8/15/04

What is the Weather Forecast ?

Isaiah 5:1-7
Hebrews 11:29-12:2
Luke 12:48b-56

We watch the Weather Channel at our house; do you? It's often helpful to see what the weather is going to be over the next few days, though I think the forecasters are often more wrong than they're right. Checking out the forecast is particularly important when weather events like hurricanes are lurking. Jesus talks about weather forecasting at the end of our Gospel lesson, when he comments that though people can tell when it's going to rain (because of where the clouds are) and when it's going to be a scorcher (because of the direction of the winds), they aren't very good at reading the signs of the times. What is the forecast? Not always easy to determine.

If I were to make a list of the most difficult, hard-to-understand sayings of Jesus, today's Gospel lesson would be right up there near the top. This is a tough passage, and in addition, it doesn't sound much like Jesus, does it? It begins okay. Jesus is addressing the crowds, and he tells them that from those who've been given much, much will be required. That's fair, isn't it? If one has been given many talents or gifts or wealth, it's expected that such a person will give back proportionately. This is the meaning of the parable of the talents, and also the basis of all our stewardship efforts. If we've been given an artistic talent, for example, we should use it not only for our own enjoyment, but also for the pleasure of others. If we've been blessed with material wealth, we know that our faith asks us to share that wealth with others, etc. This is a good basic biblical teaching, and so far, Jesus is on solid ground. We may not always respond in the ways he suggests, but we know in our hearts that he is right. To those who have been given much, much is required. The weather forecast is still "fair."

But then Jesus starts skating out on thin theological ice. He talks first about bringing fire, an image of judgment and possible violence. He talks about families being torn apart. The Prince of Peace, the ultimate peacemaker and reconciler, says that his mission is not to bring peace, but rather division! Whoa! Later in the passage, when he gets to the weather forecasting, Jesus is sarcastic, angry, and calls the people a nasty name. Yes, he also called the Pharisees "hypocrites" sometimes, but not usually the people, not the crowds. What is Jesus thinking of? Why are his words so harsh? The weather forecast now has a storm brewing.

Hidden in the passage is a possible clue. Jesus is anticipating his own crucifixion; he's aware of the upcoming ordeal in Jerusalem. He will be undergoing his own "baptism by fire" as we say, and quite frankly, he is stressed out. He says so himself: "... what stress I am under...!" Have you ever been stressed out? Most of us have, and when we're under a lot of stress, sometimes we say or do things that we don't ordinarily say or do, right? Perhaps this is why Jesus comes across as so angry and harsh. He is just really stressed out.

But, you know, I have a hunch that this explanation, though perhaps partly true, doesn't tell the whole story. Some scholars have questioned whether these are even Jesus' words. It's possible Luke (or a later editor) wrote them, reflecting on conditions in the early church when families indeed were torn apart, with some in the family following in the way of Christianity, and others choosing not to become Christians. But this explanation, even if it's true, does not address how this text can have meaning for us.

So, what is the meaning of this passage for us? It's a message, I believe, that may be hard for us to hear, but it's one we need to hear. The message is in three parts. The first is obvious: you and I have big responsibilities. Regardless our economic situation in life or the talents or gifts we possess, we know that we have received much. From those "to whom much has been entrusted, even more will be demanded." God wants from us not only our very best, but God also wants us to act responsibly with what we have been given. God expects us to be generous to others as God has been generous to us. God expects us to forgive others as we have been forgiven. God expects us to love our neighbor as God in Christ loves us. This is the basis of Christianity, what it means to be a Christian. We have to give as well as receive. And just as in Isaiah's allegory of the vineyard, if we don't take care of and use well what God has given us, it may be taken away. God demands justice, a faithful application of God's will to our daily living. God demands righteousness, a right relationship with God. We have a responsibility to respond to God as we've been asked to respond.

Walt Disney, the artistic and business brain behind what is now an incredibly successful company, even more so after his death than before, Walt was quite a taskmaster. The story goes that about a year after his death a memo was sent to all the department heads to come to the screening room. They all arrived and sat in their places. The lights dimmed and up on the screen was projected a video of Disney himself - sitting behind his desk - addressing each one by name - speaking to them and demanding an account of their projects since his death. He outlined what he expected of them and when he finished he reminded them that he would see them again. Of course, the executives were surprised by the unique reminder of their accountability - and you can be sure each one left the screening room with a renewed sense of responsibility. (i)

This leads into the second part of the message, which may be even harder to swallow - the reality of judgment. The reference to fire implies judgment, like purifying fire refining a precious metal. I don't like to think about God's judgment, and I don't preach about it very often. But it's part of the faith, and we need to realize that it's part of God's mercy - what we might call God's "tough love." And sadly, divisions, dissension, and other difficulties are often components of the Christian walk. Jesus is not giving up his claim as the Prince of Peace, but he's saying that his way at times will not be very peaceful. I am sure that Jesus has looked with horror at the atrocities committed in the name of religion over the centuries. For sure, such violent ways of expressing faith are not what he is proposing. I believe God judges quite severely those who mislead others, particularly when that leads to innocent deaths. But God also judges you and me when we don't do what we're supposed to do, when we don't follow Christ. We can't assume a "holier than thou" attitude, for our hands are not always completely clean.

