Christ's Yes

Romans 10:8b-13

Luke 4:1-13

 “Christ’s Yes”

14 February 2106 St. Andrew’s Military Chapel Singapore

            Today we gather at the beginning of Lent, a time when we are called to self-reflection, penitence, and waiting for the horror of crucifixion, the shame of abandonment, and the joy of redemption through resurrection. In a season of the church’s calendar that can feel dark and foreboding, it can feel odd to seek out Scripture that shines light into that darkness. So, it is with that backdrop that the lectionary provides us with a passage from Romans that is full of hope and focuses us on the main thing, Christ and our profession of faith.

            It is doubly fitting that on Valentine’s Day we are able to read these passages that drip with the importance of Christ’s love for each of us and the sheer simplicity of how we can return that love followed by the love we are called to reflect back to the world. Because of Christ saying no to the world but saying yes to people, we can live in the hope of resurrection and look forward to Easter despite the season of Lent.

            From an early age, we are good at saying no. Especially to those who have some sort of control over our lives. How many times do we hear young children say no to their parents? How many times do we look for a reason to say no while we are at work instead of doing the extra work to answer yes? It’s our nature to say no to things that aren’t our idea or if someone is asking us to do something that may require a bit more effort on our part.

            When he was tempted by Satan, Jesus repeatedly took the path that would require much more work and which did not benefit him personally. He turned water into wine, so converting stone to bread wouldn’t have been a hard task. Plus, demonstrating that ability would pave the way for Christ to provide bread for the world. When Satan promised to hand over day to day control of the earth to Jesus, saying yes would have immediately put Christ’s justice and grace as the law of the land. Proving God’s protection by taking that leap would have shown everyone, including the religious elite that the messiah was truly here. Yet, Christ said no.

            Christ didn’t take the easy path, he took the right path. The one that looks scary and that may go straight up the mountain rather than the well-worn path of switchbacks. Christ responded to evil itself by choosing the long game in defeating his enemy knowing full well that saying no at that moment would result in persecution, misunderstandings, and ultimately an ugly death as a criminal on a cross. And in this no, he said yes to each of us despite our persistent no to his offers and demands.

            And maybe because of how hard choosing to say yes to Christ makes our lives, he doesn’t really ask much of us to join his movement. Had he said yes, everything would have been given to us and we never value those things given to us as much as that for which we have to exert some effort. Growing up, my allowance never meant as much to me as the money I earned mowing lawns or shoveling snow. I was grateful for the allowance, for it granted me trips to the movies, copious amounts of candy and baseball cards, and some responsibility. But, the money I make from my own effort means so much more and I take better care of that which I struggle to achieve.

Paul tells the church in Rome that we all need to do something for salvation. It isn’t much, but it allows us to own the grace that is there for the asking. We have to believe in Christ and confess that belief. Period.

The order doesn’t matter because sometimes we call out and confess Christ before we fully believe. I think of the man who looks at Christ and says, “I believe, help my unbelief.” Sometimes belief leads to confession. Nor does it really matter how we cry out to Jesus. Maybe we confess our belief because of some miraculous event that clearly demonstrates God’s presence in our lives. Other times our confession is us crying out to Jesus in pain.

Belief is internal and personal which leads to righteousness. Confession is a public act because we speak out a need of Christ in our life and publicly inviting Christ into our lives is a salvific act.

Both belief and confession are universal. The requirements Paul set forth two thousand years ago are the same today. There are no qualifiers to these requirements. In fact, Paul specifically states, “There is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all and is generous to all who call on him.” Any requirements we think we have heard to be welcomed into the kingdom are man made and not really requirements at all. Any requirement to join the Body of Christ that excludes people goes directly against this passage. Believe and Confess. Period.

Confession and belief is so simple, yet so hard. Our minds get in the way and prevent our cloud our ability to truly believe in Christ while our culture prevents people from confessing Christ. We can believe and never confess that belief while we can also confess and never truly believe. Some people get stuck between the two. And that is where the church comes in.

That is why Christ didn’t take the easy road. He needed the church to be the living memory and testimony to who he is. He needed us to be the beautiful feet that bring the good news. Once we are part of the family, our job is far from over. We are called to seek others out and invite them into the fold. We are called to bring good news to the poor, the tired, the hungry, the oppressed, the prisoner, the sick, the outcast, the forgotten, the lonely, the empty, everyone who is crying out to Christ. (Play Video)

We, the church, are called to be the ones listening for people crying out to Jesus. When people call out to Jesus we are called to answer for Christ works through us to proclaim the Gospel. This Lent, instead of giving something up, let us instead work to be the light in a world of darkness. Let us be where people come to find grace and forgiveness in a harsh and uncaring world.