The Voice of Authority

Speaking of unclean spirits:  Several years ago the San Jose State University football team wasn’t doing too well.  Instead of scheduling extra practices, the head coach placed an ad for an exorcist who could place a hex on their opponents.  

Although we don't necessarily look for demons under every pew, our movie producers would have us believe that they are more common than we think.  Beginning with movies like "The Exorcist" and continuing through more than we have time to name, they have regaled us with demons around ever corner. 

Now I'll admit, I don't go to movies like that.  I don't have to do that to myself.  I think I have a proper perspective on the demonic.  I'm not going to say that demon possession is impossible, because some of the things we hear not the news today sound very demonic, but it's not nearly as common as some people would have you believe.

But yes, people do still seek exorcism for family members.  I may have told you this before, but the last year I was at Redeemer, I came in one morning to be met by my secretary telling me that there was a family waiting to see me who were looking for an exorcist.  My secretary, a good Baptist girl, had eyes as big as donuts when she relayed that information.  So it was with a great amount of trepidation that I went in to meet them.  Their story unfolded and I listened to them and the story ended with their having been sent to see a particular priest.  It was with great relief that I gave them directions to the Catholic Charismatic Center where the named priest was on staff.

Tom Wright, former Bishop of Durham, in his book, “Mark for Everyone,” tells a story about a disaster at sea in which a boat loaded with tourists begins to sink. Everyone aboard begins to scream as panic sets in.  “Suddenly one man –not a member of the crew –took charge. In a clear voice he gave orders, telling people what to do. Relief mixed with the panic as people realized someone at least was in charge, and many managed to reach lifeboats they would otherwise have missed in the dark.  The man himself made his way down to the people trapped in the hold. There he formed a human bridge: holding on with one hand to a ladder and with the other to part of the ship that was nearly submerged, he enabled still more to cross to safety. When the nightmare was over, the man himself was found to have drowned. He had literally given his life in using the authority he had assumed –the authority by which many had been saved.“

This story is not unlike the story of Jesus himself.  The important part in today’s gospel lesson is not the demonic, but the authority that Jesus assumed in his teaching.  This is the first place where we see Jesus teaching in the gospel of Mark.

Here we see Jesus having entered the synagogue.  It was not unusual in that day for visitors to be given the opportunity to read the scriptures or to teach.  Jesus was invited to read and teach.  He was not hesitant or shy in his teaching.  He was very confident in both his message and his delivery and it was obvious to those present that this was a very special person – one with authority.

  

This is the third time Jesus speaks in the Gospel of Mark and we are not told what his teaching is at this point.  But whatever his teaching, the people there are amazed at his authority.  But apparently it greatly disturbs one man there.  The man interrupts the service by challenging Jesus’ teaching.  It says here is that this man is possessed by an unclean spirit.  This spirit is disruptive and recognizes Jesus for who he is.  He calls Jesus, “the Holy One of God” and challenges his teaching and his very right to be there.

The man was not an outsider – he was apparently a member of this synagogue.  The implication is that the teaching in this place had become distorted.  And when Jesus comes, teaching with authority, this unclean spirit lashes out.  He can no longer sit back and be comfortable as he had been with the scribes’ teachings.  Self-preservation kicks in as his existence and belief is being challenged.  

This story is how Mark relays the rise of Jesus, and explains why people followed him and flocked to hear him teach.  It was the authority of his teaching and his presence that brought hope and healing to the broken world of Palestine. 

And today’s world is broken.  If you think it’s fine, then you haven’t listened to the news lately.  People are doing the most horrendous things because they don’t have hope, or they’ve listened to those voices that come from a source other than God.  They may not be coming in the churches, so they don’t heard about the love that is offered to them through Jesus Christ.

Even today there are various teachings in the church and there are people who will rise up to challenge the authority and teaching that they hear.  God will send prophets to speak out, and God’s love will rise up to sustain the body of Christ if we only have eyes to see it.  God’s new teaching is always based on where we are right now, and the direction in which God wants us to move.  

The church is not a static entity, but one that is growing and changing even as our culture and technology and the world itself changes around us.  We have to listen carefully to the different voices that vie for our attention and hear the one with authority.  Being Anglican, I believe that voice is somewhere in the middle – not on the extreme edges.  But it is up to us to ponder love and to listen for the voice of Jesus coming down through the centuries calling us to be a people formed in his own image.

In our second lesson, Paul tells us that “Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.”   It is this love of Jesus for all people that seen so strongly in this gospel passage.  The synagogue is a microcosm of the world today.  Our world is filled with people who are fighting with their own particular demons: emotional issues, addictions, abuse, abandonment, chemical dependencies or imbalances, illnesses or physical demons that torment them in many varied ways.  God sent his very own Son to free them all from those things that keep them bound and unable to respond to God’s love.   He sent his Son Jesus to free us all from our particular demons, to bring us hope when things seem hopeless, and to point the way to a better future and life eternal.  

