Looking for Ducklings: Kissing the Sidewalk
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First Lesson Cycle A Sermons for Lent and Easter
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Poor Daryl. One moment he was enjoying a beautiful springtime walk looking for ducklings along a lakeside nature trail. The next moment he was lying face down on the sidewalk, wondering where all the blood came from. As he was struggling to his feet a park ranger rushed over with a towel and first aid kit. After cleaning blood from Daryl's face and making sure that Daryl was not seriously injured, the ranger said, "I noticed that when you tripped you were looking out at the lake instead of at the path. What were you looking for anyway?" When Daryl told him, the ranger replied, "Well, sir, there are baby ducks all over the place this time of year. You can't miss them. From now on, keep at least one eye on the sidewalk before you get another close up view." (Daryl was okay. The only injury was to his pride.)
Without realizing it, the ranger asked a very important Easter season question for all of us. "What are you looking for anyway?" Jesus asked Mary Magdalene almost the same thing on that very first Easter morning: "Whom are you looking for?" (John 20:15). Now, remember this well: What you are looking for can determine what you see and do not see. Whom you are looking for can determine whom you see and do not see.
Before sunrise on that first Easter morning Mary Magdalene came to Jesus' tomb looking for and expecting to find the body of Jesus. When she saw only an empty tomb she ran to Simon Peter and John and told them the "facts" as she "saw" them; even adding something. Instead of simply saying that Jesus' body wasn't in the tomb anymore, Mary concluded that an unknown "they" had done this. So, who knows what Simon Peter and John might have been thinking as they raced back to the tomb. Who could have done this? The Romans? The high priest's soldiers? Some misguided group of followers? What were they looking for? Whom were they looking for... even after they found the empty tomb and the rolled up grave cloth and wrappings? Mary Magdalene stayed behind, looking into the tomb and crying. What was she looking for? A dead body and not a living Lord would be a good guess. She said as much to the two angels whom she actually saw sitting on the very place where Jesus' body had been earlier.
What you are looking for really does shape what you actually see and do not see even if it's right there in front of your face. Remember Daryl, the ducklings, and the sidewalk? Whom you are looking for really does shape whom you actually expect to see and whom you do not expect to see, even if she or he is right there in front of you.
Left alone to cope with her grief, Mary may have seen only a stranger whom she thought was the gardener (John 20:15). Instead of this Easter question from the risen Christ, Mary might have heard only a "May I help you?" question from a cemetery gardener.
It was the living Lord himself who opened Mary's eyes and heart to see that he was the answer to this Easter question. It is the living Lord himself who opens our eyes and hearts to see that he alone answers our questions this Fifth Sunday of Easter. What are you looking for? Whom are you looking for? Here, in the community of the risen Christ, is the living Lord who sees deep into your soul and still accepts you, who know the powerful hungers of your heart and still loves you, and who understands the guilt of things you have done and left undone and still offers you forgiveness.
Today, the Fifth Sunday of Easter, our scripture lesson proclaims still another powerful response to the Easter question. Today the Spirit shows us the risen Jesus as "the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God" (Acts 7:56). Today, we are looking for one who is really in charge beyond the influence of the troubles and confusion of the world. Today the Spirit shows us the exalted Jesus, the Son of Main, reigning with God. Today the Spirit shows us that the kingdom of God and of his Christ has already begun. Today, the risen Christ again welcomes us into it.
Our daily lives can spin out of control in an instant. (Remember Daryl and the sidewalk?) Sometimes it seems like it takes all of our efforts and energy simply to avoid a total collapse into chaos. Here in this community, the risen Christ, the Son of Man, reminds us that he is in charge. We are not and will never be. Here in this community, the Spirit of God who created the universe out of chaos, gives us a vision of the one who brings order in the midst of confusion, courage in the midst of cowardice, and calm in the midst of life's storms. Today our text gives us a vision of the Son of Man who is in control when our lives spiral out of control.
It was this claim that Jesus is standing with God as the Son of Man that finally got Stephen killed, you know. Stephen was one of a group of seven who were chosen to assist with distributing food to poor families in the community. After the resurrection, the Word of God spread quickly in Jerusalem and even many Jewish priests became part of the community (Acts 6:1-7). Finally members of one synagogue were fed up, particularly with Stephen's ability not only to perform wondrous deeds, but also to speak with persuasive power. So, they stirred up their own members as well as the Jewish council who were compelled to bring Stephen in for a hearing before them (Acts 6:8-15).
