{"id":1244,"date":"2015-10-25T11:00:45","date_gmt":"2015-10-25T15:00:45","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.bu.edu\/sermons\/?p=1244"},"modified":"2019-10-08T11:47:37","modified_gmt":"2019-10-08T15:47:37","slug":"son-of-david","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.bu.edu\/sermons\/2015\/10\/25\/son-of-david\/","title":{"rendered":"Son of David"},"content":{"rendered":"

Click here to listen to the full service<\/a><\/p>\n

Mark 10:46-52<\/a><\/p>\n

Click here to listen to the sermon only<\/a><\/p>\n

The Bible is largely about failure and defeat.<\/span><\/p>\n

Its stories and letters and teachings record ways people have lived with defeat. \u00a0This makes the Bible difficult for us to understand. \u00a0For we as a people have run and swatted and laughed our way past learning the language of failure. \u00a0We don\u2019t admit to it. \u00a0We won\u2019t accept it. \u00a0We do not countenance it. \u00a0So sermons, this one and others, which are fumbling footnotes to the Scripture, hit us from the side if they hit us at all.<\/span><\/p>\n

But by grace, it is the resurrected Christ who addresses us in the preaching of the church, in the announcement of the gospel. \u00a0The passages of the Gospel allow us safe passage to the Gospel because Jesus is present to us.<\/span><\/span>\u201cIn all the sayings of Jesus which were reported, he speaks who is recognized in faith and worship as Messiah and Lord, and who, as the proclamation makes known his works and hands on his sayings, is actually present for the church.\u201d (Bultmann, HST, 348).<\/span><\/p>\n

Our blind beggar, \u2018Bar Timeaus\u2019, shouts out an unexpected nametag for Jesus. \u00a0\u2018Son of David\u2019. \u00a0\u00a0To call Jesus such is to remember\u2026failure\u2026to remember\u2026difficulty\u2026to remember warnings unheeded from long ago\u2026to remember David you have to remember Saul and to remember Saul you have to remember Samuel.<\/span><\/p>\n

Bartimaeus calls Jesus by the name of David\u2014David the personification of hope, of millennial portent, of national pride, of the chance to get things right. \u00a0Son of David! \u00a0He throws of his garment\u2014maybe a sign of baptism\u2014and comes naked to see if there is another chance for him. \u00a0\u00a0Here is another in Mark\u2019s \u2018book of secret epiphanies\u2019 (Dibelius\\Bultmann). \u00a0His \u2018faith has made him well\u2019, a saying and a truth most precious to Martin Luther, whose Reformation we remember today, Luther who forever splintered the unity of the church into pieces, fragments, for the sake of the Gospel: \u00a0<\/span>faith is God’s work in us, that changes us and gives new birth from God. (John 1:13). It kills the Old Adam and makes us completely different people. It changes our hearts, our spirits, our thoughts and all our powers. It brings the Holy Spirit with it. Yes, it is a living, creative, active and powerful thing, this faith. Faith cannot help doing good works constantly<\/span><\/i>. (M Luther, introduction to Romans).<\/span><\/p>\n

Our Gospel seldom uses the title, \u2018Son of David\u2019, in order that Jesus not be mistaken for the hoped for national Messiah, the hoped for political conqueror, the hoped for restorer of Israel. \u00a0Jesus is known by failure and defeat. \u00a0\u00a0But the name of David also carries the reminder, with Samuel, of surprise, of a second chance, of another chance, of new beginnings. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

You remember Samuel\u2019s story in 1 Samuel 15:34ff. read a moment ago. \u00a0Samuel didn\u2019t want to be a prophet, but he got saddled with the job anyway. \u00a0He didn\u2019t want anything to do with kings, but he had to pick one.<\/span><\/p>\n

The people wanted a King, just like we at our worst always long for some imperial president, some imperious presence on which or on whom we may cast our concerns. \u00a0Then we don\u2019t have to live with our own freedom our own birthright from YHWH \u00a0I AM THAT I AM, the Sinai God \u00a0of freedom. \u00a0We are free, though often we choose to misuse or underuse our liberty.<\/span><\/p>\n

Samuel revered the God of freedom and the Godly freedom in each person. \u00a0In fact he revered the people\u2019s freedom more than they themselves did. \u00a0So much so that he helped them choose, even when \u00a0he knew they chose in error. \u00a0You want a king? \u00a0You shall have a king\u2026.. and much trouble.<\/span><\/p>\n

So, Saul, trouble, came and went. Leadership is everything. \u00a0\u00a0I mean: \u00a0leadership is everything. \u00a0But leadership is not dictatorship. \u00a0Authority is not domination. \u00a0Integrity is not willfulness. \u00a0Leadership, authority, integrity\u2014they become real when they revere the God of freedom and the freedom of each person. \u00a0Leadership increases personal freedom for all.<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

