“Look at the camera. Look at the baby.” That was the refrain as countless photos were taken of my niece after her baptism. She was the first baby of her generation – on both sides of the family – and it was an event that was duly recorded.
Admittedly, we went a bit overboard – I’m guessing that the same thing – or something like it -- has happened at important events in your life too – especially now when you don’t have to go to the expense of printing photos but you can carry a million digital photos with you on your phone.
Photos can remind you of a person, an event, a place – and often there is a story to go with it.
Scholars believe that the letter to the Hebrews is written to a community that was discouraged after facing a variety of trials and is a word of encouragement to persevere in faith.1
Today’s reading concludes a long list of “snapshots” of people of faith in the Bible - including some you probably know – such as David and Samuel but a few lesser known people too. They are reminded of the faith that conquered kingdoms – like David and Joshua – and whose faith shut the mouths of lions – like Daniel. But they are also reminded of people who suffered, who were tortured, even those who were sawn in two because of their faith. The faithful were not always a picture of success. Nor were they perfect.
You may remember David – King David - not only conquered kingdoms, but also forgot that the commandments applied to him too. He was guilty of murder – and adultery. His prayer for forgiveness is found in the Psalms, a reminder that no one is unredeemable or unforgiveable in God’s eyes. Perhaps that is an even greater testament to faith than all of his “successes.”
The book of Hebrews calls those who went before us a great cloud of witnesses. But this cloud of witnesses is not limited to those whose names or actions were written in the Bible.
For example, some of you may remember a Hazel – a thin little woman strong who worked tirelessly at NEAR Foodshelf. It was only after she died that I found out that she had not had an easy life – but that had found meaning in service to others. And serve she did - she not only recorded information – but she also lifted big boxes of food onto and from the shelves. And now others are doing that work of service.
Or you may remember Don who painted every wall of this church. Or Valerie who suffered with pancreatic cancer and yet still made homemade Christmas cards and proclaimed her faith in so many ways. There are many ways to live out our faith.
I remember my grandmother who read me Bible stories when I was little. She was a great witness to me – as was my grandfather, who after he and my grandmother moved to an apartment in Westwood Lutheran, was in charge of making the coffee – and opening the doors and welcoming in whoever came to the church. He taught me the importance of hospitality as a part of living out your faith.
These are just a few examples. Perhaps you remember a parent or grandparent who read their Bible or sang in the choir or served on the church council – or a Sunday School teacher who encouraged you.
These people – and many more -- are all a part of the great cloud of witnesses –who have helped nurture you and me in the faith.
But the great cloud of witnesses is not limited to those who have died.
For example, at our Wildfire Vacation Bible School worship this year, the leader, Raul, asked, would anyone like to pray? Up shot the hand of four year old Evan. He stood up, took the microphone and prayed a heart-felt prayer that he composed on the spot that was relevant to the story of the day. What a great witness of faith!
And that’s not all. Last weekend, Emma shared a beautiful reflection on the mission trip and then she, Lydia, Bella and Vicar Kyle recounted stories of their mission trip and their faith-filled service.
And you, you who are here, you who are in the parking lot, you who are at home listening on-line or reading along, you too are witnesses. You too can pass on the faith to those around you.
For example, this past week I was visiting a member in a care center and he called over a nurse to complement her on her work. She responded by giving the praise back to God, quoting the song, “One day at a time, sweet Jesus…. Just give me the strength to do what it takes, one day at a time.
Oh, we don’t always respond with grace and mercy. Like King David, we aren’t perfect.
I read story the other day that reminded me of our imperfection:
“A man was being tailgated by a woman who was in a hurry. He comes to an intersection, and when the light turns yellow, he hits the brakes. The woman behind him goes ballistic. She honks her horn at him; she yells her frustration in no uncertain terms; she rants and makes crude gestures. While she is in mid-rant, someone taps on her window. She looks up and sees a policeman. He invites her out of her car and takes her to the station where she is searched and fingerprinted and put in a cell. After a short time, she’s released, and the arresting officer returns her personal effects, saying “I’m very sorry for the mistake, ma’am. I pulled up behind your car while you were blowing your horn, using obscene gestures and bad language. I noticed the WHAT WOULD JESUS DO bumper sticker, the FOLLOW ME TO SUNDAY SCHOOL window sign, and the FISH EMBLEM on your trunk. Naturally, I assumed you had stolen the car. 2
Sometimes we get so focused on our own agendas and neglect to be the witnesses of Christ that we want to be. We harden our hearts and take sides. We stop listening. This is what Jesus describes as what can happen– even in families. We fight against one another. We forget to put God first in our lives. We pick tweedle beetle battles.
And yet, Jesus loves us anyway. For Jesus has come to be our savior. That’s the baptism that Jesus is talking about in the Gospel. Jesus endured the shame of the cross – for our sake. Jesus has taken upon himself our sins, our transgressions, our foolishness. And has sent the Holy Spirit to fill your heart with grace for the other – for the one with whom you disagree – and to fill your heart with mercy for them and for you. And, Jesus has sent the Holy Spirit to fill you with faith.
Receive this gift of faith – it is given FOR YOU and wrapped with love. Thanks be to God. Amen.
Hebrews 11:29 - 12:2
29By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as if it were dry land, but when the Egyptians attempted to do so they were drowned. 30By faith the walls of Jericho fell after they had been encircled for seven days.31By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had received the spies in peace.
32And what more should I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets— 33who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, 34quenched raging fire, escaped the edge of the sword, won strength out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. 35Women received their dead by resurrection. Others were tortured, refusing to accept release, in order to obtain a better resurrection. 36Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. 37They were stoned to death, they were sawn in two, they were killed by the sword; they went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, persecuted, tormented— 38of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground. 39Yet all these, though they were commended for their faith, did not receive what was promised, 40since God had provided something better so that they would not, apart from us, be made perfect.
12Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us,2looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.
1 The Lutheran Study Bible Background p 1974
2Not original to her but as told by https://asermonforeverysunday.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Judy-Kincaid-10th-Sunday-after-Pentecost-8-14-2022.pdf
August 14, 2022 + Faith-Lilac Way Lutheran + Pastor Pam Stalheim Lane