The Rest of the Story (Sunday, October 16th, 2016)

Bible Reference(s): Jeremiah 31:27-34 / Luke 18:1-8

Sermon by Rev. Terri Thorn

Most of us probably remember radio personality Paul Harvey, but for those who do not, he was notorious for a regular segment called, "The Rest of the Story."  As I recall, The Rest of the Story consisted of stories presented as little-known or forgotten facts on a variety of subjects with some key element of the story (usually the name of some well-known person) held back until the end. The broadcasts always concluded with a variation on the tag line "And now you know the rest of the story."  (quoted from wikipedia)

Well, today, our reading from Jeremiah serves a similar purpose. He gives the exiled Israelites the rest of their story...by revealing a new thing about God.

As a brief recap, last week we heard Jeremiah show some "tough love" to the Israelites who were about to enter into exile.  False prophets had been telling them that they would only be captive for a little while, but Jeremiah's message was that they really needed to start thinking in terms of the long haul.   He instructed them: "Settle in, build houses, plant gardens, have families while in exile...because you're going to be there awhile."  Whether they wanted to or not, whether they felt like it or not, when it came to living as the people of God in the midst of this strange, challenging, unexpected place, they were called "do it anyway."

Now, I'm sure Jeremiah's words were intended to offer encouragement, but as you might imagine, they did not necessarily create a sustained hope for the people as the days of exile turned into months and the months turned into years.  At some point, the Israelites had to be wondering if they would ever be allowed to go back home.

The temptation to give up must have been great at times - particularly since God had made it clear that they were in exile because of their own choices and actions.  According to the prophetic writings, the invasion of the Babylonians and this subsequent exile were the result of the Israelite's failure to be faithful to the covenant God had made with them.  

Now, some might say that God allowed these bad things to happen as a way to punish their unfaithfulness and disobedience...and I suppose that case could be made from the scriptures...but it is also equally as valid to believe that a loving God allows consequences to be lived out...and this wasn't as much as about punishment as it was about what happens when a nation takes it eyes off of God. 

So, as much as the Israelites wanted to hold out for a different future, as the time passed, we can presume that their spirits became downtrodden and the light of hope, dimmer and dimmer.  After all, when we are faced with the consequences of our sin, and our lives are made miserable because of our own choices, it's tempting to give up hope that anything can get better.  Ask anyone who has been imprisoned by their foolish actions. I think they will tell you, when you're sitting there in the jail cell (literally or figuratively), it's not easy to believe that life will ever be different, much less that you can become a different person.

In fact, even if we are repentant and confess our sins and we are inwardly transformed, our outward circumstances may or may not change.  As time passes, it can be a real challenge to trust that God has truly heard us.  Instead, we try to take control of our situation ourselves, or become resigned that we have forever screwed up and ruined our chances for anything to be different.   Throw in an authority figure like Jeremiah reminding you that you are going to spend a long time in exile, and it wouldn't take long for despair to set in and for hopelessness to take over.  Grief and misery.  Despondence and depression.  Maybe even defensiveness or denial.  All sorts of emotions arise when guilt fills the heart and mind. 

So, don't you think the temptation for the Israelites to just give up would grow greater by the year?  Captive and dispersed into foreign lands, with foreign gods, might they eventually forget or stop trusting in the promises God had made to them -- especially as things kept getting worse instead of better?  They may build those houses and plant those fields, but don't you think there would come a point when they lose hope that they are ever going back home...or that righteousness is ever going to be restored? 

I imagine that a sense of resignation eeked its way into the spirit of the exiled people of Israel in the same way that I think it can creep into the spirit of Christians today.  In fact, the rise of people who claim no affiliation with the church might not be as much of an indicator that people don't believe in God, but that they've stopped trusting in his promises. They've given up, or lost patience while waiting. They no longer believe God intervenes or makes a difference. 

Let's face it, there are days when we, too, are tempted to throw in the towel. Like the psalmist who cries out, "How long, O Lord?" we are impatient with how long it is taking for God's righteousness to be restored. Frankly, I know that some days as I've been praying through the #pray31 atlas, I've had moments of sarcasm and doubt.  This week as I tried to follow the guide and write a prayer for Congress, I really wanted to say, "Dear God.  Not my monkeys.  Not my zoo.   Amen." 

Thankfully, that feeling was temporary...and I eventually prayed appropriately, I promise! Not because I am a pastor and I have to...but because, like you, I know the rest of the story.  I believe Jeremiah's proclamation that the days are surely coming!  

