Rev. George Miller
June 16, 2024
Ephesians 6:12-17
We continue studying Scriptures that folk submitted
for previous Stump The Pastor Sundays.
Whoever suggested this one- bravo- this is
a scripture that I’ve purposely avoided because of a memory from Michigan.
Years ago, I was at a Christian store. Amongst the books and Bibles, was a children’s
display based on Ephesians, with plastic shoes and shields to dress up in.
There was a parent with a very young son
putting each of these items on him, narrating-
“This is the breast plate of righteous;
this is the helmet of salvation,” as they attached each piece upon him.
“This is the sword of the Spirit,” they
said, placing a golden weapon within the child’s hand.
For me, it felt icky.
Though the parent thought they were inspiring,
kids usually think concretely, so it’s likely their son did not get the
symbolism.
Was this a moment of a pure soul being
turned into someone who could be a violent threat in the name of Jesus?
Is there a chance this child grew up
thinking their Christian duty is to attack anyone they see as evil, unholy, or
of the devil?
That’s the complexity of Scripture. Sometimes what the author intends is not what
we interpret or want to hear.
What can be uncomfortable for one can be
inspiring for another; what seems foreign to me could be completely natural to
you.
And, depending on the situation, being
able to adorn oneself with a sword may be the difference between life and
death.
So let’s discern this together.
This is a letter attributed to Paul at a
time when he was incarcerated, unable to meet with folk.
The author crafts a letter meant to show
how God is bringing us together via Christ.
This letter is set at a time when the
faith is still new, the memory of the Crucifixion is fresh, and Roman soldiers march
along the streets on a daily basis.
So for those receiving this letter, they
don’t need to go to a store to try on plastic swords and shields, these things
are very real.
They live at a time in which their faith
is misunderstood, maligned, and they truly are the minority.
It makes sense that the author wants to empower
them to gird up their strength.
This is not faith in a vacuum.
It is faith situated in herstory and
history, when the devil could be in the form of local authorities, folks
claiming they are holier-than-thou, who do wish harm.
Like Paul in Acts 27, when folks were sure
the ship was about to sink, the author is saying “Don’t stop, don’t quit, don’t
give up.”
This is the author saying “God’s got you
so keep up your courage-
God’s armor covers you. Fasten your belt, slip on your shoes so you
can face what needs to be faced and you can walk the walk that Jesus talked.”
There are many ways this reading can and
has been used.
We can think of when local leaders used
their swords to judge, cut, threaten, and shame.
There was a guest preacher in Sebring a
few months ago who is known for preaching death to certain people.
We cringe to hear how he’d give today’s
message and who he’d define as unholy or of the devil.
We can think of Haiti, ravaged by gang
members who worship dark spirits and use their faith to harm and hurt.
It’s possible that for our Christian
Sisters and Brothers in Haiti, the call to take up heavenly armor to withstand
evil is not an esoteric exercise, but a very real thing.
For some in Haiti, standing firm,
fastening belts in preparation for a fight, slipping on shoes to speak on
salvation is not an exercise in evangelism, but real.
There may be some in which the sword they
hold is not plastic, or imitation gold, but a weapon they will use to protect
their family.
So Ephesians 6 could be the very thing
that is giving them strength, comfort and assurance.
We can think of us, Emmanuel UCC, doing what
others said should not be done.
Calling a female pastor. Having worship in three languages. Becoming Open and Affirming.
Standing in solidarity with the Students
of Parkland, feeding people regardless if they are citizen or immigrant, legal
or refugee, in need or just greedy.
What we do, what we have done, has not
always been easy, otherwise we would not have been among the few doing it.
What we do and what we will do, has
required courage, planning, and determination.
We have indeed been adorned in the breastplate
of righteousness.
We have been dressed in shoes taking us
from the sanctuary to the streets, from the parking lot to the food market.
We have had a sword, based in the Word of
God, the words of Micah, and affirmed by the teachings of Jesus Christ.
Instead of using that sword to harm and
hurt, we’ve used it to care and speak up for others,
to cut through things that have held
people back and hurt them.
In the past this scripture has been an ick
factor for me, but today it is a testimony that we are way stronger than we
realize and more with God than we imagine.
Jesus calls us to be strong and find
strength in his power.
Today’s reading says to stand against that
which is not heavenly.
For our struggles are often against that
which seems dark, that which seems scary.
So keep up your courage. Prepare for whatever is ahead.
Know that when we are scared, when we are
confused, when we feel helpless or hopeless,
the word of God can give us strength, give
us light, and give us hope.
For that, let us say “Amen.”
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