The first 53 verses of chapter 7 are filled with Stephen's fiery "trash talk" at the hearings. He attacked the very history and identity that the Jews had worked so hard to maintain during Roman occupation. He not only insulted his Jewish contemporaries, he also insulted their ancestors. He called them all stiff-necked people with uncircumcised hearts. They had sold Joseph into slavery, rejected Moses, turned to idols, persecuted prophets, broken God's law, murdered Jesus, and opposed the Holy Spirit (Acts 7:1-53). Wow!
How would you feel if someone publicly insulted your ancestors, your history, and your values... literally everything that gave meaning to your life? What would you do? Probably react with outbursts of rage, which is what the Jewish leaders did (Acts 7:54). Yet they did not seek to kill Stephen at first. In fact, by Roman law, Jewish courts could not sentence anyone to death. The council members were filled with rage. Stephen was filled with the Holy Spirit.
Here is what changed the leaders from an enraged council to a lynch mob. It was all about power and control. When Stephen proclaimed that he saw the risen Jesus, standing at the right hand of God, this was the last straw. Trash talking was one thing. Even claiming that Jesus was resurrected was not enough to drive them over the edge. However, when Stephen declared that Jesus was standing with God as Son of Man, exalted Lord and Messiah, then that was it. They had heard enough. They went out of control over the very issue of control.
With a loud shout, they rushed Stephen and dragged him out to kill him... trying to regain some order in the midst of chaos; trying to show each other that they had not lost control. Stephen and his contemptible vision was dead. Their stones put a stop to that blasphemy forever. Or so they thought. The Son of Man still reigned. They were not in charge of this kingdom anymore. God would use one of their own, an eyewitness named Saul (Acts 7:58), to show the world who was really in control.
So, back to our Easter question: What are you looking for? Whom are you looking for? Today's Easter answers are not about why we should be ready to be martyrs. They are not about Stephen either. Today's Easter answers are less about martyrdom and more about a message of good news and the reign of the Son of Man.
God used the message of Stephen's vision to build a new community with a new reality within a new kingdom. The new kingdom is not about the control of princes, priests, or kings. It is about the power of the risen and reigning Christ, the Son of Man himself.
Because God revealed this to Stephen, Stephen was able to suffer and even to die with the courage and confidence of Christ's continuing presence with him. While the stones were flying, Stephen could still pray, "Lord Jesus receive my spirit" (Acts 7:59). Here was not only the bedtime prayer of Jewish children (see Psalm 31:15) it also echoed Jesus' own prayer on the cross (Luke 23:46).
Today God also welcomes us into this new community where the Son of Man reigns, in control. Here the risen Jesus gives us himself in bread and wine and word. Here within God's people gathered, the risen Christ gives us the confidence and courage to face the troubles and struggles of our lives.
Because God gave Stephen a vision of the risen Christ standing at God's right hand Stephen could use Christ's own prayer to ask God to forgive the sins of his murderers (Acts 7:60 and Luke 23:34). Because God shows us what forgiveness looks like in the baptismal waters and in the promise of the risen Christ, we can also forgive others.
What are you looking for today? Whom are you looking for? Remember Daryl, the fellow who started out looking for baby ducks and ended up falling face first on the sidewalk? Two days later he was scheduled to serve as a communion assistant for the first time. Poor Daryl. All he could think of was his swollen lip, his bruised cheeks, and his black eye. What an ugly mess! Why did he volunteer to serve at the Lord's Table this week anyway? What if he offered the wine, speaking the words "this is the blood of Christ shed for you" and then, one by one, people would see his face and reply, "none for me thanks" or "I'll pass on that today"? That would be so embarrassing he might have to join another parish. Everybody would laugh at him, or think he'd been in a fight, or even had been falling down drunk. Similar thoughts raced through Daryl's mind as the worship service progressed that Sunday. And then Daryl heard Pastor Richard preaching to the congregation: "Life is not all about you. It's not all about us. It is not all about what we look like or what we sound like. It's all about Jesus. Always. You are not in control. It is Jesus."
"Oh yeah, I remember now," thought Daryl to himself and began to serve Jesus to his sisters and brothers in Christ. Oh, yes, nobody passed on the gift.