For the exiled Israelites, the rest of the story begins with "The days are surely coming..."  The days are surely coming when God will restore them...when the time for tearing down and destroying will be over and the time for growing and building will be ushered in.  The days are surely coming when God will make a new covenant with the Israelites....one that was different from the one made with their ancestors.  The days are surely coming when they will have a relationship with God that is not based on the laws written in tablets but on a relationship and righteousness in their heart.  The days are surely coming when they will never have to rely on someone else to give them knowledge of God...there will be no hierarchy, no more insiders and outsiders...no more religious leaders who decided on their behalf.  Jeremiah tells them that the days are surely coming when God's spirit will be within and they will know God for themselves. The days are surely coming when they will experience God's mercy and love...when their sins will be forgiven, directly, without intervention or sacrifice on their part, and when, God will completely forget their wrongs forever!  The day is surely coming when they would be a transformed people forgiven and free to joyfully walk in his way and gladly serve him as their Lord.

Now folks, Jeremiah's words of comfort and hope were to a specific people at a particular time in history...but they also serve as the hinge point of the entire story of God.   They provide the rest of the story...looking to the future...foretelling the covenant that we believe was revealed in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. 

The rest of the story for the Israelites...and for all who come after...is that the days are surely coming for the covenant of new life God initiated with a tiny baby born in a manger... the covenant of transformation and forgiveness that is sealed with his blood... the new covenant that we celebrate and participate in when we share the Lord's supper.  The days are surely coming when that covenant will be completed; and by the grace of God, and through faith in Christ, we have been included in it as well.

You see, as Christians, we believe this prophecy was fulfilled by Christ Jesus...is still being fulfilled in his church...but we also know that it is not yet complete.  One quick look around the world proves that truth.  Still, we know that the days which were surely coming have come to us in Christ, and they are still coming.  So, as Mr. Harvey would say...and now you have...the rest of the story.  God's kingdom is most assuredly coming on earth as it is in heaven.

God's justice.  God's mercy.  God's grace.  God's forgiveness.  God's light. God's freedom.  God's love. God's peace. They are here and they are coming.  This, my friends, is the rest of the faith story that gives us hope and increases our faith.

It is the promise that we cling to when our own lives are messed up and we struggle to find light in the darkness.  It is the promise that brings us peace when the world around us is chaotic and out of control.  It is the promise that allows us to forgive and love each other...even when we disagree.  It is the promise that transforms us into new people and compels us to trust that better days are surely coming...and it is the promise instills patience while we wait.

It's also the covenant in which we, the church, by the grace of God and power of the Holy Spirit, are privileged to participate.  We are called and equipped to help bring this vision and promise to fruition.  And, according to this parable of Jesus from Luke, we are also called to be persistent in our asking, and our acting, while we wait. 

You see, just as we know the days are surely coming, the widow in the story knew she had justice on her side...and she was willing to wait for it to be exacted.  However, as the story goes, she wasn't about to sit around just fretting about it or complaining to her neighbors.  She was willing to do her part to make it happen...really, against all odds given the power differential between her and the judge. Remember, as a widow, she represented one of the lowest most oppressed groups in the first century, second only to children and classified sinners.  She had no business taking on that judge...much less going back time and time again.  In fact, were this an actual account rather than a parable, we can be pretty sure she'd never get a chance to take that second trip back.   But this is a parable about perseverance, about prayer, and most importantly about faith. It's about sticking with God's promises for the long haul. 

So when Jesus asks that final question, "When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”  He's basically asking whether God's people will be found faithfully living in this covenant no matter what the circumstances of their world.  Will the church be persistent in the face of challenge?  Will the church be confident in the rest of the story?

Friends, this simple little question packs a huge punch.  Jesus wants to know what will the church do if pundits and media prophets are preaching doom and gloom?  How will he find the church when political leaders are generating fear and doubt, or courting religious endorsement?  What if the nations of the world are living with the devastating consequences of unjust actions, unfaithful choices, and selfish priorities...what will the church be doing in the meanwhile?

As we've been making our way through the 31 days of prayer for our nation, I've been wondering, if the Son of Man were to return today, how will he find the church in America?

Will he find God's people relentlessly pursuing God's -- or will he conclude we have given up?

Will the church be found persistently standing for justice, freeing the oppressed, caring for the poor -- or will he think we've gone silent?

Will the churches be found to be lighthouses of truth, havens of hope, and centers of love for all people?

Will the church be found forgiving sin, healing brokenness, and restoring community?

Will the church be found tirelessly praying, worshiping, and sharing sacraments of grace? Will we be serving God and faithfully witnessing to the gospel of Jesus Christ?

The days are surely coming when the whole church -- denominations, theology and doctrine aside -- will have to answer if we are living in the covenant of forgiveness and hope, and are we trusting that no matter how unjust the world is...no matter how long it takes...God is transforming the world redeemed life at time.   

So, friends -- sisters and brothers in Christ -- as for this house, let us love and serve the Lord...and continue to follow the widow's example..persistently seeking, beseeching, and praying for God's kingdom come, until it is so. Amen.