Sermons for the Month
Overwhelmed With Gratitude
DATE: June 13th, 2004
SERVICE: Second Sunday After Pentecost
TEXT: Luke 7:36-8:3To all of you Saints here this morning, grace and peace to you from God our Father, from His Son, Jesus Christ and His Holy Spirit. AMEN
Giddy With Gratitude that's a suggested title that was given for this text in some sermon materials I was reading this week. It's a catchy title, and I'll tell the story from which it originates later, but I'm not sure it honors what is being described in today's Gospel lesson. We have, after all just read about transformed lives.
There are four women mentioned in this text from Luke. Their worlds were turned upside down by this traveling rabbi who accepted them and brought healing and forgiveness to their lives.
We do not know the name of the one who is at the center of the story. We can guess that she was either a prostitute or an adulteress; and as such she would have been rejected and admonished by those around her. But Jesus had done just the opposite. We know that's the case because of the courage which is displayed by the woman.
Something powerful, transforming, must have led her to take the risks she did. Let's set the scene. A Pharisee, one of the religious leaders of the Jews, has invited Jesus to dinner. This does not mean that he supports Jesus; perhaps he wanted to see for himself what this young prophet of growing reputation had to say.
It was common practice then to leave the door in the dining room open so that people could pass in and out during the meal. Those who had not been invited were allowed to take seats by the wall so that they could listen to the conversation between the guest and the host.
And so this nameless woman - one whose sin is well known - was among those who were expected to remain by the wall. Instead she behaved in a scandalous fashion. She came forward and lavished her attention on Jesus. She wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You may remember that in a sermon during Lent I pointed out that a woman's hair was an intimate feature and women did not let down their hair in the presence of any man except their husbands. To do so made a woman the subject of public ridicule and was a just cause for her husband divorcing her.
But this woman went a step further. She not only used her hair as a towel, but she crossed the boundaries of propriety and actually touched Jesus, kissing his feet and anointing them with ointment. Imaginations around the table must be running wild wondering what kind of relationship exists between this sinful woman and the young prophet.
Simon, the host, is appalled and thinks that Jesus must not be who he says he is; otherwise he would not allow such a sinner as that woman to touch him. You see, the real scandal for Simon, and the others at the dinner, is that Jesus does nothing to rebuff her, but allows her to continue interrupting with her provocative actions. Jesus cannot be a prophet, they think, if he allows THIS to continue!
The irony, of course, is that because Jesus is who he says he is that such an event can occur. Indeed, Jesus is not just a prophet; he is greater than a prophet. The reason this woman has the courage to show such great love is clearly spelled out. She has been forgiven her sins by Jesus. Most scholars believe that at some time prior to the events described in today's Gospel lesson she encountered the transforming love of Jesus. That's what led her to his feet where the proclamation of forgiveness was made again for all to hear.
It's interesting that this woman, about whom so much detail is given, is not mentioned by name. However, in the closing verses of today's text we are told about Mary, called Magdalene, Joanna, Susanna and others who, we read, have been cured by Jesus of evil spirits and infirmities.
Just as was true of the woman at the dinner table, their lives have been transformed. So, they leave the safety of home and family and join the 12 disciples in following Jesus through the countryside. And, not only do they follow, but they pay for his ministry. This too must have been scandalous, perhaps their neighbors whispered, "Why are they following those men around? They should be at home, living quiet, respectful lives." Yet, they were brave enough to act, because Jesus had accepted them and brought healing to their lives.
All of these women were more than giddy with gratitude, they were transformed people. Even though some of them were women of means, the fact that they struggled with infirmities and what is labeled as "evil spirits" indicates that they would have been viewed as unacceptable and as people who just did not matter. But Jesus accepted them, loved them and gave them value. They know the source of their transformation and respond sacrificially. Or, to put it another way, they knew that they owed Jesus and responded with gratitude.
I'm not sure how many of us really "get" that truth. It seems to me that often the attitude among 21st century Christians is just the opposite. There is this idea that God owes me something because I've said I believe. The expectation is that good health, happy relationships and plenty are due to me if I have faith, and I feel slighted if these things are not a part of my life. Somehow the gifts of God that are truly important, the gifts of forgiveness, eternal life and being filled with the divine presence are taken for granted and they fail to stir sacrificial response like that which is clearly spelled out in today's Gospel lesson. We fall short when it comes to showing gratitude for God's grace.
Perhaps we need to experience that grace in a very tangible way. Remember that sermon titled I mentioned earlier? Well, this is the story from which it originates. Lee Strobel, who wrote a book titled Experiencing the Passion of Christ, tells about a little girl who shoplifted a book from the church book store. When this was discovered, the little girl and Lee met and she admitted taking the book, knowing that it was wrong, said that she was sorry and that she would never do something like that again.
Still, there was the issue of appropriate punishment. Would it be appropriate for the girl to pay the $5 cost of the book? She agreed that it would. Would it be appropriate to tack on another $15 as a punishment? She agreed that it would - but Lee could see fear in her eyes. She had stolen the book because she did not have $5. How would she ever get $20?
But then, after establishing the appropriate penalty, Lee pulled out his checkbook and wrote a check for the full amount. The little girt was surprised. Lee explained, "I'm going to pay your penalty so you do not have to. Do you know why I would do that?" The little girl had no idea. "Because I care about you and please remember this: that's how Jesus feels about you too. Except even more."
The little girl was so relieved. Lee writes, "I wish I could find the words to describe the look of absolute relief and joy and wonder that blossomed on her face. She was almost giddy with gratitude."
We need to more than giddy with gratitude. Like the women in today's Gospel, we should be so overwhelmed by gratitude that we bravely make sacrifices in order to make a difference in other people's lives because Jesus made a difference in ours'. Take a good, long look those first century women described in chapters 7 and 8 of Luke. One woman kneels at the feet of Jesus, setting herself up for public ridicule, because she is so thankful for the forgiveness she has received. The other women follow Jesus up and down the dusty roads of Palestine, enduring the whispers of neighbors, because of the healing Jesus brought into their lives. They did what their culture considered to be unacceptable, taking risks, in response to the love of Jesus that's what true gratitude looks like. May it become a visible reality it our lives as well. AMEN