Scripture: Mark 11:12-19
Message: Holy Rage: Following Christ’s Example
This week our student minister, Soo Laski, will take her faith and call to the pulpit and preach for us! Here’s what she has to say about what to expect…
“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you: Do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also, and if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, give your coat as well, and if anyone forces you to go one mile, go also the second mile. Give to the one who asks of you, and do not refuse anyone who wants to borrow from you.
This passage on retaliation comes from The Beatitudes in Matthew 5. The first time I read this passage, I took it to mean, being passive and being willing to suffer. And there are certainly parts of the bible that encourage us as Christ’s followers to endure suffering on Earth for the sake of our belief in Jesus. One of the most well-known examples of this comes from Jesus who said that there is no greater gift than to lay one’s life down for your friends. However, if we look at the passage from Matthew 5 again, it is not about being passive, but it is an intentional response using nonviolence. Jesus spent a good part of his ministry associating with,, eating, healing, and hanging out with people who were and still are on the margins of society. At the same time, some of Jesus’ harshest criticisms were directed at the religious leaders, the exact people who were given privilege and authority, and were expected to uphold God’s law. Even Jesus got angry and demonstrated rage at the injustices he witnessed. So as followers of Jesus, we too can get in touch with our rage, but like Jesus when he was on the cross, let’s use that rage to fuel a nonviolent response to call out the injustices we see around us.
We will be looking at Cole Authur Riley’s chapter on “Rage” from This Here Flesh.
See you on Sunday!
Peace,
Cheryl
Music:
Prelude: “Rondino in A Minor” Jean Philippe Rameau
Anthem: “Hold to God’s Unchanging Hand” Franklin Eiland
Meditation: “Boureé in E Minor” J. S. Bach
Postlude: “Intonation and Versets” Giacomo Carissimi