July 8. 2018                      Strength in Weakness                    

This weekend I saw the movie “Good Will Hunting”. It is a movie about a math prodigy who was abused as a child. This abuse caused him to commit acts of violence that got him in trouble with the law. But with the help of a math professor, a therapist, and his friends, William – the name of the character - overcame his past and was restored to health.

Now the scene in the movie that I would like to focus on, was a turning point in the film for Will. Now I know there were numerous turning points in the film, but this one involved his best friend. Will, was telling his friend, how was going to stay in Boston, work construction, have kids, hang out with his friends, for the rest of his life, but his friend had another idea. For those who know the film, I cleaned this up a bit.

“You know we are best friends, so don’t take this the wrong way” he said, “You have a gift, and you owe it to us to use that gift and get out of here. If your still here 30 years from now, it would be an insult to us, that we didn’t make you use your gift.”

What was so wonderful about this speech, is that it was one of those moments of honesty that true friends share with each other. It was one of those moments of honesty that husbands and wives share with each other, and parents with their children. It was a moment where what needed to be said, was said, even at if it meant being vulnerable in speaking the truth, even if it meant risking rejection. And it was a moment that led to Will, leaving his friends and heading out to search for that new life that he needed, in order to be freed from his past.

All three of our scripture readings this morning speak in some way about this kind of truth telling. Ezekiel is called to speak this truth to the people of Israel, they have gone after other gods, gods of wealth, god’s of winning, god’s of injustice, god’s of lying. These gods have brought down the nation, and it is time for Ezekiel to speak the truth to Israel, that they have brought this upon themselves by their rebellion against the God of Israel. Now this speaking of truth, is not meant as a condemnation of Israel, but a calling them back, to the God who loves them, and despite their rebellion, seeks for them to live.

In our gospel reading this morning, Jesus goes to his hometown, and speaks the truth in love to them as well. We do not hear his preaching in this passage, but we know it from the other two gospels, and from his preaching throughout Mark. It involves love of God and love of neighbor, it involves forgiving sins, treating one another with compassion, and seeking God’s justice and rule in their lives.

Through this preaching, Jesus has drawn great crowds and worked wondrous miracles. But not here in his hometown, where the people reject what he says, and talk about his family and upbringing. “Why does he think he is so smart,” you can hear them say, “I knew him when…..” And so the story ends that he could do no works among them, except to heal a few people, and he marveled at their disbelief.

As a pastor, it always amazes me, the different ways I am received in a congregation. For the most part there are people who are ready and willing to believe that I am there to serve them, and so they listen to what I preach, and teach, and my prayers for them. In every church, there are always those who are looking for some flaw, some reason to discount or ignore what I say or do. I certainly am not perfect, so I am sure I do plenty of things wrong. As Paul notes, I have thorns in my flesh, but the power of God is made perfect, not in my righteousness, but in my weakness.

Interestingly enough, I don’t think this has very much to do with me at all. I think it has to do more with their faith in God. Those who are looking for God to be a part of their lives, despite my clumsy attempts to be their pastor, end up finding God. Those who are dead set against finding God, are going to find a reason, personal or political reasons, to reject what I have to say.  As my colleague Rev Weidenbach told me, when we were talking about this at our lectionary study, “Isn’t it amazing, those people whose faith, overcomes a pastor's weakness. Don’t you just love it when that happens!” Because in their lives, it is their faith, which gives them strength to face the challenges life throws at them.

One final note. I believe there is a reason that Mark links these two passages together. The first part of the passage has Jesus rejected by his own people, and then the disciples being sent out. I think it is this faith thing – that in Jesus' weakness of not being able to do lots of great works among an unbelieving people, that it tells the disciples – it isn’t all up to them. That God will work in the lives of those who are ready to receive the message of the gospel, and that sometimes, that won’t be the case. Their job is to proclaim the gospel in faith, so that those who are ready to believe it will in faith receive it – and wondrous things will happen in their lives.

My point is – that you are Jesus disciples, and you are sent to proclaim the gospel, to speak this truth in love to one another, even if it seems weak and unpopular.  Do it the best you can, proclaim God’s love for all, seek God’s Justice for all, call people to forgive one another and be reconciled to one another.  Some will reject your message, but others will be ready and willing to receive  it. And when they do, you will have the joy of being a part of God’s plan for the salvation of the world. And that is the good news of Jesus Christ. Amen.