Red v. Blue

SR

Isaiah 42:1–7 NIV

“Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will bring justice to the nations. He will not shout or cry out, or raise his voice in the streets. A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out. In faithfulness he will bring forth justice; he will not falter or be discouraged till he establishes justice on earth. In his teaching the islands will put their hope.” This is what God the Lord says— the Creator of the heavens, who stretches them out, who spreads out the earth with all that springs from it, who gives breath to its people, and life to those who walk on it: “I, the Lord, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles, to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness.

Luke 4:16–19 NIV

He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. He stood up to read, and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written: “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

Jesus reads the scripture, sits down and says that today those words have been fulfilled in their hearing. He is the one who is fulfilling God’s vision on the earth. In our SR Isaiah described God’s desire for his people, his servants: they would be a light for all people, they would open eyes, they would free captives from prison and release those who sit in a dark dungeon.

In Nazareth that day as all the eyes were upon him and everyone waited expectantly for him to speak, he echoed those words in Isaiah and added that he was sent to proclaim good news to poor folks as well as set people free. Isaiah mentions specifically the people whom the servant should be a light and a guide for: the Gentiles. Those chosen ones of God were to look outside of their circles and provide comfort, care, wisdom, and resources for those others in bondage and oppression.

There must have been more said that day because Luke says in vs. 21 that “he began by saying . . .” Everyone spoke well of him and everyone was amazed and happy. This guy is one of us! He’s from around here. He’s a local. Hey, that’s Joseph’s kid right? I think I saw him in the market the other day. I say more was probably being discussed because the conversation turns a bit. Jesus says I guess you’re going to want to see some fancy stuff like in Capernaum (Read a little later or turn to Mark 1 and 2 to read about that: healing of a demon possessed man and healing of the paralyzed man lowered through the roof).

Then Jesus focuses on the mission—being a light to the gentiles--and that’s when things start to get a little ugly. He reminds them of some great stories of old. He reminds them of what Isaiah speaks about: God is concerned about those other people. He has chosen us yes. Why did he choose us? He chose us to care about the world. Those who are “not us.” The two stories he tells are:

Elijah had plenty of Israelite widows around him, and there was no rain for 3.5 years. Lots of needs. But where did God want him? Sidon. Way up north, way past the sea of Galilee, out of bounds. (story of Elijah saying to the widow, hey can you get me a drink of water and oh by the way while you’re up , how about a sandwich (DH version). Um, I don’t know who you think I am or what I have but the only reason I’m out here is gathering a few sticks for a fire to make my last meal and then my son and I are going to eat it and DIE! (clearly no resources)

Naaman the Syrian: big time general with leprosy. Little Hebrew slave girl says hey go see the prophet. Elisha tells him to dip in the Jordan.

So Jesus reminds his hearers of the mission from their scriptures. Oh now wait just a minute young man . . . I’m curious about what exactly they’re so furious about and maybe you have some ideas you’d like to share later. What is it about these stories that are so infuriating? These are from their Sunday school lessons! Can you imagine the little cardboard cutouts with the raven and the guy dunking himself in the Jordan? Classics! They’re ready to kill him for reminding them of the mission of God’s people! Let’s throw him over the cliff.

Sort of a similar type of a situation with Paul in Ax 26 . . .

Paul standing before King Agrippa telling the story of his conversation.

Acts 26:4–5 NIV

“The Jewish people all know the way I have lived ever since I was a child, from the beginning of my life in my own country, and also in Jerusalem. They have known me for a long time and can testify, if they are willing, that I conformed to the strictest sect of our religion, living as a Pharisee.

Everyone has known me since I was a kid. Back in my country Syria and here in Jerusalem. Sounds like what they all said about Jesus. And then Paul goes on to tell him about meeting Jesus on the road and how Jesus spoke to him and gave him his life’s mission.

Jesus who claimed Isaiah’s prophecy about himself now hands God’s mission also to Saul. I am sending you to be a light to the Gentiles. Your preaching, teaching and healing is going to play a part also in opening people’s eyes and freeing captives. And we read, just like Jesus, Paul had many opponents as he carried out this mission handed to him by Jesus.

Well, I wanted to remind us of our mission today. I want to remind myself of what I’m here on earth to do. Lately, like you I’d imagine, I’ve been really caught up in a lot of politics. It’s been fun to discuss various ideas with my boys during this presidential candidate selection season. I have two more voters in my family. I’m sort of the typical middle age white male conservative, and they’re more interested in social issues and wanting a more equitable, just society. We’ve talked quite a bit about capitalism and socialism (joked that they’re socialists).

Talked about various CA propositions. Uber/Lyft, kidney dialysis, replacing cash bail, whether former felons can vote, etc. Throughout these weeks many arguments in my own family. Surprising how passionate we can get and how we all think we have the right answers for what is best social policy. I’d also like to hear your stories of this election season. To say it has been divisive and contentious is an understatement.

Who has it right? Red or blue? Is there a middle ground? Big or small government? High or low taxes, third party vendors or employees, should marijuana be legal or not? Should a Dr. be present during kidney dialysis? All tough questions that we should be wrestling with as Christians.

And I think politics and policy creation is a part of building the kingdom of God (started to build a sermon contrasting Rom 13 and Rev 17 but it got too complicated). But despite all these discussions these last weeks, I read in scripture politics itself isn’t the mission. Jesus said his mission was to be a light personally, to open eyes personally, to release captives personally. Jesus lived out this mission that he received from God, he gave it to Paul, he gave it to his disciples, he gives it to us. And I would imagine we wouldn’t all agree on everything politically—even in this small group. We’re all different politically just as his disciples were different politically. Remember who he called?

Matthew 10:1–8 NIV

Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness. These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him. These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.

Lots of different people here. Impulsive Peter, sons of Thunder, a betrayer. But also two folks on opposite sides of the political spectrum were called to carry out his mission of driving out unclean spirits and healing: a tax collector and a Zealot. Matthew, in leagues with the powers that be, a sympathizer, someone who was not only OK with but was profiting from the status quo. Happy to leave the Romans in charge. And Simon who wanted the Romans out by any means necessary, violence and uprising especially. The Zealots would indeed take some leadership in a revolt against Rome during the reign of Nero in 66.

But Jesus called them both. Two people who would sit down over dinner and certainly has sharp disagreements on the nature and role of government. One would say, “eh government a necessary burden to endure.” The other would say the government an oppressive yolk to overthrow even if it costs your life. But it appears they could agree on something, and that is the answering the call to follow Jesus. And he’s calling us as well.

Political divisions aside, we are all told here’s your job: proclaim the kingdom, heal, cleanse, stand against evil, be generous. Church that is the mission that lies before us still today.