Joy
Commentary
There is these days a proper concern for the restoration of the element of joy to our Christian faith and worship. Many of us have seemed convinced the sad and gloomy face is a mark of piety. Far too long have our worship services been formalized and stiff. We have become a people fearful of emotional outburst and demonstration. It does not seem to be quite proper for educated and sophisticated people. So, we have learned to stifle our feelings, keep a straight face, and be stoic no matter what happens to us.
In all likelihood many of the ecstatic groups which have arisen in the church are done so in reaction. That reaction is a needed correction.
Of course, this does not mean all of us need to rush right out and begin to laugh and cheer and put on a happy face. That could be as empty and as false as our restraint.
Our Scriptures for this Sunday remind us joy is more than emotion, more than facial countenance, more than exuberance in church.
Joy comes from the realization that judgment has not fallen on us even when we deserve it. In all likelihood Ahab wiped his brow and got a smile on his face when he learned that judgment was stayed.
Joy comes when God surprises us with his presence in those moments when we imagined we were placed at unrewarding tasks and left on our own. There is a welling up of inner joy which breaks out into celebration when we learn we were not alone. Little wonder the disciples were so exuberant.
Joy comes not when we learn we have found some formula or recipe by which we can corner God and ensure his blessings. It comes when we discover he already loves us and we do not have to earn the kingdom -- it is his gift. Then welling up within us is a sense of gratitude which becomes the driving motive to new life as the new creations we are meant to be.
Surely there is nothing wrong with outward manifestations of our joy and gratitude. The more happy faces there are around the church, the more likely others are to suspect something good is going on there. But let us be careful not to confuse smiles and joy or shouting and joy, because one can be a put on for public consumption while the other grows out of awareness of what God has done for us.
OUTLINE I
The Disease of Covetousness
1 Kings 21:1-3, 17-21
Introduction: It may be helpful for the congregation if you begin with some explanation of the way in which the writers of the Old Testament summarized the lives of their kings. It doesn't take long to see, in the eyes of these writers, King Ahab is no favorite. He had offended the prophets of Yahweh by his marriage to Jezebel who imported a covey of Baal prophets when she came to be queen. Check out the chapters that come just before this one, inform yourself and the congregation of the background, and then tell the story found in all of chapter 21. Let the characters be seen for what they are.
Ahab: "Surely if one is a king he ought to have anything he wants. If not, then what sense does it make to be king?" It is clear that Ahab has a thoroughly despotic view of what it means to be king. I imagine he even thought he was being quite humble about Naboth's garden. After all, he could have just taken it by means of declaring it public (king's) domain. Look how reasonable he is. He offers Naboth a trade. Surely he is an honest man. And, how does this commoner dare to refuse him?
Jezebel: Wanting to keep peace in the palace and to please her husband, Jezebel hatches a plot which will ensure he will get the coveted garden spot. One is tempted to laugh at the comedic aspect of a king and queen caught up in such a vicious plot just to get a piece of ground. But the laughter ceases when one sees the plot costs Naboth his life. Jezebel is surely worse than Ahab could ever be.
Elijah: The fearless prophet. Convinced God will never tolerate such selfish and despotic behavior on the part of the chosen leaders of his people, Elijah does not hesitate to lower the boom and declare the coming judgment. Here we find the prophetic forerunner of those great eighth century prophets, Amos and Hosea, who will declare that God requires ethical and moral behavior from all of his people. The key words are: "Thus saith the Lord." They mean: God has seen what you have done and will not tolerate it.
Conclusion: Ask how many of us assume, because of who we are and the positions we hold, there are certain kinds of behavior allowed to us. We "deserve" a thing (we think) because of our position we can do what others cannot do. The reminder in this story is God sees and God cares about how we conduct our lives. And, surely, if kings are called to task, so will the rest of us be. Judgment is sure. But, so is grace. Here is a story worthy of the New Testament because, in it, we find a repentant Ahab and forgiveness. Yet, not quite. Here the writer clings to the idea that somehow God's righteousness must be served and somebody must pay the price of evil. Thus the judgment will fall on Ahab's son. Aren't we glad judgment is seen in a new and more gracious context in the New Testament?
OUTLINE II
A Task and a Surprise for Disciples
Luke 10:1-12, 17-20
Introduction: It is clear from the Gospel record Jesus' disciples are always thinking of something different from what he has in mind. Their minds are filled with traditional Messianic expectations that have to do with the coming of a kingdom in which they will have exalted place. Check out the story of the sons of Zebedee in Matthew 20. And note Luke places this story right before the trip to Jerusalem where they thought they would see the beginning of the new kingdom and their accession to power. But Jesus had something else in mind.
Traveling Evangelists: Just when they are ready to take up important positions in the kingdom, they are sent out to be wandering mendicants, telling the story and living off those with whom they visit. Note they are allowed no luxuries. Stripped down for action, they are sent out to a people who may not be happy about their coming.
