James 3:13-4-3, 7-8 (New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition)
Mark 9: 30-37 (Common English Bible)
When Jesus taught his disciples, he probably knew they were not fully aware of the mission before him. But nonetheless, Jesus told them what was about to happen, namely he would be betrayed, killed and raised from the dead. A declaration like this contradicted all the traditional meanings for a Messiah. But the disciples were hesitant to ask questions. Instead, their minds were focused on who would be the greatest in Jesus’ kingdom.
Then Jesus gave them the news they didn’t want to hear. “Whoever wants to be first must be the least of all and the servant for all.” Such a reversal of the ordinary thought must have shocked the disciples as much as it did Christians throughout the centuries.
To make his point even clearer, Jesus embraced a child and said, “Whoever welcomes one of these children in my name, welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me isn’t actually welcoming me but rather the One who sent me.”
In other words, Jesus messianic kingdom on earth would establish a new social ethic. The dispossessed would be restored to health, both physically and spirituality and dignity to children, women and the outcast.
But who is Jesus? And what does Jesus really mean to us? Jesus has too often been depicted as a white person, with flowing brown and even sometimes blond hair, including blue eyes and other western European features. Maybe some of you remember the 1961 version of “King Of Kings” with Jeffery Hunter as “Jesus” as an example. The reality is that Jesus had dark skin which was more in common with the Middle Eastern people.
So often in Mark’s gospel, Jesus speaks to the fear that people have. We all have worries about ourselves and our family. Sometimes fear can become so great it can make us immobile with worries. And Jesus speaks to those living in fear, urging faith, fortitude and courage. Life is full of challenges and uncertainties, but God’s presence is always with us.
When Jesus said, “the Human One will be delivered into human hands, and they will kill him,” his disciples did not understand him. Their minds were still focused on the Messiah being a conqueror prevailing with the ultimate power. But that is not what they heard from Jesus. Jesus talked about suffering and dying. God had found a new way to redeem the world. Christ points the way to changing the world through love and service.
So we are great, not when we have power and influence, but when we use love and service. We are great, not with wealth, college degrees or status, but when we sacrifice and support the promised reign of Christ with justice and joy. What makes a church great is not because of many members, but the energy of the few directed toward the spread of God’s love and hope in action.
So what does Jesus mean for our own lives? If you heard it said, “Conquer and be great,” I say to you, God will redeem the whole world not with a mighty army, but through a Suffering Servant.” If one says, “Be dominant and get what you want, but I say to them, live your life based on gentleness and love, as a servant for all.” You’ve heard people say, “Join with the powerful and gain power, but I say to them welcome the powerless, the outsider and those of low status who offer nothing of power.”
We are often taught that life is about ascending, like a ladder toward worldly success. Jesus counters that by saying, “Life is about a graceful descent filled with compassion toward the forgotten.” This is the true story of greatness. That is what made Jesus the greatest person to ever walk on earth.
In the reading from James, he gives us a choice between two wisdoms. A wisdom that is earthly, not inspirational and evil. And there is wisdom that comes from God. On one hand, a wisdom that is boastful and fake and on the other hand, a wisdom that is pure, peaceful, gentle, willing to yield and full of good works.
When we think of the epistle of James, the one verse that pops into our heads is, “faith without works is dead” (James 2:26). While this is a very important statement from James, he is really writing something even more broad. James is also writing about wisdom.
Having a gentleness born of wisdom, means we must reject all forms of patriarchy within churches and elsewhere. We must reject worshiping the idol of machismo that has led many men to think they have dominion over a woman’s body. That is the type of evil patriarchal wisdom that is used for oppression.
Having a gentleness born of wisdom does not mean we must be silent in the face of tyranny. A gentleness that leads to apathy and silence is not what James means. What it does mean is taking nonviolent action similar to Jesus ordering the money-changers to vacate the Temple with their money-changing schemes.
Like a gentle lamb being led to the slaughter, Jesus showed a strength that changed the world. The Romans laughed at Jesus’ weakness as he died on the cross, but three days later when they experienced the empty tomb, they were not laughing anymore.
Another example of what it means to be strong while being gentle, was Fred Rogers of “Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood.” He was a meek, mild and soft-spoken person. But Fred Rogers challenged social norms and used his television series to criticize racism, violence and other social issues. And last but not least, Fred Rogers was an ordained Presbyterian minister.
The letter from James not only encourages us to be gentle with others, but also be gentle with ourselves. The world can be cruel but working together through Christ can change that. And that is one of the most important tasks of the church, to have gentleness and care for all people we know or don’t know.
Lately, there has been much talk in the United States and elsewhere for “strong” leaders. Nations once considered as strong democracies like India and Hungary are now sliding into tyranny. It is really sad about Hungary. After the Soviet Union fell apart Hungary became a democratic nation. Unfortunately now, its president is acting like Hitler. And some American politicians actually think that is OK. But it is not OK! The virtue of humility no longer exists and in its place, women and people of color are being ignored and oppressed. If we can only highlight humility in ways that show those on the margin of life they are welcomed, we are indeed walking in the footsteps of Jesus.
AMEN
