The First Sunday in Lent

The First Sunday in Lent – February 29, 2004

Deuteronomy 26:1-11

When your family gathers, do you tell stories from the past? Perhaps it is a day like Easter or Thanksgiving. There you are, sitting at the dinner table after a lovely feast and the story telling begins.

My mother-in-law would tell us of her mother’s journey from the Ukraine section of Poland to the United States. Mary Wasnak was one of the many immigrants that came through Ellis Island at the turn of the twentieth century. Mary told of the fear that permeated the ship as they voyaged from Europe. Would you be able to walk up the steep and imposing stairs? It was one of the tests. You would not want to stumble or fall. If you did, the immigration officials might decide there is something wrong with you and send you back. So, Mary walked up those four flights of stairs to a new life, frightened, worried and being very careful not to stumble or fall. It took courage and strength to make that staircase journey. Mary’s strength still lives into this generation.

Through stories like these you realize that such moments of your family history have shaped your grandparents, your parents, you and even, now, your children.

Not only are we formed by the historical moments that are recited as family lore, we are also shaped by the stories that are not told. For example, I never heard dad ever speak of his father, my grandfather.

As an adult I managed to pick up the story. My grandfather died while my father was still in high school. My grandfather was an alcoholic and the disease took its toll on him and finally his life at a young age. It is a disease that affects not only the individual, but also those in relationship with them. Thus, my father never spoke of his father. It was too painful for dad to do that. And I know that what was not told has shaped every generation since.

There are other stories, very ancient stories that are family history for us and still continue to shape our lives. One of those stories comes to us from Deuteronomy this morning. It is the story to be recited as the people of Israel enter the promise land. At worship they are to remember that their ancestors lived a life of slavery in Egypt and were delivered by God from their slavery to freedom in the new land, a place flowing with milk and honey.

Israel used this creedal remembrance of the Exodus in their worship of God. They were thanking God for delivering them. Here is the grace of God at work for them and in response they gave “first fruit” gifts in thanksgiving to God.

While the Exodus is our family story, too, you and I know that the family story that forms and shapes us is the story of the cross. Central to our life together for generation after generation is the truth of the cross: There the grace of God came in Jesus of Nazareth and he died for our sin. The story, though, does not stop there. The story continues to the resurrection and new life. Thus, we are formed by the story, shaped people of the cross, forgiven and given new life.

This story is the central story of our lives. It forms us people of God who are given our identity and purpose through the story.

The cross gives us our identity because through the cross we are forgiven and restored people. In the cross we are made children of God and brothers and sisters in Christ. That is who we are.

The cross gives us our purpose as well. From the grace and forgiveness of the cross we become people called to tell the central story of faith: that God in Christ died that we may live forgiven. It is a simple story, one which bears telling around our tables.

Like the people of Israel we are tempted to forget that God has delivered us from slavery to sin. Like Israel we need to be reminded to give thanks to God. Perhaps, like the people of Israel, we need to be reminded to give to God “first fruits” in thanksgiving for having been delivered from our slavery.

“First fruits” giving is not about just meeting budgets or paying off loans. “First fruits” giving begins with faith that knows God has delivered us and all that we are and have is a gift from God. So, in return, we set aside a “first fruit” as a thanksgiving gift to God.

It is unfortunate that we have lost this blessed opportunity to give by focusing elsewhere. Too often we get distracted and possessions enslave us. Too often the things of the world become not ways of thanking God but ways to ensure a false sense of security for ourselves. We build kingdoms of things for ourselves.

One more story: Michelle was almost four when Allison was born. At that time Michelle had a friend, Virginia. They played together and had great times. The first visit Virginia made to our home after Allison’s birth, Michelle proudly took Virginia into the nursery to meet her baby sister. As they looked at Allison and talked, Virginia noticed that Michelle had assembled an assortment of toys she thought Allison should have. The toys were loving gifts of an older sister, though at the moment Allison was too young to enjoy them.

Then Virginia saw the “snow scene.” Michelle had been given one of those scenes where you turn it upside down and then upright and “snow” falls on the village. Virginia was very upset. You see, Virginia thought this was one of the neatest toys a person could have. She began to challenge Michelle, asking how Michelle could give away such a wonderful toy. Michelle stood her ground, telling Virginia how much she loved her new sister.

It was the next day that this scene between two little girls became significant. The door bell rang in the afternoon and friends who had been on vacation came to see us. They brought a gift for Michelle. Yes, the gift they brought was one of those snow scenes. I was stunned by blessing of the gift, and taught again how blessed we are when the things of the world are used for others and not for ourselves.

Perhaps this Lent as we examine our own lives we might ask how we do with “first fruit” gifts to God. Perhaps this Lent we need to ask ourselves how we do with telling and living the great story of the cross. And the good news is that as we find ourselves falling short we can use the words of Psalm 51, “Have mercy on me, O God, according to your lovingkindness; in your great compassion blot out my offenses. Wash me through and through from my sickness, and cleanse me from my sin.” And God does forgive and cleanse us. Amen.

Pastor Robert F. Holley