“Learn to See the Invisible” 2012

Deuteronomy 7:6-9 Mark 9:33-37, 10:13-17

Deuteronomy 7:6-9

6For you are a people holy to the Lord your God; the Lord your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on earth to be his people, his treasured possession. 7It was not because you were more numerous than any other people that the Lord set his heart on you and chose you—for you were the fewest of all peoples. 8It was because the Lord loved you and kept the oath that he swore to your ancestors, that the Lord has brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you from the house of slavery, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt. 9Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who maintains covenant loyalty with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations.

Mark 9:33-37, 10:13-17

33Then they came to Capernaum; and when he was in the house he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the way?” 34But they were silent, for on the way they had argued with one another who was the greatest. 35He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, “Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all.” 36Then he took a little child and put it among them; and taking it in his arms, he said to them, 37“Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me.” … 13People were bringing little children to him in order that he might touch them; and the disciples spoke sternly to them. 14But when Jesus saw this, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. 15Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.” 16And he took them up in his arms, laid his hands on them, and blessed them. 17As he was setting out on a journey, a man ran up and knelt before him, and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

Sometimes conflict is necessary and for the right reasons--

when integrity and truthfulness require us to take a stand,

though it would be easier and more comfortable, butà

less courageous to let it pass and not make waves.

* But that is not always the case,

and not always the true cause of all our arguments & conflict.

We read in Mark,

that when Jesus and his disciples arrive in Capernaum,

he asks them what they were arguing about along the way.

Jesus had just explained to them

that he would be arrested and killed in Jerusalem,

and upset and confused,

they were not sure what it all meant or how to react.

The text suggests that they were arguing about succession,

who would take over and be in charge. vs. 33-34

Then they came to Capernaum; and when he was in the house he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the way?” But they were silent, for on the way they had argued with one another who was the greatest.

“What were you arguing about on the way?”

That is a core issue and central question of this text,

because it is about life in Christian community,

and how we view and related to one another.

If you read almost any letter in the New Testament,

it is pretty clear that they struggled with conflict,

such as who is in charge, how do we make decisions,

and how do we resolve our issues and conflicts?

The author of Mark includes this story

because it offers a Christian perspective on conflict …

… that like the disciples jostling for prominence,

at least some of the time, our arguments

may have something to do with our attitude

and how we view and evaluate other people.

When I read this passage, I find myself thinking about

some of my attitudes, arguments and conflicts over the years

- and that I hope Jesus doesn’t ask me to explain,

“So Norm, what were you arguing about along the way?”

You know that would be a bit uncomfortable and embarrassing,

and I can certainly understand why the disciples were silent.

The heart of the problem was, they were arguing about

who would be first, and it was all about pride, ego & vanity…

… and the false notion that I am better than you,

or that somehow I am more special to God than you.

I don’t read this text as Jesus being angry with them,

but that he needed to teach them and get them to rethink

what they believed about leadership, power & authority.

There is an important cultural clue in this text,

that Jesus sits and gathers the disciples around him,

which was the teaching position of a rabbi. vs. 35

He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, “Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all.”

In that culture, honor and status were huge considerations.

In their world, everybody knew their place and role.

What Jesus said was shocking, and went against

all the expectations of their world and culture.

Jesus intended to teach and show them

that the Kingdom of God, is based on God’s love and grace,

forming us into a community of grace and faith

where all are loved, precious and valued by God…

… and “Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all.”

Now in that ancient culture,

certainly parents loved their children just as we do,

but children had little status or social standing

and could contribute nothing to the family income—

- so they were seen as unimportant and insignificant.

God’s Kingdom doesn’t operate that way,

and what Jesus said and did to illustrate that point

was truly unexpected and shocking to them, vs. 36-37

Then he took a little child and put it among them; and taking it in his arms, he said to them, “Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me.”

Do you see the point that Jesus was making?

The disciples had been arguing about their place and prominence,

their status, their greatness, and their importance –

-- but Jesus turns it all around,

... the Kingdom of God doesn’t operate that way.

