WESTMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
August 28, 2011
Rev. Mark R. Miller
Exodus 3:1-15
“Who Am I?”
Who is he? Who is this man who stands on the mountain talking to a burning bush? By training, he is an aristocrat. Taught at the finest schools he understood the ways of empire. He was part of the society where leadership was simply expected. But he was also the son of slaves which created an identity crisis.
We know the whole story, but Moses comes to terms with his conflicting identity in some unsettling ways. We do not know the day or when he knew, but one day he was confronted by the fact he had a secret. Moses had passed as the grandson of Pharaoh and he did not even know the privileges which had come to him at the expense of his own people. And when he found out the secret kept from him, he had to know. He had to know who he was and from where he had come.
So on one fateful day he saw firsthand what life could have been like for him. He crossed the tracks and came face to face with his identity. It was too much. So he struck out against the injustice by killing a taskmaster. This action cost him all his privilege. Once he was a prince and now he is an outlaw, not even able to find refuge among his own people. So Moses goes into exile.
But on this day, facing the burning bush, his days as a prince and a radical were long behind him. In fact, it was a lifetime ago. By all accounts Moses is now an old man. So when he sees the burning bush he has no clue its light will lead him back to Egypt.
I like to imagine the inner thoughts of Moses as he speaks with God. Imagine the relief, the deep thankfulness when Moses learns that God has heard the suffering and seen the misery. Finally, after all these years Moses knows the struggles for freedom are over. God is going to intervene. And maybe, just maybe, the internal struggle over identity and privilege that has plagued Moses all these years will come to an end. Moses can die a happy man.
This all comes in a moment that seems like a rather holy scene. Sandals are removed. There is a holy light. And, it all comes with the voice of God. It is a sight that could bring peace to our trouble souls. God hears the cries of those who suffer and God is going to act. That is welcome news for anyone who has struggled for justice. Now that God has things under control we can go back to tending our sheep and focusing on ourselves.
It is a powerful picture except for one small detail. The story is not finished. There is one small detail we have forgotten. God says, “So come, I will send YOU to Pharaoh to bring my people, the Israelites, out of Egypt.” While this passage comes all at once without a pause I like to believe there is just enough of a pause for Moses to move from joy at God’s action to dread that he is the one God has chosen. It turns out that the savior Moses was waiting for all along… was himself. Like the saying goes, it turns out that, “We are the ones we have been waiting for.”
God comes to Moses and shows him a future beyond the present suffering and slavery. And after receiving this powerful vision and calling, all Moses can say is, “Who am I?” It is at this point that the excuses begin to come. I am too old! My days as a leader are over. I can’t because of this… or that… or the other… “Who am I?”
God’s response is simple. It really is not about you and your skills. “I will be with you.” God says. I’ve got your back and that is all you need to know. It is a strange promise because the sign that Moses will receive that God is with him comes when everything is over. You will know I was with you when you get back here to this mountain. No promise of signs along the way. There will be no progress reports on God’s presence. God does not promise comfort or personal fulfillment or a life of ease. And with the promise of “I will be with you,” Moses protests further. What if these people don’t accept me? Once again, God makes it clear, it’s not about you. Tell them the story of Abraham and Sarah. Tell them I am the God who Joseph said would come back. It is clear that when God calls people to service it really is not about them.
This is a strange story to our modern sensibilities. God may choose you to serve because your gifts and skills match with the needs. However, if the bible is any indication of the way God works, calling to service often comes despite our inability and lack of skills. Who we are matters only in our willingness to say yes. “Who am I?” is no excuse for skipping out on the life of discipleship. Moses’ age, location, desires, and skills do not matter when God says, I am sending you.
In many ways, this is our story. We have not been called to liberate slaves from the empire, but we have been called to live out the vision of the beloved community in this place. We have been called to do this in one of the most segregated cities in our nation. Like Moses we are called to cross boundaries and speak to people we have been taught are not like us and might even want to do us harm. But we say, “Who are we?” And God says, “It is not about us and our skills, or our numbers, or our money.” God says, I need disciples and we say, “Who are we?” God is calling us to deeper faithfulness as disciples. God is calling us to be disciples and make disciples for just such a time as this.
And just like Moses we will respond, “who am I?” Who are we? We are all prone to this same response. I have my own “who am I?” What is yours? What is your “Who am I?” story? Is it that you think you are too old? Moses was in his eighties when he started this journey. Or maybe it is something else that is holding you back. What is your “Who am I?” What is it that is keeping you from deeper discipleship? Well, let me make clear what I mean when we talk about discipleship. It really is pretty simple to remember. The life of discipleship can be boiled down to three areas: Worship, Study, and Service. Each needs nurturing if we are to live faithfully as Jesus’ followers.