What are you looking for today? Whom are you looking for? Do not worry if you aren't really certain of anything except the empty space deep inside yourself. Don't be discouraged if you find it hard to find your way through confusing and troubled times. Don't be disappointed if it's still hard to find control in your life right now. The good news is that God has already found you and welcomes you into a new reality where God is always present. The risen Christ gives you courage to continue, and the Son of Man reigns with God forever. Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia! Amen.
Without realizing it, the ranger asked a very important Easter season question for all of us. "What are you looking for anyway?" Jesus asked Mary Magdalene almost the same thing on that very first Easter morning: "Whom are you looking for?" (John 20:15). Now, remember this well: What you are looking for can determine what you see and do not see. Whom you are looking for can determine whom you see and do not see.
Before sunrise on that first Easter morning Mary Magdalene came to Jesus' tomb looking for and expecting to find the body of Jesus. When she saw only an empty tomb she ran to Simon Peter and John and told them the "facts" as she "saw" them; even adding something. Instead of simply saying that Jesus' body wasn't in the tomb anymore, Mary concluded that an unknown "they" had done this. So, who knows what Simon Peter and John might have been thinking as they raced back to the tomb. Who could have done this? The Romans? The high priest's soldiers? Some misguided group of followers? What were they looking for? Whom were they looking for... even after they found the empty tomb and the rolled up grave cloth and wrappings? Mary Magdalene stayed behind, looking into the tomb and crying. What was she looking for? A dead body and not a living Lord would be a good guess. She said as much to the two angels whom she actually saw sitting on the very place where Jesus' body had been earlier.
What you are looking for really does shape what you actually see and do not see even if it's right there in front of your face. Remember Daryl, the ducklings, and the sidewalk? Whom you are looking for really does shape whom you actually expect to see and whom you do not expect to see, even if she or he is right there in front of you.
Left alone to cope with her grief, Mary may have seen only a stranger whom she thought was the gardener (John 20:15). Instead of this Easter question from the risen Christ, Mary might have heard only a "May I help you?" question from a cemetery gardener.
It was the living Lord himself who opened Mary's eyes and heart to see that he was the answer to this Easter question. It is the living Lord himself who opens our eyes and hearts to see that he alone answers our questions this Fifth Sunday of Easter. What are you looking for? Whom are you looking for? Here, in the community of the risen Christ, is the living Lord who sees deep into your soul and still accepts you, who know the powerful hungers of your heart and still loves you, and who understands the guilt of things you have done and left undone and still offers you forgiveness.
Today, the Fifth Sunday of Easter, our scripture lesson proclaims still another powerful response to the Easter question. Today the Spirit shows us the risen Jesus as "the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God" (Acts 7:56). Today, we are looking for one who is really in charge beyond the influence of the troubles and confusion of the world. Today the Spirit shows us the exalted Jesus, the Son of Main, reigning with God. Today the Spirit shows us that the kingdom of God and of his Christ has already begun. Today, the risen Christ again welcomes us into it.
Our daily lives can spin out of control in an instant. (Remember Daryl and the sidewalk?) Sometimes it seems like it takes all of our efforts and energy simply to avoid a total collapse into chaos. Here in this community, the risen Christ, the Son of Man, reminds us that he is in charge. We are not and will never be. Here in this community, the Spirit of God who created the universe out of chaos, gives us a vision of the one who brings order in the midst of confusion, courage in the midst of cowardice, and calm in the midst of life's storms. Today our text gives us a vision of the Son of Man who is in control when our lives spiral out of control.
It was this claim that Jesus is standing with God as the Son of Man that finally got Stephen killed, you know. Stephen was one of a group of seven who were chosen to assist with distributing food to poor families in the community. After the resurrection, the Word of God spread quickly in Jerusalem and even many Jewish priests became part of the community (Acts 6:1-7). Finally members of one synagogue were fed up, particularly with Stephen's ability not only to perform wondrous deeds, but also to speak with persuasive power. So, they stirred up their own members as well as the Jewish council who were compelled to bring Stephen in for a hearing before them (Acts 6:8-15).
The first 53 verses of chapter 7 are filled with Stephen's fiery "trash talk" at the hearings. He attacked the very history and identity that the Jews had worked so hard to maintain during Roman occupation. He not only insulted his Jewish contemporaries, he also insulted their ancestors. He called them all stiff-necked people with uncircumcised hearts. They had sold Joseph into slavery, rejected Moses, turned to idols, persecuted prophets, broken God's law, murdered Jesus, and opposed the Holy Spirit (Acts 7:1-53). Wow!