I came across a poem that illustrates the point that we need to be careful about judging others. "I dreamt death came the other night, and Heaven's gate swung wide; An angel with a halo bright then ushered me inside; And there to my astonishment stood folks I'd judged and labeled as 'quite unfit,' 'of little worth,' and 'spiritually disabled.' Indignant words rose to my lips but never were set free; For every face showed stunned surprise - not one expected me!" (ii)

The third portion of the message is in the weather forecasting section. Jesus is telling us that there are signs of spiritual crisis that we neglect to notice at our own peril. Just as in Jesus' time, even today, God's kingdom is breaking in upon history, and though we may be weather-wise, reasonably able to forecast the weather, at times we may be spiritually unwise. God calls us to read the signs of the times as best we can, and then to respond as faithfully as we can to such things as the apathetic attitudes prevalent in society, the cultural confusion, and the moral malaise. Even Christians differ sometimes as to what might be faithful responses to some of these situations, so as in weather forecasting, the answers are not always easy to come by.

A Greek version of this message of Jesus relates the story of the philosopher, Thales, who ventured out one night with a knowledgeable elderly woman who had promised to teach him about the stars. In the darkness, Thales stumbled and fell into a ditch, and started screaming in pain. The old woman responded dryly, "You want to know all about the heavens, but you can't see what's right under your feet." (iii) Perhaps this is you and me at times.

I believe that every sermon should include some indication of the Good News that is ours in Christ Jesus. But quite honestly, the good news is hard to find in our lessons from Isaiah and Luke this morning, so maybe this is why the lectionary includes the passage from Hebrews today, for within this statement of faith is very good news. The good news is shown in three ways. First, because of God's mercy and grace, it's not too late to respond to what God has given us. For sure the way of faith takes perseverance, and it requires us to lay aside our sins and all that's holding us back, but God's mercy is greater than our failings. A couple of hymns come to mind: "There's a wideness in God's mercy, like the wideness of the sea ..." Another hymn that you probably know better is "Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me." God's mercy and grace is greater than our failings.

One night in 1883, the weary editor of the New England Farmer's Almanac closed his desk and prepared to leave the office. He had predicted the weather conditions for every day of the coming year except for some reason, July 13th, and he planned on filling that in the next morning. But just as he was leaving, an agitated office boy came in with word that the printer's deadline had been moved up, and the completed copy for the almanac had to go out on the next train. The editor ordered impatiently: "Put something suitable for July 13th - I'm going home." The printed almanac had been well distributed when the editor one day just happened to notice the prediction for July 13th : "Wind, Hail and Snow." Livid with rage, he summoned in the office boy, who stammered that he thought such weather would be nice - and unusual for that date. The editor was sure that this error would end up bankrupting him. But on the morning of July 13th, 1884, wind, hail and snow did descend upon New England. By this one prediction, the almanac became both famous and prosperous - all because of an office boy's farfetched prediction. (iv) God's mercy and grace are greater than our failings.

The second piece of good news in Hebrews is that we are surrounded by a cloud of witnesses, others who have gone on before us, and have traveled paths similar to the ones we take, and who influence us on our journeys. Many in the past have endured similar trials and have been found faithful. They witness to us by giving us the courage we need. Who are these witnesses? Hebrews lists a number of them: Moses, Joshua, Rahab, Gideon, David, and others - but the list also could include Mom or Dad, or Aunt Martha, or Uncle Pete, or Grandpa, or a favorite church school teacher, or a beloved pastor, or anyone who may have reached out to us when we were down, supporting us and loving us because of their faith. That cloud of witnesses is a powerful force.

The third piece of good news is that we can look to Jesus, not only to show us the way, but to be the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Christ is our divine trailblazer, pathfinder, and guide, the "pioneer and perfecter of our faith." And when we rely on Christ, the weather forecast is sunny and bright. For sure, there will be storms along the way, as we talked about last Sunday, but they will only be interruptions in an otherwise favorable weather pattern. If we follow in the way of our Lord, our lives for the most part will be sunshine, for as we sang, the one we follow, Jesus, "shines brighter, Jesus shines purer, than all the angels heaven can boast." Thanks be to God for this good news. Amen.

The Pilgrim Church of Duxbury
Rev. Kenneth C. Landall

i The Autoillustrator, #410.
ii Ibid., #2541.
iii Diogenes, "Laertius," 1:34 in Denker, "Jesus and the New Age," in Homiletics, July-September 1995, 8/20/95.
iv The Autoillustrator, #3876.