CELC The Fifth Sunday in Lent

The Fifth Sunday in Lent – March 28, 2004

Isaiah 43:16-21

Did you notice this week that the Supreme Court now has a case before it that may determine whether or not the words, “under God,” remain part of the Pledge of Allegiance? The case revolves around a father and his daughter. He does not want her to have to say the words “under God” when pledging allegiance to our marvelous nation. To this father making it mandatory to say these words is the government forcing belief in God on citizens. He does not believe and he objects.

This particular lawsuit might be upsetting to you. If you listen to people you will often hear that they locate the beginning of the moral decline of America to when prayer was taken out of school. It seems folks feel ending prayer in school resulted in the decay of our country. That was another upsetting lawsuit.

Actually, taking prayer out of school was probably the final sign that any pretence of this being a “Christian nation” had ended. Rather than being the beginning of decay, this action was a sign that the general culture is now antagonistic toward people of faith. The argument being presented to the Supreme Court is yet another signpost that this is a time typified by hostility toward people who believe in God.

So be upset about the lawsuit to take “under God” out of the pledge, but be upset because it is a sign of the antagonistic attitude of culture toward people who believe in God.

The fact you find yourself in a culture that is hostile toward you places you in the same kind of exile that the people of Israel experienced when Isaiah spoke God’s Word to them.

The opening of the first lesson today recounts how God moved with power and might in history to save the Israelites. The Exodus included the sea parted by God and the Egyptian armies defeated. The people of Israel are reminded of how God acted to save them.

This was an important word to Israel because they were listening to it as they found themselves in exile in Babylonia, a foreign land. They were ruled by a foreign King. They had been forced from their homes, from their land, and were now living in exile. It is not a good life and to hear God is with them and will save them is good news.

Only, Isaiah says they should forget the “former things.” Isaiah says that God wants them to forget the past and look to the future because God is doing something new. Listen again to God’s words: “I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?” God is saying pay attention; God will make a future for you, especially you who are in exile.

Isaiah says that this will mean a “way” in the wilderness for Israel. God will make the rough road smooth. Even more, God will give the desert rivers of water. You know that means the land will come to life with vegetation for the people. Even the wild animals will be converted to honoring God. It is a scene of transformation. God promises it and it comes to life for Israel as they return to their land, as they return from exile to Jerusalem.

God makes this promise of a “way” come to life for you in Jesus. You know that in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, promised life becomes flesh. Jesus himself says, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life.” (John 14:6) The One of the cross is the One who is the way of forgiveness and grace for you.

So, you need not fear the exile you live in this land. Folks will be antagonistic to people who believe in God. After the Supreme Court decides this latest lawsuit there will be others about other things. You already know the lawsuits about Nativity scenes on public property. So, you know there will be other lawsuits as you live in exile.

The good news, the reassuring news, is that God will be about doing a new thing today, tomorrow and the next day and every day after that.

What will God do? Only God knows. You could make guesses and you know it will be about life and forgiveness and grace. Specifics, though, you don’t really know. You only know that God has acted powerfully and with love in the past and will continue to act that way today and in our future.

Meanwhile spend this time in Lent repenting of all the schemes you conceive of to control what God will do. Repent of that need to tell God what needs to done. Repent of that need to have control and let God be about making new things.

It is not easy to trust God so completely that you quit writing the agenda for God. It is hard to trust God. God has, though, time and again done new things. Let God be God; let God be about the new things.

You see Lent is not just about giving up things. Lent is about letting new things into our lives, especially the new things God is about now.

May God be praised! Amen.

Pastor Robert F. Holley