Faith Demands of Us

“Faith Demands of Us. Doesn’t it?”

Psalm 63: 1- 8

Luke 13: 1 – 9

First Presbyterian Church

The Reverend Dr. Bruce Archibald

March 3, 2013

Second Sunday in Lent

Introduction to Luke 13. The Gospel of Luke was written late in the first century. The recipients were converts from both Jewish and Gentile populations. By late in the first century, Christianity was beginning to grow and in need a common understanding as they evolved in faith. The beliefs about Jesus were merging with outside teaching. Luke wrote a theological Gospel to preserve the teaching of Jesus for the developing church. Luke also had the task of helping the new followers understand why Jesus was rejected by the authorities. You may note the reference to both the Roman governor and the Pharisees from Jesus’ own Jewish tradition. The lesson for this morning is situated within a series of teachings, attributed to Jesus, regarding the Christian life and meaning of the Kingdom of God. It begins with some contemporaries of Jesus asking him about a series of deaths and is followed by a parable in which Jesus offers hope and grace in the face of the inevitable.

Pilot was the governor of the region appointed by Caesar. He was known for his brutality. Apparently, there had been some men from Galilee who in their pilgrimage to Jerusalem for sacrifice were murdered and their blood was mixed with the ritual sacrifice of a lamb or goat. This was not only a frightening act but an offense against the religious sensibilities of the Jews. These men had gone to the temple to meet their religious obligation of sacrifice and they were sacrificed. At the same time, there must have been a construction accident. A tower had collapsed and crushed eighteen people, a useless loss of life.

In understanding Luke’s presentation, I think it helps to remember that the belief of the first century was that a tragedy or premature death was the result of the unfortunate’s failure to please God. In short, “bad things happen to not so good people.” So when Jesus said to the crowd, “I tell you, but unless you repent, you will all perish as they did.” he challenged their self image. “It could just as easily been you!” Can you imagine, with all their piety, they had gathered to gossip and judge those murdered by Pilot as well as the eighteen crushed by the tower. He did not play along. Picture it - “Hey Jesus what do you think about what Pilot did to those Galileans? Didn’t they deserve it and isn’t Pilot and Rome totally evil. What do you say Jesus? What are your teachings about those murders and deaths? Did they deserve it? Must have been sinners.” His response: “Turn to God, you may be next!”

In 2013 we know that tragedy is not limited to bad people or sinners. Why, we could all be next; a tree overturned by a tornado or a drunk driver crossing the yellow line. Unlike today, the first century was a brutal time and construction was poor. But today? --- “Ya never know. Do you? Turn to God. You could be next!” Does this scripture still apply to modern Christianity? We are sophisticated and understand the realities of life? We understand that accidents, war and terrorism affect the innocent. Still, we may judge those who are the unfortunate, the needy, those sacrificed in 21st century violence, hate, and prejudice. We resist looking at ourselves unaware - it could be anyone. It could be me! Our faith demands of us. Doesn’t it? It demands that we accept responsibility for our lives in an imperfect world. Repent!

The lesson does not end there. In fact, it appears to take a very different direction. Luke added a teaching of forgiveness and nurture. According to Luke, Jesus offered a parable, a short story with a message to make the listeners think and internalize for themselves. He told them about a fig tree that was a waste. It did nothing to bear fruit. It just grew, eating up the precious nutrients in the soil and wouldn’t offer anything in return. Naturally, it needed to be replaced. But the gardener wanted a second chance for the tree. “Let me take more time. Give me time to nurture and care for it.” There is the lesson: “Give it a chance. Let’s care and provide for it. It is worth saving.” Jesus was not talking about raising fig trees but the parable was meant to stimulate the crowd’s understanding that their traditions needed to be nurtured in God’s grace and promise for the future of humankind. He taught that the demand to “repent” is complemented by nurture and care. We may not be able to repent alone.

There are plenty of people who feel justified in judging others, who are different, cheated by circumstance, or have acted in self-defeating ways. In some respects that is common in much of our culture. Just look at our national politics. We have seen too many national leaders willing to blame. In contrast, the gardener offered hope and salvation - not just to the unproductive but to the pious Pharisee as well - for all of God’s creation.

Has there ever been a time when we felt our life was not meeting its potential, not useless, just not where life should be? There have been those times for me. Was it then that someone offered nurture and care? In time, with help, did things turn around? Life was renewed and confidence returned. But it required some nurture. When that happens we are no longer the same. Something about us has changed. Our world is different and we are open to take on the role of gardener for others. We have been helped in our repentance and are opened to the need in others. Love begins to expand from self to other. When we nurture others and aid in their recovery, both lives are renewed and productive. Jesus taught, according to Luke, that God’s love renews the unproductive tree as well as the life of the gardener. We, the Church, are the gardeners. Faith demands of us. Doesn’t it?

Luke wrote these two passages together intentionally. They are contrasting passages. The first, speaks of death and tragedy and demands - repent - turn around because - “ya never know.” The second is a teaching about life and love in a garden where an unproductive tree is nurtured and given a second chance. One demands repentance while the other demands nurture. Together care, nurture and repentance become the foundation of our ability to meet the demands of faith.

This world is not totally like the world of the first century. It is not the orchard. It is still a world where death, hate and prejudice are common place. God’s human creations are not fig trees or objects to be diminished or destroyed. We are creations of God’s nurture. Isn’t this the theme behind Lent and Easter? In the pilgrimage through life and death there is the Grace of God nurturing and demanding that we become that gardener or like Jesus.

OK, I am almost finished - just a few more thoughts because I think there is more to the intent of Luke’s teaching for the 21st century. It is so easy to look at the less fortunate or those different from us and comment: “They deserved it, didn’t they?” They should not live in those neighborhoods. They know that tornados destroy trailers. They ought to get a job, quit using substances, get an education or whatever is said. “But not me, Jesus! I know better! I am a retired pastor who has been blessed. I’ve made it! I must be pretty OK. Did it well, if I must say so myself! I am humble and good, not like societies sacrificed or those unfortunates.” Then I hear Luke’s Gospel - Jesus demanding: “Turn around and look to God, you old pastor! You could be next. What does it matter what you think about yourself?” (And there it is. Repent!) Now go care, nurture and live the demands of faith.

What does faith demand? Look at the old fig tree. Do you see it? Maybe you - maybe me - maybe not. It doesn’t matter who but when we repent and turn to God, God is waiting there for us, digging, nurturing and feeding. Our faith demands the same of us. To be there for others, digging, nurturing, feeding and offering another chance. Doesn’t it?

An aside: It is noteworthy that Jesus died soon after the conversation in Luke’s gospel. He was next right behind those sacrificed by Pilot and crushed in the collapse of the tower. He was called an insurrectionist by Rome and a sinner by the chief priests. “Repent, you may be next:” he said. Do you think he knew? And if he did, why did he talk about second chances, nurture and life in the face of death? Perhaps, he knew that his faith demanded of him. And he went on to Jerusalem proclaiming God’s grace. Didn’t he? We call him Lord and Savior. Maybe we could ask the question: What does his faith demand of us?

Amen.