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Sermon November 25, 2018
The Rev. Rebecca S. Myers,
The Church of the Nativity and St. Stephen’s
Pentecost 27, Proper 29, Track 1
http://lectionarypage.net/YearB_RCL/Pentecost/BProp29_RCL.html
Jesus answered, ‘My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.’ John 18:36
Please be seated.
“There is nothing wrong with your television set. Do not attempt to adjust the picture. We are controlling transmission. If we wish to make it louder, we will bring up the volume. If we wish to make it softer, we will tune it to a whisper. We can reduce the focus to a soft blur, or sharpen it to crystal clarity. We will control the horizontal. We will control the vertical. For the next hour, sit quietly and we will control all that you see and hear. You are about to experience the awe and mystery which reaches from the inner mind to... The Outer Limits.” https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0056777/quotes/?tab=qt&ref_=tt_trv_qu
Some of you may remember this iconic introduction to a popular TV show from 1963-1965 – The Outer Limits. The first time I remember seeing this TV show was a night when I couldn’t get to sleep. I could have only been 8 at the oldest. My parents were out and we had a babysitter. Maybe I wanted to wait up until I knew my parents were home safely, I really can’t remember. I snuck out of my bedroom and into the hallway where I could see the babysitter on the couch and also see the TV.
What I saw was so scary to me. People with these deformities on their skin. But the scariest part was at the end, the narrator said words to the effect that this story was true. That there were people with the disease and if you saw one, report it to the police. Oh my, then I really couldn’t get to sleep! I was so scared. Where were these aliens hiding and when would they appear and would I know what to do?
I was clearly too young to be watching this show!
Today, we hear Jesus say, “My kingdom is not from this world.” Not from this world! What does that mean? Is Jesus an alien from another world? In some respects, yes.
Jesus is in front of Pilate. The religious authorities have sent Jesus to Pilate to be judged. They are hoping Pilate will sentence Jesus to a horrible death. Pilate is questioning Jesus. Are you a King? Who are you? What have you done? These are all questions Pilate asks as Jesus stands before him.
Jesus explains that his kingdom is not like the kingdoms on earth. If Jesus’ kingdom was like the ones on earth, Jesus would be calling down an army to defend him…to keep him from being handed over to the Roman authorities. Jesus is a citizen of a different kingdom…an alien kingdom, so to speak.
There are all kinds of shows, movies and plays during our lifetimes that speak of invasions by aliens. Some are nice and helpful aliens. Some aliens would destroy us or fight us. What is this alien kingdom where Jesus resides and we his followers are encouraged to live? To paraphrase Paul, we are in this world, but not of this world.
Of what world are we? What does the kingdom of Jesus look like?
Well, we are encouraged to make love the very center of our being: love of God; love of neighbor; and love of our God-created selves. Last summer The Episcopal Church launched “The Way of Love” to help us more fully live in Jesus’ kingdom of love.
Presiding Bishop Curry describes “The Way of Love” this way:
Today I believe our vocation is to live as the Episcopal branch of the Jesus Movement. But how can we together grow more deeply with Jesus Christ at the center of our lives, so we can bear witness to his way of love in and for the world?
The deep roots of our Christian tradition may offer just such a path. For centuries, monastic communities have shaped their lives around rhythms and disciplines for following Jesus together. Such a pattern is known as a “Rule of Life.” The framework you now hold – The Way of Love: Practices for Jesus-Centered Life – outlines a Rule for the Episcopal branch of the Jesus Movement.
It is designed to be spare and spacious, so that individuals, ministry groups, congregations, and networks can flesh it out in unique ways and build a church-wide treasure trove of stories and resources. There is no specific order you need to follow. If you already keep a Rule or spiritual disciplines, you might reflect and discover how that path intersects with this one. By entering into reflection, discernment and commitment around the practices of Turn - Learn - Pray - Worship - Bless - Go - Rest, I pray we will grow as communities following the loving, liberating, life-giving way of Jesus. His way has the power to change each of our lives and to change this world.
https://www.episcopalchurch.org/way-of-love/invitation
In 2019, we will be more fully discussing and exploring the practices of “The Way of Love,” that is turn, learn, pray, worship, bless, go and rest. Bishop Scanlan has blogged about each of these practices during the fall. This is but one way we center ourselves in the Kingdom of Jesus, rather than the kingdoms of this world.
And what’s amazing about the Kingdom of Jesus is that while other kingdoms have fallen and are long gone, the Kingdom of Jesus still stands to this day. This kingdom that is alien to this world, is the one kingdom that has stood the test of time.
Let us grow together in patterning our lives as residents of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ.
Amen
