Lent 37: Luke 23: 26-49
When has your life made an impact on someone else? I hope the pause is you having to
come up with just one example. It is OK; it is just between you and me. I do not like to
brag or boast, so I understand your reluctance to answer. But, I really want you to think
about it for a moment. Maybe, you were surprised by a comment or an evaluation at the
end of a class. Maybe, you received a thank you card for your involvement in a program
or event. Maybe, someone approached you after a meeting and gave you a hug for your
courage to stand up for a person or principle. When has your life made an impact on
someone else?
I have had many opportunities in my life, ranging from mission to education. I have
traveled across the country and out of it. I have had the privilege to take classes from
some of the most interesting people of our day. I am a goofy kid from Reno, Nevada,
and now I am rubbing elbows with movers and shakers. Let me be clear, my
participation was not because I was a so-n-so. My participation was, usually, because
someone had an extra ticket or someone owed someone else a favor, but it did not
matter to me. I was there and maybe I could make a difference.
I remember a particular leadership conference. A very popular speaker was holding a
two day event. The event began with the speaker getting to know the audience. The
speaker asked names and brief stories about the individual attendees, in a round table
style. Most of you have been in 5th grade and have seen this style of ice breaking. I
always get nervous during the introductions. I want to sound cool to the presenter but I
also want to sound like I belong to the rest of the group, who may or may not be
listening. We all had a turn and the event was off and running.
The speaker was very good. The speaker incorporated people’s names during the
presentation. It was impressive to listen to. I am a paramedic. All of the information I
need, I write on my gloved hand. Names, medications, numbers, they are all on my
glove. If I do not have it written down, I will probably not remember it. This was not the
case with this speaker. Name after name, anecdotal story after anecdotal story, the
entire group was being included into the presentation, flawlessly.
The second day came and I was curious if the “including conversation” would continue.
To my surprise, it did. Until the speaker looked at me. What would they say? What would
they remember? I wanted to be someone who had made an impact. I wanted to feel like
I mattered. I wanted to be like the other people, I wanted to feel like I belonged. I wanted
to be remembered. It went something like this, “And what about Ron McCrory? Would
Ron give up his position at the dental clinic to make his dream of becoming an
Endocrinologist a reality?”
I looked around to see who they could be talking about. The speaker was looking right at
me, but they were not talking about me. “What do you think Ron? What would it take for
you to dare to dream, Ron?” By this time all eyes were on me, or at least they were on
Ron. Everyone was waiting for me/Ron to respond to this amazing speaker. I could feel
my face getting warm. How would I respond to this? I wanted to be remembered, but I
would have been happier if the speaker had never brought me into the presentation. And
now, I was going to have to admit that I had been forgotten. “I have dreamed of a career
as an Endocrinologist ever since I was exposed to Endocrinology as a young man. I
would jump into all that is Endocrine, with all that makes me who I am, if I ever have the
opportunity. It is my dream, and I want it.”
I had been forgotten. Nothing about my story or even about my name was worth
remembering. I do not remember much about the rest of the presentation. I felt
embarrassed. I did not want to talk with anyone. I did not want other people to know that
I had been left behind or overlooked.
Two people are sentenced to death with Christ in our reading for today. They were
criminals and probably enemies of Rome. Traitors to the kingdom of earth. These two
criminals were being crucified as a warning to all who witnessed the event. Do not mess
with the kingdom; this is how we deal with rebels. One of the criminals was crucified on
Christ’s right side and the other on Christ’s left.
I cannot read the passage without recalling the spoiled argument James and John bring
to Christ in a selfish attempt to have their lives remembered in Christ’s glory. Mark 10:
35-40 James and John, Zebedee’s sons, came to Jesus and said, “Teacher, we want
you to do for us whatever we ask.” “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked.
They said, “Allow one of us to sit on your right and the other on your left when you enter
your glory.” Jesus replied, “You don’t know what you’re asking! Can you drink the cup I
drink or receive the baptism I receive?” “We can,” they answered. Jesus said, “You will
drink the cup I drink and receive the baptism I receive, but to sit at my right or left hand
isn’t mine to give. It belongs to those for whom it has been prepared.”
James and John want to be glorified on the right and left side of Christ. Christ reminds
them, in order to be great, you must be a servant to all. The first will be last. Jesus tells
them the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a
ransom for many.
The final scene from our reading is between the two criminals and Jesus. One of the
criminals insults Jesus and ridicules him saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself
and save us!” This attitude seems to parallel some of the poorer theologies of todays
Christian circles. Live your life, do what you will for you, if things fall from your tables,
leave them for the dogs, Jesus wants you to live full happy lives. It is the other criminal
who gets it right. It is this man who identifies Christ for who he is. Christ has made an
impact on this man and in his revelation says simply, “We have deserved our fate.” As if
to say, “We could have done better. We should have been more like Christ.” All he asks
from Jesus is to be remembered.
Jesus assures this man that he will join Christ in paradise, God’s garden, a new creation.
Jesus makes it clear, God will remember this man. The message of our spiritual journey
is one of service and sacrifice. Our lives, lived out following Jesus Christ, might not
amount to much in the typical perceptions of this world and how we value success, but,
God’s Kingdom is counter to our culture.
Keep feeding those who are hungry. Keep providing warm clothes and a place to keep
dry for the homeless. Keep healing the sick. Keep visiting those who are imprisoned
either in jails or in their own loneliness. Keep being and doing and believing in “Greater
Things!” You will make an impact everyday! Whether you hear about it or not, you are
changing the world. You will be remembered.
You are God’s beloved. In you, God is well pleased!
Pastor Rob