Sunday's Message - Fellow Immigrants

As disciples of Jesus, we've been called to follow him by claiming his example and learning from his teachings. From June to October, we're going to focus on the Gospel of Mark so that we might better understand how we might follow our Savior and live as his community. 

During the following twenty Sundays, the message will apply following passages:

June 6, 2021 - Mark 3:20-35

June 13, 2021 - Mark 4:26-34

June 20, 2021 - Mark 4:35-41

June 27, 2021 - Mark 5:21-43

July 4, 2021 - Mark 6:1-13

July 11, 2021 - Mark 6:14-29

July 18, 2021 - Mark 6:30-34, 53-56

July 25, 2021 - Mark 7:14-23

August 1, 2021 - Mark 7:24-37

August 8, 2021 - Mark 8:27-38

August 15, 2021 - Mark 9:30-37

August 22, 2021 - Mark 9:38-50

August 29, 2021 - Mark 10:2-16

September 5, 2021 - Mark 10:17-31

September 12, 2021 - Mark 10:35-45

September 19, 2021 - Mark 10:46-52

September 26, 2021 - Mark 12:28-34

October 3, 2021 - Mark 12:38-44

October 10, 2021 - Mark 13:1-8

October 17, 2021 - Mark 13:24-26, 32-36

On Sunday, July 4, 2021, we looked at Mark 6:1-13. The passage, the message and the podcast is below:

Mark 6:1-13

Jesus left and returned to his hometown with his disciples. The next Sabbath he taught in the Jewish meeting place. Many of the people who heard him were amazed and asked, “How can he do all this? Where did he get such wisdom and the power to work these miracles? Isn’t he the carpenter, the son of Mary? Aren’t James, Joseph, Judas, and Simon his brothers? Don’t his sisters still live here in our town?” The people were very unhappy because of what he was doing.

But Jesus said, “Prophets are honored by everyone, except the people of their hometown and their relatives and their own family.” Jesus could not work any miracles there, except to heal a few sick people by placing his hands on them. He was surprised that the people did not have any faith.

Jesus taught in all the neighboring villages. Then he called together his twelve apostles and sent them out two by two with power over evil spirits. He told them, “You may take along a walking stick. But don’t carry food or a traveling bag or any money. It’s all right to wear sandals, but don’t take along a change of clothes. When you are welcomed into a home, stay there until you leave that town. If any place won’t welcome you or listen to your message, leave and shake the dust from your feet as a warning to them.”

The apostles left and started telling everyone to turn to God. They forced out many demons and healed a lot of sick people by putting olive oil on them.

Fellow Immigrants

Well, today is the Fourth of July, our celebration of independence, a special day for most Americans, and not just because on this one day we can eat as many hot dogs and hamburgers and as much potato salad and baked beans as we want and never gain a pound. In fact, I think that’s in The Constitution, right after how Congress can establish post roads and right before this stuff about the “progress of science and useful arts.” Of course, if you don’t have a copy on you, well, you’ll just have to trust me on that. But be-that-as-it-may, today is and should be a big deal, because it’s really our national birthday. I mean, as almost everyone knows, on July 4th, the Declaration of Independence was official signed, which really started something that’s continued for almost two hundred and fifty years. But, like I said, most of us know that.

What we may not know about is the role immigrants played in getting and securing our independence. For example, and I didn’t know this, of the fifty-six men who signed the Declaration, eight were born outside what would become the United States. And seven of the thirty-nine men who signed the Constitution weren’t native born. But that’s not all. A third of the original Supreme Court and four of the first six Treasury Secretaries were immigrants, and that includes Alexander Hamilton, the guy on the $10 bill. Let’s just say, a lot of our founding fathers weren’t from the place they founded. 

And I’ll tell you, when I saw this, well, it kind of surprised me, especially considering how tough it is to be an immigrant. I know, in my family, my great-grandfather came over from Austria some time around the turn of the 20th century. And although my family never really talked all that much about it when I was growing up, you see, he died before my dad was even born, I have a hard time even imagining what it was like leaving behind your identity and your security in order to do go to a strange, new place where, unlike Cheers, nobody knows your name. In fact, for my great-grandfather, when he got off the boat and they recorded his name, it was without both the “von” that came before “Rudiger” and the umlaut over the “u.” In a sense, he gave up everything, with the hope that in this new place he’d find something, you know, maybe a sense of community or a source of direction he didn’t have in the Old Country. 

And you know, I believe that same sort of thing applies to us when we make the decision to trust in Jesus and to develop a faith that’s active, you know, like we talked about last week, one that’s focused and courageous and open. In other words, as we live out what we believe and try to follow the example and the words of Jesus, I think we have some very fundamental things in common with immigrants then and now. You see, when we make those decisions, we’re probably going to be giving up some things that may be pretty important, while at the same time gaining some other things that can really help us as we move into the future. And that’s what we’re going to talk about this morning. And I’ll tell you, I think we see this loss and gain in the passage we just read from Mark.

For example, I believe that becoming a disciple involves giving up two things that my great grandfather surrendered as soon as he got on the boat. I mean, first, like immigrants, following Jesus means giving up that old source of identity. In other words, how we see ourselves but maybe more important how we’re seen by others changes. And let’s face it, that certainly happened when Jesus went back to his hometown. His identity had changed. I mean, even though the people who’d seen him grow up were amazed by his teaching and his power, it didn’t take them long to start saying among themselves, “Isn’t he the carpenter, the son of Mary? Aren’t James, Joseph, Judas, and Simon his brothers? Don’t his sisters still live here in our town?” [Mark 6:3a, CEV] And what was the result? “The people were very unhappy because of what he was doing. But Jesus said, ‘Prophets are honored by everyone, except the people of their hometown and their relatives and their own family.’” [Mark 6:3b-4, CEV] You see, because of the choice he made to do the will of his father, Jesus was no longer one of them; he’d lost his identity. 

