Disappointing God; March 24, 2019 sermon on Matthew 22:1-14

Rev. George Miller
March 24, 2019
Matthew 22:1-14

How do you express disappointment?

How do you teach respect?

Disappointment can be expressed through the words we use; such as when someone says “You let me down,” or sends a message that reads “I was really disappointed when…”

But disappointment is perhaps best expressed through the non-thinking part of communication: a person’s body language, their facial expressions, and their vocal tone.

That’s because those things involve energy and emotion, creating a moment that the body, the mind and the spirit can actually experience and feel.

Growing up as a child, I was raised in a family that used various forms of discipline- denial of TV privileges, the wooden spoon, and the infamous “go to your room.”

But of all experiences, the one most remembered and with me today, is the time I did something so disrespectful, so bad, that all my father could do was look at me with pained eyes, and say-

“I am so angry with you right now that I can’t even punish you.”

That moment of non-punishment was the worse punishment I’ve ever received.

It meant that I had really, really hurt my father’s heart…

Then there is the concept of respect.

Earlier this week the internet was all aflutter in regards to an old video of Maya Angelou that had resurfaced.

The video was from a talk show in which a 14 year-old girl referred to her as “Maya.”

And Dr. Angelou’s response was instant-

“First, I’m Miss Angelou; I’m not Maya. I’m 62 years old. I have lived so long and tried so hard that a young woman like you, or any other…has no license to come up to me and call me by my 1st name.”

The audience applauded, and then she continued “Also, because at the same time I am your mother, I am your auntie, I’m your teacher, professor…”

As you can imagine everyone with a Twitter account chimed in on if they thought Dr. Angelou’s response was appropriate or not.

There were those who felt she was harsh, and too quick to correct.

But many others understood that Dr. Angelou was using a time honored technique of taking on the role of elder, teaching the young woman the importance of social standards that will empower her in the long run.

It could be said that Dr. Angelou was using a technique called “gentle severity.”

Gentle severity refers to people who use consequences and push their students, children, teammates, co-workers to strive for their absolute best.

Think of that piano teacher who says “Again.” The coach who assigns pushups for missed practice.

Or Jesus who said “Many are called, but few are chosen…”

…What we have here in today’s reading is one of the most frustrating, in your face, “what the heck?” teachings from Jesus Christ.

This is Jesus doing his absolute best to rile emotions, poke the bear, and stir the hornets’ nest.

You know how there is the TV show “How To Get Away with Murder”? Well today’s reading could be titled “How To Get Yourself Murdered.”

If you recall, a few weeks ago Jesus revealed to his followers that he must go to Jerusalem, suffer, and die.

Well, Jesus is now in Jerusalem. He is literally a few days away from death, and it’s as if Jesus is intentionally doing everything he can to ensure the nails will be pounded into his flesh.

It is the holiest time of the year. The city is full of religious folk from all over the ancient world who have come to celebrate the Passover.

Which also means all the political leaders are there to put in their face time, and an entire army of soldiers are there to provide protection.

And in this political, cultural, religious hot bed, Jesus turns up the heat by publicly teaching a parable about kingdoms, kings, slaves, business owners, soldiers, undesirables, and a man wearing inappropriate attire.

…sounds like 2019, doesn’t it?

Even more daring, he does it in front of the very religious leaders who want him arrested.

His parable is about a king who creates a banquet, but brutally kills all those who refuse to attend. Then the same king welcomes the unwelcomed…but kicks out a man for not wearing the right robe.

What happened to “No matter who you are, here you are…you are welcome here”?

What happened to last week’s vineyard owner who called us “Friend”?

Why would Jesus teach such a thing?

…and the most honest answer I can give is “I don’t really know.”

We can guess.

If parables are meant to teach us about the nature of God…and God is supposed to be represented by this violent and precarious King…I don’t know if I want to believe in or worship this God.

I want the gentler, all accepting, ooey-gooey, sitting on the front porch, lemonade sipping image of God.

Not the God who burns cities down and banishes people to outer darkness.

So…what could Jesus possibly be trying to tell us about the nature of God?

I think…I think that one lesson Jesus is trying to articulate is God’s disappointment when we do not accept God’s goodness and generosity.

I think Jesus is using extreme acts of violence and rage as a way to express just how extremely hurt and sad God becomes when we don’t respond to or embrace God’s gifts.

I think Jesus is trying to say “Look- look at all God has done for you- the green grass, the yellow lemons.”

“Look at all God has given you- forgiveness, freedom, love.”

Maybe Jesus is using extreme images of emotion to say “But when you don’t acknowledge or accept any of these things it breaks God’s heart, it makes God sad, and it disappoints God when you act like you don’t know no better.”

Jesus could have said that; but would it have made a difference? Would it have been heard? Would it have left a mark?

Probably not.

God’s hurt. Boo hoo; get over it!

But to express God’s disappointment and pain through an act of vengeance and an angry army- now that has power, that creates lasting images that make us have to rethink what we do.

It can be argued that the more violent, destructive, annihilation that takes place indicates just how hurt God really, truly is…

If that is true, then in today’s parable Jesus is presenting a truly painfully sad and wounded God who wanted nothing more than to share a meal with us.

And notice how not only did the people decline the invitation once, but they did so twice, making fun of the invitation, going back to their businesses, and killing the messengers.

Think of how much is must have pained the King to have set the table with the most delicious foods only to be ignored and made fun of…

Today’s reading is not an easy one. We haven’t even scratched the surface. We have not touched upon the many meanings of the wedding robe or the gnashing of teeth.

But this morning we are invited to balance this image of a king who is so hurt, so upset that his invitation has been declined, and for us to think about our own ways that we have declined, ridiculed, and forsaken the Lord.

Are there ways we can rectify those moments? Are there ways we can make amends?

How can we respect and better receive the generosity that the Lord so much wants to share with us all?

There are no sure steps; there are no clear instructions, but there is time, and there is promise, and there is the assurance that it is never too late to say “Yes Lord” and to put on the clothes of righteousness.

For that, let us say “Amen”.