Sunday, March 13, 2022

Jesus Served; John 13:1-17

 

Rev. George Miller

March 13, 2022

John 13:1-17

 

Hard to believe, but four years has passed since our first Sabbatical experience as a congregation. 

 

Four years ago we learned to navigate what no other Emmanuel pastor had done before.  There were some rough seas and bumpy topes, but we made it through to the other side.

 

Now, preparations have begun for the next Sabbatical in 2023. 

 

The ideas great, options many.  What we arrived at is so logical, natural, that we are already seeing some benefits.

 

Instead of going far away, my 2023 Sabbatical is set to consist of rest, travel, and volunteering 19 miles south at the Highway Park Neighborhood & Enhance District.

 

Highway Park is a historically Black neighborhood in Lake Placid right off 27.  A 5013© with a community center, they serve senior citizens, veterans, and youth.

 

From June through August of 2023, I’ll be at the Center assisting with their programs, such as art, computers, financial literacy, and agribusiness.

 

I’ll assist with the youth leadership program, which teaches leadership, civic engagement, entrepreneurship.

 

The goals while there are to observe how a successful community program is run, to establish connections with youth, to learn more about the grant writing process.

 

To nurture a relationship between Emmanuel and the Highway Park people to add to our other existing relationships.

 

We are applying for a grant to cover my expenses and the expenses of Emmanuel so that we can continue providing solid worship while I’m gone.

 

Sabbatical- a time to rest, restore, and re-imagine.

 

Think back to the 2018 Sabbatical, how much of a game changer that was.  With rest and clarity, I was empowered to come back ready for 5 more years of service, and what a 5 years it has been.

 

The Narrative Lectionary, Garden Of Hope, Community Conversations, Rural Ministry, ADESE, ONA, and NAACP.

 

Most vital of all was a lesson that was shared with me on the 1st day I returned from the 2018 Sabbatical.

 

Diane and I, sat down, and we had a talk.  “The Talk.”

 

And she said the most transforming thing to me. 

 

Diane observed that I often referred to Emmanuel UCC as “my church.”  Though it was meant to be a positive statement, it came across as ownership.

 

“Instead,” she said, “Refer to Emmanuel as the church you serve.”

 

The church that you serve.

 

Like digging my hands in the dirt a few weeks ago, it was a major reset.

 

Though I have been called to serve Emmanuel UCC for this space and this time, Emmanuel is not my church.

 

It’s God’s church. 

 

Emmanuel belongs to God, belongs to the community, belongs to us.

 

Emmanuel is not mine.

 

But.  But I get to serve Emmanuel UCC.

 

What an honor.

What a privilege.

What a responsibility.

 

That simple adjustment of words was a major adjustment of vision, action, and humility.

 

Words are powerful.

What we say makes all the difference.

 

After all, in the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was…

 

Life giving.  Eternal.  Revolutionary.

 

Mine.  Serve.

 

Own.  Do.

 

Object.  Action.

 

To serve.

 

Words matter, and throughout this year we have encountered many words wrapped in so many stories.

 

Look back upon all we have discussed about Jesus in the Gospel of John, and a myriad of words swim in our mind.

 

Jesus is

The Word

The Light of the World

Son of God

 

Jesus is

Lord

Lamb of God

Messiah and Anointed

 

Read further in John.

Jesus is the

Wine Maker

Bridegroom

Living Water

 

Jesus is

Rabbi

Healer

Loaves and Fish Feeder

 

Jesus is the

Rough Sea Walker

Mud Maker

Sight Giver

 

Jesus is the

The Good Shepherd

The One Who Won’t Throw You Away

Your best friend

 

Jesus is

Alpha.  Omega.  I AM.

 

Today’s story adds one more title-

Servant.  Jesus serves.

 

Though Jesus is Lord, though Jesus is Messiah, though Jesus is the sum of all that is, was and ever will be, today we see Jesus take a humble roll, get on his knees….and serve.

 

Like an immigrant woman toiling at the nail salon, like a struggling mother making her money as a maid, like a man works after midnight to clean up after the party.

 

Jesus, on his own initiative, serves the very people he cares most about.

 

Even though they don’t always get it, although he is not always appreciated, though he will be betrayed,  Jesus serves.

 

In a culture in which folk walked everywhere, homeowners would have their guests greeted at the door by a servant who would wash the dirt and dust from their feet.

 

Because this was such a demeaning job, it was often only women who washed feet.  No man would do it because it would infer that they are less-than.

 

Yet Jesus Christ, Lord of All, Alpha and Omega, takes off his robe, ties on a towel, pours water into a basin, and begins to wash the feet of each and every disciple- Peter, Thomas, Judas.

 

Two weeks ago we saw how Jesus is willing to get dirty and down for us by spitting in the dirt and making mud.

 

Today we witness something more- public humility, true compassion, radical love, humble service.

 

Jesus, who will soon be raised up on the cross, lowers himself beneath us, so that he can wash our feet.

 

Jesus, who is Owner of The Heavens, lowers himself as low as possible to the ground as he can, kneeling before us, head bowed, nearly naked.

 

If you had any doubt how much Jesus loved you when he said no one will be thrown away, if you had any worry about how much you are loved when he got dirty in the dirt for you.

 

If you had any lingering wonder if Jesus truly, really did care about you at all.

 

The answer is yes.

 

Because here Jesus is, saying “I, the Great I AM, kneel before you, to touch your calluses and cuts, your dirt and your dust, and I am here to serve you, to wash you, to soothe your soles.”

 

Why does any of this matter?

 

Because how we see Jesus, the words we use to describe Jesus, can often indicate what it is we need from Jesus, and how we can serve in return.

 

Think of a Word you would use to describe Jesus.

 

If you say Shepherd, that means perhaps God is calling you to guide those who are lost and lonely.

 

If you say Teacher, perhaps that means God has crafted you to empower others as they learn.

 

If you say Mud Maker, perhaps that means God has shaped you to grow gardens and plant seeds.

 

If you say Servant…. then perhaps God is calling you to serve others, in humility, in kindness, in great care.

 

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word is life, and the Word is wellness, and the Word is world changing.

 

Servant, healer, feeder, sight giver.

 

Who is Jesus?

 

Who are you?

 

Amen and amen.

No comments: