March 17, 2024
The Fifth Sunday in Lent
March 17, 2024
The Rev. R. Allan McCaslin
Readings: Jeremiah 31:31-34; Psalm 119:9-16; Hebrews 5:5-10; John 12:20-33
From the Gospel according to John, “We wish to see Jesus." I speak to you in the Name of God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
You know, in Seminary we were told to be prepared that someday no matter how fervently we pray and how hard we try to craft a sermon, chances are nothing will come to mind. And as the days went on this week I wondered if this was such an occasion.
See, I was really excited when I saw today’s scripture lessons because our reading from Jeremiah is one of my personal favorites. Here, Jeremiah assures us that regardless of how much and how often we have sinned, God has promised to always “be (our) God and (we will always) be God’s people.” Jeremiah declares that this is a new Covenant promise – a covenant for all humankind – a covenant not of stone, but a covenant written on the hearts of all people of faith. And as I reflected on that passage I remembered that the Hebrew word translated here as “written” actually means to “be carved” or “etched” so deeply into our being that our relationship with God becomes a recognizable part of who we are forever. And that’s a great Lenten theme.
Then I realized that our Maundy Thursday scriptures speak about Jesus embodying that New Covenant and, in essence, carving his Name on our hearts. So, I decided to look deeper and turned to today’s Gospel reading. Here, our Lord affirms the truth that seeds must die in order to bring life. This text is a metaphor about the coming sacrifice of Christ. And frankly, as I said my prayers I thought this would be the basis for today’s sermon. But Jesus’ words about hating life gave me pause. Now I realize that he is not suggesting we outright detest and loathe life itself because life is a sacred gift of God. No. Jesus is talking about rejecting the world’s temptation to exalt the self above all others: the urge to worship the created, rather than, the Creator. I thought this would be an appropriate reflection for us as we near the end of our Lenten observances. But it just didn’t sit right.
So, I turned to our reading from the Letter to the Hebrews and, while I am fascinated by the story of Melchizedek, the high priest, explaining Mel’s role in scripture just didn’t seem to connect with Lent and all that is happening our world today. I started to wonder if today might be that dreaded day when I would be at a loss for words. And the truth is, beloved, I am at a loss. Because it is not my words, but the words of some Greeks (Gentiles), that shook me up and perhaps shake you up, too. They said to Philip, “we wish to see Jesus.” “We wish to SEE Jesus.” And that’s where I find these lessons connect together to challenge all people of faith living in these tumultuous and worrisome times.
Much has been said and written about the decline of organized religion throughout the world. Not just in declining numbers, but its declining influence in how governments and people conduct themselves each and every day. Rather than be a nurturing and unifying influence in contemporary society and culture, it seems that religion has become the great divider. And as a Christian, I grieve at how often and how quickly fellow believers spout scripture in order to put down their neighbor or anyone different from them. I can’t speak for other faith traditions, but it appears that our Lord’s command to love our neighbor, our Lord’s parable about the Good Samaritan who chose to bind up the wounds of a hated foreigner when the religious would not, his parable about the prodigal son being welcomed home without judgment or demands that he amend his life, all of these teachings seem to have been forgotten or, even worse, outright ignored. So much so, the Sermon on Mount is now considered by many to be an unrealistic fantasy rather than a way of life that embodies mercy and forgiveness at all times and in all things.
There are countless studies based upon extensive interviews with people young and old alike, who now describe themselves as spiritual but not religious. And the most common reason for walking away from organized religion is because they have seen firsthand hypocrisy, hate-filled speech, and bickering within the Church. And so they have felt compelled to look elsewhere for spiritual direction and nourishment. And most often, such hypocrisy and in-fighting concerns how on the one hand we are adamant about lifestyles and adherence to what we believe are scriptural norms and commands while, on the other hand, applying those standards to everyone else but not necessarily to our own selves, or turning a blind eye to the misconduct of our leaders within and outside the Church. Many people – many who were raised in the church – say they have been the brunt of that hypocrisy. They have heard the condescending, hateful speech of church leaders and members who are out of earshot of their fellow parishioners. But I think the reason for decline, as well as its solution goes far, far deeper and are revealed in those simple words, “we wish to see Jesus.”
People are hungry today to actually see the impact of authentic Christianity: the Christianity established by Jesus: the kind of Christianity that exploded with growth after the resurrection and turned the entire world upside down: the political world, the social and economic world, and the religious world. Those worlds were turned upside and governments overthrown not by military might or the demands of Christian despots to do as they say, but rather, by the visible life- transforming power of a consistently demonstrated holy love and forgiveness, a holy and welcoming and inclusive redemption that fosters true reconciliation with God and neighbor. This is the Christianity the world seeks – a Christianity many no longer see in the church today nor hear in the comments of those who claim to follow the Christ. In essence, these lost souls don’t care about “What would Jesus do,” they don’t even ask that question. No, they “wish, they need, to see the authentic Jesus. They want and need to see Jesus, not in stained glass or monuments, but see him alive in us transforming how we choose to live lives of mercy, grace, forgiveness and love. People are desperate to know and see what difference Jesus actually makes in us.
When our forefather Abraham’s life spun out of control and his morale was, perhaps, at its lowest, there appeared a priest-king (Melchizedek) bringing with him not judgment but righteousness, peace, and a sacramental meal (Gen. 14). Jeremiah says that true servants of God come bringing new hope, new promises, and new life marked by grace and genuine care and goodwill, and they present their own lives changed to the very core of their being; our being. That’s the Jesus people want to see in us and every Christian
The writer to the Hebrews says, as our Great High Priest, our Advocate, our Redeemer, Jesus always comes in compassion and with compassionate listening. He comes knowing what it is like to be fully human, to dream, as well as experience the heartbreak of loss, to laugh, but also, to ache and grieve. He comes having offered himself for the sins of the world once and for all time, and for all people including those whom society and the church chooses to ignore and despise. He comes listening to, touching, healing, absolving, and lifting up the darkest soul. He comes feeding and clothing, binding wounds, and mending hearts. He comes bearing bread and wine to refresh and nourish. This is the Jesus who walks with us and resurrects us to new life. This is the Jesus we are not simply asked to pray to, but called to be, to embody and embrace in our hearts and minds so deeply that we become just like him in every facet of our lives, become like him to our neighbors, friends, families, and communities. He comes to change us and in so doing, change our world.
The Greeks said to Philip, “we wish to see Jesus.” Those words echo still today. People want and need to see the real Jesus in you and me. This healing, restoring, forgiving, and redeeming Jesus is the Jesus society cries out to see. “We want to see the real Jesus.”
And here’s the challenge. Jesus answered those Greeks saying, “Where I am, there will my servant be also.” You want to see the real Jesus? He says you should need to look no further than to those who claim to be Christian around you. For where I am there will my real and true servant, my real and true presence be also.
As our Lenten journeys inch closer towards Holy Week, may God create in the hearts of every Christian a renewed desire to be Christ not just in name, or word, or deed, but in how we choose to live, how we choose to speak and choose to act. May Christ’s presence be so visibly present in us that those who seek him will find him alive in our hearts. “We wish to see Jesus”. By God’s grace, let him always be seen in me and in you. Amen.