|
Dear friends:
I'm not sure where John the Baptist went to seminary, but had he gone to a proper seminary, professors from the homiletics department would have schooled him in the fine art of rhetoric. They would have pointed out that every sermon needs a good introduction, preferably one that's humorous and self-deprecating. Then they would have instructed him in the proper order of things, that before laying down judgment and challenge, he needed first to contract with his listeners, to suggest that they learn and grow together, and promise to do it all in twenty minutes or less.
Instead, in our first passage for this week (Luke 3:7-18) John the Baptist said to those who showed up for the service that day, "Look around! Seems we've got some bad trees around here, and have I got news for you. Every one of 'em is going to be cut down and thrown into the fire. I'm warning you: the wheat and the chaff will be separated, and the chaff will burn with unquenchable fire."
I don't know about you, but I'm convinced most people I know don't need religion to help them feel bad about themselves; they feel bad enough already. So why this wild-eyed junkyard dog named John the Baptist standing at the door to Christmas growling about wheat and chaff, reminding that God's going to stoke the fires of hell with those who don't measure up? What kind of God is that?
Unfortunately, it's the kind of God the Christian church is famous for in many circles. This god gladly sends you to hell for not believing the right stuff, not being born in the right country, to the right parents, or to the right religion. It's the kind of God who includes those who think and look like us and excludes those who don't.
It's hard to reconcile ourselves to biblical characters like John the Baptist. It may simply be because our medieval ancestors were more honest than we are about a basic human impulse that finds joy in final judgments. We're loathe to admit it, but Christians too -- at least sometimes -- want to see people get smoked, want to watch while the bad guys get it. One self-identified Christian political candidate recently suggested that our country should carpet bomb our enemy into oblivion. The he drew great cheers when he said, "I don't know if sand can glow in the dark, but we're going to find out!"
It reminds me of the movie Unforgiven. "See you in hell," says Clint Eastwood, as he shoots Gene Hackman, the crooked lawman. Right on, Clint! Hell's what he deserved.
Yet, after John the Baptist preaches his gospel of judgment along comes along another teacher with a very different gospel. It's so different John the Baptist can't get his mind around it and sends some people to ask Jesus directly if he is the Messiah. That's when Jesus offers a new definition of God, God's desires, and God's activity in the world. You can read about it here. (Luke 7:18-23)
We'll explore it this weekend. In addition, we'll have great music, baptisms, a brief update on our financial goals for next year (spoiler alert: we have substantial progress to make!) and other rich endeavors.
Join us, and bring a friend. 
Bob Henderson, senior minister | 
