Have you ever known someone who, when told something they didn’t want to hear, just pretended they didn’t hear it? The plea or message falls on deaf ears. It strikes me that in both our Old Testament lesson and our Gospel lesson, God’s plan is being revealed. And in both cases there is a reluctant witness who doesn’t like what they are hearing and would rather not be a part of the plan.
Moses sees this burning bush and says, “Cool! I think I’ll go over and poke it with a stick and see what happens.” (Sam tells me that’s a guy thing.) This burning bush that was not being consumed - it was outside the experience of Moses - it was designed to draw him in. And it was only after Moses turned aside to see this phenomenon that God spoke to him. And the first thing he says is, “Take off your shoes for you are standing on holy ground.” This was a sign of respect in the Middle East; and when God reveals himself, Moses hid his face for he was afraid to look at God.
Then God lays out his plan and Moses complains, I’m too old; I’m slow of tongue; I don’t know your name; they won’t believe me; besides - I’m wanted for murder - who’s going to follow me. He tried every way he could to get out of it, but God just wasn’t buying it.
God tells Moses: “I have observed the misery of my people. . . ; I have heard their cry. . . . Indeed, I know their sufferings, and I have come down to deliver them. . .” God has heard the cry of his people and he cares about what they are experiencing, what has happened to them - and what they are feeling. AND he not only cares, he wants to do something about it. He is not going to intervene himself, but he is appointing someone to go for him and he will work through that person to redeem and free his oppressed children. The most important thing that God says to Moses is, “I will be with you.” Regardless of who we are, where we are, or what has happened in our life, God will be with us.
This says a lot about what is going on around us right now. God knows what has happened here, and He cares, and He is going to work through people - people like you and me to help those who have lost so much. God cares and he is going to make himself known through the people who have said, ‘yes’ to God’s call to reach out to those who suffer.
In our Gospel lesson today, Jesus reveals God’s plan for the first time - that he will have to suffer and die and after 3 days will rise again. And the disciples don’t want to hear it - especially Peter. Peter is ready to fight for Jesus, to lay down his life that Jesus might live.
Most of us probably didn’t hear the gospel lesson last week - its the one where Jesus asks the disciples ‘who do people say I am?” And they repeat the standard answers, “Elijah, Jeremiah, John the Baptist or one of the prophets.” Then he brings the question home, “Who do you say I am?” That’s a harder question to answer because you have to put yourself on the line - make a decision, right or wrong. And Peter steps right out there and says, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Good answer, Peter, and he is praised to saying that. Matter of fact, Jesus tells him, “Blessed are you. Flesh and blood has not told you this, but God in heaven revealed it to you.” Peter stepped out and got it right.
So now that the disciples know Jesus is the Messiah, Jesus begins to reveal his plan and Peter, who just got praised, takes exception. “Lord, you don’t have to die. We won’t let this happen.” And Jesus doesn’t just tell him he’s wrong, he says, “Get thee behind me, Satan.” He calls Peter, Satan! Peter is thinking only in earthly terms, only about what he wants to happen - or not happen. Jesus is revealing the plan of heaven, and Peter can’t see it, because it doesn’t line up with Peter’s view of how the world should be.
Too often, we do that. We look at what we would do if we were king - god - whatever. But I think it’s probably a good thing that I’m not god, because I’m pretty selfish when it comes to worldly things. I wouldn’t want my best friend to die either - and I’m pretty sure Peter considered Jesus to be his best friend. He was proud to be Jesus’ right hand man. It made him feel important, and he didn’t want to lose that. If Jesus died, where would that leave Peter?
Too often we are Peter. Floundering around trying to find meaning - trying to make the world line up with our own ideology. This world that God created is not perfect, but it is Good. And even though bad things sometimes happen, there is always room for God’s goodness to be revealed through the people who call him “Lord;” Through the love that is expressed through the people who say ‘yes’ to God’s call to go out into the world and be Christ to those who are hurting.
When Harvey hit, Sam and I were at Camp Allen and we were flooded in with no way to come home. We had food, beds to sleep in, clean water, and we didn’t have to worry about flooding. We were somewhat isolated from the world and so we did what we could. We prayed and offered up intercession for those who were in the brunt of the storm.
Now we are back, and we are all being called to serve - and right now we have an excellent opportunity to serve those who have lost homes or parts of their homes to Harvey. This evening we will be serving a meal for anyone in Alvin - We plan to provide
A place to come and eat and be filled,
- so that those who have no place to cook, can come eat,
- so that those who have spent the day mucking out a flooded house will have a clean place to sit and be still for a few minutes,
A place for people to come and share stories of their experiences during Harvey -
- to cry over what is lost,
- to rejoice over what has been found,
- to know that someone cares enough to listen,
For us, this is a place to come and be of service to other in our community by serving and listening.
God has given us an opportunity to share His love for all people. Come join us tonight as we come together as a community of believers to do something to reach out to others in their time of need. Amen.
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