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.
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