KEEP AWAKE

A sermon by George Pasley

1 Corinthians 1:3-9; Mark 13:32-37

About that day or hour no one knows.

No one knew when Jesus would come the first time.

You might argue that Joseph and Mary had a pretty good idea, but not before Mary was visited by the angel, not before Joseph had a dream. Until then neither knew, neither had any idea, and the consensus is clear: they were both surprised out of their gourds.

In fact, in the whole set of Christmas stories the only two people who weren’t surprised were two elderly people that Luke tells us had been waiting in the Temple for decades, Anna and Simeon.

The magi from the east saw a strange new star in the sky and took to reading the literature to determine what it meant.

Zechariah, John the Baptist’s father, an uncle of sorts to Jesus, was shocked into silence by just the preliminary news.

The Shepherds were terrified,

Herod was greatly troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.

Then, then, then- WHAT did they see?

A baby, wrapped in strips of cloth, lying in a manger. Hardly noticeable, if you discount the part about the barn and the cow and the donkey.

But they noticed when he fed the hungry.

They noticed when he touched the leper.

They noticed when he forgave an adulteress.

They noticed when he ate with sinners.

They noticed when he healed the lame.

They noticed when he cast out demons.

They noticed when he gave sight to the blind.

They needed him, he found them, he changed their lives, and they knew who it was. It was Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

Well we still need him, and the faithful are still waiting like Simeon and Anna, looking for his return.

Now, there are a great many ideas about interpreting the things the Bible says about Jesus’ return. So I’m going to say this:

The various interpretations about Jesus return need not be mutually exclusive. I think there are layers of meaning in scripture, especially in these scriptures.

But I’m also going to say this: I think we’re overlooking the simplest and most important interpretation. We see Jesus all the time, in events ordinary and not so ordinary, just the way the shepherds saw him as a baby wrapped in strips of cloth.

Take Tim Stark. He grew up in the country, but he grew up in pretty much the same way as a suburban boy, so it was a big surprise to him and everybody else when he decided to become tomato farmer.

Of course he needed some help, so he went to James, his Mennonite neighbor, time and time again for advice.

Almost every time he went to James, James was busy raising his own tomatoes, but James always took the time to stop and answer Tim’s questions.

Truth is, James likes to talk. But James also likes to share.

When Tim spent three-quarters of his summer profits to buy a greenhouse, James and his brother and their sons showed up to help put it together and according to Tim, it never would have gone together if it had not been for James and his family. So Tim tried to pay them but they turned down his money.

So a week later Tim went to their farm to help them erect their new greenhouse, a job that went by so fast he almost missed it. That’s because James’ extended family of 30 Mennonites all showed up and they ALL knew what they were doing.

So Tim STILL felt like he owed them something.

Two weeks later there was a gathering at James’ farm to put on a new roof on the barn so Tim went, and climbed up on the roof.

He was petrified. He clung for his life to the trusses and timbers, pounding in a few measly nails. Forty-five minutes later he was overcome by an attack of wisdom, and told his fellow roofers he had better leave.

Not a one of those Mennonites said anything  but “Thank you” and “God Bless you” and “Good Bye” as each and every one of the men shook Tim’s hand.

I saw Jesus when I read Tim’s story because Jesus is like that. What he has done for us cannot be repaid, and yet he delights when we join in his work, even if our whole-hearted efforts are more like Tim’s efforts at roofing a barn.

So here’s something to remember: Jesus is revealed IN US, all the time.

No one knows the day or the hour when something you say or do will reveal Jesus to someone that does not yet know him,

Or to someone who has forgotten him,

Or to someone who thinks they are beyond the love of Christ.

Yes, Christ is revealed in us.

But don’t think you’re not up to the task.

For in him you have been enriched in every way--in all your speaking and in all your knowledge… Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed.

So keep awake. Jesus could be doing something in you and though you, anytime, anywhere.

In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen.