"Passover"
a condensed version of the
sermon delivered by Rev. Kirk Moore on Sunday, September 7, 2008 at Union Congregational Church, United Church of
Christ, in Somonauk, Illinois.
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Are all people defined by 30-second snippets?
As the politicians and their campaign teams search deep into the backgrounds, comments, associates and unrehearsed gaffes of their opponents, I can’t help but wonder, Could God stand up to the scrutiny of a political campaign?" What if instead of seeking the big picture, we decided to define God by the worst 30-second snippets we could find?
In last week’s Bible reading we learned that God defies simple definition. I AM WHO I AM, I WILL BE WHAT I WILL BE and I WILL BE WHAT THE FUTURE REQUIRES give us a glimpse, but not anywhere near the big picture of God. But while last week gives something mysterious, thought-provoking and comforting, this week’s reading from Exodus 12:1-14, describing the preparation for the first Passover, has to potential to leave me sick to my stomach.
I know that Passover, a commemoration of huge importance in Judaism and Christianity, is about the deliverance of the Hebrew people out of bondage in Egypt. But right there near the end, the description of God saying, "I will strike down every firstborn in the land of Egypt." Sounds like a sound byte any person who wants to paint God as something horrible would jump at the chance to use. I can envision a YouTube clip of God spouting threats of murder of every firstborn in Egypt? What candidate would want to be associated with that? Can you imagine the reports that would say a particular candidate wasn’t ‘thoroughly vetted’ and now the nastiness was going to come out?
It’s possible to explain this passage this way:
The people who experienced the events and the ones who put together the Bible thought of the evil of slavery in Egypt in very personal terms. And the only way they could understand combating that evil was to experience God bringing judgment on the evil society. And this week I have tried to think in those terms as I've contemplated this Bible reading. I really do, however, have great trouble separating a cultural understanding of the violence from the writers’ standpoint with my belief that innocent slaughter in the name of religion can never be excused. . . Never. Never. Never.
That uneasiness stays with me.
From the perspective of those who were saved, this is a passage about deliverance. It’s a passage of instructions for worship. It’s a precursor to the last supper – and to the communion we enjoy together today. There’s something beautiful in this meal where we remember God’s love for the world. There’s something beautiful in this meal where we remember and celebrate Jesus death and resurrection.
But I can’t get the 10th plague out of my mind.
Pharaoh had warnings. Moses told him that he had to let the Hebrew people go or it would be bad.
If only Pharaoh had listened after any of the plagues and let the people go, but he was stubborn. . .
Oh, but it’s worse. The bible tells us that the stubbornness was God’s doing. God hardened Pharaoh’s heart so that God could really let Pharaoh know who the boss was.
I feel like I’m falling into a trap of hate from a story that is supposed to convey deliverance.
Deliverance: That’s what I want to remember. Liberation from bondage. An opportunity for new life. Not continued enslavement.
Today is the Sunday before the 7th anniversary of 9/11. And I wonder if in remembering that day we’re in the trap of hate and anger. I wonder if we’re in a trap of fear and the continued desire for revenge. Can we focus on the stories of courage and seek to find ways to live in peace instead of seeking revenge and ways to have more bombs than our enemies?
There is a whole lot more to the Bible - and a whole lot more to our call to be advocates for the oppressed in the world and to be agents of God’s love everywhere. Listen to these extraordinary Bible verses:
(Ezekiel 33:11 NLT) As surely as I live, says the Sovereign LORD, I take no pleasure in the death of wicked people. I only want them to turn from their wicked ways so they can live.
(Romans 13:8-10 NLT) Pay all your debts, except the debt of love for others. You can never finish paying that! If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill all the requirements of God's law. {9} For the commandments against adultery and murder and stealing and coveting--and any other commandment--are all summed up in this one commandment: "Love your neighbor as yourself." {10} Love does no wrong to anyone, so love satisfies all of God's requirements.
(Micah 6:8 NLT) No, O people, the LORD has already told you what is good, and this is what he requires: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.
Today we share a meal together. As we partake, let’s look to the big picture of God’s deliverance and God’s call for us to love as we remember the Passover.
Close with prayer.
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