May 29, 2016 - Second Sunday after Pentecost - The "All Are Worthy" Gospel

There was more to last Sunday's worship than the music.

Pastor Michelle's sermon this week was titled "All Are Worthy" which revolves around today's Gospel Lesson - Luke 7:1-10.

She began with the story of how someone was inspired to become a pastor that resonated with many members of the congregation who, I mentioned last week, were in the midst of their own personal transitions.  This story and his words, that Pastor Michelle quoted, also spoke to the congregation as a whole, in the midst of the corporate time of transition we are in.

There was a turning point in his life where he was called from being an alcoholic living on the streets to becoming a pastor.  He summarized what he had learned of life and faith later when he said "I've learned not to ask 'Why me, Lord?...'  Now instead  ask, "What's next Lord?  What's next?..."

These words astonished Pastor Michelle.  She observed that great faith can be shown after incredible suffering

Certainly that is true and I believe there are other reasons "All Are Worthy" speaks to and perfectly fits today's Gospel. In this story everyone described has an expansive view of worthiness.  There might have been a very different ending without everyone acting from an "All Are Worthy" premise.  The centurion highly values his slave who is close to death.  This causes him to initially act instead of only being sympathetic to the slave's plight.

In the past the centurion has also demonstrated how much he values the Jewish people by helping to build their synagogue. As a result, the Jewish elders consider the centurion worthy enough to approach Jesus on his behalf.  Jesus honors the elders request by going with them.  The centurion, once again, shows his sensitivity and how much he values Jesus and the Jewish elders by stopping them before they enter his house.

There is so much that is illuminating and essential in each penetrating detail of this passage, right down to the final detail that it is a group, the centurion's friends, that were sent out to Jesus that together discover the save is in good health rather than an individual. 

There is much more than the centurion's knowledge of authority that is astonishing in this story of a community that cares for one another.