Scripture: Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23

Script

Pastor: Good morning boys and girls! Welcome! Let’s say good morning to our friend Sammy and see if she is there. Ready? One, two, three: Good morning, Sammy!

Sammy: Good morning, everyone!

Pastor: Boys and girls, what are some of the things you have to do before you eat your food?

[Allow time for responses]

Pastor: In my house, we wash our fruits and vegetables before we eat them. We also wash our hands before we eat. Does anyone else here wash your hands before you eat?

Sammy: Boys and girls, why do you wash your hands before you eat?

[Allow time for responses]

Sammy: Oh I get it! We have to wash away the dirt and germs so we don’t get sick. It’s a good thing that the Pharisees were concerned about the health of the disciples.

Pastor: Actually, Sammy, they weren’t concerned with their health.

Sammy: Are you sure? When you read the gospel today, I thought I heard that the Pharisees didn’t like germs. And they really like clean hands.

Pastor: Sammy, the Pharisees wanted to look clean, but they were not clean in their hearts.

Sammy: What do you mean, Pastor? How do you have a clean heart? How can I use soap on my heart?

Pastor: Jesus gives us clean hearts. Out of our mouths come the words of our hearts, and people have evil things in their hearts.

Sammy: That’s why we need Jesus.

Pastor: Yes, we need Jesus to create in us a clean heart and to renew a right spirit within us. He can help us do just that.

Sammy: How did Isaiah know that the people living at the same time as Jesus would have unclean hearts?

Pastor: Isaiah is a prophet, and prophets receive words from God about present, near future, and far future events. They see mountaintops of events to come, just the peaks, as God gives them sight.

Sammy: And Isaiah saw many glimpses of Jesus’s life before Jesus was born to Mary.

Pastor: Yes, Sammy. Remember, before Abraham was born, I am.

Sammy: Does everyone remember the verse we practiced: “I am the bread of life.” John 6:35. Will you repeat after me? “I am the bread of life.” John 6:35.

Pastor: Let’s pray: Dear Jesus, thank you for creating clean hearts in us. Thank you for calling us to love you and serve you, not just with clean hands, but with clean hearts, too. We love you. Amen.

Sammy: Bye, everyone!

Pastor: Bye, Sammy!

Not too far from our home – in the Sonoran Desert outside Phoenix – is the Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center.  This wonderful facility cares for many desert animals that have been injured or orphaned.  The goal is always to be able to return them to the wild.  But that is not always possible, so for some animals this place becomes their permanent home.  Some animals are brought there by people who naively thought that a mountain lion cub would make a great pet.  But mountain lion cubs always grow up, and people come to realize that something they thought would be safe has become a threat.

I thought of people who mistakenly believe that they could tame a mountain lion cub when I read the April 16 letter from ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton addressing racial justice.  A link to her letter can be found here.  In her call for reform to “any institutionally racist system” she essentially endorses Black Lives Matter.  She encourages people to join Campaign Zero, which she describes as “a 10-point policy platform created by the #BlackLivesMatter movement to address and improve relationships between local law enforcement and the communities in which they serve.”  She also urges people to learn more about ELCA resources at elca.org/blacklivesmatter. 

I was relieved to read on the ELCA website that “the ELCA churchwide organization does not provide financial support to this chapter-based organization.”  I have been deeply disturbed to read about some other organizations and businesses that do contribute financially to Black Lives Matter.  It also seemed very reasonable to read on the ELCA website, “This movement does not seek to elevate Black lives above others.  Rather, the movement seeks to help people recognize that Black lives matter no less than other lives.”

The ELCA website is correct when it says, “Scripture tells us that each person is created in the image of God. . . . All of us have integrity and value.”  There is absolutely no question.  Racism does exist, and racism is wrong.  The First Readings for Easter Sunday and May 9 have both come from the account in Acts 10 when God clearly directed Peter to go to the house of Cornelius.  In the First Reading for Easter Peter said, “I truly understand that God shows no partiality.” (verse 34) In the First Reading for May 9 “the circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles.” (verse 45) Peter said, “Can anyone withhold the water for baptizing these people who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” (verse 47) If God has included them, how could we exclude them?

But for at least three reasons the ELCA’s endorsing and embracing the Black Lives Matter movement reminds me of people who think that a mountain lion cub would be safe.