“Who am I?” will stand in the way if we let it. Westminster is moving forward toward this vision of the beloved community. There is no going back or stopping where we are or congratulating ourselves for where we are. We are just getting started. And, in order to make this journey we will need to remember that is not about us. “Who am I?” isn’t the issue. God says, “I will go with you.” You will not be alone. This is no joke friends. People are starving for the vision we have been shown. If not us, then who? If not now, then when? Who am I? Who are we? The good news is that it doesn’t matter… we have been called. Amen? Amen!
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Faithful Living in Broken Systems
WESTMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
August 21, 2011
Rev. Mark R. Miller
Exodus 1:8-2:10
“Faithful Living in Broken Systems”
Egypt was broken. Pharaoh’s greed knew no bounds. His appetite for power and control led to the demonization of the very labor force which kept the empire forging ahead. Blinded by greed and fear, Pharaoh began to unravel the social contract forged by previous generations. Joseph had helped to create the empire. By getting the Israelites to sell their land and finally themselves for food, Egypt had a built-in labor force. But having a whole race of people enslaved to build the empire was not enough. He wanted more.
Through the use of an elaborate propaganda machine, the magicians of Pharaoh went to work. These slaves were no longer a benign presence. Instead, they were waiting for the right moment to rise up, join our enemies, kill all the men, and take our Egyptian woman. As this myth worked its way through the Egyptian society, any policy of elimination and control, in the name of national security, could be put into effect. Or so Pharaoh thought.
The first stage in this new national security policy was through a couple of midwives. The king summons the two head midwives and orders the killing of all Hebrew boys. This order places the midwives in a difficult place. Shiprah and Puah are on the payroll of Pharaoh. Their livelihood is at stake if not their very lives. What are they to do? These two do what they have the power to do. Direct refusal will result in death. On top of this, if they are removed then Pharaoh may bring in someone else who might do the job Pharaoh demands. So as long as they work in this broken system they will work for justice.
Instead of breaking the law deliberately, they simply bring things to a halt through a work slowdown. If they are not there at the birth, they cannot be held responsible for killing on the birth stool. The midwives may have be there right after the birth, but late enough to give themselves plausible deniability. And what is the punishment for their illegal activity? They are not fired and God rewards them with families.
When Pharaoh cannot get the professionals to do his bidding, he turns to the population. By this time the myth that the Hebrews are a threat to national security is well known and internalized. So it is the duty of every Egyptian to seek out and destroy the baby boys who are Hebrews. If you see them, kill them. The life you save may be your own! But despite the best attempts to nationalize this policy, it turns out that not everyone falls for the propaganda of the powerful.
The first people to recognize the madness, the brokenness of this system are the midwives. Fortunately, they are not the only ones. I have heard what happens next as an anomaly, a once in a lifetime happening. It is as if Moses is the only baby miraculously saved from the systematic murder of children. A mother placed the child in a basket and was so distraught about what she was doing she sends her daughter to watch the child die by drowning in the river. But I do not think this is what is going on at all. Instead, I think we are watching a prime example of what people do when the systems meant to sustain us are broken. Let me explain.
I have come to believe that what we are watching was probably common, though the outcome was not always positive. Imagine if you will, a population stunned by the brutality of its government but unable to be openly defiant. What might happen? What if there were Egyptian people who did not buy the myth and wanted to make a difference in a broken system? Instead of becoming silent and distracting themselves, they formed networks of safe houses where Hebrew people could “leave” their baby boys. These homes would then raise the children as their own. Even though they could not change the policy, they could save the children. We might be seeing an ancient form of the Underground Railroad.
With this in mind, let us turn now to the story of Moses’ sister and the king’s daughter. What is miraculous about the story is to find out that even the daughter of the king is opposed to the policy. The risks to national security do seem so threatening when faced with the baby boy. The king’s daughter does not just stand against the policy she makes sure to pay the mother of the child for the privilege of nursing her own son. In return, this child has the protection of Pharaoh’s house. While it might not have been widespread, it was probably widespread enough to save more than a few Hebrew boys.
From the midwives, to the little Hebrew girl and even Pharaoh’s daughter, we have portraits of faithful living in broken systems. Instead of complaining or believing they had no power to make change, they stood up and figured out a way to make a difference. It is quite a contrast to the law abiding citizens who toss children into the river or the taskmasters who oversee the oppressive labor policies of the empire. At the end of the day, this story really is about us and for us. What do I mean?
Every age has its pharaohs, taskmasters, and citizens who hide behind the guise of, “I am just obeying the law,” even if the law is unjust. And every age has a daughter of pharaoh or midwives or young children who are unwilling to sit idly by as people suffer and die. And if we are honest with one another we can admit that our own systems are broken. Our own politicians use fear to maintain power and enrich themselves and those bankrolling their campaigns. The same question confronts us today as it did for those back in Egypt. Will we be agents of Pharaoh or will we seek to say no to the myths of our own age? Will we stop complaining and figure out ways to live faithfully in the broken systems of our time? This is the message of this passage. This is the message of our faith. Hope is not found out there. Hope is found when we can resist with all that we have. What system are you in that needs humanizing? Let this be your calling today. Find the courage and the power to bring life. Amen? Amen!
