At the Beautiful Gate

Sermon: “The Beautiful Gate”

Hillside Church of Marin – 6 January 2013

During seminary, I led a small group of teenage high school boys. Among them was a kid named Rob. He was a sophomore, and he epitomized the image of the archetypal 15-year-old adolescent teenager. He stood about 5 foot 4, and weighed about a buck – at least that’s what he claimed. I doubt that he weighed more than 90 pounds. He wore braces; had acne; he smelled. His hair was always disheveled. Quite honestly, he was the runt of the high school pack.

Rob was a precocious little guy. I think he both suffered and thrived from little man syndrome. He often spat off sarcastic remarks, strung together with a creative variety of expletives. He frequently tested my patience. I admit that I dreamt more than I should have about the satisfaction I would receive from punching him. I am sure that most of the kids and leaders in our crew did, as well.

But he grabbed my heart the first time I met him.

Yet, he drew me into his life through his deep empathy for others. In fact, I have yet to meet a high school student with the kind of compassion that he had for a total stranger. He is an exceptional person, including his quirks and all.

One afternoon about a year into our friendship, he asked me to meet with him after school. He and I shared our first real heart to heart. He asked me many questions about faith and life. I asked him tough questions. Nothing was off limits.

Toward the end of our conversation, Rob admitted to me that he was on board with Jesus and willing to make sacrifices to his lifestyle at the time that reflected his decision to follow Jesus.

As a Pastor, as a Christian, we celebrate that. I was thrilled for Rob!

But just as I was getting ready to end the conversation, he told me that he could not wrap his mind around one thing.

At this point, I thought, hit me. We’ve come this far, what could you not understand? So he replied, “I cannot get past the resurrection. How does a guy raise from the dead, even if he’s God? Prove to me that it happened.”

To which I responded, “Rob, listen. It’s easy. I can prove to you that the resurrection happened because…” And that’s as far as I got…. Literally. I stopped at the word ‘because.’ I sat there for a good 30 seconds looking for something – some nugget – some tidbit - that I could tell him… but I couldn’t. He wanted a true answer that I could not provide to him.

He wanted me to prove with empirical, post-Enlightenment data that the resurrection happened. How does one prove that? What would have been a sufficient response for a sarcastic, precocious, too-smart-for-his-own-good 15-year-old kid?

I could not prove to him the resurrection any more than I can prove it to you or anyone of us can prove it to one another.

Yet, ironically, our faith hinges upon the truth and reality of it… Imagine the history of our faith, as we know it in Scripture, as a 6 act drama.

Act 1 opens with God dreaming and imagining and creating and setting into motion the universe and all within it, including us, humanity. And all is well with creation. God is pleased with it, especially with us… that is until we take matters into our own hands in Act 2.

Apparently, it’s not enough for us to be created in the image and likeness of God, but we want to actually be God, right? We want the power. We want the control. Thus, enter stage left: sin.

Act 2 introduces the conflict of the drama, and unfortunately, it’s you and me. Genesis chapters 3-11 describe our shadow side. These passages recount how we deceive one another; harm one another; and essentially, how we have broken our relationship with God. Now, we must endure the consequences of our actions by enduring the brokenness of our world.

I have a younger brother. I love him to death. I would do anything for him. He lives in Wisconsin, and currently works as a plant manager for Hormel foods.

This is the kind of guy he is: A couple of weeks ago, his town endured a bad snowstorm. On his way home from work around midnight, he noticed a car stuck in the snow drifts. He pulled over to help him, but he ended up getting stuck in the snow himself for over two hours. He even ripped his pants and got frostbite on his leg. He is one of the most giving, humble men I know.

But he has a shadow side… he is also one the most defiant people I know. When he was a kid, he and my mom would engage in colossal clashes against one another. I remember her laying my 3 year old brother on the couch, spanking his legs with a shrieking clap that hurt me just watching it, and then Sean turning around, looking my mom in the eye, and saying, “Is that all you got?”

