September 15th
Prepared by Pat Honeysuckle
Mark 8:27-38
The seasons come and the seasons go. Here we are at the beginning of fall and the end of summer. It is as if we are in two places at the same time. It is the Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost. One theme of our lessons is wisdom. From our past lessons we learned the Wisdom is like the bread of life given to us by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. It takes time to gain wisdom.
I would like to switch gears with the notion of time travel. Time travel suggests that we can go back to the past and relive events. The holy bible is an adventure into the past. When I read the Bible, I feel as if I am traveling in time. The stories take me to places in history that I have never seen… The stories are remarkable accounts of people living in the past under varying circumstances.
Two months ago, I was invited by a friend to go to a picnic at Spencer Lake from a Baptist congregation of Hispanics. It was a diverse crowd of mixed ages, and everyone seemed to be having a good time. The food was delicious and diverse as the crowd that was there. There were three dogs that added to the diversity of the gathering that walked calmly around all of us to make sure we were doing ok. I later learned that they were the locals of the kind sir that provided the picnic facility.
The minister gave a short sermon after we had all dined and announced that there was to be a baptism. Two young adults were the candidates one male and one female. The baptismal candidates and two clergy walked with the candidates into the lake. They candidates were prayed over and baptized in the lake. It was a beautiful event that reminded me of John the Baptist who baptized many believers in the source of living water. It was a chance for me to time travel into the past and think about what it must have been like to be baptized as an adult by John the Baptist. It was beautiful to be in the midst of the holy spirit surrounded by a crowd of believers.
In today’s first reading from Proverbs 1 Wisdom cries out in the streets; in the squares, she raises her voice. Reverend Kim described wisdom as the bread of life in her sermon of August 18th. Psalm 19 of this Sunday declares that wisdom is the bread of life. Wisdom is underscored in verse 7 declaring the law of the Lord is perfect and revives the soul; the testimony of the lord is sure and gives wisdom to the innocent. From the book of Wisdom verse 7 we learn that Wisdom enlightens holy souls making them friends of God and thus, becoming prophets.
Jesus has the wisdom of a prophet. In Mark 8:27-38 Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi; and on the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” Peter announces to him that He is the Christ. Jesus accepted their answers, but he sternly ordered them not to tell anyone about him. And Jesus tells of his forthcoming persecution which Peter does not want to accept. And to make matters worse Peter is scolded by Jesus when Jesus says: “Get thee behind me Satan!For you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.” And Jesus called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. ”
Jesus knew that his persecution was eminate. In his teachings he was trying to prepare his followers for his inevitable fate. Why did he not want to be known as the Messiah? Jesus being known as a healer brought expectations. Perhaps others who wondered felt challenged or envious of his wisdom. The powerful rulers of that time were jealous of his popularity, and they probably felt that they were losing control over the followers of Jesus. Clearly the persecutors of Jesus had their minds set on humans and how humans could benefit their wealth. But was it the desire for wealth that is not shared with those who have less when the evil force of Satan leads one away from the wisdom of Christ?
How does one take up their own cross? First and foremost, the cross is the symbol of forgiveness of sins. The cross is a symbol of repentance. It is a testimony of belief in Jesus Christ as the savior and redeemer of all souls. Carrying your own personal cross confirms your love for Jesus and what Jesus Christ stands for. And to love esus is to love your neighbor as you love yourself. It means to reach out and help someone who needs something when you feel the holy spirit is working through you.
The cross was a symbol of hope for Paul and a way to transform, Corinthians 2:8. Some of the Kings, and their officials had no idea that Christ’s crucifixion led to and created the concept of Martyrdom. The cross of Christ bridged the gap between terror and hope. The cross elevated the hopes and prayers of the oppressed and brought different cultures together for peace and stability. This grotesque form of execution used by the Romans became a sign of impending salvation of the righteous and destruction for the wicked. St. Paul wrote to the Galatians that “It is no longer I who lives, but Christ who lives in me.” 2:20.
Is taking up the cross the notion of a physical cross, or is it a symbol of a physical cross that dwells within the souls of our beings? Or if by remembering that Jesus suffered death on the cross for us; we who believe in Christ will be able to go on that journey to the promised land and experience everlasting life in the kingdom of God. It is a journey, and its pathway is not always easy. Do we let Satan win the tug of war that tries to lead us from the direct route, or do we hold on to our compass of righteousness and steer clear of dangerous temptations. Along the way there are traps and pitfalls that lead us to stumble. But with the company of Jesus, and the followers of Jesus, the holy spirits will lift and raise us up until the last day.
Psalm 2:13 states happy are they all who take refuge in him. Keeping good company is imperative. The new Bishop’s Ordination, the picnic that I went on in July, the ECW potluck, bible study groups, and weekly attendance at church are all examples of keeping good company with holy people. Taking up our cross is carrying along with it the whole armor of God to defend ourselves against the evil that lurks about in the world of today. Our faith is the strength that is needed to confront adversity and embrace righteousness.
Amen