NOTE: On Sunday, November 4th (All Saints Sunday) we had a guest preacher. Thus, the message shared here was given at Deer Lodge Centre on November 1st.

Two thieves barged into the room of an old man and demanded, “Show us all of your valuables. You might as well cooperate, there is no way you can stop us.”
“And I don’t want to stop you,” the old man said. “Here take what money I have and anything that you can use.”
Quickly the men went through the small room, taking what few items of value they could find. Just before they left one of the thieves opened the old man’s small closet and spotted a new shirt. He tore it off the hanger and threw it into his sack.
As the two men left the house the old man grabbed a box that lay on the floor and ran to the door. “I didn’t realize that you were interested in clothing,” he shouted. “Here, take the coat that I just purchased this afternoon. I am certain it will fit you.”
One of the thieves turned toward the old man and demanded, “Just what is your game, old man? Why are you offering me this coat?”
“I try as best I can to live by the commands of Christ,” the old man replied. “He told his followers not to resist those who are evil and that if someone takes your shirt to offer him your coat as well” (Matthew 5:39-40).
The two men listened with amazement to the simple words of the old man. Then, they carried all of the items they had stolen back into the house.
As they left, the first man whispered, “Pray for us, old man.”
The second one just shook his head and said, “I didn’t know there were any Christians left in this world.” (William R. White, Stories for the Journey, 1988: Augsburg Publishing House, p. 103)

There are those who would say that the old man is silly and naive for taking Jesus at his word like that. However, I look at this man and see somebody who has been set free. He is not hampered by attachments to earthly things that aren’t going to matter in the end. He is not consumed by anger or fear. His response to the thieves is one of love. He sees them as people in need for whom Christ died. In this man I see a person who knows what is most important in life, and who is at peace.

The gospel which we heard today from Luke (6:20-31) mentions a number of things that most people in this world would value. Most people would be happy to be rich and to have lots to eat and to be laughing and to have a good reputation. However, the gospel seems to suggest that maybe these things are not all that there is. According to the gospel, even people who are poor or hungry or weeping or even hated and persecuted for their faith can be blessed. The gospel teaches us that God has different priorities than the world does.

The world values revenge, yet Jesus teaches to turn the other cheek. The world values restitution, yet Jesus teaches not to worry about your goods if somebody takes them. The world values gimme, gimme, gimme and “what’s in it for me?,” yet Jesus teaches us to give. The world values fighting your enemies, yet Jesus teaches us to love them and pray for them. The world teaches, “Do to others before they do to you.” Yet, the Scriptures teach us to treat others the way that we would want to be treated ourselves.

Now, I am well aware that many people probably consider some of these teachings of Jesus to be for sissies. Yet, Jesus himself was anything but a sissy. It takes remarkable inner strength and composure to be flogged and mocked and crucified and to respond only with quiet faith and with compassion. Hatred and anger are easy. And the old man who met with the thieves in his house? – He showed that same inner strength and composure.

It is an inner strength and an inner peace that only comes from the Holy Spirit. This is the same Spirit who comes to all those who are baptized and believe in Jesus Christ. It is the same Spirit who sanctifies us and makes us saints. It is the same Spirit who gives to us the gifts of faith and hope and love. And the Spirit speaks to us through today’s gospel:

“But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again. Do to others as you would have them do to you.” (Lk. 6:27-31)

In this is freedom, and the inner peace that comes from Christ. Amen.

All Saints’ Day (C) Luke 6:20-31
November 1, 2007
Deer Lodge Centre
Pastor Lynne Hutchison Moore

© 2007 Lynne Hutchison Moore All Rights Reserved