Sermon for Pentecost 4 Grace, Peace, and mercy from God our Father and our lord Jesus Christ, Amen.

 

   If this gospel would have been last Sunday it could made quite a Father's Day sermon that Sheldon would have had to preach. Jesus says, "Do not thinks that I have come to bring peace to the earth, but a sword. For I have set a man against his father...." and so on it goes about the division of households and families. Happy Father's Day.

 

   This is not the Jesus that many of us are used to hearing about. I wonder if this the Jesus we want. When we think of Jesus, the Prince of Peace comes to mind. This word from Jesus is shocking. This word from Jesus makes us a bit uncomfortable. This word from Jesus challenges us. If this word from Jesus forces us to reflect and think about the Christian life, then this word from Jesus is good! It is just what we need for our lives and spirit and soul. It Is what the crowds needed to hear when Jesus first spoke these words on the road.

 

   Let me note Jesus is not anti - family. God said, "Be fruitful and multiply," to humanity. Commandments 4, 6 and 10 have to do with the family and its unity. Families are gifts of God. But the question is, "What comes first?" Family or the Truth of God's Word. Would not it be wonderful if that choice did not have to be made? Would it be great if we could speak the truth of God's Word and remain in the family and experience peace? But so often that is not the case.

 

   During my first call one of our youth had graduated High School and gone off to college where he met a girl. His first love. It all looked good, except for one little problem. She is Jewish from a strict Jewish family. He is Christian brought up in a Christian household. During Thanksgiving he brought her home to meet the parents. On Sunday they were all in church. After worship I asked His girlfriend what she thought of the service. She said it was close to what she experienced in her local synagogue, except for Jesus as Messiah and Holy Communion. But she told me that for her to become a Christian that would put her adds with the rest of her family. She would be written out of the will.

 

   This what Jesus was getting at. {'Whoever loves father and mother more than me is not worthy of me. And whoever loves son or daughter and son more than me is not worthy of me. Those who find their life will lose it, those who lose their life for my sake will find it." Many of the followers of Jesus would find themselves at a crossroad where they would need to examine why they were following him. Was the miracles that drew them? Was the promise of the Kingdom of Heaven that would bring peace and prosperity to Israel that drew them? Jesus reminds them that to follow Him would come at a cost. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. It would cause strife in families. So often God's Word is a sword that divides. So instead of speaking the truth it is easier to compromise. To keep the silence just to keep the peace in the family. It is not right and I believe deep down we know it.

 

    Jesus is talking about the cross. When Jesus said "whoever does not take up the cross and follow me is not worthy of me." Jesus first hearers knew what that meant. They could see crosses around the landscape which the Roman government had placed. You see that cross. Speak against the government and you can end up there yourself. Kind of scary. Deep down we know we are not worthy. Not even a little worthy. But we try to make a good show of it in church where it Is easy. We love the hymn "Lift High the Cross." We Confess Jesus is Lord. But what happens when we leave here.

 

   Jesus is the Prince of Peace who has a sword. It is sword that pierces my soul and perhaps yours too. If that the case, good. Jesus the great physician has come to heal. Doctors with scalpels cut to heal God's Word does the same thing. He exposes sins to bring us to repentance and to heal us with His forgiveness. He comes to make us unworthy worthy. He comes to bring the peace, not the peace that the world can give, but the peace that God brings with His forgiveness. This sword that cuts into our lives now first fell upon Jesus, on the cross. He did to make us worthy, To win for you the peace of forgiveness from your compromises, fears that put God second.

 

    While our families are important, we do not find our life in them. Our Life is found Jesus. In his death and resurrection that gives you life forever. And what a life it is!

 

    It is the baptismal life that Paul has writing about in our second lesson that past couple of weeks. It is the life that connects you to Christ's death and resurrection. It is a life that brings us into this family, the family of God. And that is who we are. We all belong to one another. This is the key to understanding our gospel for today.

 

   The world tells us that Blood is thicker than water. That our earthly family relationships cannot be broken by things of this world that by comparison are tike water. Nit Jesus teaches us the opposite. That water is thinker than blood. The water of our baptism creates a bond greater and stronger than any other on earth. Not only the bond we have with one another, but the bond we have in Christ by being united with Christ. He holds us together.

 

    While our earthly families are important, In Christ we have a new family, the family of God and it is family that goes into eternity.

 

   This is who we are. This calls to mind who we are in Christ. To call to mind that even though this isn't Father's Day, but that baptized into the faith everyday is our Heavenly Father's Day. Another day to live in His grace. In His Love, in His forgiveness, in His care. It is another day as a Child of God. This may bring to us challenges and even division, and even more failures. But too it brings us more blessings. For Heavenly Father is always blessing you. Even if it feels like a sword, bit remember the sword in Christ is Good. Because it heals.

 

    Now may the peace of God which passes all understanding guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, who is truly the Prince of Peace. Amen