Grace to you and peace from God our Father and from our Lord
and Savior Jesus Christ. The text is Amos 7: 7-15.*
I was watching a TV show the other night where one of the
characters was going to Africa for a safari. They were on the hunt for the Big
Five: elephant, Cape buffalo, rhino, leopard, and lion. If I were a hunter
going on African safari, I want a gun as big as a howitzer. This character –
and I use that word in a dual purpose – this character was taking a Canon,
alright, but it was a camera, not a gun. It was a photo safari. No thanks. If I
am in the same area as animals so big they can turn me into meatloaf, I want firepower.
I want something that goes boom not click. Have you ever gotten a close-up look
at a lion? He's got those big paws and sharp teeth and when he looks at you, he
looks at you like dinner. They’re impressive beasts in the zoo, but face to
face in the savannah of Africa? No thanks. I want to keep the lion at arms
distance in the cage.[1]
This is what the King Jeroboam, and his priest Amaziah want
to do. They want to keep The Lion in the cage. The book of Amos is about God as
a Roaring Lion. God has called an unlikely prophet, Amos (previously a shepherd
and a vinedresser) to be his voice and roar out with charges against the people
of Israel, and especially the King Jeroboam.
God gives Amos the vision of the plumb line. He standing
beside the wall which is Israel and the wall is all out of kilter. The people
of Israel have strayed from who God wants them to be and how he wants them to
be his people. Corrupt judges rule among the people. They are easily bribed.
The poor go without what they need. Immorality of all kinds is rampant. So God
roars against Israel. The people are worshiping false gods. High places have
been set up for the gods of the Canaanites. And the King Jeroboam, he forgot
who is really in charge. Israel was not like the other nations. The King was
not supreme, it was to be God. So, God says. You will not escape my justice. I
have warned you before. This time destruction is coming. The sword will be
raised against the King. God is no small voice here. He's no tame kitty cat.
The Lion is coming out of the cage.
But Amos is inviting God's people to be God's people and to
live in a different way, God's way. If you're tired of the way things are you
are invited you to a new way of life. Where everything is backwards and upside
down the last are first and first are last. Where the poor are blessed and
mighty ones are cast down. This is the same kingdom that Jesus proclaims when
he comes. He says "the kingdom of God is at hand."
Jesus in his life, death, and resurrection brings about this
radical kingdom. Amos is talking about Jesus here and the new life that he
brings through the forgiveness of sins.
King Jereboam and his priest Amaziah want to keep the cat in
the cage. They don't like what Amos is preaching. They see the prophet as a
troublemaker. They're not going to change their ways. They can't believe that
Amos' words were God's words. So, Amaziah warns Amos, "Shut up, pack up, and
saddle up. Get out of town and don’t come back."
Stephen Crane – you probably know him as the author of THE
RED BADGE OF COURAGE - wrote this poem titled, “In the Desert.”
In the desert
I saw a creature, naked, bestial,
Who, squatting upon the ground,
Held his heart in his hands,
And ate of it.
I saw a creature, naked, bestial,
Who, squatting upon the ground,
Held his heart in his hands,
And ate of it.
I said, "Is
it good, friend?"
"It is bitter - bitter," he answered;
"But I like it
Because it is bitter,
And because it is my heart."
"It is bitter - bitter," he answered;
"But I like it
Because it is bitter,
And because it is my heart."
I feel that way about the prophet Amos. I love it because,
in many ways, it is bitterly painful to read over and against our modern American
Christian mindset. Yet and still, I love it because it is the Word of the Lord
and it speaks the Word to my heart.
Much like Israel in the time of Amos, God's word stands
against us and accuses us of these very things. We care more for ourselves than
the poor. We set up our false gods of our money and our family and our security
and our country. We sit quietly in our churches all neighbors all around us go
without hearing God's word forgiveness for them in Jesus Christ. And while they
suffer under the load of the problems of the world. Amos invites us too, to a
way of life that is radically different. A life where the first are last and the
last are first. A life where we live for others instead of for ourselves. And
sometimes we even tell God to get out. "I don't want to hear your word
against me."
Amos refuses to give in. God's word must be heard. He stands
in a long line of prophets, Moses and Daniel and Elijah and Elisha and Isaiah
and of course he stands before the great prophet Jesus. Jesus is the end-all of
all the prophets who stand before the high priest and make the good confession.
