begin to "wheel-and-deal." Jesus urges us to regain that simple faith as we relate to our heavenly Father.
The Canaanite woman brought no gifts for Jesus. She understood that He wanted only her faith. She would pass any test He might give her because her faith was uncluttered. If, in order to grant her request, the Lord demanded great humility and perseverance, she could and would respond. In fact, she did and her daughter was healed.
Paul wrote to the Thessalonians: "We who live by day must be alert, putting on faith and love as a breastplate and the hope of salvation as a helmet."
We must, indeed, clothe ourselves in the armor of Christian virtues if we are to hear God say to us, "You have great faith. Your wish will come to pass."
Let us pray:
Great and loving God, we know that it is Your purpose to show mercy to all humanity, and that we are called to show mercy as we have received mercy. We thank You that Jesus' lesson is one that shows strength and not weakness in His compassion, and that from it we can learn more of what we need in our lives of faith. Be with us, we ask, that we may continue to persevere in humility, in love, and in hope; trusting in Your truth and in Your peace. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
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