Do you remember who taught you how to ride a bike? How to write your name and tie your shoes? How to drive? How to cook? How to pray? Odds are that you were taught some – or all of these things by a member of your family.
Families are important. Jesus knew it too. “Honor your Father and your mother” is in the ten commandments after all. So in today’s Gospel, it seems odd that Jesus doesn’t respond to his mother and his brothers when they call for him.
It’s only the 3rd chapter of Mark’s Gospel, but already Jesus has been teaching, healing people (even on the sabbath), forgiving sins and proclaiming Good News to people who were considered unclean and unworthy. He was challenging “the way things always were.” Those in power – including the scribes – wanted him to stop. But instead of engaging Jesus as a rabbi, they started telling lies about Jesus and tried to shame his family.
Families are important now, but in Jesus’ day, your family was your life, your reputation, your honor. The commandment to honor your father and mother was held in such regard that anything that you did that was considered bad or wrong – reflected shame on them. And, any perceived disrespect to your parents or family was an affront worthy of being disowned.
Jesus still takes care of his mother – remember, he asked his disciple John to care for his mother while he was hanging on the cross. But does not follow the dictates of the shame and blame rules of the culture nor does he let even his mother or his family come between him and his mission from God to save the whole world.
Turning to those who are surrounding him, listening with open ears, Jesus says, “Whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.” Jesus expands his family beyond the traditional boundaries of blood and marriage, of race, nationality, creed, gender or any other humanly defined division. What had been an exclusive relationship with the people of Israel was now opened up to all people.
People then – and now -- are quick to find the differences between us. We are taught from a young age to sort – “one of these things is not like the others.” We are quick to divide. And that can be a helpful tool, I suppose, when sorting blocks. But it’s not so helpful when it comes to people. Too often, we focus on what divides us and we forget to notice, to remember, what unites us.
Looking at the people who have gathered to hear his words, without regard for who they are or what they have done or not done, or what their heritage may be, Jesus includes each one and makes them a part of his family. Jesus included despised tax collectors, poor fishermen, women like Mary and Martha, and “sinners” like you and me in his circle. In God’s kingdom, Jesus welcomes and includes all kinds of people.
I never met Cody. Although he read the Bible, he wasn’t a church-goer. But his mother, Judy, told me a story that I will never forget.
Cody was a chef so usually worked weekends. But one Friday afternoon, he happened to be off and so he said to his mom, let’s go get an early supper. It was a little too early to eat so they went into the bar. Cody saw a couple of friends there and they started to play darts. After a while, his mom noticed Cody go over to a guy sitting by himself at the bar. They chatted a bit and then Cody came over to her and said, “Mom, mind if Jeff joins us?” Of course not, she said, “Any friend of yours is a friend of mine.”
After the dart game was over, Cody invited Jeff join them in the next round of darts. But Jeff hung his head and said, “I can’t. I can barely afford the beer I’m drinking. I should go.”
Cody said to him, “No, I want you to play with us. Don’t worry. I’ve got you.” Jeff turned to Judy and she encouraged him, “Go on. If he says he’s got you, he means it.”
They spent the afternoon playing darts and then ordered food for themselves and Jeff. As they were walking out, Judy asked her son, “How long have you known Jeff?” Cody replied, “Oh. A couple of hours.”
Like Jesus, Cody knew how to include others. He had the gift of seeing people, regardless of who they were -- as a friend he hadn’t yet met. Even … or maybe especially… if they were down on their luck. Cody had the gift of knowing how to include others. Unfortunately, Cody did not know how to extend the grace that he freely extended to others – to himself. Like his new friend, Cody was also experiencing some really hard times. But unfortunately, whether it was depression or demons of another sort, Cody did not have ears to hear Jesus saying, “Don’t worry. I’ve got you.” Instead, Cody took his life this past winter.
Cody is in God’s tender care now.
But you and I are still on our journey. That journey is not always easy and it is not without challenges. But let me remind you – in case you have forgotten -- that you, as a baptized child of God, have been named and claimed as a Child of God, a brother or sister, a sibling of Christ Jesus. You belong to Christ. Jesus has said to you, “Don’t worry. I’ve got you.”
When I think about Cody, I wonder – how can I, how can we as a community of Christ, reach out a hand of welcome to people like Cody? How do we include people like Jeff? How do we include people who either do not know the Good news of Christ or who have been told for one reason or another that they do not belong?
This is our challenge, as people in God’s family. It’s easier to point out all the differences between us. But Jesus claims you and me and our neighbor across the street and across the world all as a beloved part of his family and he invites us to do the same.
It isn’t always easy. There’s no guarantee that we will always agree with or even like our brothers and sisters of Christ. And yet, Jesus has made us siblings of one another. And so I proclaim to you the words of the Psalmist to “ put your hope in the Lord, for with the Lord is unfailing love and with God is full redemption.” After all. There is no reason to worry. For Jesus says to you and to all of God’s children, his siblings: “I’ve got you.” Thanks be to God. Amen.
Faith-Lilac Way Lutheran Church June 6, 2021 Pastor Pam Stalheim Lane