Sermon Illustrations for Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 (2023)
Illustration
Joshua 3:7-17
I read a story about a boy who had been invited to a friend’s birthday party. He was excited and couldn’t wait to go. The morning of the party, however, he was crushed. A snowstorm hammered their town covering with a thick blanket of snow. When it came time to go to the party, the snow was falling in wet, heavy flakes, and the wind was howling. “I don’t think you should go,” his father said. The little boy was so disappointed. After contacting the friend’s family and finding out the party was still on, the boy’s father agreed he could go. The boy bundled up in his hat, coat and mittens and started down the street to his friend’s house. When he got to the door, he turned around and saw his father turning to walk back home. It was then he realized that his father had been walking behind him all the way to make sure he was safe.
I do not know if that story is authentic, but I like the image it creates. The father walked behind his child to ensure his safety. God makes it clear, early in the book of Joshua, that, unlike the father in the story, he goes before his people into the promised land. As he divided the Red Sea in the exodus, he divides the waters of the Jordan River. God went before his people as they went into the land he promised them. God continues to go before his people today. Will we notice? Will we thank him? Will we trust him?
Bill T.
* * *
Joshua 3:7-17
God tells Joshua that this day he will be exalted by God in front of all the people! He’s going solo! It’s not the Red Sea that’s parting, but any rushing river can become a fatal crossing if mishandled. However, with God guidance, everything is going to go well. And though Joshua will not be any more perfect than Moses, nor will we want to emulate everything Joshua does, he takes a step forward in faith. It’s a start. He followed Moses, whom no one could every match, and came through relatively unscathed.
Many of us can remember the day the training wheels came off the bike as a parent, sibling, or other mentor ran behind us and pushed and suddenly without our realizing it, let go. There’s also that delicious moment when we did the same for somebody else that’s learning. Once you realize they’ve let go, there was always a moment of exaltation! I’m doing it! Then fear would strike, followed by a crash. But it turned out the crash almost always was bearable. Most of us got back on the bike, maybe with a scrape on the knee or the elbows and tried again!
When it comes to taking up a task around the church, I hope there’s a moment when wiser heads let go and let the rookies take over. Whether it’s in the church kitchen, in maintenance, leading worship, lighting candles, preaching, or whatever, we need to have the freedom, and give others the freedom, to go solo, to fall, to make mistakes. Even if some of us consider ourselves a kind of Moses, those who follow us need to have the freedom to do things their way, to make mistakes, and perhaps even more galling to some people — to succeed in crossing their own River Jordans, taking the congregation with them.
Frank R.
* * *
1 Thessalonians 2:9-13
In the annual State of the Bible report for 2022, only 39% of Americans say they read the Bible at least several times a year, an 11-point drop since 2021. Our text speaks against these trends. It implies that to read scripture is not just to read about God but actually to experience God and the Spirit. Famed modern theologian Karl Barth has claimed that God is actually with us in his word (present to us) (Church Dogmatics, Vol.IV/1, p.199). And once you get into the Bible it has its way with us. It begins to dictate its agenda to us and capture us, like a great novel keeps you reading and makes you feel like you are in the story. Famed literary critic Erich Auerbach put it this way one time:
The Bible’s claim to truth is not only... urgent... it is tyrannical – it excludes other claims. The world of the scripture stories is not satisfied with claiming to be a historically true reality – it insists that it is the only real world, is destined for autocracy. All other scenes, issues, and ordinance have no right to appear independently of it, and it is promised that all of them, the history of mankind, will be given their due place within its frame, will be subordinated to it... it seeks to overcome our reality; we are to fit our own life into its world, to feel ourselves to be elements in its structure of universal history. (Mimesis, pp.14-15)
It is in this sense that while reading a story from John’s Gospel that Martin Luther could claim he actually encountered Jesus. As he put it:
Today I beheld God’s Word and work. Yes, I saw and heard God himself preaching and baptizing. To be sure, the tongue, the voice, the hands, etc., are those of a human being, but the word and the ministry are really those of the divine majesty himself. (Luther’s Works, Vol.24, p.67)
It is as John Calvin said of scripture, that it is the spectacles for seeing God.
Mark E.