My mom and I reminisced on these memories last week while I was away in West Virginia, and she even admitted that she got so angry at that comment by my brother that she had to walk out of the room for fear that she might actually him!

It’s an innocent example, but an example nonetheless of how we wish to hoard power and control and be the god of our own little worlds.

This is tough. But it is the current state of our condition. We need to begin here and understand that we have irreparably harmed our relationship with God.

Yet, God – in freedom - chose not to uphold his right to abandon us. Rather, in Genesis chapter 12 through the end of the Old Testament, God immediately and without hesitation initiates his redemptive plan to restore our broken relationship to him and one another. In fact, you will notice hints of God’s redemption beginning as soon as Adam and Eve realized that they were naked. Scripture tells us that God sacrificed a ram and made clothes for Adam and Eve so that they would not live in shame.

God doesn’t give up on us. God enters into our world through the calling of Abraham, the nation of Israel, the judges and the prophets and makes himself known to us all the more as a God who is for us and not against us.

Eventually, God’s plan of redemption climaxes in Act 4, as recorded in the Gospels, with the life of Jesus, whose very name bears the essence of his message, God with us. Though we broke what God wanted so much to establish for us, God entered fully into our world and proclaimed in every way possible that he is a God who is with us and desires to rescue us from self-inflicted condition.

And the climax of the climax so to speak – the pinnacle of God’s redemptive plan though Jesus happens not through a teaching – not even in the cross – but in the resurrection.

Act 5, the history and presence of the church is our response to God’s redemptive plan. Will you take it or leave it?

The resurrection is the proof in the pudding. It validates the work of God from the beginning of creation through the climax of his redemptive effort in Jesus. The resurrection is the reason why you are here in a church, experiencing community and worship and hope! Without the resurrection, Christianity is a moral philosophy and Jesus is an insignificant historical figure. But with the resurrection, everything changes.

Our faith hinges upon the truth and reality of it. While I was unable to satisfy Rob’s question from a few years ago, I have since come to realize that he was in fact asking the wrong question. Proving the resurrection is not the point. Rather, we ought to ask: what would my life and our collective community look like if the resurrection was true?

I believe that Scripture provides insight into this question when we investigate how those closest to Jesus responded after he died and rose again. How did the resurrection alter their lives?

I want to explore for our remaining few minutes a story that addresses this. Let’s look together at Acts 3:1-10.

One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer—at three in the afternoon. 2 Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts. 3 When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for money. 4 Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” 5 So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.

6 Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” 7 Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. 8 He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. 9 When all the people saw him walking and praising God, 10 they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

Alright, let’s put on first century goggles and dig up what’s happening underneath this passage because I believe that Peter and John’s actions give us profound insight into what it means for us – the church 21 centuries later – to live our lives according to the reality and truth of the resurrection.

First: the Setting. Though the author of Acts does not explicitly the state the setting of this story, the audience is given one key clue. And that is the story takes place next to a temple gate called “Beautiful.”

Jewish customs celebrated several different festivals during the lunar year. Each festival occurred at a different location in the temple to reflect the essence of what that particular festival celebrated. Furthermore, depending on if the location of the festival was located near a temple gate, then the name of the gate would temporarily change in order to reflect the sanctity of that particular festival.

In Acts 3, the author calls the gate “Beautiful,” which solely means that the setting of this story is during the Feast of Tabernacles.

Second, the Context. The Feast of Tabernacles occurs immediately following the Feast of Pentecost, which occurred in Acts chapter 2. Now, typically, this gate is called the Eastern Gate, but it’s name changed because the Festival of Tabernacles celebrates the anticipation of the coming Messiah.

Moreover, it was considered the holiest of feasts because the people who attended looked forward to the eventual redemption and liberation of God, and the eventual rescue of the world from sin.

Isn’t that interesting? This should sound familiar to you because – spoiler alert! – it’s already happened!

So, essentially, Peter and John, disciples of Jesus, who himself claimed to be the Messiah, and validated that claim by resurrecting from the dead just a few weeks prior this story, are attending a festival that’s celebrating the anticipation of an event that has already happened.