It may be helpful to transfer your thinking to Luke's day for a moment and think about disciples in Luke's day. During Luke's day, Christians were not popular and happily accepted. The persecutions of Domitian made their lives miserable. Think about how this command must have sounded to these persons.
Surprise: The seventy returned with joy. I imagine most of them had undertaken the task muttering under their breath this was not what they had expected at all. Theirs was no easy task. They must have been sure no one would listen. They needed to do something more spectacular -- get on with going to Jerusalem and making the announcement of the new kingdom. But, surprise, people do listen, as they did to Jonah; they have found something they had not expected. They were not alone. There was a power in their midst which enabled them to do great things. Jesus shares their joy.
Conclusion: Even unwilling disciples and witnesses are called and sent. Those who hear the call and go are in for a pleasant surprise. One of the things that keeps many of us from being willing witnesses is the fear we are not capable of the task, we are alone, we will fall. Surely these disciples thought that, too. But they were in for a surprise. So are we.
OUTLINE III
What Really Matters
Galatians 6:7-18
Introduction: Do some background work on the letter to the Galatians and discover the spirit in which Paul writes. His is a broken heart. Those in Galatia had begun so well (see chapter 3) and now they were retrenching under the influence of the Judaizers -- truth squads who followed Paul on his journeys and sought to undo what he had been able to get started. He is concerned about the priorities of the Galatians.
To Make a Showing in the Flesh: Those in Galatia were like many of us, greatly concerned to do those things which impress God and ensure he will notice and reward us. The legalizing of Judaism had taken the joy and life out of the faith. Rather than understanding that God had been gracious to them and responding with new life, new relationships, and new spirits, they had turned the faith on its head. Now they were intent on doing the right things -- proper sacrifices, proper liturgies, proper foods, etc., in an effort to catch God's attention and gain his favor.
To Glory in the Good News of Jesus: It is clear Paul has had a difficult time winning converts to his declaration that salvation is by faith and response to God's initiative. Even when he does convince some, it is difficult to keep them convinced. Here he lays his case down with finality: all their showy stuff is a waste, good for nothing unless it is a response to what God has already done for them in Christ Jesus. To seek to win favor or to escape the demands and results of discipleship by our good works is futile. Moreover, it is to turn the faith proclamation on its head and to lose sight of grace and the gifts that are already ours.
Conclusion: One of the great pitfalls present in churches today is the insistence on the new life as if it were something that wins God's favor or gains his disfavor when missing. It is appropriate to speak of the new life demanded of the disciple, but only in the context of response. One must be careful so as never to give the impression the Judaizers want to create in Galatia -- and somehow God's loving us is dependent on our deserving it. Offer the Good News and call the hearers to grateful and joyful response.
In all likelihood many of the ecstatic groups which have arisen in the church are done so in reaction. That reaction is a needed correction.
Of course, this does not mean all of us need to rush right out and begin to laugh and cheer and put on a happy face. That could be as empty and as false as our restraint.
Our Scriptures for this Sunday remind us joy is more than emotion, more than facial countenance, more than exuberance in church.
Joy comes from the realization that judgment has not fallen on us even when we deserve it. In all likelihood Ahab wiped his brow and got a smile on his face when he learned that judgment was stayed.
Joy comes when God surprises us with his presence in those moments when we imagined we were placed at unrewarding tasks and left on our own. There is a welling up of inner joy which breaks out into celebration when we learn we were not alone. Little wonder the disciples were so exuberant.
Joy comes not when we learn we have found some formula or recipe by which we can corner God and ensure his blessings. It comes when we discover he already loves us and we do not have to earn the kingdom -- it is his gift. Then welling up within us is a sense of gratitude which becomes the driving motive to new life as the new creations we are meant to be.
Surely there is nothing wrong with outward manifestations of our joy and gratitude. The more happy faces there are around the church, the more likely others are to suspect something good is going on there. But let us be careful not to confuse smiles and joy or shouting and joy, because one can be a put on for public consumption while the other grows out of awareness of what God has done for us.
OUTLINE I
The Disease of Covetousness
1 Kings 21:1-3, 17-21
Introduction: It may be helpful for the congregation if you begin with some explanation of the way in which the writers of the Old Testament summarized the lives of their kings. It doesn't take long to see, in the eyes of these writers, King Ahab is no favorite. He had offended the prophets of Yahweh by his marriage to Jezebel who imported a covey of Baal prophets when she came to be queen. Check out the chapters that come just before this one, inform yourself and the congregation of the background, and then tell the story found in all of chapter 21. Let the characters be seen for what they are.
Ahab: "Surely if one is a king he ought to have anything he wants. If not, then what sense does it make to be king?" It is clear that Ahab has a thoroughly despotic view of what it means to be king. I imagine he even thought he was being quite humble about Naboth's garden. After all, he could have just taken it by means of declaring it public (king's) domain. Look how reasonable he is. He offers Naboth a trade. Surely he is an honest man. And, how does this commoner dare to refuse him?