So Samuel, who knew about freedom and leadership, and who could have shouted \u201cI told you so\u201d to the children of Israel, instead went to Ramah, that place you remember from Christmas, of wailing and loud lamentation, and he wailed and lamented:<\/span><\/p>\n

Why O God have you made my people a group focused on difference and not the common good? Why should there be a few rich and many poor? \u00a0Why should our tongues carry words about death? Why should our distinguishing characteristics be so undistinguished? Are we forever to love appearance above reality, image above heart?<\/span><\/p>\n

O my God, are we never to see your peace upon the earth, your gracious splendor among our people, your kingdom of love?<\/span><\/p>\n

So, we may imagine, in a hot dusty cave near Qumran, Samuel wept. \u00a0And wept. \u00a0And muled and puked and wept. \u00a0He cried in his beer. \u00a0He cried in his soup. \u00a0You get the picture. \u00a0Until, at last, he stopped.<\/span><\/p>\n

And as so often happens, once he stopped his weeping, his self-concern, a marvelous thing happened. \u00a0\u00a0God gave another chance. \u00a0He said, \u201cSamuel you old coot, codger, geet\u2014get up and head over to Bethlehem and see Jesse. \u00a0I\u2019m going to give another chance.\u201dOff Samuel went to the house of Jesse, in Bethlehem. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

We worship a God of second chances, of new starts, of \u00a0make up exams, of \u00a0I for give you, of \u00a0surprise opportunities. \u00a0In a way, in Christ, God has simply become Another Chance.<\/span><\/p>\n

Early on Sunday morning, we pray before worship We wonder about the congregation and the community. \u00a0We think of people. \u00a0Some giving birth and anxious. Some breaking up and anxious. \u00a0Some struggling to stay together, and anxious. Some aging and anxious. \u00a0Some ill and anxious. \u00a0Like Samuel, we have our hurts. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Up Samuel goes to see what God will do. \u00a0God tells him that there will be a new King, of God\u2019s own choosing, out of the family of Jesse, who had seven sons. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Samuel sees the first son, and thinks\u2014yes, this must be the one, right name, right place, right pedigree, right education. \u00a0But, again, something strange happens. \u00a0Samuel, given to hearing voices, hears a voice. \u00a0God says, \u00a0\u201ceasy big fellow, easy. \u00a0Don\u2019t look at the appearance. \u00a0Forget the outside. \u00a0Don\u2019t be misled by the image. \u00a0Look inside.\u201d All that glitters is not gold. You can be a saint abroad and a devil at home. Cleanse the inside of the cup. Don\u2019t judge a book by its cover.<\/span><\/p>\n

We see the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Meanwhile, back in Bethlehem, Samuel still has the seven sons on interview. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Job title: \u00a0King of Israel<\/span><\/p>\n

Profile: \u00a0\u00a0Perfect leader<\/span><\/p>\n

Responsibilities: \u00a0Bring salvation, justice, and peace.<\/span><\/p>\n

Salary and benefits: \u00a0commensurate with experience.<\/span><\/p>\n

But he remembers: \u00a0look on the heart. \u00a0ELIAB. No. ABINADAB. \u00a0No. SHAMMAH. No. \u00a0And so on. \u00a0Seven no\u2019s.<\/span><\/p>\n

It is tough to live in between. \u00a0Like many who are here today can testify. \u00a0Samuel would have loved to have settled things early. \u00a0But he remembered the God of Another Chance, and trusted and waited, and hoped. \u00a0Anybody can make a decision. \u00a0It takes real courage to be indecisive. \u00a0Anybody can decide. \u00a0It takes guts to wait. \u00a0Anybody can judge by appearance. \u00a0But God looks on the heart.<\/span><\/p>\n

Mark and the early Christians knew this perhaps better than anything else. \u00a0They knew about being in between. \u00a0Maybe that\u2019s why, providentially, their letters and writings have become our Bible. \u00a0We are always a bit in between, and we need the confidence, daily, of Another Chance. \u00a0The earliest Christians, Paul\u2019s city Christians, Mark\u2019s Roman community, were very much in between. \u00a0\u00a0They were often what the sociologists call status-inconsistent, like Paul himself. \u00a0\u00a0A Jew, yet a Roman citizen. \u00a0Educated, yet a tent-maker. \u00a0So they were too: \u00a0Women, yet rich. \u00a0Artisans, yet slaves. \u00a0They knew about being in-between.<\/span><\/p>\n

As the Apostle says:<\/span><\/p>\n

In between the Body and the Lord<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

