Where Are You Going?
A sermon by Ted Virts
August 18, 2013
Sonoma CA
Theme:
Day by day, day by day
Dear Lord three things I pray
to see thee more clearly,
love thee more dearly,
follow thee more nearly
day by day
Godspell
Scripture:
Matthew 9:9-13; 10:1-4
"And Jesus said to him, "Follow me." Matthew 9
This is the third sermon in a series of four focusing on themes in Matthew's gospel through the lens of the 1971 musical "Godspell" It is a collaboration with Sam Yankovich, a child of this church, now 16, who loves musical theater and was looking for a way to sing for the congregation.
The worship service began with an acknowledgement that the music today is somewhat romantic and emotional. While loving Jesus, even with emotional overtones, isn't the story of discipleship, it is a part of the story that shouldn't be ignored.
I wonder what it takes to decide to follow someone.
Do you have to be asked? "Come, follow me..."
Do you feel a tug of the heart, a longing or emptiness such that you ask to follow. "Won't you take me with you."
There has to be at least some dissatisfaction with your current state of affairs in order to follow - hard as that is for us as the self-made people our culture expects for us to be.
some pain, perhaps. A loneliness. A sense of non-fulfillment or maybe the dissatisfaction is just wanting for more - more meaning, more depth or a different purpose or just something new - new life, new understanding.
What does it take to decide to follow?
The gospels imply that the following of Jesus is easy and quick. Mark would say that "immediately they left their nets and followed." Matthew "just got up and followed him."
But following is as much about letting go as it is changing direction. Letting go is not easy. What's the saying - familiar discomfort is better than unfamiliar comfort.
Letting go is shaky at first. It is daring to try what is awkward. There is something daring about leaving the familiar for the unknown. We say as fiancés, as friends, as lovers, as spouses, as parents, as children that we will share the journey no matter what, but in truth we don't really know where we are headed, hopeful as we might be, detailed as the plans are.
So if we dare to follow, to change, to go to a new place, a new way, a new road, we become very aware of our longing and our leaving. We are aware of how different everything is - hopeful and awkward, exciting and uncomfortable.
The call of faith is the call from one way of being to another.
For most, the decision to follow is at it's core a cry for change and for companionship into a place and a way of being that we hope for but can barely imagine. We don't want to travel alone. The decision is the truth of dissatisfaction and the longing for more.
By my Side - Sam and Charlie sing. Sondra plays.
By My Side
Where are you going?
Where are you going?
Can you take me with you?
For my hand is cold
And needs warmth
Where are you going?
Far beyond where the horizon lies
Where the horizon lies
And the land sinks into mellow blueness
Oh please, take me with you
Let me skip the road with you
I can dare myself
I can dare myself
I'll put a pebble in my shoe
And watch me walk (watch me walk)
I can walk
I shall call the pebble Dare
I shall call the pebble Dare
We will walk, we will talk together
We will talk
About walking Dare shall be carried
And when we both have had enough
I will take him from my shoe, singing
"Meet your new road!"
Then I'll take your hand
Finally glad
Finally glad
That you are here
By my side
The gospels are mostly preaching to the choir - reminders to specific communities of their origin, beliefs, practices, purpose and destination. Matthew's gospel is particularly focused on teaching "the way" to those who have said yes to the new road.
Sam and Charlie san an emotional plea from Godspell a cry that asks "is there a place for me? can I really belong?"
Can Jesus' words about the poor, the meek, those who mourn, those who hunger for justice, who are persecuted for right really be true? Is there a place for me?
Godspell as a 1971 vintage American work reflects our American values - Is there a place for me?
Jesus answer is that there is a place for us.
I believe that Jesus takes the veil away from how we see God and how we see each other. The result is both appealing and troublesome.
Jesus is infinitely appealing when the good news is that you and I belong. We don't have to earn God's favor. We are already blessed and cherished, forgiven, whole and included.
Matthew's gospel starts that way, after establishing Jesus' heritage and credentials, Jesus begins his work with the sermon on the mount (chapter 5-7) "Blessed are you..." and Jesus words are followed by his literal and metaphorical healing.
But the good news gets troublesome when we realize it is not just about me or you. It is about "them" too. God's favor rests with the "other" we'd rather avoid.
Mathew's gospel starts to remind the church that the following of Jesus isn't quite so easy. Not everyone wants to leave their comfort, their way, their order of the world. If "they" come in it displaces and worries "us."
When people are worried about losing their place they can become quite hostile and defensive. Sometimes I see that defensiveness in myself. Perhaps you see it in yourself as well.
"By My Side" asks "where are you going?" to Jesus. I think the question is asked of us as well.
Where are you going?
Where are you going? This isn't an after-life question. It is an in-this-life question.
What is important to you?
How do you spend your day?
What is it you think about, worry about?
Is there some part of your life that pays attention to others? that reflects the gospel truth that we are all (all!) in this together?
I have an on-going irritation with Jesus. There are a lot of times when Jesus invites me to follow and I really hope he's talking to someone else. "Thanks, Lord. I'd rather follow you on twitter..."
I know that I don't always stay as close to Jesus as I could. But I am on this road with Jesus, trying to follow - though often a little far behind.
On my good days I remember enough to live into the life of knowing and following and loving that God longs for me to know.
At some point in my life, and I hope in yours, my plea to Jesus to "take me with you" met Jesus' words "follow me." Jesus invitation and my need are a daily gift and offer. It is grace available with our reservation. It is God's constant prayer and mine as well.
Day by Day
Day by day
Day by day
Oh Dear Lord
Three things I pray
To see thee more clearly
Love thee more dearly
Follow thee more nearly
Day by day ...
What if you could let go of the burdens you carry? What if all that mattered was what Sam and Charlie just sang?
What if the gospel call were that simple, and that tough - see God's way clearly, love God dearly and follow nearly.
Not out of threat, but as St. Peter said, where can we go, Lord, you have the words of eternal life - right here, right now.
Not for me, but for all of us in this world of your making.
"follow me," Jesus said. Matthew got up and followed.
I wonder what it takes to decide to follow.
What will you do?
5