August 21, 2011
Rev. Mark R. Miller
Exodus 1:8-2:10
“Faithful Living in Broken Systems”
Egypt was broken. Pharaoh’s greed knew no bounds. His appetite for power and control led to the demonization of the very labor force which kept the empire forging ahead. Blinded by greed and fear, Pharaoh began to unravel the social contract forged by previous generations. Joseph had helped to create the empire. By getting the Israelites to sell their land and finally themselves for food, Egypt had a built-in labor force. But having a whole race of people enslaved to build the empire was not enough. He wanted more.
Through the use of an elaborate propaganda machine, the magicians of Pharaoh went to work. These slaves were no longer a benign presence. Instead, they were waiting for the right moment to rise up, join our enemies, kill all the men, and take our Egyptian woman. As this myth worked its way through the Egyptian society, any policy of elimination and control, in the name of national security, could be put into effect. Or so Pharaoh thought.
The first stage in this new national security policy was through a couple of midwives. The king summons the two head midwives and orders the killing of all Hebrew boys. This order places the midwives in a difficult place. Shiprah and Puah are on the payroll of Pharaoh. Their livelihood is at stake if not their very lives. What are they to do? These two do what they have the power to do. Direct refusal will result in death. On top of this, if they are removed then Pharaoh may bring in someone else who might do the job Pharaoh demands. So as long as they work in this broken system they will work for justice.
Instead of breaking the law deliberately, they simply bring things to a halt through a work slowdown. If they are not there at the birth, they cannot be held responsible for killing on the birth stool. The midwives may have be there right after the birth, but late enough to give themselves plausible deniability. And what is the punishment for their illegal activity? They are not fired and God rewards them with families.
When Pharaoh cannot get the professionals to do his bidding, he turns to the population. By this time the myth that the Hebrews are a threat to national security is well known and internalized. So it is the duty of every Egyptian to seek out and destroy the baby boys who are Hebrews. If you see them, kill them. The life you save may be your own! But despite the best attempts to nationalize this policy, it turns out that not everyone falls for the propaganda of the powerful.
The first people to recognize the madness, the brokenness of this system are the midwives. Fortunately, they are not the only ones. I have heard what happens next as an anomaly, a once in a lifetime happening. It is as if Moses is the only baby miraculously saved from the systematic murder of children. A mother placed the child in a basket and was so distraught about what she was doing she sends her daughter to watch the child die by drowning in the river. But I do not think this is what is going on at all. Instead, I think we are watching a prime example of what people do when the systems meant to sustain us are broken. Let me explain.
I have come to believe that what we are watching was probably common, though the outcome was not always positive. Imagine if you will, a population stunned by the brutality of its government but unable to be openly defiant. What might happen? What if there were Egyptian people who did not buy the myth and wanted to make a difference in a broken system? Instead of becoming silent and distracting themselves, they formed networks of safe houses where Hebrew people could “leave” their baby boys. These homes would then raise the children as their own. Even though they could not change the policy, they could save the children. We might be seeing an ancient form of the Underground Railroad.
With this in mind, let us turn now to the story of Moses’ sister and the king’s daughter. What is miraculous about the story is to find out that even the daughter of the king is opposed to the policy. The risks to national security do seem so threatening when faced with the baby boy. The king’s daughter does not just stand against the policy she makes sure to pay the mother of the child for the privilege of nursing her own son. In return, this child has the protection of Pharaoh’s house. While it might not have been widespread, it was probably widespread enough to save more than a few Hebrew boys.
From the midwives, to the little Hebrew girl and even Pharaoh’s daughter, we have portraits of faithful living in broken systems. Instead of complaining or believing they had no power to make change, they stood up and figured out a way to make a difference. It is quite a contrast to the law abiding citizens who toss children into the river or the taskmasters who oversee the oppressive labor policies of the empire. At the end of the day, this story really is about us and for us. What do I mean?
Every age has its pharaohs, taskmasters, and citizens who hide behind the guise of, “I am just obeying the law,” even if the law is unjust. And every age has a daughter of pharaoh or midwives or young children who are unwilling to sit idly by as people suffer and die. And if we are honest with one another we can admit that our own systems are broken. Our own politicians use fear to maintain power and enrich themselves and those bankrolling their campaigns. The same question confronts us today as it did for those back in Egypt. Will we be agents of Pharaoh or will we seek to say no to the myths of our own age? Will we stop complaining and figure out ways to live faithfully in the broken systems of our time? This is the message of this passage. This is the message of our faith. Hope is not found out there. Hope is found when we can resist with all that we have. What system are you in that needs humanizing? Let this be your calling today. Find the courage and the power to bring life. Amen? Amen!
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