He does that. He calls everyone into a new life in him, a new life in God the
father. A radical life where forgiveness reigns. A radical life that is lived
for the sake of others. A new life that he, God himself in human flesh, brings.
They couldn't believe that Jesus was God in the flash come to speak his word
directly to them. Jesus told them so and they killed him for it.
But in Jesus death on the cross forgiveness of sins is made.
He suffers and dies for all the selfishness of the world. Because of his
sacrifice we can live a life that is radically different. Through faith in
Jesus life death and resurrection we have forgiveness of sins. We have a right
relationship with God. Our sins are forgiven, we need not be concerned about
our relationship to him. We can live that radical life where we put ourselves
last and others first. Where we show God's mercy and love in time of need. And
even more so, proclaim the forgiveness of sins in the cross of Jesus Christ for
all people. This is the victory won for us by the Lion of the tribe of Judah.
This is the new radical way of life we are called to through Holy Baptism, our
connection to Jesus Christ and his life his death and his resurrection for us.
Amos, like the prophets before and after him, stands to make
the good confession. He speaks God's word to the needy and dying world. He says
what must be said. Sinful people deserve God's anger and wrath and punishment.
But God is gracious and merciful slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
Repent and believe in God's forgiveness.
We stand here in the Valley of Mission – El valle de la mission - and are called
to make the same confession. Here we are called by God's Word to bring God's
love and mercy to this community where God has placed us.
What does the mission of Zion look like in this community? How
do we, as a congregation, take the Good News of Jesus and put skin and bones to
that message and carry it into our community? We collect foodstuffs for VCAM –
Victoria Christian Assistance Ministries. This is good. But, it’s time we seek
a more active way to enflesh the Gospel to those who aren’t part of Zion. We
speak of stewardship and usually think of money. But, using our gifts of time
and ability are equally important – perhaps more important. It’s easy to write
a check and think someone else can do the work of putting that to use. Let’s use
our time and ability for the sake of the Gospel.
When I came to visit a year ago, y’all told me about
Victoria’s large homeless population. Do you see these people? They aren’t homeless. They are people who do not have a home. There
is a difference in how you think about them. Homeless is a characterization.
People who are homeless are bodies and souls who need the love of Jesus given
to them.
Volunteer on the 4th Saturday at Christ’s Kitchen.
Zion is the church sponsor that day, but our presence is pretty slim. Spend an
hour – roll silverware, prep and buss tables, make a salad, help chop onions, scoop
ice for drinks, or simply visit with folks. You might meet someone like Richard
– he calls himself “Silky” – who told me the only time he knows he will get a
handshake is when he eats there. And, if you’re comfortable, add a blessing or
prayer, a word of encouragement. Let them see Jesus in you and hear of Jesus from
you. Volunteer at VCAM – help distribute food, clothes, and other essentials to
people who need a helping hand. Folks, these people are part of the body of
Christ as well. If your heart is inclined to help unwed mothers, and by
extension, children who are at risk, the House of Palms is a relatively new
program for Victoria area high school juniors and seniors who have become
pregnant and don’t have family support. If you know my story, you understand why
this one is especially close to myheart. I am happy to help connect you with
any of these three important mission ministries in this community and I
encourage you to be involved.
You are equipped to do this work. But this is exactly why we
gather isn't it? We gather to hear of God's grace and mercy to us, to fill us
for this work. You receive in word and water and bread and wine God's forgiveness
that frees your conscience. You are enabled by the Spirit of God to use your
voice, hands and feet for service in the name of Jesus. We are the body of
Christ. We are here to bear one another's burdens. Jesus makes it so in his
presence through the work of the Holy Spirit. Martin Luther said about the
Lord's supper, "When you go to the sacrament you lay your burden on Christ
and the community gathered. When you leave you pick up the burdens of one
another and so fulfill the love of Christ." (Martin Luther via Rev.
Matthew Harrison). It is the wonder of that gift that enables us to bear the
burdens of the community around us. To show God's mercy in their deepest need.
And especially to bring them the Good News about the forgiveness of sins one
through Jesus Christ on the cross. Amen.
* This sermon is based in part on a sermon series published by the Rev. Dr. Reed Lessing entitled "Restore the Roar."
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