* * *
1 Thessalonians 2:9-13
Paul continues to teach the people and to act as the spiritual leader as he writes this letter to the church. He reminds them of the work he did while in their midst and reminds them to continue to accept and live into the Word of God as it has been shared with them. Often our lives get really busy and it’s easy to forget or to forego the time in prayer, scripture study, or devotion that we meant to, or that we need to. Even we who serve as leaders in the church, or maybe especially we who serve the church, can be so involved in the tasks laid before us that we forget to quiet ourselves and listen to the voice of God. Recently I was bedridden with a serious back issue. I prayed more fervently and regularly than I had in a while. Yes, I was praying for a release from the pain, but I was also listening for the voice of God. My desire to live a life worthy of God’s love was revived. Knowing I don’t earn God’s love for me doesn’t mean I don’t want to live into the potential God created for my life – and my friends, part of that potential is to strengthen our relationship with God through actions, yes, but also through prayer and listening. I have been reminded how important that is and I now remind us all.
Bonnie B.
* * *
Matthew 23:1-12
The text seems to provide a lesson in humility, an attitude which links with a faith which gratefully gives God the glory for all the good we have in life. Martin Luther once nicely made that point:
For our Lord God has every right to insist on receiving the honor of gratitude we owe to him for all his blessings. This we should do gladly and willingly, because in any case it is something that doesn’t require any pain or trouble. How much trouble does it take to turn to God and say, Oh Lord, you have given me good vision, skillful hands and feet... for they are all gifts from you. (Complete Sermons, Vol.6, p.424)
Elaborating on the faith which follows from this kind of gratitude, the first reformer added that, “Faith takes hold of Christ and has him present, enclosing him as the ring encloses the gem.” (Luther’s Works, Vol 26, p.132)
Famed American social ethicist Reinhold Niebuhr added that this sort of humility in faith is a great resource for ministry and social ethics. We would have a lot nicer political discourse and less polarization. He wrote:
One of the great resources of this faith for social achievement is the sense of humility which must result from the recognition of our common sinfulness. Christian brotherhood is the brotherhood of common need rather than of achievement... Men who are prompted to humility may differ in their ideals, but they will know themselves one in the fact that they must differ, that their differences are rooted in natural and historic circumstances and that these differences rise to sinful proportion beyond anything which nature knows. (Reinhold Niebuhr: Theologian of Public Life, pp.132-133)
Mark E.
* * *
Matthew 23:1-12
The New York Times on December 15, 2001, reported on the sad story of former Notre Dame football coach George O’Leary. Five days after accepting the position of head coach of the Fighting Irish football team in December of 2001, O’Leary resigned in disgrace. An investigation revealed lies on his resume, some of them going back twenty years. The fabrications included saying that he had lettered in football when he was not even on the team and that he had a master’s degree which he had not earned. The lies had not been discovered at any of his previous coaching jobs, but the spotlight of Notre Dame revealed them. In a statement O’Leary said: “Due to a selfish and thoughtless act many years ago, I have personally embarrassed Notre Dame, its alumni, and fans. With that in mind, I will resign my position as head football coach.”
It is hard to imagine a person doing such a foolish thing, yet people do things like this all the time. Like the Pharisees of Jesus’ day, people “do all their deeds to be seen by others” (vs.5). People will go to great lengths to exalt themselves and look good in the eyes of those around them. That might have been what motivated Coach O’Leary and may have motivated the religious leaders of Jesus’ day. Would that all of us remember, “All who exalt themselves will be humbled, and all who humble themselves will be exalted.”
Bill T.
* * *
Matthew 23:1-12
With regard to the religious leaders of the time, Jesus, in Matthew 23:5 says, “They do all their deeds to be seen by others, for they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long.” Just what are they referring to? Well, in Deuteronomy 6:8 God’s people are invited to take the words of the shema, the central Jewish prayer proclaimed a few verses earlier (“Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.”) write them on slips of papyrus, fold them, and “Bind them as a sign on your hand, fix them as an emblem on your forehead….” God’s command was meant to be a constant reminder of these words. The fringes were meant to be a reminder to recite the commandments of God, whether we’re talking about the ten words or the 637 commandments which some enumerated in the Torah.
However, this practice evidently has been transformed by some into an instrument of religious warfare. Hey! Look at me! Those who wanted to display an outward piety without living a life worthy of the calling might seek to outdo each other by the size of the folded scriptures they wore.
Of course, it’s not just the religious and political authorities some 2,000 years ago who are under condemnation. There’s nothing wrong with the pins, tie tacks, necklaces, rings, and earrings we may choose to wear play as part of a passage encouraging us to proclaim our faith, as long as we’re not engaged in an arms race to determine who is the holiest by the size and placement of the cross they wear.