How would you feel if someone publicly insulted your ancestors, your history, and your values... literally everything that gave meaning to your life? What would you do? Probably react with outbursts of rage, which is what the Jewish leaders did (Acts 7:54). Yet they did not seek to kill Stephen at first. In fact, by Roman law, Jewish courts could not sentence anyone to death. The council members were filled with rage. Stephen was filled with the Holy Spirit.
Here is what changed the leaders from an enraged council to a lynch mob. It was all about power and control. When Stephen proclaimed that he saw the risen Jesus, standing at the right hand of God, this was the last straw. Trash talking was one thing. Even claiming that Jesus was resurrected was not enough to drive them over the edge. However, when Stephen declared that Jesus was standing with God as Son of Man, exalted Lord and Messiah, then that was it. They had heard enough. They went out of control over the very issue of control.
With a loud shout, they rushed Stephen and dragged him out to kill him... trying to regain some order in the midst of chaos; trying to show each other that they had not lost control. Stephen and his contemptible vision was dead. Their stones put a stop to that blasphemy forever. Or so they thought. The Son of Man still reigned. They were not in charge of this kingdom anymore. God would use one of their own, an eyewitness named Saul (Acts 7:58), to show the world who was really in control.
So, back to our Easter question: What are you looking for? Whom are you looking for? Today's Easter answers are not about why we should be ready to be martyrs. They are not about Stephen either. Today's Easter answers are less about martyrdom and more about a message of good news and the reign of the Son of Man.
God used the message of Stephen's vision to build a new community with a new reality within a new kingdom. The new kingdom is not about the control of princes, priests, or kings. It is about the power of the risen and reigning Christ, the Son of Man himself.
Because God revealed this to Stephen, Stephen was able to suffer and even to die with the courage and confidence of Christ's continuing presence with him. While the stones were flying, Stephen could still pray, "Lord Jesus receive my spirit" (Acts 7:59). Here was not only the bedtime prayer of Jewish children (see Psalm 31:15) it also echoed Jesus' own prayer on the cross (Luke 23:46).
Today God also welcomes us into this new community where the Son of Man reigns, in control. Here the risen Jesus gives us himself in bread and wine and word. Here within God's people gathered, the risen Christ gives us the confidence and courage to face the troubles and struggles of our lives.
Because God gave Stephen a vision of the risen Christ standing at God's right hand Stephen could use Christ's own prayer to ask God to forgive the sins of his murderers (Acts 7:60 and Luke 23:34). Because God shows us what forgiveness looks like in the baptismal waters and in the promise of the risen Christ, we can also forgive others.
What are you looking for today? Whom are you looking for? Remember Daryl, the fellow who started out looking for baby ducks and ended up falling face first on the sidewalk? Two days later he was scheduled to serve as a communion assistant for the first time. Poor Daryl. All he could think of was his swollen lip, his bruised cheeks, and his black eye. What an ugly mess! Why did he volunteer to serve at the Lord's Table this week anyway? What if he offered the wine, speaking the words "this is the blood of Christ shed for you" and then, one by one, people would see his face and reply, "none for me thanks" or "I'll pass on that today"? That would be so embarrassing he might have to join another parish. Everybody would laugh at him, or think he'd been in a fight, or even had been falling down drunk. Similar thoughts raced through Daryl's mind as the worship service progressed that Sunday. And then Daryl heard Pastor Richard preaching to the congregation: "Life is not all about you. It's not all about us. It is not all about what we look like or what we sound like. It's all about Jesus. Always. You are not in control. It is Jesus."
"Oh yeah, I remember now," thought Daryl to himself and began to serve Jesus to his sisters and brothers in Christ. Oh, yes, nobody passed on the gift.
What are you looking for today? Whom are you looking for? Do not worry if you aren't really certain of anything except the empty space deep inside yourself. Don't be discouraged if you find it hard to find your way through confusing and troubled times. Don't be disappointed if it's still hard to find control in your life right now. The good news is that God has already found you and welcomes you into a new reality where God is always present. The risen Christ gives you courage to continue, and the Son of Man reigns with God forever. Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia! Amen.
