Sunday, February 14, 2021

Sleeping In The Safety of Jesus; Luke 9:28-36

 

Rev. George Miller

Feb 14, 2021

Luke 9:28-36

 

Shhh….the kids are asleep.

 

Isn’t that one of the most wonderful sentences in the English language?

 

Isn’t that one of the most beautiful sounds in the world?

 

Right up there with the sound of snowfall and coffee percolating in the morning.

 

The gentle, calming sounds of children breathing in, breathing out, gentle snores.

 

Still.  Soothing.

 

Like after a long day at the beach as they sleep in the back of the car.

 

The sound of Christmas morning while Mr. and Mrs. Clause put the finishing touches on gifts under the tree and stockings hung up with care.

 

Shhh….the kids are asleep.

 

Don’t disturb them.  Let them get their rest a little while longer…

 

Over the past few months, we’ve discussed the Hebrew word for mercy, which translates to “womb love.”

 

Womb love- an expression that’s maternal, parental, applying to anyone with a child in their life, that when they look upon them, it’s love.

 

A love that comes not just from the heart but from deep within, a connection that transcends space, time, highs, and valleys.

 

Womb Love is one way our ancestors described God’s love for us.

 

An eternal love that comes from birthing, creating.

 

The willingness to give everything you got for your children, even if it means your own life.

 

When a child sleeps in your presence it can mean many things.

 

Their body is growing so they need their rest.

 

They’re sad, so they’re sleeping as a means of escape.

 

Or it can mean that within your presence they feel safe.

 

For anyone who’s been with abused or traumatized children, you know that the biggest compliment they can give you is to fall asleep while in your presence.

 

For children who always have to be on, always alert, always have one eye open and one foot on the floor, ready to go, if they can fall asleep in your presence-you have earned their trust.

 

Trust is so beautiful.

 

Shhh….the kids are asleep.

 

In today’s scripture those kids are the very adult Peter, James, and John.

 

They are the children of God who are just 5 chapters into the Jesus experience.

 

Already they have seen a

-sermon from the shore

-a widow’s son raised.

 

They’ve witnessed

-a storm calmed at sea

-thousands upon thousands fed.

 

They’ve been here; they’ve been there.

 

Been to banquets and beachside resorts.

 

Encounters with evil; toe to toe in theological discussions.

 

Walked through fields ripe with life.

 

How invigorating.  How exciting.

How exhausting!

 

If a day at Disney can render the most rambunctious child kaput, image what a few days with Jesus will do.

 

So Peter, James and John go up a mountain with Jesus, and as he prays, they fall asleep.

 

Their eyes flutter, their breathing slows, their bodies weighed down like a blanket.

 

In historic times like today, that sounds so nice.

 

To nap.

To rest.

To sleep perchance to dream.

 

Shhh….the kids are asleep.

 

Friends, after far too many months away, we are ready to welcome you back into this sanctuary of rest and worship.

 

Back to this place that God created, and you have maintained.

 

We have missed you.  We sense you miss us too.

 

We miss being all together in the presence of the Holy; miss being in this sacred time and space.

 

Yes- we know that God is everywhere and every time.

 

But we also know there’s something about being here, being now.

 

We can’t wait to welcome you back.

 

When you return, we hope you feel safe.  We hope you feel comfortable. 

 

We hope that you feel calm, you feel security, you can let go and to let God.

 

We cannot wait to share the glory of Jesus with you face to face.

 

We can’t wait to share the teaching and the preaching of the prophets like Moses and Elijah.

 

We can’t wait for you to find rest for the journey and recharge of your soul.

 

We can’t wait for all to share Jesus Christ, alpha and omega, once again.

 

Shhh….the kids are asleep.

 

But God is not.

 

Amen and amen.

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