Frank R.
I read a story about a boy who had been invited to a friend’s birthday party. He was excited and couldn’t wait to go. The morning of the party, however, he was crushed. A snowstorm hammered their town covering with a thick blanket of snow. When it came time to go to the party, the snow was falling in wet, heavy flakes, and the wind was howling. “I don’t think you should go,” his father said. The little boy was so disappointed. After contacting the friend’s family and finding out the party was still on, the boy’s father agreed he could go. The boy bundled up in his hat, coat and mittens and started down the street to his friend’s house. When he got to the door, he turned around and saw his father turning to walk back home. It was then he realized that his father had been walking behind him all the way to make sure he was safe.
I do not know if that story is authentic, but I like the image it creates. The father walked behind his child to ensure his safety. God makes it clear, early in the book of Joshua, that, unlike the father in the story, he goes before his people into the promised land. As he divided the Red Sea in the exodus, he divides the waters of the Jordan River. God went before his people as they went into the land he promised them. God continues to go before his people today. Will we notice? Will we thank him? Will we trust him?
Bill T.
* * *
Joshua 3:7-17
God tells Joshua that this day he will be exalted by God in front of all the people! He’s going solo! It’s not the Red Sea that’s parting, but any rushing river can become a fatal crossing if mishandled. However, with God guidance, everything is going to go well. And though Joshua will not be any more perfect than Moses, nor will we want to emulate everything Joshua does, he takes a step forward in faith. It’s a start. He followed Moses, whom no one could every match, and came through relatively unscathed.
Many of us can remember the day the training wheels came off the bike as a parent, sibling, or other mentor ran behind us and pushed and suddenly without our realizing it, let go. There’s also that delicious moment when we did the same for somebody else that’s learning. Once you realize they’ve let go, there was always a moment of exaltation! I’m doing it! Then fear would strike, followed by a crash. But it turned out the crash almost always was bearable. Most of us got back on the bike, maybe with a scrape on the knee or the elbows and tried again!
When it comes to taking up a task around the church, I hope there’s a moment when wiser heads let go and let the rookies take over. Whether it’s in the church kitchen, in maintenance, leading worship, lighting candles, preaching, or whatever, we need to have the freedom, and give others the freedom, to go solo, to fall, to make mistakes. Even if some of us consider ourselves a kind of Moses, those who follow us need to have the freedom to do things their way, to make mistakes, and perhaps even more galling to some people — to succeed in crossing their own River Jordans, taking the congregation with them.
Frank R.
* * *
1 Thessalonians 2:9-13
In the annual State of the Bible report for 2022, only 39% of Americans say they read the Bible at least several times a year, an 11-point drop since 2021. Our text speaks against these trends. It implies that to read scripture is not just to read about God but actually to experience God and the Spirit. Famed modern theologian Karl Barth has claimed that God is actually with us in his word (present to us) (Church Dogmatics, Vol.IV/1, p.199). And once you get into the Bible it has its way with us. It begins to dictate its agenda to us and capture us, like a great novel keeps you reading and makes you feel like you are in the story. Famed literary critic Erich Auerbach put it this way one time:
The Bible’s claim to truth is not only... urgent... it is tyrannical – it excludes other claims. The world of the scripture stories is not satisfied with claiming to be a historically true reality – it insists that it is the only real world, is destined for autocracy. All other scenes, issues, and ordinance have no right to appear independently of it, and it is promised that all of them, the history of mankind, will be given their due place within its frame, will be subordinated to it... it seeks to overcome our reality; we are to fit our own life into its world, to feel ourselves to be elements in its structure of universal history. (Mimesis, pp.14-15)
It is in this sense that while reading a story from John’s Gospel that Martin Luther could claim he actually encountered Jesus. As he put it:
Today I beheld God’s Word and work. Yes, I saw and heard God himself preaching and baptizing. To be sure, the tongue, the voice, the hands, etc., are those of a human being, but the word and the ministry are really those of the divine majesty himself. (Luther’s Works, Vol.24, p.67)
It is as John Calvin said of scripture, that it is the spectacles for seeing God.
Mark E.
