sandyhook and the vipers in our world.

Advent 3, Luke 3:7-18

a note: i was assigned to preach at st. mark's lutheran church in san francisco on december 16th, 2012.  i prepared the first draft of this message not knowing the events in connecticut that would transpire on december 14th, just two days prior.  in shock and with a heavy heart, i rewrote portions of this sermon until early sunday morning.

            While Christmas might be just 9 days away, the events of this past week painfully remind us that we live in a world where the presence of the Christ child is sometimes difficult to experience.  While for many this time calls for joy and celebration, we are reminded that we live in world of vipers.  While one might expect a more pleasant, joyful gospel message for this week, instead we are greeted with one that perhaps is more fitting for a nation that is anxiously waiting in hope, for a time when peace and justice will prevail for all, especially little children.             

This text begins with the course words of John the Baptist—cursing at the crowds who were too anxiously awaiting in hope, so ready to greet the coming of a messiah, too eager for change in their world.  John’s message is not an easy one. While we want to rejoice in the arrival of Christmas, John painfully reminds us that there is still preparation to be done.  As much as we think we are, we are not ready to meet the messiah. 

            This gospel story speaks of life before Jesus’ ministry.  As we heard last week, John the Baptist has been sent to prepare a way for the Lord—to prepare the people for the coming of Jesus’ ministry.  From the tone in John’s voice as he angrily addresses the crowds, it becomes clear to us that he believes that the people who have gathered are not yet ready to hear the message of Jesus.  Jesus’ message, after all, is pretty scandalous.  In the Gospel of Luke especially, Jesus’ message is for the weak, the social outcasts, the marginalized and the poor.  Indeed his critique of the rich and social elite leaves many uncomfortable, causes many to walk away, and leaves some anticipating his death.  John preaches giving to our neighbor, Jesus preaches loving our neighbor.  Perhaps we too need to prepare ourselves to hear the message of Jesus again, a message that can often leave us in shock—uncomfortable about all of the ways to which it speaks of our own needs.  Like the crowds, as we too await anxiously for coming of the messiah, I wonder what we must do to prepare ourselves. 

We cannot possibly welcome the ministry of Jesus, and hear his message with open hearts until we look critically at the way we are orienting ourselves in the world.  So often we are more eager to serve our own selfish desires and wants before we meet of the needs of others.  We orient ourselves inwardly—closed off from the needs of those around us.  This being turned in on ourselves prevents us from engaging in the powerful, world-changing ministry of Jesus—not only serving our neighbor and giving to our neighbor but loving our neighbor radically in all and through all of their uncomfortable needs.

In order to prepare the crowds for the ministry of Jesus to come, John calls all those listening to clothe those who are without clothing and feed those who are hungry.  John calls the crowd to turn from their inward orientation, outward and into the world—better able to see and act upon the needs of those around them.  John too knew the dangers of this inward orientation and he gives a most artful example of a tree too focused on it’s own growth to produce fruit that will feed those around it.  This image of the tree speaks to the vulnerabilities of inward orientation.  When we continue to be focused only on our own growth, we miss opportunities to share our gifts with others, working to make our world the kind of place that God may have originally intended it to be.  A place of relationship, giving, service, humility and love.  A place where everyone’s needs (social, physical, emotional and psychological) are met, where isolation does not drive someone to violence-- A place where innocent children do not have to die at the hands of another human being. A life oriented towards our neighbor opens us to meeting our world’s greatest needs. 

This turning from inward orientation to outward is the first step in preparing ourselves to engage the radically inclusive message of Jesus’ love.  When we begin to think of the needs of others alongside our own we are better able to enter into a love that transcends all boundaries.  That’s the message of Jesus—right?  God in Godself comes to earth in the form of an innocent child, vulnerable and dependent and those around him.  God transcends all conceivable boundaries to meet our greatest needs in the most radical type of love that we can comprehend.

As we once again find ourselves in the advent season, let us continue to await in hope and expectation a time in our world where true justice will prevail, everyone’s needs will be met, and love will again transcend boundaries in radical inclusivity.  As we wait again for the arrival of Jesus, our great peacemaker, let us remember the ways in which we can be instruments of that peace—participating and active agents in realizing God’s kingdom of Earth.  Let us turn from inside ourselves to outward, better able to hear the cries of our world and take place in radical ministry of Jesus.