Prince of Peace Lutheran Church
3rd Avenue at 111th Street
in the historic Lansingburgh section
of the city of Troy, New York
Sermon Links
Lent - Easter Sermon Series 2006
The Fourth Sunday in Lent
"The Den"
("Head Action")
March 26, 2006
Numbers 24:4-9
Ephesians 2:4-9
John 3:14-21
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Grace and peace to you from God our Father
and our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
For those of you who weren't able to be at worship Ash Wednesday evening or the last 3 Sundays, we're now in the season of "Trading Spaces," looking forward to the "Extreme Makeover" of creation even of our very selves. "Trading Spaces" and "Extreme Makeover" are two very popular TV shows which seek to completely change the living space of the family home. This season I'm going to be doing something a little different. As we examine the meaning and centrality of the Cross in the furniture scheme of our lives, of our living space, our home, we will consider the "Extreme Makeover" of creation that allowed us to be "Trading Spaces" with Jesus of Nazareth, the Crucified One.
Mark's Gospel constantly points to the Cross as the defining moment of history the time when EVERYthing changed the event upon which all future would be determined, both corporate and personal. The resurrection and all of the power we derive from it would not have "been," had there not been God's action of the Cross. Hence my desire to speak of the centrality of the Cross in the "down and dirty," that is to say, our everyday existence, our daily lives. Consider this as this five-Sunday season of Jesus' "Trading Spaces" with us, taking our place upon the Cross. As such, I continue to mix my metaphors of our daily lives, our living space and our Lutheran "theology of the Cross."
Coming home and walking through the front door, through the living room and after enjoying a wonderful meal of Perdue Oven Stuffer Chicken mmmmmmmm (and usually helping with the dishes), I hear the den calling to me. Perhaps in your house the den is the place where the foosball table can be found or maybe the bookcase is filled with fine novels and history books or maybe it's where you have the spare bed for the comfort of visiting friends, relatives or an "in-trouble husband." Though all of the above at one time or other have been the case with our den, for a long time now our den has been, contrary to what Carol may tell you, where I do most of my deeper thinking. The den is the place for my "head action."
In all four Gospel accounts (Matthew, Mark, Luke and {duck} John) we are told that the most significant head action that ever took place was no where near what we might think of as a den; no, it was on Calvary, Golgotha a small hill called "the Skull," because that was what it resembled. The sacrifice that took place there was not done on a whim, it was well-thought-out; plotted and planned to the last detail. All of Jesus' sermons, all his teachings and healings take second-place in God's "head action;" second place to Jesus' head being crowned with thorns in a mock gesture to the King of the Jews, the King of Kings, the King of all creation. No "in trouble husband," no friend or relative of creation was visiting the den of humankind on that day; no, this was Jesus of Nazareth, God in the flesh, after much time and thought, come to rescue his people, to redeem all of creation. As Paul would later say, it might seem to be folly to those who would think themselves so wise. And yet, God melded thought, compassion and love to action, head action {pause} on the Cross.
As we have come through the front door by the power of the Cross, the power of Jesus' right hand, nailed to the Cross; as we have watched Jesus put his feet up on the Cross, welcoming us to the eternal living room of creation; as we experienced the "Ove Glove" - God's love," Jesus' message of salvation was made clear as he dropped all divine protection, his right hand nailed to the Cross and we said "mmmmmm," that tasty message that, at that crucial moment of history God didn't "chicken out" but gave up all that we might live; as we hear the den of creation calling to us; that we now consider with our head that which God has actually done how amazing it is that God would do this for me! Those who think of themselves as the wisest of our day might say this is foolishness but we have experienced in Word and Sacrament what God has done. We are called to use our heads {pause}, melding thought, compassion and love to action for others that they might find themselves called to the den of creation where God can be found, always thinking about us.
One of the most used items in the den isn't the recliner, the reading light or even the computer keyboard or mouse. No, one of the most used items in the den is this {hold up the TV remote}. Of course, when WE were young you actually had to get up to turn on the TV, change the channel, adjust the volume. But NOW you just have to use one of these {hold up the TV remote}. With one remote, you do all of that from your chair, all of that and more. You can purchase things or record TV programs. The TV remote is a strange piece of furniture in the den of our lives. Though it may seem to make things easier, in fact, it causes US, not IT, to be more and more remote, more and more lazy; more and more dependent. Don't get up, don't even use your head, just push a button, use the remote be the remote.
The religious leaders of Jesus' day were using the remote making God more and more distant from the people more remote. They wanted people to use the remote to get access to God buy your sacrifice to God and keep God happy with you. The commandments you mean obey all 10 that God gave Moses? Kind of like the dials ON the TV set. No, no all 613 laws and traditions we've set up for you more complicated than the most sophisticated TV remote. Surely, you could read all the instruction manuals and find God. Jesus would have none of it. God's love is far more powerful than any remote.
The very presence of God in the den of our lives - head crowned with thorns is God saying to all of creation that God will NOT be remote from us; on the contrary, God is always "right here" always accessible, always putting his head in the crown of thorns that we might not lose ours. Many religious leaders of today would have you jump through hoops to gain access to God. But the ONLY action needed is God's head action {pause} on the Cross. No fancy, unintelligible instruction manual Jesus would have none of it. God's love for us is far more powerful than any remote and surely not remote, but right here - in the den of your life.
As you sit in your den, using your remote to control the flood of entertainment and information into your life; remember and give thanks for this den and the simple message that God is NOT remote from you; the simple message of God's head action on the Cross. As you enter your den or use your remote, remember the centrality of the Cross in the furniture scheme of your life. Consider the "Extreme Makeover" of Creation that allowed us to be "Trading Spaces" with Jesus of Nazareth, the Crucified One. Now, that is more reality than you'll ever see on ANY TV show. Amen.
The peace of God which passes all understanding,
keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, our Lord. Amen.