First, the page on the ELCA website does not address the fact that at least two of the three original founders of Black Lives Matter are self-avowed, trained Marxist organizers.  Marxism has led to political systems that have enslaved people and that have been severely hostile to the Christian faith.

Second, while the full embrace of the LGBTQIA+ agenda is very strong within the ELCA, I am not aware of any official action taken by the ELCA to affirm that full agenda.  A document recently approved by the ELCA Church Council, “Definitions and Guidelines for Discipline,” includes the sentence, “This church’s understanding of human sexuality is stated in its authorized social teachings.” (page 8) The most recent of these social teachings is the social statement, “Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust,” which was approved by the 2009 Churchwide Assembly.  Actions taken by that assembly provided for the blessing of and ordination of persons in publicly accountable, lifelong, monogamous, same sex relationships.  They did not embrace the full LGBTQIA+ agenda.  In contrast, Black Lives Matter has said, “We foster a queer-affirming network.  When we gather, we do so with the intention of freeing ourselves from the tight grip of heteronormative thinking.”  It is interesting that the page that contains that wording from Black Lives Matter appears to no longer exist.

Third, what Black Lives Matter used to call its “Full Manifesto” also is on a page that appears to no longer exist.  One of the most disturbing sentences in the “Full Manifesto” reads as follows – “We disrupt the western-prescribed nuclear family structure requirement by supporting each other as extended families and ‘villages’ that collectively care for one another, especially our children.”  Every orthodox Christian parent should be horrified over a statement like that, which advocates for the state’s taking over the raising of children.  Every Christian parent needs to do everything they can to keep from losing the ability to influence the faith formation of their children.  To me it is interesting – and I believe significant – that some of the statements from Black Lives Matter that have caused the greatest alarm are on website pages that appear to no longer exist.  If you can find them, please let me know.  Has the Black Lives Matter movement modified and/or softened its position?  I doubt it.  I believe they are just downplaying it.  They want people like the ELCA to believe that there is nothing to fear.  What Black Lives Matter advocates for, every reasonable person should be in favor of.  Mountain lion cubs will stay mountain lion cubs

“You will tread upon the lion and cobra, the young lion and the serpent you will trample down. “Because he has loved Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him securely on high, because he has known My name.” (Psalm 91:13-14)

Those who trust in the Lord are trusting in the only One who can save. He will not disappoint you because He knows what is needed. Come to the Lord and be under His protection. Know that the Lord will provide for every time of need and in just the right amount. Be guided by the Lord and His goodness and see that the Lord, Who watches over you, does provide in every circumstance.

Lord, in the ups and downs of this world, I often focus upon the immediate circumstance. Guide me, O Lord, to see in You the hope for all people. Lead me to humbly walk in Your ways all the days of my life. Lead me according to Your goodness that I would now and always live with You as the center of my being. Lift me up to be with You always and in every situation.

Lord, You have come to rescue those who come to You. Lead me, O Lord, according to Your goodness that I would trust in what You have accomplished. Prepare me according to Your will to go where You send me that I would learn from You how to be faithful. Open my eyes to see the hope of glory You have given through grace that my life would be one of praise of You. Amen.

“He will send from heaven and save me; He reproaches him who tramples upon me. God will send forth His lovingkindness and His truth.  My soul is among lions; I must lie among those who breathe forth fire, even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows and their tongue a sharp sword.  Be exalted above the heavens, O God; let Your glory be above all the earth.”  (Psalm 57:3-5)

The Lord’s salvation has come, just as He promised.  It is He who came and became one of us.  He knows our weaknesses and He knows our need.  The Lion of Judah, the One from whom the scepter shall never pass, is the One who offers His hand to each of us.  It is the hand of truth and He shall lead all who follow forever in the presence of the glory of God.

Who fears the Lord but the one who encounters truth.  The Lord is truth and He offers grace and mercy to those who seek Him and humble themselves before Him.  His is the everlasting glory, before all time and forever.  Stand fast in His presence and all else that is passing away will seem of no worth in comparison to what He offers in the way and truth He gives which leads to eternal life.

Lord Jesus, the One who has come to end the warfare for those who believe, lead me this day to rejoice in the true glory of the Father You have revealed.  Guide me not so much to know as to understand that all I need do is follow You all the days of my life.  You are the truth revealed, promised long before and in You is the hope of all generations.  May you be exalted through me this day.  Amen.