Where do you hear the voice of Jesus?  How is he calling you to live out your life empowered by his love and healing presence?

Follow that star.

Today we celebrate the Epiphany.  Twelve days after the birth of Jesus.  This is the third week that we have surrounded ourselves with narratives concerning the first month of Jesus’ life.  Today’s story concerns the coming of the Magi, the ‘Wise men’ or Sages who saw a star and left home and hearth to follow a dream.  We’ve been told all our lives that these were Gentile astrologers, and I’ve preached that in the past, but that is not the understanding given in my new study Bible.

It is the Jewish Study Bible, a Bible written by Jews for Jews, Messianic Jews - those who believe in and follow Yeshua Messiah, Jesus Christ, as Lord and Savior.  Many of the leaders of the Jewish leaders had been carried off to exile in Babylon around 600 BCE when Judah and the first temple fell to Nebuchadnezzar.  

Many years later (60-80), after the Persians had conquered the Babylonians, King Cyrus allowed the Jews to return home, but not all of them did.  Probably close to half remained in Babylon where they had become established with homes and jobs and families.  They were still Jews and they studied the Torah and worshiped Yahwah, the God of the Jews.  So according to my new Bible, these sages were members of the Jewish community established and led originally by Daniel in Babylon.

We celebrate the coming of these sages or Magi 12 days after the birth of Jesus.  We don’t know exactly when they came, but our scripture today says, “after Jesus was born...”  After, not when.  Tradition says it was 12 days later, but from scripture we know that it might have been as much as 2 years after his birth.  After all, it takes time to see the star, search and interpret scripture, prepare for a journey and then travel.

Many of you will remember that on Christmas Eve, I talked about the Son of God lying in a manger and those who heard and who cared enough to go out of their way to see this child.   These Magi saw the star and went out of their way to see this thing that the Lord had prepared.  500 miles out of their way - by donkey, or horse back, or camel, it doesn’t say.  It is estimated that it would have taken them any where from 25 to 50 days to travel one way.  They had to prepare and take their own supplies, there were very few inns or restaurants on this trip.  This was not a small undertaking.  

The important thing is that they saw this star and said “yes” to this journey.  Too many of us might consider this to be a fool’s journey.  Well, today’s gospel lesson is a prime example. Here we have a number of people – the gospel doesn’t tell us how many – tradition says 3, because there were three gifts. Anyway, the Magi are people maybe Jewish, maybe not, who have seen a sign in the sky, who go out of their way to discover what that means.  

But these wise men, sort of like university professors of today – single focused – continued on their journey until they came to the Christ child in a house (not a manger) and knelt down before him. They also brought him gifts – gold and frankincense and myrrh – gifts for a king. According to tradition the gifts had special significance – gold represented his deity and purity; frankincense represented the fragrance of his life, and myrrh represented his sacrifice and death. 

But the most important part of today’s lesson is the light – the Magi followed the light and we live in that light.  St. John tells us, “The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it.” The Magi followed that light and Herod tried to snuff it out, but it wouldn’t snuff. 

Our first lesson today says, “Arise, shine, for your light has come.” Jesus had come into the world.  And Jesus has come into our world, too. And the question is, what are we going to do about it?  These Magi said ‘yes’ to God, to following the star.  How can we as individual, and as a church, say ‘yes’ to God?

There is a study in improv where one person throws out an idea.  The next person must say, “yes” and add to that idea.  And this continues around the room with each person saying ‘yes, and...’  We can do that same thing here in church.  When someone comes up with a new idea, instead of shooting it down or listing reasons why not, say, ‘yes’ and think of ways you can help or expand on the idea.  One woman said when her church decided to have a health fair, she immediately thought, I’m not a doctor or nurse, how can I possibly help?  Then she remembered to say, “yes, and...” and she found ways she could be involved and help to make it a success.

Grace needs new ideas on how to expand our fellowship with one another to help us become a solid community in Christ. and to work together to reach out to others.  Several new ideas have been put forth that I believe are worth pursuing.  I would like to see Grace church begin to develop a closer community life through fellowship and working together on projects beyond the Fish Fry and the Pumpkin Patch.  What can each of us do to further a closer bond that brings people in and furthers the life of the parish?  As ideas are put forth, follow the example of the Magi by saying, “Yes, and ...” And find ways to help, expand or promote to begin to make Grace Church a thriving community of Christ’s love once again.  In 2018, as we call a new rector, prepare a place that is welcoming and alive.    

Amen