Sermon - 2014-03-30

Today, we hear of two people who bear witness to the power and glory of God within the world among us.  However, these are two unexpected people who we would qualify as weak by the world’s standards. They will be instruments of God so that all the world may see.  David, a young shepherd boy, was anointed at a very young age to be king of the entire nation of Israel.  The man who was blind was given sight so that others may know that God was with them once again.

The first person is David.  David is the youngest brother in a family.  In this time, he would have been the one who was easily overlooked.  He could have been working for his brothers and living out his days.  He was the youngest brother, the one who still had so much more to learn. Even in this story, we hear that his responsibility is to care for the sheep.  A rather simple task, but one that is important in learning what it means to care for others.  It is this young boy,  this lowly boy, who most would have been overlooked.  He is the one whom God selects.  He is the one God knows will grow in faith. The one whom God knows will come to know the Lord, his Creator and Sustainer in his everyday life.  

The man who was blind, is also very young; his parents say that he is of age.  Meaning within the religious gathering and in society as a whole, he is a man.  A person who can care for themselves, watch over all that they need to do, and can be held accountable for their own thoughts and actions.  In our own modern understanding, we would say that this person is confirmed in faith.  So this man bears witness to the account of what happens to him and regains his sight.  Jesus did a simple thing by putting mud on the man’s eyes, but the results are astounding.  So astounding that the people could not believe it.  They saw what had happened, but still they could not believe that it is true.

Yes, today we hear two very important stories that are for two different audiences.  For the first audience includes the adults.  Those who are in control of things and raising their own children.  It is a reminder that in our own children is the future of the church.  This future involves taking charge of the world and the bringing forth of the Kingdom of God.  We, adults, need to help the next generation grow in understanding of the work and care that is needed to sustain and operate the church as a whole.  We need to stop, to listen, and to learn from the very young as well.  They will do things differently. They will do things so that it makes sense to them.  However, they can teach us about our own faith and teach us how it is strengthened as well.  

The other audience is for the youth.  You are the ones who God is calling to learn and grow in relationship with God, a relationship to one another, and be a part of something which lasts your entire life and beyond.  If people are not allowing you to be a part of this something, I want you to talk to me.  I will gladly give you the microphone so that everyone hears what you have to say.  You are our future of this church.  You are the disciples who would care for this church.  We are the people who have done mission in this community, and we will pass on this responsibility so that it will be yours.  

So today, after you are done here at church, I want you (adults and youth) to go home and talk together over lunch and ask yourselves:

What do you enjoy about the church?  

What would you change if you could?  

How could you be a part of what is happening here?