I want to make sure that we have wrapped our minds around what is happening in this story. You should sense here a convergence of two worldviews about to clash together.

What Peter and John are about to do will change everything.

So, let’s dig into the third element: the Characters. As Peter and John are waking up the entry path to the gate, they encounter a lame man, who most likely was paralyzed due to either a disease or a birth defect.

He is sitting at the entrance to the Beautiful Gate for two reasons: first, he believed like many Jewish people at the time that the Messiah would enter through the Eastern Gate – also called the Beautiful Gate – and would hopefully show mercy and heal him.

And second, Jewish law mandated that every pious Jewish man carry extra money with him to all of the festivals in order to give it away to the lame and the beggars outside of the temple. Naturally, these folks would want to locate near the most popular, visible place to receive the money, so in this instance, the man sat at the entrance to the gate. Literally, he could expect thousands of men to pass by him, which meant a pretty good payday. More than likely, professional beggars would earn enough money at festival to sustain them until the next festival.

Enter Peter and John. They are walking up the path, and they encounter this man. The man asks for money, but Peter and John respond in a peculiar fashion.

Peter says, “Look at us!” Hmm… and I love the lame man’s response… he looks at them back! He’s expecting his money.

On the surface level, it seems sort of humorous that Peter and John engage in a staring context with this man. It seems out of the ordinary, but I believe that Peter and John are beginning the healing process with this man before they heal his legs.

Think about the character of this lame man. He sits in the dirt by a gate everyday. He can hear what’s happening in the temple. He probably even sneaks a peek every now and then, but since he’s paralyzed, he is considered unclean and, thereby, unfit to enter inside the temple. Thus, he’s not allowed to make sacrifices to atone for his sin, which means he has no hope for salvation.

Furthermore, he most likely sits among scores of other beggars who are the mercy of some man tossing a coin at them like scraps to a pack of dogs. He has to be carried everywhere he goes. His family has abandoned him.

This man feeds on the dirt of society with no dignity or hope. Other than the gracious person who carries him, who notices him? Who touches him? Who looks at him in the eye and says I see you. I see you as a man who has been created in the image and likeness of God.

When Peter says to him, “Look at us!” Peter wants the lame man to raise his head from the ground, look at him in his eyes, and notice what Peter is about to do!

Peter says to the man, “Silver and Gold, I do not have, but what I have I give to you. Stand up and walk!”

And the man actually stands up from his place in the dirt, instantly feels strength in his ankles and legs, and begins dancing around! Imagine the sight!

In the book of Zechariah chapter 14, the prophet states that after the Messiah has come, there will not longer be a need for traders in the temple. Later, during Jesus’ ministry, he overturns the moneychanger and trader tables in the temple because of he demanded that the house of God only be used as a house of prayer.

I do think that upset Jesus. I also believe that Jesus was making a point. He was proclaiming with action and certain terms that forgiveness of sin is here!

We no longer need to pay for our forgiveness. We no longer need to purchase sacrifices to atone for our sins.

God has accomplished this task in Jesus!

Peter and John make a bold statement at the gate through which the Messiah was expected to return. They have given to the lame man all that they have, the power of the Spirit, which Jesus promised to all of us by Jesus in Acts chapter 1. Through healing the lame man, they proclaimed to the crowd that the Messiah has indeed come and resurrected. The prophecies have come true. The anticipation is over.

Salvation is here! Redemption has been found. Forgiveness is available for free. And we have been reconciled to the God who has been for us since the first act of God’s unfolding drama.

Peter and John display through this event what it looks like for the church and all of those who follow Jesus to live as though the resurrection is true. We can assume that the crowd in attendance at the festival on this day had not witnessed the resurrected Jesus in person, for if they had, then I am sure that this story would have been written quite differently.

The people standing in observation of this event, however, witnessed the power and response of the resurrection. Though they did not see Jesus, much in the same way that we have not seen him today, the power of the resurrection through the power of the Spirit is alive in each of us today.

