Walking in Darkness - Matthew 4 - Epiphany 3A

Walking in Darkness

Tony E Hansen

Sermon based upon Isaiah 9:1-4, Psalm 27, Matthew 4: 12-23

Opening prayer

Lately, I have been trying to think of ways that I can help folks that are definitely in the crosshairs of an administration that is bent on injustice and revenge.

I could sit idly by and watch things unfold because they don’t yet affect me personally. Still, what happens when they do?

Jesus learns of John getting arrested, and then turns to proclaim the same verse that John uses from Isaiah. Jesus didn’t just cry and turn away, but instead begins his own ministry that is going to make plenty of anxious people nervous as well as plenty of people healed.  Jesus became the light and carried the torch that John held. 

Throughout our lives, we see all kinds of people walk in darkness. They may have met Jesus; may have prayed to Jesus; may have offered souls to Jesus. Yet, the darkness persists; many walk in darkness despite seeing a great light. 

People often choose to walk in darkness because it is familiar and mistakenly safe. What is safe about walking in darkness? Safety is not the point of following Christ even. Familiar is not the point of following Christ. 

Many have given their lives following Christ, and we cannot underestimate that cost. We cannot sweep that under the rug or be like a lonely penny that was forgotten between the couch cushions. We cannot follow Christ and think that all is going to be well. For Christ tells us to reach out and to speak up against injustice, tyranny and falsehoods. For Christ knows what kind of suffering there can be for speaking out against injustice and speaking for a God that forgives. Look at the cross!

That means we cannot just sit on the sidelines or watch from the cheap seats of the stadium.  The game, if you will, involves our neighbors, our friends, and our family. That means we cannot just watch as bystanders to do nothing about the injustices that are taking place. 

We cannot just simply wish it away. Even more, soon enough, it will come knocking on our doors.

We, therefore, have to reach into our faith for strength and help those who are fighting for us and with us. 

As one commentator mentions, we don’t have to be the face of the fight, but we can help those who are there - delivering hot chocolate and coffee. We can be ones who provide assistance so those who choose to be the face have our actual support - beyond just hopes and prayers.

Otherwise, we sit on the sidelines - in darkness waiting for a light - waiting for “deliverance” that has already been offered.  

Yet, God has delivered us and given us light along with a mission, a call. A call to be something more than nothing, to be more than empty, to be more than slaves to material and computer systems.

“Repent for the kingdom has come near… Follow me and I will make you fisher of people.”  What is your answer?

Sit on the sidelines or in the stadium, heckle and do nothing? That isn’t what Christians are called to do.  This isn’t a football match, a sports ball moment, where people might go home a little disappointed because their team didn’t win.

Brene Brown says that “if you are not in the arena getting [butt] kicked on occasion, I am not interested in or open to your feedback. There are a million cheap seats in the world today filled with people who will never be brave with their own lives but will spend every ounce of energy they have hurling advice and judgement at those of us trying to dare greatly.”  

She goes on to lament people with criticism and cynicisms that have the effect of doing nothing to help those who are trying. Hecklers are not brave or daring nor are they helpful.

This is life, and we as Christians, this calling from God reveals to us our purpose. A purpose that is not silent in the face of injustices, murders and over-reaching government. Our purpose is to get in the arena and yes your butt might get kicked a bit. When we are not silent, we are doing the work Jesus laid out for us. 

Then is when you see the light. Not just as a metaphor but reality that brings God into your being and your way of thinking - because God reveals to us and for us.

We need to see the light made for us and through that light have courage in our faith to speak up. 

We then have courage to say we are truly followers of Christ.  

If the Lord is your light and salvation, why do you fear? Because this world has people and many don’t reveal God’s promise to us. 

Why should you be different?

Safety? How safe will you be when you are the last one left? 

The Lord will deliver and the Psalms tell this.  If you are looking for encouragement, look in these many verses because people have questions, whined, and even got mad at God for what is happening in their life journeys. Yet, when we talk to God, when we make space for God to work, they and we can find refuge and salvation in our faith that God does, in deed, help us and guide us.

Let us not continue to walk in darkness, not be on the sidelines, not in the cheap seats hurling vicious nothings. Let us be the work of God in our community and in our lives so that people witness the good of God and justice of God before an insatiable government and destructive ego.

Be the face of justice, empathy, and love that God wants you to be. Repent and See the light!

Thanks Be to God