Sermon Cloud

Caught up in Change                                                  Rev. Dr. Barbara Lewis-Lakin

April 19, 2009

                                                Galatians 2:19-21

For through the law, I died to the law, so that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not nullify the grace of God for if justification comes through the law, then Christ died for nothing.

            It makes no sense that we have a new dog in our lives and house. The children are almost out of the home and off to college, and when they are in town, they are rarely at home,  both Shawn's and my work load is increasing and more hours are spent away from home.  It makes no sense that we have a new dog in our lives and our house.  And yet, we do.  Because there is nothing like the experience of coming home from a hard day, feeling scattered and distracted and being greeted by a happy wagging tail, being greeted by someone whose whole being reflects their joy at my presence.  Children and spouses and parents have those moments of greeting each other like that, but they all may have had a hard day too and can't always pull out of it the moment you walk in the door.  And for those of you who are not dog lovers, I apologize for calling to our attention the old reflection that dog is God spelled backwards.  It makes no sense and yet, we have a dog in our house.

            It makes no sense that the tomb was empty when the women came to prepare Jesus body for proper burial.  It makes no sense that out of the horror of those last days, life was again worth living.  It makes no sense that somehow, Jesus life, death and resurrection all those thousands of years ago, continues today to reflect God's pure joy at our presence. It makes no sense and yet that is God.

            Paul begins this section of Galatians with a confession of faith; a litany of what he believes. Trust is actually a more complete word translation for what Paul speaks of as "belief."  Trust in God's process of transformation.   He begins there and then works out the implications of such trust for the human condition.  Basically he is clear that God is the one who will make things right.  God is the one who brings us into right relationship.  God is the one who finds us and calls us, God is the one who brings life into dead places, God is the one who in love brought forth Jesus' Resurrection and brings forth ours.  In these, we can trust.

            According to Erik Erikson's developmental scheme of human growth, trust is the initial and foundational stage of human development. A baby learns whether the world is a trustworthy place or a place not to be trusted.  A baby learns whether they can count on their parents and caregivers to meet their needs or not.  Do I get fed when I am hungry?  Do I get tended to when I need a diaper change?  Does someone respond when I cry?  As a helpless being, the world can indeed be a very scary place and without trust that I will be cared for, the rest of development is difficult.

            Building trust at this early stage of life is not a rational process on the baby's part, it is an experiential process.  If there is trauma or neglect at this early stage, children learn to mistrust, learn they can't depend on anyone and grow into adults who have trouble getting close to anyone or are reluctant to express their feelings.  Trust is basic and without it we are not able to live into our full potential. So to understand Paul's experience of belief as trust underscores the importance of the promise that God will make things right. God will bring us into right relationship.

            Our trust in Jesus faithfulness to God, even to death, is that which continues to bring us to the offered new life.  The chance to live in God is not about the law, not about the purity of our belief/trust, but about the strength of Jesus' faithfulness.   Justification, being in right relationship, does not come through the law, or the "rightness of belief".   It comes through Jesus' faithfulness.  It's not about how good you are or how well you do your job, it's about how Jesus strong presence is with you/ with me/ with us in all times and places, under all circumstances and stresses.

            Hear again these words from Paul,  "It is Christ who lives in me"  Take that in,      it is Christ who lives in you.  The transformation in Resurrection is a new experience of what/who comes first.  "It is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me." I am not in charge, God is in charge and I am free to become caught up in God's transformation of the world.  Free to lay aside all those things that have held me back from abundant living. You are free to not be afraid, you are free to claim yourself as a beloved child of God, you are free in your everyday struggles to hold onto the Christ that lives inside of you.     We are transformed by the Resurrection, sins are forgiven and service is begun.

            Paul writes later in Galatians:  "Those who have been crucified with Christ will no longer separate themselves from one another but will gather around one table." /"Those who have been crucified with Christ will no longer separate themselves from one another but will gather around one table."   Well, that deserves a few sermons in and of itself about the ways we continue to separate ourselves because of political opinions, or race, or gender, or age, or sexual orientation, or ability, or economic privilege.   Barriers are broken down in the cross, so that the spirit which is Christ alive in each person is recognized and welcomed.  As barriers are broken down and Christ is recognized, we are transformed in Resurrection for service;   service which begins not because I have to or because I should, but because I can't help myself from responding.

            It makes no sense that the fullness of God's faithfulness lives in the small ones baptized this morning. It makes no sense that before we even know or understand, God is working in us. And yet, that's what we claim each time we come to the table or the font:  we are caught up in the change of Resurrection where God's whole being reflects joy in our presence, and we are freed for love and service in Jesus name.