"Rocky"
a condensed version of the
sermon delivered by Rev. Kirk Moore on Sunday, January 20, 2008 at Union Congregational Church, United Church of
Christ, in Somonauk, Illinois.
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The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him.
Do you wonder what was going on the day before?
John was being quizzed by the Pharisees and he told them he wasn’t the messiah – but that he was preparing the way. And the next day he got to make good on what he said. He got to introduce Jesus to the people all around.
I like introductions.
I’ve experienced a "UCC Introduction" as Rev. Da Vita D. McCallister presents it. Da Vita puts on some loud, excitement-building music and then starts the exciting announcement. (If you get a willing participant – do this with them!)
The crowd cheers wildly as the guest runs into the room – jumping up and down with exuberance – sharing ‘high-fives’ with the cheering crowd and finally running up to the front to begin whatever comes next.
This morning’s Bible reading from John 1:29-42 reminds me of one of those "UCC Introductions."
John sees Jesus and starts the crowd engergizing:
(And the crowd erupts in cheers and applause as Jesus runs in.)
I know that it didn’t likely go that way with John and Jesus – but this was still a big deal. John, who I think was, in some way, a rival of Jesus as a preacher and teacher. The Pharisees thought so, I think – and I think this little scenario from Luke 7:16-23 makes it look like John wondered if Jesus was "the one" or simply a preacher rival. (A similar account is in Matthew 11)
(Luke 7:16-23 NRSV) Fear seized all of them; and they glorified God, saying, "A great prophet has risen among us!" and "God has looked favorably on his people!" {17} This word about him spread throughout Judea and all the surrounding country. {18} The disciples of John reported all these things to him. So John summoned two of his disciples {19} and sent them to the Lord to ask, "Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?" {20} When the men had come to him, they said, "John the Baptist has sent us to you to ask, 'Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?'" {21} Jesus had just then cured many people of diseases, plagues, and evil spirits, and had given sight to many who were blind. {22} And he answered them, "Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have good news brought to them. {23} And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me."
I think that in today’s reading, John was passing the torch on to the one who was going to continue God’s work. John was stepping back from the spotlight and showing all that Jesus is the one.
And that brings up a scary question for us.
How do we . . . How would we . . . What scares us about introducing Jesus to all around?
Let that one get stirred up in your minds for a bit. Because there’s more in today’s reading
The next day (not the next day that was the day before – which was the day after John was quizzed by the Pharisees, but the next day after John introduced Jesus . . . that next day.) John saw Jesus again – and it much less dramatic, but still significant fashion he said, ‘Look! Here is the Lamb of God!"
And this time some of John’s disciples left John and started following Jesus. One of them was Andrew. Andrew’s told his brother about Jesus and his brother came too. The brother was Simon – and Jesus gave him the nickname "Peter" or "Petra." It means, "Rock"
Jesus really gave Simon, Andrew’s (who was formerly a disciple of John) brother the nickname, "Rocky."
Which of the 6 Rocky movies are you thinking about now?
Well – stop thinking about the movies now -- and let’s talk about the disciples. Many of them had nicknames.
I wonder if Jesus ever introduced the disciples to people all with their nicknames and ‘other names.’
(Southern accent works well here)
"Hey everyone – I’d like you to meet my disciples here – there’s Rocky and his brother and those two over there fighting are the Sons of Thunder. You might miss Shorty over there and then there’s Nathanael and Levi and Thaddeus and Mr. Twin. There’s Phil and of course – that angry one over there is Simon the Zealot and the shifty one – that’s Judas."
No – I don’t think that ever happened and not every disciple had a nickname – but there were still several that did.
And that brings up another question for us:
If Jesus gave you a nickname, what would it be?
Let’s go back to the first question:
How do we . . . How would we . . . What scares us about introducing Jesus to all around?
Evangelism – sharing the Good News of Jesus with others is scary.
"I don’t want to offend anyone." "Faith is personal – I don’t want to push my beliefs on others."
Yet sharing our faith is something we’re called to do as followers of Jesus.
(Mark 16:15 NRSV) "Go into all the world and proclaim the good news to the whole creation."
How do we do that without offending or pushing?
Tell your story. Tell your experience as someone who is trying to follow Jesus. Tell honestly about your doubts and tell honestly about your fears. Tell authentically about what it means for you to follow the one who says to love God and to love everyone. How do we introduce Jesus to all around? Tell our story.
And now back to the second question. If Jesus gave you a nickname, what would it be?
Maybe something else
What nickname would Jesus give you?
Maybe it’d be a nickname similar to one that was for a confused, rough person who seemed destined to failure – but a person whom Jesus loved and trusted . . . and said – on this rock I will build my church. "Rocky."
Close with prayer.
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