And I’ll tell you, when we make the same decision and then act on it, man, the same thing can happen to us. Our identity changes. And that just makes sense. I mean, once we’ve decide to follow Jesus Christ and adopt his values and perspective, how in heaven’s name are we going to fit into a world that expects folks to look after number one and that believes that love is something felt, not done and that seems to see nothing wrong with using God to justify opinions and desires rather than to challenge attitudes and actions? In fact, the minute we put loving God and loving others above loving self, I think we’ve done what Paul told the Romans to do: “Don’t be like the people of this world, but let God change the way you think. Then you will know how to do everything that is good and pleasing to him.” [Romans 12:2, CEV] You see, following Jesus means giving up a very comfortable identity, and that’s one thing we share with immigrants.

And second, just like them, it also means surrendering the old source of security. Put another way, a lot of the stuff that we count on to make us feel safe and protected, you know, like money and possessions, well, that’s something else we may have to give up. And I’ll tell you, that’s exactly what Jesus told his apostles that they were expected to do when he sent them out. Remember he said, “You may take along a walking stick. But don’t carry food or a traveling bag or any money. It’s all right to wear sandals, but don’t take along a change of clothes. When you are welcomed into a home, stay there until you leave that town. If any place won’t welcome you or listen to your message, leave and shake the dust from your feet as a warning to them.” [Mark 6:8b-11, CEV] You see, Jesus challenged them to give up some of the stuff that made them feel secure. 

And I’ll tell you, he does the same thing for us. And you know, that’s something else that just makes sense. I mean, if we trust our bank balance and credit rating, our current health and income, our ability to win friends and to influence people, if that’s the focus of our trust, God has to be secondary, you know, less important than who we are and what we have. And that’s why, when our focus shifts, some of those things that we expected to make us feel secure, man, we may have to let them go. And so, like most immigrants understand when they leave their homes, following Jesus may mean giving up that old source of identity and security.

But like I said a little while ago, moving from the old world into new, well, it’s not just about lost. Immigrants also gain something. And I’ll tell you, that also applies to us as we make our spiritual move. You see, just like there are two things we may need to give up when we decide to follow Jesus, I also believe we receive two things that more than compensate. For example, first, like it is with immigrants coming to a new land, following Jesus means gaining a new source of  community. And if you want to know what that is, just look around. You see, although God has called us to step away from some places and activities and attitudes that shaped our old identity, he hasn’t left us to wander around, lost in a wilderness. Instead, he’s led us into a new community, a kind of family where we can not only receive help and support when we need it, but also find and refine our own talents and abilities so that we can help and support others. And I think this was what the Apostle Paul had in mind when he wrote this, again to the Romans: Be sincere in your love for others. Hate everything that is evil and hold tight to everything that is good. Love each other as brothers and sisters and honor others more than you do yourself. Never give up. Eagerly follow the Holy Spirit and serve the Lord. Let your hope make you glad. Be patient in time of trouble and never stop praying. Take care of God’s needy people and welcome strangers into your home. [Romans 12:9-13, CEV] Now this is the kind of community, the kind of family we’re called to be. 

And I’ll tell you, given the problems Jesus encountered with his hometown family and friends, it’s really not surprising that in a passage we looked at a few weeks ago this happened: 

Jesus’ mother and brothers came and stood outside. Then they sent someone with a message for him to come out to them. The crowd that was sitting around Jesus told him, “Your mother and your brothers and sisters are outside and want to see you.”

Jesus asked, “Who is my mother and who are my brothers?” Then he looked at the people sitting around him and said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. Anyone who obeys God is my brother or sister or mother.” [Mark 3:31-35, CEV] 

You see, while we may have to give up our old source of identity, following Jesus offers a new source of community. That’s one.

And second, just like immigrants who have the courage to enter a new world, for us, following Jesus means gaining a new source of direction, a new motivation to move forward and to do the work we’ve been called to do. In other words, we have a new purpose that enables us to leave the past behind as we move into the future. And I’ll tell you, if we have any question about that is, just listen to the last words Jesus said to his disciples: I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth! Go to the people of all nations and make them my disciples. Baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and teach them to do everything I have told you. I will be with you always, even until the end of the world. [Matthew 28:18b-20, CEV] Now, that’s what he said. We’re called to be disciple-makers. And how can we do this? Again, listen to Jesus, this time from the Gospel of John: But I am giving you a new command. You must love each other, just as I have loved you. If you love each other, everyone will know that you are my disciples. [John 13:34-35, CEV] And so we have our direction; we understand what we’ve been called to do; and we know our purpose. You see, by showing love to others, by sharing with them the good news of mercy and grace and by treating them with compassion and kindness, we can disciple the world around us. 

And I’ll tell you, I think that’s exactly what Jesus challenged his apostles to be and to do, when he sent them out and “[they] left and started telling everyone to turn to God. They forced out many demons and healed a lot of sick people by putting olive oil on them.” [Mark 6:12-13, CEV] You see, even though we may have to give up that old, self-centered source of security, we’ll be gaining a new source of direction and purpose.

Now I don’t know what y’all are going to be doing to celebrate Independence Day. But regardless of what y’all do, let me encourage you to remember those who took a risk in order to win our freedom, and in particular all those immigrants who did so much for a country that wasn’t even theirs. In a sense, they gave up an awful lot, but they did it so that they and we could gain so much more. But then, isn’t that what immigrants do? And as we think about them, let’s apply their experiences to ourselves, and remember that following Jesus means giving up our old source of identity and security. But it’s through that loss that we gain a new source of community and a new source of direction. And I’ll tell you, I think this is something that we can both understand and claim the minute we see ourselves as fellow immigrants.