In between Sight and Faith<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

In between Home and Away<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

In between Judgment and Love<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

In between Crazy and Sane<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

In between One and All<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

In between Self and Others<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

In between Death and Resurrection<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

In between Old and New<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

In between Appearance and Heart<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

When you\u2019re in between you know the joy of Another Chance. \u00a0\u00a0God sees the heart, and sees past appearances. \u00a0The heart of a nation, or the heart of a person.<\/span><\/p>\n

Well, dear old Samuel, is about ready to throw in the towel. \u00a0He has been through all the sons of Jesse, and has not found the new king. \u00a0He has found a lot of old king once removed, but nothing new. \u00a0He is packing up his ephod and girding his loins and otherwise getting ready to shove off, when, again, something strange happens. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

We worship the God of Another Chance.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

If nothing else this morning, hear the Gospel.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Today is another chance for your family.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

This week is another chance for you work.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

This fall is another chance for our church.<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/i><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

<\/span><\/i>This year is another chance for our city.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

This decade is another chance for our country.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Where there is life, there is hope.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

God in Christ is Another Chance.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Realism and Idealism are not alternatives. \u00a0Either you have both, or you have neither: \u00a0witness Isaiah 60, John 3, 2 Cor 5, and the Sermon on the Mount. \u00a0There is still time. \u00a0As the crusty Yankee said, when asked, \u201cHave you lived in Boston all your life?\u201d \u00a0\u00a0\u201cNot yet\u201d. <\/span><\/p>\n

I Believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth. \u00a0And in Another Chance, God\u2019s only Son Our Lord ANOTHER CHANCE! \u00a0To stand in God\u2019s presence. \u00a0To learn to help others. \u00a0To have a meaningful life. \u00a0Meanwhile, back in Bethlehem\u2026Samuel, turned as he was going, and looked at Jesse and said, \u201care these all your sons\u201d? \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Jesse got that sheepish look we all get when the truth starts to come out. \u00a0Well, yes and no. \u00a0I mean these are all the grown ones, the ones who are worth looking at. \u00a0\u201cYou mean there is Another Chance?\u201d said Samuel so excited he dropped his staff and ungirded his loins and lost his ephod. \u00a0\u201cWell there\u2019s the little guy, but we left him to tend the sheep.\u201d \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Bring him.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

And they brought David up and he was little and young and ruddy and handsome and beautiful, but mostly he had the right heart. \u00a0A heart of songs and courage. \u00a0A heart of love and strength. \u00a0A real person. \u00a0A real person. \u00a0Another Chance. \u00a0Like the Tibetan Buddhists hunting for three years in the outback of the universe to find \u00a0the Dali Lama. \u00a0Like the birth of Jesus, also of Bethlehem. \u00a0Like the moment your child came into the world. \u00a0Like every single outburst and outcropping and intrusion and explosion and invasion of the NEW CREATION\u2014there was David, Another Chance. \u00a0And Samuel, old superannuated Samuel could see what none of the young turks could see\u2014the heart. \u00a0And Samuel wept, this time for joy, and said, \u201cTHIS IS THE ONE\u201d. \u00a0Hire him.<\/span><\/p>\n

We worship Another Chance God.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Beloved, you are not last chance, anxious people: \u00a0You are God\u2019s people<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

R. Niebuhr wrote, praising Christ Another Chance: \u00a0\u201cNothing that is worth doing can be achieved in our lifetime. \u00a0Therefore we must be saved by hope. \u00a0Nothing which is true or good or beautiful makes complete sense in any immediate context of history. \u00a0Therefore we must be saved by faith. \u00a0Nothing we do, however virtuous, can be accomplished alone. \u00a0Therefore we must be saved by love.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

-The Rev. Dr. Robert Allan Hill, Dean of Marsh Chapel<\/a><\/p>\n

For more information about Marsh Chapel at Boston University,\u00a0click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

For information about donating to the Chapel,\u00a0click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Click here to listen to the full service Mark 10:46-52 Click here to listen to the sermon only The Bible is largely about failure and defeat. Its stories and letters and teachings record ways people have lived with defeat. \u00a0This makes the Bible difficult for us to understand. \u00a0For we as a people have run […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2679,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[22],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.bu.edu\/sermons\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1244"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.bu.edu\/sermons\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.bu.edu\/sermons\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.bu.edu\/sermons\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2679"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.bu.edu\/sermons\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1244"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.bu.edu\/sermons\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1244\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1247,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.bu.edu\/sermons\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1244\/revisions\/1247"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.bu.edu\/sermons\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1244"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.bu.edu\/sermons\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1244"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.bu.edu\/sermons\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1244"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}