"Sodium Percarbonate"
a condensed version of the sermon delivered by Rev. Kirk Moore on Sunday, February 22, 2009 at Union Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, in Somonauk, Illinois.

PODCAST of "Sodium Percarbonate"

Laundry

My parents taught me how to use a washing machine to do laundry. I learned about how to fill the machine, how to keep the colors vibrant and how to get even the white fabrics sparkling clean.

I didn’t always pay attention to what I’d learned, however. I can remember several occasions where I had clothes that were splotched or still encrusted with laundry powder. (Did you ever to that by putting too much laundry in the machine?) To this day I still have problems filling the basket too full – resulting in a loud banging as the spin cycle attempts to spin an unbalanced load.

I would say that I do laundry ‘adequately.’ Things turn out pretty well and I don’t often have to do the ‘smell test’ on a piece of clothing to make sure it’s either clean or at least wearable. (Before you say ‘Eeeeww!’, think back to the most recent time you’ve done a ‘smell test.’)

No one, however, has ever remarked that my clothes look "dazzling white, such as no one on earth could bleach them."

This morning I wore the white robe, even. It’s pretty bright – some might say "dazzling" – but it’s still not the stuff legends are made of.

Yes -- I’ve seen folks wear dazzling outfits, but I don’t think I could describe any clothes I’ve ever seen that I could describe as legendary, either.

In this week’s Bible reading from Mark 9:2-9, that is exactly, however, as Jesus’ clothes are described from the time he was up on the mountain with Peter, James and John.

Dazzlingly white

You know – over the years, folks have taken Bible passages like this one and twisted them into something completely opposite of the central theme of the Bible.

Jesus’ clothes became dazzingly white – therefore only those with white skin are part of God’s promise.

God separated the darkness from the light – therefore the races should be separate.

Jesus is the light of the world – and the darkness could not overcome him – therefore the ones with the white skin cannot be overcome by those with dark skin.

Ridiculous, huh? First: because it makes no sense with the overall theme of the Bible – God creates – we mess up – God redeems – we mess up – God redeems (and the we in that theme is humanity – not any particular division of humankind) and second: because it’s just stupid. Jesus’ glowing clothes have nothing do to with skin color.

And any time we attempt to read, interpret or use the Bible for any agenda that doesn’t include love for God and love for everyone . . . we’re twisting it – and it is wrong.

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The dazzlingly white clothes Jesus was wearing are to remind us of God’s glowing presence.

Peter didn’t get to wear those dazzling clothes – neither did James or John. And I think they noticed their ‘drabness’ and had no idea what to do. I love that Peter – in a state of confusion – thought first of hospitality. "We can set up three tabernacles – one for each of you!" (Remember that Moses and Elijah somehow were there too – if the glowy clothes wouldn’t be enough – how about seeing the two biggest scripture heroes ever, too!

So . . . Jesus’ clothes were dazzlingly white. The disciples were confused and Peter offered hospitality. I’m sure they realized that what was happening to Jesus was something they would never achieve or experience. They would never dazzle like that.

We’re called to live our lives like Jesus. But we can’t be just like Jesus. We’ll never be perfect. We’ll never have our act cleaned up enough to dazzle like that.

Just like no matter how many laundry lessons we take and no matter how many ‘miracle laundry stain removers’ we use, we’ll never get clothes that dazzling.

Yes – of course – there is that stuff you see on TV. Color safe and guaranteed to make your laundry dazzle . . . special chemicals that don’t actually get stains out – but they make them transparent – so that the fabric looks just like new.

Stain remover that doesn’t remove stains – it just makes them transparent – they’re still there.

One of the chemical compounds that does this is called Sodium Percarbonate. It makes things look perfect – but inside things are still stained.

If we are out to clean up our act - even with the best books, courses, counseling . . . without the one who’s clothes were really dazzling, I think we’re in for a disappointing realization that it’s all still there – we just don’t see it.

I don’t this sermon to end with a "Just give it to Jesus and he’ll make things all better." Wrap up. But I do want to say this:

You don’t have to have it all together to be one of God’s precious ones. None of us have it all together. And even though we may be afraid and unable to say anything that makes much sense, we’re invited to be on the journey with Jesus. No prerequisites.

Jesus knows us. Jesus loves us. Jesus sees right through us – but not with the chemical trickery of sodium percarbonate.

Close with prayer.

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