February 11, 2007

The Norwegian Lutheran Memorial Church
Pr. Per Inge Vik
February 11, 2007

Luke 6: 17-26 "Blessed or cursed?"

We are still in a time of the Church year that I appreciate very much: the Epiphany time. The core topic of these weeks after Christmas, and towards lent, is that Jesus shows us who God is. He is revealing his glory to us in different ways; to the crowd, and especially to his disciples.

Last Sunday, we heard about Jesus preaching at the Sea of Galilee, and about Peter’s adventurous catch of fish. Jesus thrilled the crowds with his speech, and then he showed who he was by asking Peter and the other fishermen to go out and put their nets into the deep water in full daylight. Against all logic, they caught a huge amount of fish. Then the text ended by Jesus challenging the fishermen to fish for people from now on. They left everything and followed him. They were the first disciples.

Jesus had a broad appeal, and the group of disciples grew. Seventy disciples is mentioned one place. But among his followers, Jesus selected an inner circle, consisting of 12 men. They were called apostles. Jesus chose them after a night that he spent in prayer to God. This, and the names of the 12 selected ones, are listed in the gospel according to Luke just before our text today.

The Bible story that we have read together, starts by telling that after this selection, Jesus and the twelve came down to a level place, and that people assembled around him in big crowds. They came to get help for their illnesses, and to hear him preach.

Luke lets us know that the crowd was very mixed. Some had come from Judea and Jerusalem, and these were Jews. But the rumors about this very special man had also reached the coastal areas to the north, around Tyre and Sidon. Now a good crowd also had come from there. They were not Jews, but Phoenicians and Syrians. Today these areas belong to Lebanon.

So the crowds were mixed and big, and Luke tells that all in the crowd were trying to touch him, for the power came out from him and healed all of them. We can imagine that the air was like electricity, and that many suffering people could turn back home healed after having met Jesus. We can easily think: Imagine that we had been there! Then it would be easy to believe! And those who are suffering of illness, can think: If I only were there, and could touch Jesus, I would get healed!

But let us follow that thought one more step: Imagine what a good time we live in now! And the reason for the good conditions we have today, is what Jesus has done to our forefathers and –mothers. That our culture through generations has been cleansed from possession and unclean spirits.

For example in Norwegian culture, the fear of "trolls" and different creatures people believed were hiding in the waterfalls or in a tree or other places in nature, was very dominating and hampering. But when the Gospel had its impact through some centuries, this gradually disappeared. Schools and hospitals were built. Medical science improved. People got education, and our circumstances improved little by little. So we ought to be grateful for the time and the society we live in.

In contrast to this: I know missionaries working in Africa, for example , in cultures where both possession and illness and poverty still flourish, and people are illiterate. But as Jesus’ witnesses proclaim His word, it happens just as Jesus said:

The gospel has a power to change. Sorrow turns to happiness. Poverty turns to wealth. Illness to health. Cursing to blessing. The word of Jesus has the same effect today as in the time he walked around on this earth. And still we need to "touch" Jesus, and get our sins forgiven.

But someone is needed to convey the forgiveness. And someone who is willing to be his hands, to do his deeds. And those who go abroad to do this, need support from us others.

We need to share the blessings we have been given, with our neighbor. So notice that Jesus today also says: Woe to you who are rich. Woe to you who are full now. Whom does he address here? We discussed this question during our Bible study in the Kirkestua last Tuesday. It is an important question, since are we not rich, most of us? And do we not eat till we are full every day? The time has come that we ask ourselves searching questions. Do we follow Christ in a radical way?

If our wealth is connected to our lack of sharing with others, then Jesus is calling out a woe to us! Are we allowed just to think of ourselves and our family? Is that an o k stewardship? If our full stomachs are a result of our not giving to those who have nothing, the time has come to make a change.

We know that it is possible to do something about the poverty in the world. Likewise is it possible to do something with the fact that peoples have not had the chance to hear the gospel. Today there are more channels than ever through which to send our help . I think one of the reasons why both the US and Norway as nations are so blessed, is according to the help that our nations have sent.

In Norway, the American Marshall Help after WW II is still remembered with gratitude. The need was tremendous, and there were problems with starting industrial production. Within 4 years, the Americans gave 13 billion Dollars as loan and gifts to 16 European countries. The countries bought machines and transport equipment, food for people and animals. The US itself was blessed by this! For the most part, the Europeans bought American products, and the American economy benefited from it.

Norway has traditionally been among the leading mission nations. As far as I am informed, only one country has sent more missionaries compared to its population than Norway. That is Ireland. Christian foreign mission has been a blessing to Norway: New friendship across borders, new knowledge, joy because of the growth of the kingdom of God etc. But none of us should boast.

Even so, to the same extent that we give, we are being blessed. The word blessed in the beatitude here, is "makarios" in Greek. Blessing is the deepest kind of happiness. Both as a congregation and as Christian persons, we know very well that the one who gives has a greater joy than the one who receives. When I read the annual reports for Mindekirken, and looked at the positive finances, then I thought: This congregation contains a lot of blessed members!

It is not all about money and material things. The most precious we have received from God, is the good news about forgiveness of our sins. We must share the gospel with our neighbors!

I have experienced that it is a great blessing for a congregation to take part in world missions. We do not get poorer by supporting mission projects in poor countries. We get much richer and healthier by sharing. Even, in the long term, it is absolutely necessary for surviving as Christians to share.

In Jesus’ homeland there is a lake called The Dead Sea. It got its name because no life can survive in it. The reason why The Dead Sea is dead, is that it only receives, but does not pass further. It has only inflow, and no outflow. Water comes into it, but no rivers go out. It lacks a through-current , which is needed for life.

It is the same for us human beings. We who have our portion of the blessings in Christ, let us remember that if we still are to have God’s blessing, it is necessary to share richly with others. To the glory of the Father and the Son and The Holy Spirit, one true God now and forever. Amen.

The Norwegian Lutheran Memorial Church ·  924 E. 21st St, Minneapolis, MN 55404-2952 ·  (612)874-0716