What If God's Kingdom Is More Like a Large n Lovely Fashion Show? Mark 2:1-22

Rev. George Miller
Jan 12, 2020
Mark 2:1-22

One of the joys about living in Sebring has been attending a variety of fashion-related events in the community.

The Heels That Heal event benefitting ARC.

The Greater Mt. Zion AME High Tea Party that took place here benefiting students.

The Large n Lovely fashion shows.

If you’ve ever been to a Large n Lovely fashion show, you know what a heavenly experience it is.

These are events designed to celebrate women who look like women: full figured and robust.

These events always have a great crowd that comes out to show their support.

At a Large n Lovely event you’ll find people of all skin tones, ages, shapes, and economic backgrounds.

Each person in attendance wearing their very best, whatever that may be.

At one event there was a woman wearing an impeccably tailored white suit, her hair done up like a modern-day movie star, with a handbag that clearly cost more than my mortgage.

Next to her was a young lady with clothes that probably came off the sales rack at K-Mart, but she accessorized it with earrings, bangles, high heeled shoes and makeup that was on point.

No one was there to judge another, but we were all gathered to cheer the models on.

And these models were real. You saw everything- back rolls, jiggly arms, ample bosoms, thick thighs…and all the women were gorgeous.

Why? Because they stepped out onto that runway with pride, poise, fully present to us and in their skin.

These Large n Lovely ladies did not have a look of anger, disinterest or hunger; they held their heads high, smiled, twinkled.

Living their best lives possible; confident, aware.

Their clothes were not wearing them; THEY were wearing the clothes.

It was a Kingdom of Heaven moment: folks being folk, allowing others to be who they are, clapping and cheering them on.

Celebrating one another’s own unique beauty- skinny, thick, old, young, white, black, brown.

The Kingdom of Heaven; the Kingdom of God.

Here we have today’s reading, and one question we can ask is “What are we witnessing?”

Another question is-

“If today’s reading was a fashion show, who do we see coming down the runway?”

-A person living with paralysis.
-Friends who assist.
-People crammed into a room.

-Levi, who would be considered an enemy of the state.
-People of questionable lifestyles sitting side by side.

-Disciples who find their faith by fasting.
-Disciples who find their faith by indulging.

-Intellectuals who are perplexed.
-People who want explanations.

Then there is this Jesus guy who somehow, someway seems to be present to everyone, equipped with sharp wit and a response for anything thrown his way.

For today we are not going to just focus on one character, or pit one person against another, or try to decide who is right and who is wrong.

Instead- you are invited to step into this story and to ask which person are you strutting down the narrative runway?

Who is the person you most identify with?

Is there someone else in this story you would like to be?

And just what does it mean to live your best life possible?

There are so many ways we can interpret today’s scripture- faith, sin, healing.

But perhaps this story is best seen as a living embodiment of God’s Kingdom.

What does the Kingdom of Heaven actually look like? What if we don’t have to die to find out, because we can experience heaven right here, on earth?

What if the Kingdom is not about rules and codes and manmade laws?

Is it possible that the Kingdom includes those who find themselves paralyzed in life and friends who are willing to do whatever needs to be done?

Does the Kingdom include imperfect people with very human flaws?

Could the Kingdom include people leaning, reclining, taking the time to enjoy the gifts of creation, side by side?

Can the Kingdom include joy, good food, and humor?

Can the Kingdom include new fabric that doesn’t always have to be tethered to the old?

What if the Good News that Jesus came to share with us is not about legalistic rules and moral codes or people deciding who is in and who is out?

What if the Good News is about living your best life possible, and allowing others to do the same?

What is the Good News is that those who feel paralyzed can still experience new life?

What if the Good News is about celebrating others innovation?

Seeing the good in those who are trying to survive?

Welcoming the imperfect?

What of the Kingdom of Heaven is about allowing others to weave, sew, knit, crochet the kind of cloth they believe God is calling them to create?

What if the Good News not about seeing the Gospel wear the person, but seeing the person wearing the Gospel?

Do they wear the Gospel in their smile, and in their pain?

In their love, and in their heartbreak?

In their success, and in their failure?

What if the Good News is not about paying attention to people’s faults and mistakes, but seeing how they pick themselves up after they fall?

How do they make amends?

How do they extend forgiveness? And how do they receive it?

What if the Good News is that we have all been invited to the fashion show, and that we are each able to show up being fully present, wearing our best selves possible and allowing others to do the same?

Cheering each other on.

Could it really be that simple?

Could it be that grace-filled?

Could it be that as far as Christ is concerned, simply showing up is the beginning of being the best that we can be?

Amen and amen.