Pentecost III, Cycle A
June 9, 2002
The Rev. Dr. David M. Wendel
Lessons: Hosea 5:15-6:6; Romans 4:13-25; St. Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26
It seems to me, one of the greatest dangers in Christianity today is the unwillingness to talk about, or for that matter, to acknowledge sin anymore. At the Festival of Homiletics, the Preaching Festival I attended in Chicago a couple of weeks ago, out of the thirteen preachers who lectured and preached, there were several who were outstanding in their willingness to speak the truth, and proclaim biblical teaching, even when it wasn’t politically correct to do so. I’ve said it before, and it was confirmed once again, sadly, at this festival, that among many Christians today, and many preachers today, there is the attitude that sin is passe’—that talk about sin is no longer relevant or appropriate, because it’s negative and brings people down. One particular preacher, a Lutheran, I might add, Dr. Marva Dawn, spoke honestly against that attitude, saying, “I know we’re not supposed to talk about “sin” anymore, but let’s face it…we have to talk about it, because down deep inside, we all know how messed up we are! We all go home at the end of the day and say to ourselves, if to no one else, “Why did I say that? Why did I do that? Why did I speak unkindly? Why wasn’t I more loving?” The bottom line is, as St. Paul writes, “We have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” And we need to talk about sin, so that we can also talk about forgiveness and healing!”
The danger in Christianity today, is that in moving away from “sin”, so to speak, we are encouraging the deception, among Christians, that we are not sinners at all, that it is possible to be good and pure and righteous, if only we’ll try hard enough. And the problem with that deception, is that it leads away from confession—it leads people to think that because they really aren’t sinners, they don’t need to confess. And when we begin to think like that, aren’t we looking an aweful lot like those that Jesus encounters, again and again, in his life and ministry? Those who in our gospel lesson, are criticizing Jesus for fraternizing with tax collectors and sinners, sounding for all the world, like they themselves have no sin! We all know Christians, and maybe it’s some of us here, who like to point at others and say, “Jesus, surely you’re not going to allow that person to come to your table!?” “You know, Jesus, that person may not be a tax collector, but he works for the IRS!” “You know, Jesus, that person is divorced—twice!” “You know, Jesus, that person has had trouble with alcohol.” “You know, Jesus, that person’s teenagers have been in trouble with the law.” How easy it is for us, when we feel sinless, and righteous, to point at others, and question Jesus about why He would not only talk with such people, but have dinner with them! And why would he do that when there are such good and pure people here, like us, willing to fill the spaces at His table?
The danger in such attitudes, is that it leads us to think that we are not, sinful, sick, in need of the physician, ourselves. Which is just what Jesus was saying to the Pharisees, when he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have come to call not the righteous, but sinners.” We would all do well to learn what this means—because we so often misunderstand. Jesus wanted the Pharisees, and all of us who might think of ourselves as good and righteous—to go and ponder—whether indeed, there are any who are righteous? Jesus says, “I have not come for the righteous, but for sinners.” Some folks think they are righteous, so of course, they have no need of a Savior, and Jesus himself says He did not come for them. But, are they really righteous? Is anyone righteous? Are we not all, sinners? Are we not, then, all in need of a Savior?
The point is that the Pharisees were surely, as sinful as the tax collectors, prostitutes and others with whom Jesus talked and ate—it’s just that the tax collectors, prostitutes and others acknowledged they were sinners—while the Pharisees refused to acknowledge their sin. The point is that we all are sinners, some of us acknowledging and repenting of our sin, and others refusing to acknowledge and repent of it. And because none are righteous, no, not one—Jesus came for all—because all are sinners. Jesus’ desire, then, is for all of us to come to an acknowledgement of our sinfulness, so that repenting, we might receive mercy, and forgiveness, and finally, healing and new life. It’s no coincidence that in the same breath that Jesus is talking about being sick with sin, and people being in need of a physician’s healing—that He heals a woman, and restores life to a girl who has died! That’s they way it always happens. First, Jesus calls people to see how their sin has made them sick, and that they are in need of a physician—and then, Jesus manifests His healing, life-giving power! And this happens to tell us that Jesus isn’t interested in having us, sinners, wallow in our guilt. This happens to tell us that Jesus isn’t interested in having us grovel and beg for forgiveness, as if our situation is hopeless and helpless. To the contrary, to acknowledge and confess our sin is to help us see our need for a physician. And when we see our need for a physician, we are then open to healing and restoration of life! And that’s what Jesus is all about—healing, and renewal of life! Jesus came that we may have life, and have it abundantly! Jesus is the way, the truth, and the LIFE! As he healed the woman who had been suffering for twelve years; as Jesus restored life to the girl who had died, Jesus comes into every life to bring forgiveness and health and salvation. But it all goes together. The Great Physician, Jesus, has come for sinners. Those who think they are righteous, must realize they are sinners, before they realize they need a physician. When we acknowledge and confess our sin, then we are, in faith, opening ourselves to the healing, life-giving power of the Great Physician. And the Great Physician, will heal us. He will forgive our sin. He will wash away our guilt. He will restore us and renew us. That’s why Jesus came. And that’s why we still need to hear about sin. Because down deep inside, we know how messed up we are. Because down deep inside, when we break through the defense mechanisms and the cheery, righteous facades, when we get beneath the deluded feelings that we can do it all ourselves—we come to the point of confession, and so to the point where we see that we are in need, of a physician who can heal our sin-sick souls. We see that we need a physician who can heal our wounded-ness. We see that we need a physician who can heal us of our years of shame and feelings of inadequacy. We see that we need a physician who can cure our abusive, self-destructive behaviors. We see that we need a physician who can give us the power to deal with our depression and despair. We see that we need a physician who can restore life to us, so that we will no longer be the walking dead—but will be once again, full of life, in Him.
And how does this Physician, accomplish this work, in us? Where is this Physician when we need Him? To be sure, there are many ways that this Great Physician works. He works through the confession and forgiveness at the beginning of our service each week. He works through the good news proclaimed in Holy Scripture. He works through the community of believers, that includes, pastors, and counselors, and family, and friends. He works through all of these means to forgive and to heal and to restore us to life. But again, is it a coincidence that Jesus is seen, again and again, eating with outcasts and sinners? Is it a coincidence, that Jesus’ entire ministry seems to revolve, around His being at table with those who need healing and forgiveness? I believe, as the Church has always believed, that there are no coincidences in Scripture, or in the Life of Jesus. What we are shown, again and again, is that healing and restoration and new life, comes from being at table with Jesus. Which is why the early church fathers referred to the Lord’s Supper as the “medicine of immortality”. Eating with the Lord, at table, and receiving, at the table, the Lord’s own body and blood, is the medicine that we need, to forgive our sin, heal our broken-ness, and restore us to life, once again. And we sinners, have Jesus’ promise, that when we come to the table, today, He will sit at dinner with us. We sinners have His promise, that because we are sinners, in need of the Great Physician, He will come to provide for us, the medicine that will cure us of our sin, and bring us to everlasting life—the medicine that is His own body and blood, broken and poured out. Broken and poured out, not for the righteous, but for sinners—for sinners such as you and I! May we ever acknowledge and repent of our sin—and come as the sinners that we are, to receive, the medicine that is, Jesus’ own body and blood. Amen.