July 19, 2015

         How we long for a great leader! As we begin the posturing leading to the presidential primaries, we are surrounded with noise and possibility. I believe there are seventeen declared candidates from Bernie Sanders to Donald Trump. At this point there is something for everyone. I think many of us will want to avoid the news and the noise. Beneath all this confusion, there is a real desire to find a good leader, the right leader. We suspect we will be disappointed. We hope for better days to come.

         We want a free country. We want a prosperous country. We want to leave something of value for generations to come. We are no different than generations of Americans who lived before us.

         I believe that this is some of what is motivating David as he plans to construct the first temple in Jerusalem. David is grateful for all that God has done for him. He is working to unite the northern and southern tribes into one kingdom, centered in Jerusalem. A permanent temple would give the nation focus and a common gathering place for the worship of God. The prophet Nathan thinks it is a great idea.

         Nathan has a dream that changes David’s plans. God never asked for any temple. God is content to dwell in a tent (as if anything we could build would be more appropriate.) God reminds us that God is in no one place. God is with us wherever we go. Instead of needing our protection and support, God declares that God will make of David a house, or dynasty. David’s son will rule, and another son forever.

         This only happened for a time in ancient Israel. The kingdom eventually divided. The people were conquered and sent into exile. The promise to David becomes a messianic hope. One day God will raise up a son of David, to rule as God desires, and care for the people like a shepherd.

         Jesus comes upon the scene, evoking all of these ancient hopes. He sees that the people are like sheep without a shepherd and he has compassion on them. He teaches and he heals. He feeds them and he leads them into a better way of living. The people recognize him. They know who he is – as a healer and a teacher. They also recognize that he is offering a way of life that evokes the promises of God.

         I wonder how this connects to our own longing in our own day? We want a better life. We are mature believers and we are beyond wishing for more things and more comfort. We want purpose and meaning. We want to know love and to give love. We worry about budgets and numbers, not because we are faithless, but because we are worried about what will remain. We want to make something that will last and that will be available for generations to come. In our longing and in our hoping, whom are we serving?

         We too have to remember God’s promise. We may wish that what we have is kept safe forever. We polish the brass and paint the woodwork. We try to preserve the assets of the church. God’s promises are of a different sort. God promises to make a new people. God promises to heal and save. God promises to break down all the divisions and fears that beset us. In our concern to protect and preserve the traditions that have helped us we may become out of step with God’s work. The walls we preserve may become the walls that divide. God will sweep this all away in order to build a new temple, and a new people.

         We do not save the world. We are not responsible for saving anyone. We are responsible for our own faithful journey as disciples. Our work is to share good news wherever we go.

         The people were joyful as they recognized Jesus. They recognized his work. They recognized his way of leading them into a new relationship with God. Perhaps this is the thing we should worry about. Instead of worrying about what things or traditions we preserve, we can worry about how we are showing the life-giving love of God. May we be a community of faith where we are becoming Gods new people. When people see how we live and how we love, may they recognize Jesus in us.