"Rock
Talk"
a condensed version of the
sermon delivered by Rev. Kirk Moore on Palm Sunday, April 8, 2007 at Union Congregational Church in Somonauk, Illinois.
|
Welcome to "Things besides people talking in the Bible"
I’m your host – Uh – Reverend Kirk Moore. (This is the place where everyone should cheer – OK? -- Everyone cheer!)
Today we’re going to encounter the serpent.
(Genesis 3:1-5 NRSV) Now the serpent was more crafty than any other wild animal that the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, "Did God say, 'You shall not eat from any tree in the garden'?" {2} The woman said to the serpent, "We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden; {3} but God said, 'You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the middle of the garden, nor shall you touch it, or you shall die.'" {4} But the serpent said to the woman, "You will not die; {5} for God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil."
A serpent talking in the Bible. I don’t know about the science of this passage. I do know that it introduces temptation and disobedience into the story of humanity and God. It would’ve been pretty cool to hear an animal talk, though.
Let’s move forward to another time, another place. Let’s look at a talking donkey.
(Numbers 22:21-30 NRSV) So Balaam got up in the morning, saddled his donkey, and went with the officials of Moab. {22} God's anger was kindled because he was going, and the angel of the LORD took his stand in the road as his adversary. Now he was riding on the donkey, and his two servants were with him. {23} The donkey saw the angel of the LORD standing in the road, with a drawn sword in his hand; so the donkey turned off the road, and went into the field; and Balaam struck the donkey, to turn it back onto the road. {24} Then the angel of the LORD stood in a narrow path between the vineyards, with a wall on either side. {25} When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD, it scraped against the wall, and scraped Balaam's foot against the wall; so he struck it again. {26} Then the angel of the LORD went ahead, and stood in a narrow place, where there was no way to turn either to the right or to the left. {27} When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD, it lay down under Balaam; and Balaam's anger was kindled, and he struck the donkey with his staff. {28} Then the LORD opened the mouth of the donkey, and it said to Balaam, "What have I done to you, that you have struck me these three times?" {29} Balaam said to the donkey, "Because you have made a fool of me! I wish I had a sword in my hand! I would kill you right now!" {30} But the donkey said to Balaam, "Am I not your donkey, which you have ridden all your life to this day? Have I been in the habit of treating you this way?" And he said, "No."
A donkey talking because God didn’t want it to get hit anymore -- cool.
Now let’s move forward to the time when Jesus entered Jerusalem on the colt of a donkey. What talked this time? Well, nothing. The people were really a chatter, though. When the Pharisees told Jesus to shut them up, he said.
"I tell you, if these were silent, the stones would shout out."
He didn’t shut them up – so the stones didn’t have to shout.
Oh – there was a lot of noise – imagine people shouting, animals making regular animal noises, food vendors selling bratwursts. . . OK – maybe not the food vendors, but maybe vendors selling some other kinds of food or souvenirs! It was quite a day and quite a parade!
Jesus was ready to be known in Jerusalem as the anointed one. He had his disciples fetch a young colt. They put cloaks on the colt and then Jesus rode into town – with celebration but humility. People put cloaks out in front of him – in another reading about the same event it says people took palm branches and went to meet him. Imagine them waving their palms and making cheering noises while there were also animal noises and maybe even food vendors. Let’s make that noise now. When I give you the signal, make those noises.
(Practice -- have fun with this!)
(Say this with crowd sounds underneath:)
I think it was a massive parade when Jesus entered Jerusalem on a colt. I think people cheered and screamed and had a great time. I think there was so much excitement that it felt like the stones would shout out, too.
I also think there was little, if anything, genuine about the celebration. (End the crowd sounds)
Jesus didn’t come into town like a warrior – and some people were disappointed or angry that the anointed one wasn’t arriving to take over.
Jesus didn’t sneak into town to avoid notice – and some people were frightened that he was arriving to take over.
The people who celebrated on this day at best lost interest as the week went on. Some may have even been part of the crowd shouting for Jesus crucifixion a few days later.
Why is Palm Sunday a day we celebrate with such joy? Are we celebrating the ones who lost interest in Jesus after the big parade? Can we separate the actions of a fickle crowd from the genuine celebration of the arrival of Jesus the Christ?
Yes – we can. We don’t have to have misplaced motivation for offering praise. We don’t have to simply be "along for the ride" and fickle enough to change the way we act towards God and others when the fanfare dies down or the situation gets more difficult. We can move forward seeking better understanding of what we are celebrating, so that we can really celebrate.
We can experience a real celebration – the kind that is so genuine and so filled with joy that we can’t keep in contained.
What celebration is that for you?
A Wedding? The Birth of a Child? Graduation? Summer vacation? Christmas? Easter? Palm Sunday? J
We have reason to celebrate Jesus. We know what events we remember and celebrate over the next week. But are we fickle?
How do we make that celebration real?
Think of those times that you remember fondly. Think of those times that give you the chills – the good kind. As part of remembering, say a simple prayer of thanks to God for that memory. I know that God is present in all situations in our lives and I don’t have the ability to even understand why we endure hardship and tragedy and illness when we have a God who loves and cares for us. But go with me on this. Think of those amazing celebrations and spend time thanking God.
As that becomes more and more natural to you, start thanking God in other situations. It may feel artificial and forced at first, but please continue it. Continue it until it becomes something that is natural to you. Continue it until your praise and thanks to God is nothing but genuine.
I don’t know how long it will take. So often I’m in the "artificial and forced" category. But I trust that God is present – guiding and loving me through it all. I believe we can all move ahead – growing in our faith – growing in love for God and one another – as we get closer to a time where our celebration is so genuine and so massive that if we stopped, we’d probably hear a rock talk.
Close with prayer.
© 2007 Union Congregational Church, All Rights Reserved