When was the last time you witnessed a conversation
between two people about a very important issue?
Two people who were on completely opposite sides of that issue
and yet that conversation remained completely
calm and under control?
Has it been a while?
This week we're talking about living strangely
in what some people refer to as the "age of outrage".
And one of the reasons it's called that is
because of how intense
our conversations have become.
We send messages in all capital letters.
When we type or text, we
add a few emojis onto the end of our message
to let everybody know not just what we think,
but how intensely we feel about it.
We turn on the TV and we see people, not just
talking about issues, but yelling, screaming at the top of their lungs
about those issues.
In the age of outrage, it's normal to assume
that the more fired up you get about something,
the more passionate you are about it,
the more likely you are to get your way.
It's normal to assume
that, if you stay calm,
if you stay under control,
the less likely you are to win that argument.
All of that is completely normal and
to suggest otherwise would seem
very strange.
But if so, then strange might be
just the right word to describe much of Jesus' behavior.
Almost from the time that he was born,
Jesus' presence in this world caused all kinds of people
to start freaking out.
Each one of them was concerned about the little slice of power
or popularity that they had.
And they were willing to do anything to hang on to it.
So for example, when Jesus was born,
there was this evil king named Herod.
Who, when he heard about this newborn king of the Jews,
ordered all the young baby boys of Bethlehem
to be slaughtered.
Just to try to wipe out Jesus.
When Jesus emerged as a public figure later in life,
the religious leaders saw how popular he was
and they got jealous.
So they were constantly trying to trap him
or trip him up.
And when that didn't work, they plotted
his death.
Finally, a man named Pontius Pilate
had the opportunity
either to let Jesus go,
to spare an innocent man
or to hang on to his little slice of earthly power.
And rather than doing what is right,
he condemned Jesus to be killed.
And what was Jesus doing while all this was going on?
While everyone was panicking and,
and freaking out about losing their earthly power?
Jesus remained calm.
In fact, one author put it this way.
He said, "While everyone else was panicking,
"Jesus always remained remarkably
"un-caffeinated."
Now I feel the need to point out that the idea
of making coffee without having caffeine in it
seems to me to be just about the worst idea anyone has ever had.
And yet, Jesus as
the decaffeinated deity.
I think it sums it up pretty well.
And why could Jesus stay that way?
Because while everyone else was fighting overtheir little slice of power,
Jesus was there
for something completely different.
He even said to that Roman governor, Pontius Pilate,
I know that sounds strange, but,
in the age of outrage, that's exactly what our world needs.
It's normal to want to fight for
a community, a society and a country.
It's normal to think that we really need to get fired up and,
and freak out when someone tries
to change something that we love or take it away.
And yet as Christian we know that,
really our struggle, is against an enemy far greater.
And our battle is for a completely different kingdom.
And, in that battle, Jesus has already
won the victory.
So even as everyone else freaks out about
trying to hang on to their earthly turf,
we can stay calm
knowing that Jesus has already secured our Heavenly home.
I know it sounds strange,
but it's strange
exactly like Jesus was.
And it's strange exactly like the world needs us to be.
Let's pray.
Dear Jesus, thank you or winning the victory
over our spiritual enemies
and securing for us a place in your Heavenly kingdom.
Keep us calm in that victory
that more and more people might be brought into that kingdom.
In your name we pray.
Amen.
Right now, there is an urgent need
to reach a generation that
isn't engaged in their faith
and are increasingly leaving the church.
And today you have the tremendous opportunity
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To thank you for your gift today,
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