I want to make three concrete and practical observations about this story that will inform us about how we may live our lives as though the resurrection is true:

First, when we believe that the resurrection is true for us, it alters our worldview. The resurrection affects how we understand and process the world around us. For Peter and John, two pious Jewish men, it meant attending a Jewish festival without carrying extra money to give to the lame and poor. I couldn’t imagine crowding in with other men on the pathway to the gate and receiving their bewildered glances because they noticed that I was not carrying my change purse.

The resurrection alters our worldview. It refocuses our perspective from a dominant cultural lens that sees the world as though we are god to that of the resurrected Jesus Christ.

Where others may see opportunity to capitalize on the hurt or vulnerability of others, the resurrection allows us to see injustice.

Where the world embraces individualism, self-made success stories, and self-help, the resurrection provides community and support. And where you may feel abandoned, trampled on, or letdown, the resurrected Jesus offers reconciliation and comfort.

Second, when we believe that the resurrection is true for us, it alters the essence of how we relate to others. Peter and John restored dignity and humanity to the lame man. They did not simply pass by him and toss him a coin out of pity. Peter and John saw the man for how God sees him – made in his very image and considered worthy and of great value.

Mother Teresa was once quoted saying, “We have a great deal of worth in the eyes of God. I never tire of saying over and over again that God loves us.”

Have you ever been so angry with someone that you see crimson red? Perhaps this happens no more than in marriage. Stacy and I have never been on the brink of divorce, but we have endured some arguments, to which afterward I thought, “How will we recover from this?” Anyone with me?

On our wedding day, I remember our Pastor telling us that our marriage would thrive if we simply did one thing everyday: serve one another. That is way easier said than done.

I cannot claim any sense of expertise in marriage, having only been married a little less than two years. But I have discovered one thing: it is only by the grace of resurrected God that Stacy and I are able to serve one another everyday.

Perhaps my view of brokenness and sinfulness is too high, but I’m a selfish man. We’re all selfish individuals. When left to our own devices, our natural default is to choose ourselves over the other most of the time.

Yet, the resurrection reorients our naturally self-inclined compass to that of the other. God chose us. God gave everything for us. And the resurrection both validates and demands that we do the same. It has forever altered the nature of our relationships.

And last, when we believe that the resurrection is true for us, it replaces our fear with confidence. The number one command given by God to us in Scripture is “Do not be afraid.” It is not love God or love neighbor or don’t do this or that.

Our inclination for self-preservation… our desire to choose ourselves… our selfishness, as Steve addressed last week, creates within us fear, insecurity, and anxiety.

Peter and John traveled to the temple without any hesitation of what could happen to them. Lest we forget that the Pharisees leading the Feast of Tabernacles sentenced Jesus to death just a few short weeks ago. Could the same thing happen to them? In fact, Peter was later crucified on a cross upside down!

Following Jesus may take us places that lead us into harms way. Thousands of Christians have endured abuse of all kinds throughout the ages, even to this day. And it is not always physical.

Both of my middle and high school students have confessed to me that living as a Christian in the local schools here in Marin is like wearing a ‘kick me’ sign on your back. One student even used the term, ‘hostile.’

Sure, you’re not being burned at the stake, but imagine your trepidation as a tenth grader, knowing full well that many of your friends do not support your faith and ridicule you for it.

I’ve also heard many of you describe the anxiety you feel about the same issues at work, home, with friends and family.

Yet, our security is found in the truth and reality of the resurrection. Neither you nor I need to wishfully hope that what Jesus said was true. We do not need to rub his belly for good luck. Rather he showed us. He validated his teachings, miracles, propositions, and assertions by raising again through the real power of the Holy Spirit that know dwells in each one of us!

So, may you, Hillside Church, believe wholeheartedly in the significance and truth of the resurrection. May you embrace it and see the world through the lens of Jesus. May you love your neighbor – loved ones and strangers alike. May you live without fear and know in confidence that God s with you in all things. And may you go from this place sharing the good news that Jesus was born and rose again!

Let’s pray together…