1-21-24 “How Can It be?”

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Mark 1:14-20

“How Can It be?”

I want to start with something funny I found on an internet site: A Priest was driving down to Boston on Christmas Eve when got stopped for speeding in Medford. The highway patrol officer smelled alcohol on the priest’s breath and then saw an empty wine bottle on the floor of the car at the church outreach event. He said, “Father, have you been drinking?” “Only Water,” replied Father. The policeman asked, “Then how come I can smell wine?” The priest looked at the bottle and said, “Good Lord! He’s done it again.”

Two weeks ago, I joined the senior youth bible lesson to encourage them and get to know them as they are a new group. Barbara Loomis led the group in a bible lesson, using, the Gospel of John 1:43-51. That’s the story about Jesus calling his first disciples, and Philip extended an invitation to his friend, Nathanael. Philip said, “We have found the One Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the Prophets also wrote. That’s Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” Then, Nathanael asked, “Nazareth? Can anything good come from there?” Afterward, they shared the story and reflection on the scripture. Barbara then asked them, “Can anything good come from Grantsburg?”

What do you think about her question? I have learned from those in the Grantsburg community that Grantsburg is famous for cheese, beer, and furniture. Other than that, what else? Barbara said, “You are from Grantsburg. You are all good! Don’t you think so?” Yes, they are potential possibilities God called as Jesus called his first disciples. Nazareth of Galilee was a very small village. The residents were poor and people ignored the residents in Nazareth because there was nothing special to do. Nathanael’s words, “Nazareth? Can anything good come from there?”, are a good expression of how people thought of Nazareth at that time. However, Jesus is from Nazareth, which has become a very famous town globally.

Think of our location in Wisconsin. Among the clergy members in the Wisconsin United Methodist Church, the North West District is known as a very rural and barren area for ministry. However, when many churches disaffiliated last year, none of the churches in the North West District disaffiliated. I am proud of our town, our parish, and our district, no matter what people say. I love our parish; Grantsburg, Atlas and St. Croix Falls. I can see hope through our church ministry and find joy through our everyday lives. How can that be? It is because we believe in Jesus Christ.

The core of good news is that Jesus is Christ. I hope that you can sense that God gives us a chance. God may notify us through several channels. The Book of Revelation 3:20 says, “Listen! I am standing at the door, knocking; if you hear my voice and open the door, I will come into you and eat with you, and you with me.” God’s grace is open to everyone, but only a few people notice it. I hope you listen to God’s calling and follow God’s direction, holding hope, joy, peace and love with you.

Today’s Gospel also talks about the story Jesus calling his first disciples. As I read this scripture, I wonder how it happened. Imagine that you were Peter, John, Andrew, or James at the Lake of Galilee. You were fishing there because it was your job. Then, suddenly a stranger approached you and said, “Hey guys, come and follow me. I’ll give you a better job, which is to fish for people.” How would you react to him? Their reaction was to immediately follow him, leaving everything behind, including their family’s and jobs. Would you follow him? If I were them, I might ignore him, thinking, “Who is this crazy man?”, or I may have considered calling the cops.

However, think of it differently. Imagine it in this way; again, you are Peter, John, Andrew, or James. You were born and raised in Galilee, a small village. You followed in your father’s footsteps doing the same job he had, never venturing outside the village. Yet, you know everything about what’s going on in the community, including John the Baptist and his teachings about the Messiah coming soon after him, and Jesus, who was a carpenter, but often disagreed with the Law in the Temple. Additionally, you might have heard that “after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God.”
Up to this point, what do you think of Jesus? The arrest of John the Baptist posed a difficult religious situation, as he was persecuted by the Roman Empire. Everybody hid, even his followers. One thing to consider is that they were initially followers of John the Baptist and had learned about that Messiah coming soon after him. John the Baptist pointed at Jesus, saying, “Look, the Lam of God” (John 1:29; 36-37). So, you already knew who Jesus was.

After John the Baptist was arrested, you retuned to your town and worked at the Lake. Then, Jesus approached you and said, “It’s time. Follow me!” That’s a totally different story, right? There was still a risk of persecution for them because it happened right after John was arrested. However, they chose to follow Jesus immediately. How about you? Would you follow him?
In our case, living in the 21st century, we face no risk of religious persecution. We can gather freely every Sunday morning. How can this be? It has happened, of course, because of Jesus’ sacrificial love and the disciples’ brave acts in following Jesus without hesitation. Now, it’s our turn. It is time for us to respond to Jesus’ call. Our courageous responses and actions make our ministry hopeful. The next generation can dream anew even if they live in a small town.

Can anything good come from Grantsburg, Atlas, and St. Croix Falls? Can anything make a difference in our parish ministry? Only your brave actions can make a difference tomorrow in our ministry. I acknowledge your courageous act of coming to the church every Sunday morning, but that is only two hours a week. What about the other 166 hours? How do you spend the remaining time for Jeus within those 166 hours, serving community, spreading the good news to your neighbors, and extending invitations to your family and relatives who don’t attend Sunday service., especially to your children and grandchildren?

It is time for your courage to follow Jesus in your everyday life. The Letter of James says, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” If you believe in Jesus, but you don’t follow him through action, your faith is dead.

It is important to gather together on Sunday morning, but more important is to live out Jesus’ teachings in everyday life. Love God and love our neighbors through action. Yes, we gather together to worship God through action, and we also need to go out to invite others to experience God’s love. Let them know they are loved by God. That’s the first step in loving our neighbors! How can it be? It can happen through your faithful actions. We can make a difference tomorrow through our brave actions. Thanks be to God. Amen