District theme: Get in line!
Luke (short version—a sermon would develop this more) sets Jesus in line with others, going to be baptized by John. According to Luke, those in line with Jesus to be baptized were “the crowd,” “tax collectors” and “soldiers” (Luke 3.10-14). Quite a complex of people—the crowds include the poor, with all their contradictions and messes; tax collectors include the seamy business side of life, where wealth is more a burden more than a blessing; and soldiers? Well, they represent the occupying power—Rome—hardly an endearing group of people in line for baptism. But Luke says they are all there, in line, for baptism. Luke adds, and Jesus also. Jesus is in line with the rest.
That is the incongruity or ambiguity of a line: a line says, We are all the same. We get in line at the grocery check-out; we get in line at the bank; we get in line to enter the expressway; we get in line to see the Cubs, White Sox, Bears, Bulls, or our children or grandchildren play; we get in line to get on the bus or train; we line up at church potlucks (and quietly mumble when the line goes slowly); we get in line at the funeral, to view the body. We have lots of experience in lines, with lines. In Chicago, our family likes to get to Sweet Maple Café before 8:30 a.m. to beat the line.
Lines do other things as well. Lines differentiate, or separate. Urban churches line up on one side of an issue; the rural churches on another; liberals (or, progressives, as they sometimes call themselves) line up behind one cause while conservatives line up behind another one. Caucasian churches line up at 11:00 in one part of the state, and churches of color or mixed ones line up at the same time but in another part. Inclusive churches claim to line up on one interpretation of an issue; conservative churches line up at a different place. Peace churches line up separately from “war” churches. Lines are ubiquitous.
Luke pays little attention to our lines. Luke says, if you want to get into the kingdom, if you want to join the kingdom, you have to get in line. When we get in the kingdom line, we find ourselves with many people—some may seem unsavory, heretical or just plain kooky, but Luke says, Get in line—with the full spectrum of humanity.
Luke says, Get in line if you want to join the kingdom, if you want to be part of kingdom work!
[For this sermon’s framework, I am indebted to a sermon by Fred Craddock entitled, “And Jesus also.”]
Orlando Redekopp, Moderator
Illinois-Wisconsin District
That is the incongruity or ambiguity of a line: a line says, We are all the same. We get in line at the grocery check-out; we get in line at the bank; we get in line to enter the expressway; we get in line to see the Cubs, White Sox, Bears, Bulls, or our children or grandchildren play; we get in line to get on the bus or train; we line up at church potlucks (and quietly mumble when the line goes slowly); we get in line at the funeral, to view the body. We have lots of experience in lines, with lines. In Chicago, our family likes to get to Sweet Maple Café before 8:30 a.m. to beat the line.
Lines do other things as well. Lines differentiate, or separate. Urban churches line up on one side of an issue; the rural churches on another; liberals (or, progressives, as they sometimes call themselves) line up behind one cause while conservatives line up behind another one. Caucasian churches line up at 11:00 in one part of the state, and churches of color or mixed ones line up at the same time but in another part. Inclusive churches claim to line up on one interpretation of an issue; conservative churches line up at a different place. Peace churches line up separately from “war” churches. Lines are ubiquitous.
Luke pays little attention to our lines. Luke says, if you want to get into the kingdom, if you want to join the kingdom, you have to get in line. When we get in the kingdom line, we find ourselves with many people—some may seem unsavory, heretical or just plain kooky, but Luke says, Get in line—with the full spectrum of humanity.
Luke says, Get in line if you want to join the kingdom, if you want to be part of kingdom work!
[For this sermon’s framework, I am indebted to a sermon by Fred Craddock entitled, “And Jesus also.”]
Orlando Redekopp, Moderator
Illinois-Wisconsin District
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