Jezebel: Wanting to keep peace in the palace and to please her husband, Jezebel hatches a plot which will ensure he will get the coveted garden spot. One is tempted to laugh at the comedic aspect of a king and queen caught up in such a vicious plot just to get a piece of ground. But the laughter ceases when one sees the plot costs Naboth his life. Jezebel is surely worse than Ahab could ever be.
Elijah: The fearless prophet. Convinced God will never tolerate such selfish and despotic behavior on the part of the chosen leaders of his people, Elijah does not hesitate to lower the boom and declare the coming judgment. Here we find the prophetic forerunner of those great eighth century prophets, Amos and Hosea, who will declare that God requires ethical and moral behavior from all of his people. The key words are: "Thus saith the Lord." They mean: God has seen what you have done and will not tolerate it.
Conclusion: Ask how many of us assume, because of who we are and the positions we hold, there are certain kinds of behavior allowed to us. We "deserve" a thing (we think) because of our position we can do what others cannot do. The reminder in this story is God sees and God cares about how we conduct our lives. And, surely, if kings are called to task, so will the rest of us be. Judgment is sure. But, so is grace. Here is a story worthy of the New Testament because, in it, we find a repentant Ahab and forgiveness. Yet, not quite. Here the writer clings to the idea that somehow God's righteousness must be served and somebody must pay the price of evil. Thus the judgment will fall on Ahab's son. Aren't we glad judgment is seen in a new and more gracious context in the New Testament?
OUTLINE II
A Task and a Surprise for Disciples
Luke 10:1-12, 17-20
Introduction: It is clear from the Gospel record Jesus' disciples are always thinking of something different from what he has in mind. Their minds are filled with traditional Messianic expectations that have to do with the coming of a kingdom in which they will have exalted place. Check out the story of the sons of Zebedee in Matthew 20. And note Luke places this story right before the trip to Jerusalem where they thought they would see the beginning of the new kingdom and their accession to power. But Jesus had something else in mind.
Traveling Evangelists: Just when they are ready to take up important positions in the kingdom, they are sent out to be wandering mendicants, telling the story and living off those with whom they visit. Note they are allowed no luxuries. Stripped down for action, they are sent out to a people who may not be happy about their coming.
It may be helpful to transfer your thinking to Luke's day for a moment and think about disciples in Luke's day. During Luke's day, Christians were not popular and happily accepted. The persecutions of Domitian made their lives miserable. Think about how this command must have sounded to these persons.
Surprise: The seventy returned with joy. I imagine most of them had undertaken the task muttering under their breath this was not what they had expected at all. Theirs was no easy task. They must have been sure no one would listen. They needed to do something more spectacular -- get on with going to Jerusalem and making the announcement of the new kingdom. But, surprise, people do listen, as they did to Jonah; they have found something they had not expected. They were not alone. There was a power in their midst which enabled them to do great things. Jesus shares their joy.
Conclusion: Even unwilling disciples and witnesses are called and sent. Those who hear the call and go are in for a pleasant surprise. One of the things that keeps many of us from being willing witnesses is the fear we are not capable of the task, we are alone, we will fall. Surely these disciples thought that, too. But they were in for a surprise. So are we.
OUTLINE III
What Really Matters
Galatians 6:7-18
Introduction: Do some background work on the letter to the Galatians and discover the spirit in which Paul writes. His is a broken heart. Those in Galatia had begun so well (see chapter 3) and now they were retrenching under the influence of the Judaizers -- truth squads who followed Paul on his journeys and sought to undo what he had been able to get started. He is concerned about the priorities of the Galatians.
To Make a Showing in the Flesh: Those in Galatia were like many of us, greatly concerned to do those things which impress God and ensure he will notice and reward us. The legalizing of Judaism had taken the joy and life out of the faith. Rather than understanding that God had been gracious to them and responding with new life, new relationships, and new spirits, they had turned the faith on its head. Now they were intent on doing the right things -- proper sacrifices, proper liturgies, proper foods, etc., in an effort to catch God's attention and gain his favor.
To Glory in the Good News of Jesus: It is clear Paul has had a difficult time winning converts to his declaration that salvation is by faith and response to God's initiative. Even when he does convince some, it is difficult to keep them convinced. Here he lays his case down with finality: all their showy stuff is a waste, good for nothing unless it is a response to what God has already done for them in Christ Jesus. To seek to win favor or to escape the demands and results of discipleship by our good works is futile. Moreover, it is to turn the faith proclamation on its head and to lose sight of grace and the gifts that are already ours.
Conclusion: One of the great pitfalls present in churches today is the insistence on the new life as if it were something that wins God's favor or gains his disfavor when missing. It is appropriate to speak of the new life demanded of the disciple, but only in the context of response. One must be careful so as never to give the impression the Judaizers want to create in Galatia -- and somehow God's loving us is dependent on our deserving it. Offer the Good News and call the hearers to grateful and joyful response.
