Transformed!

when the final editors of the Hebrew scriptures made sure that the first story in the Bible, (Genesis 1, the story that we will hear next Sunday morning,)

was the one about God's transforming gift

of light and life and all of creation.

Each time we miss the point

or forget the point,

or ignore the point.

Each time we try to turn gifts into entitlements, things we deserve to receive.

We see that happening all the time in our attitude toward national social policies,

and so it shouldn't be a surprise that we try the same game on God.

“Look God, I've been to worship week after week for years,

I've given monetary offerings,

I've even helped with Bible School.

I deserve comfort and ease, now; please see that I get it, now.”

That doesn't work,

that never did work.

God sighs the deepest of sighs, and then speaks his way in person

onto the world stage.

The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, John reminds us,

and we beheld him, full of grace and truth.

From his fullness we have received, grace upon grace. [John1]

...and know that this means

....gift upon gift.

The disciples had walked with Jesus,

they had seen the momentous events of the trial and the crucifixion.

They had heard the reports of the women, and we'll guess that they had all gone to the tomb and had seen for themselves that it was empty.

But they are still wondering,

Is this resurrection have anything to do with me? with us?

Is this for real?

And so they huddle inconspicuously together in an upper room,

while they think about it.

God sighs once more,

and the breath of God is like the wind that we cannot capture but nonetheless has an effect on all those whom it touches.

Just as the medieval artist who designed the illustration on our bulletin cover today

has pictured God breathing the creation into life, so God at Pentecost breathes life and faith and boldness into those frightened and confused disciples.

We can see the effects but not capture the one who has done it.

We often wish for a dramatic scene such as the lesson describes:

if only we had a moment of clarity like they had...then we could get all fired-up and believing would be easy, and...and...

...and no, it wouldn't.

There were still those who turned away unconvinced, even on Pentecost.

“Those idiots are drunk at 9 AM!” they said.

It will always take a gift, a gift of faith, to move from observation to belief and action.

Of course there can be the dramatic moments, but for most people most of the time, it is a much more gradual process.

A little bit at a time, God is transforming us into what he would have us be.

The Pentecost event is continuing to happen.

Three days ago a person whom I did not know walked into my study and said:

“I have a question for you.

I haven't been going to church since I moved here, but I've been reading the Bible, and I find there that Baptism is necessary.

But what happens to all those who are not baptized?”

I said, “I'm not going to answer that question. It is not my worry.

Rather, I share in a task that Jesus has given to the church to 'Go into all the world and make disciples, baptizing them in the name of the Father Son and Holy Spirit, and teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.' [Matthew 28:16-20] When we get that job done completely, then we will have leisure to contemplate your question, which, if the job is done, at that point will be irrelevant.”

“You're after everyone, right now, then?”

“Yes, of course.”

“I'm not baptized.”

“Well then, consider this conversation a kick in the pants to you.

You have heard the story of Jesus, you've read God's Word, you know the example of others, so now is the time for action. Get going!”

That was a little bit of Pentecost happening right here in this building this week.

That was the Holy Spirit giving a shove to that person through me.

I didn't plan it, it just happened, in a matter of a minute.

What will happen with that person next?

I don't know, I may never know, but we are called to speak as the Spirit calls us, and the Spirit will take care of the results, and we can pray that a transformation is underway in that person and in each of us.

Because of the incarnation

Because of the resurrection

because of the gift of the Spirit

to the church

things are different.

Do you feel it right now?

Maybe, maybe not.

But that doesn't change its truth.

For God is breathing life into us at Pentecost, and it will make a difference.

We are being transformed,

quietly, a bit at a time,

or dramatically, all at once.

It is God's good gift to us,

because Christ is risen.

He is risen indeed. Amen.

Please note: The preceding sermon is provided as a resource for the thought, prayer, and meditation of the members and friends of St. Mark's. It is the residue of a verbal event, and thus it does not have academic footnotes and other details that would be expected in a written document. The writer gladly acknowledges the prior thought and work of many Christians before him.