* * *
1 Thessalonians 2:9-13
Paul continues to teach the people and to act as the spiritual leader as he writes this letter to the church. He reminds them of the work he did while in their midst and reminds them to continue to accept and live into the Word of God as it has been shared with them. Often our lives get really busy and it’s easy to forget or to forego the time in prayer, scripture study, or devotion that we meant to, or that we need to. Even we who serve as leaders in the church, or maybe especially we who serve the church, can be so involved in the tasks laid before us that we forget to quiet ourselves and listen to the voice of God. Recently I was bedridden with a serious back issue. I prayed more fervently and regularly than I had in a while. Yes, I was praying for a release from the pain, but I was also listening for the voice of God. My desire to live a life worthy of God’s love was revived. Knowing I don’t earn God’s love for me doesn’t mean I don’t want to live into the potential God created for my life – and my friends, part of that potential is to strengthen our relationship with God through actions, yes, but also through prayer and listening. I have been reminded how important that is and I now remind us all.
Bonnie B.
* * *
Matthew 23:1-12
The text seems to provide a lesson in humility, an attitude which links with a faith which gratefully gives God the glory for all the good we have in life. Martin Luther once nicely made that point:
For our Lord God has every right to insist on receiving the honor of gratitude we owe to him for all his blessings. This we should do gladly and willingly, because in any case it is something that doesn’t require any pain or trouble. How much trouble does it take to turn to God and say, Oh Lord, you have given me good vision, skillful hands and feet... for they are all gifts from you. (Complete Sermons, Vol.6, p.424)
Elaborating on the faith which follows from this kind of gratitude, the first reformer added that, “Faith takes hold of Christ and has him present, enclosing him as the ring encloses the gem.” (Luther’s Works, Vol 26, p.132)
Famed American social ethicist Reinhold Niebuhr added that this sort of humility in faith is a great resource for ministry and social ethics. We would have a lot nicer political discourse and less polarization. He wrote:
One of the great resources of this faith for social achievement is the sense of humility which must result from the recognition of our common sinfulness. Christian brotherhood is the brotherhood of common need rather than of achievement... Men who are prompted to humility may differ in their ideals, but they will know themselves one in the fact that they must differ, that their differences are rooted in natural and historic circumstances and that these differences rise to sinful proportion beyond anything which nature knows. (Reinhold Niebuhr: Theologian of Public Life, pp.132-133)
Mark E.
* * *
Matthew 23:1-12
The New York Times on December 15, 2001, reported on the sad story of former Notre Dame football coach George O’Leary. Five days after accepting the position of head coach of the Fighting Irish football team in December of 2001, O’Leary resigned in disgrace. An investigation revealed lies on his resume, some of them going back twenty years. The fabrications included saying that he had lettered in football when he was not even on the team and that he had a master’s degree which he had not earned. The lies had not been discovered at any of his previous coaching jobs, but the spotlight of Notre Dame revealed them. In a statement O’Leary said: “Due to a selfish and thoughtless act many years ago, I have personally embarrassed Notre Dame, its alumni, and fans. With that in mind, I will resign my position as head football coach.”
It is hard to imagine a person doing such a foolish thing, yet people do things like this all the time. Like the Pharisees of Jesus’ day, people “do all their deeds to be seen by others” (vs.5). People will go to great lengths to exalt themselves and look good in the eyes of those around them. That might have been what motivated Coach O’Leary and may have motivated the religious leaders of Jesus’ day. Would that all of us remember, “All who exalt themselves will be humbled, and all who humble themselves will be exalted.”
Bill T.
* * *
Matthew 23:1-12
With regard to the religious leaders of the time, Jesus, in Matthew 23:5 says, “They do all their deeds to be seen by others, for they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long.” Just what are they referring to? Well, in Deuteronomy 6:8 God’s people are invited to take the words of the shema, the central Jewish prayer proclaimed a few verses earlier (“Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.”) write them on slips of papyrus, fold them, and “Bind them as a sign on your hand, fix them as an emblem on your forehead….” God’s command was meant to be a constant reminder of these words. The fringes were meant to be a reminder to recite the commandments of God, whether we’re talking about the ten words or the 637 commandments which some enumerated in the Torah.
However, this practice evidently has been transformed by some into an instrument of religious warfare. Hey! Look at me! Those who wanted to display an outward piety without living a life worthy of the calling might seek to outdo each other by the size of the folded scriptures they wore.
Of course, it’s not just the religious and political authorities some 2,000 years ago who are under condemnation. There’s nothing wrong with the pins, tie tacks, necklaces, rings, and earrings we may choose to wear play as part of a passage encouraging us to proclaim our faith, as long as we’re not engaged in an arms race to determine who is the holiest by the size and placement of the cross they wear.
Frank R.