Do you remember as a kid, when you would choose up teams,

and each captain would try to pick the best players

and put together the most competitive team?

Or an employer going through a stack of resumes will select

for an interview those who show the most promise

that they will contribute to the company’s profits?

That’s not how it works in the Kingdom of God.

In Deuteronomy,

the people are at the edge of the Promised Land.

These are the descendants of the slaves from Egypt,

who from insignificant losers are now blessed,

and about to enter and be given a homeland.

Before they go into the land, Moses explains,

you are not the cream of humanity

who have naturally risen to the top,

and you are not an incredibly accomplished people

of amazing and great abilities to offer to the Lord ---

-- it is entirely that God chose to love you and show grace.

Before they move into the land, they need to understand, vs. 6~8

For you are a people holy to the Lord your God; the Lord your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on earth to be his people, his treasured possession. It was not because you were more numerous than any other people that the Lord set his heart on you and chose you—for you were the fewest of all peoples. It was because the Lord loved you … that the Lord has brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you from the house of slavery, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.

Everybody I see in here

can certainly point to some achievement and success in life,

attributes, accomplishments, skills of value and worth

- you all have something significant to contribute…

… but that’s not why

Jesus chose to love us, and show us mercy and grace.

God’s love and grace

are far more wonderful and amazing than anything about us –

- and what really makes us special, it the God who loves us.

It is God’s choice that are each His treasured possession…

… but in our world,

we foolishly chose and value some more than others,

and often overlook their gifts and contributions ---

--- which can lead to arguments and conflicts.

When I used to make my living consulting with businesses,

I would meet with the owners, study their financials

and listen to operations and marketing people.

But some of the most right-on accurate and helpful information

came from showing up early with a box of donuts

and talking with the drivers and warehouse workers.

Quite often, far more than the suits upstairs,

they know about how the company was really doing…

… and what the real problems in the company were.

* They handled the merchandise and loaded the trucks,

so they knew how much of what was selling,

and had a pretty good idea about what was being returned.

* The drivers knew a great deal from what customers were saying,

about the company image and position in the marketplace,

and heard quite a bit about what the competition was doing.

Some of the warehouse workers and drivers,

especially those around for a while knew all the problems,

and often had keen insight into possible solutions…

… and their some ideas made me look pretty good.

It’s ironic that usually when I asked top management

for permission to meet and speak with the warehouse workers,

I was often told that very little could be learned out there,

and it was hardly worth my time or effort to meet with them…

… and yet by listening,

by noticing and appreciating workers usually ignored,

I got some of my best information and ideas …

… and that is also a Kingdom of God lesson and truth.

One time when Jesus was very busy teaching and healing the sick,

parents were wanting to bring their children to Jesus

for him to hold them and bless them.

Seeing how busy Jesus was, his disciples discouraged them,

not wanting to waste his time on something so trivial.

But Jesus said, vs. 15-16

Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs… Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.” And he took them up in his arms, laid his hands on them, and blessed them.

… and that too is a Kingdom of God lesson and truth.

We are called to be different than the world around us,

for the community of faith is defined by God’s grace.

Our worth and value are not about earned status or our success,

or what we contribute or how much we produce…

… but rather all are valued and loved by God,

as we are all called and equipped

to serve God well by serving one another.

To be great ---

is to notice and love insignificant nobodies,

to serve, and welcome those without power or status.

Spiritual maturity is a process of learning to see the invisible-

- the subtle and often hidden hand of the Lord at work,

- and the insignificant nobodies often ignored ---

--- yet loved and precious treasures of the Lord,

the priceless and irreplaceable gems of the Kingdom of God.

God is doing far more than we can imagine,

and all our texts urge us and call us to stop and take notice,

and care for other people, even if no one else does…

… for the truth is,

God quite regularly accomplishes extraordinary things

though the most unexpected servants and ordinary people.

Our call today, is to --- notice and don't overlook those places,

the people and situations where God is at work,

or we will miss the wonder, joy and good stuff of life ---

-- for we'll miss it if we are not looking,

if we’re not recognizing and appreciating

the amazing and invisible that others may not see.