Unbinding Our Faith
Matthew 14:22-33, Matthew 21:1-11
March 15, 16, 2007

You have heard a story that you might not have expected to hear on Palm Sunday. Now I invite you to listen to the one you probably expected to hear from Matthew 21. “When they had come near Jerusalem and had reached Bethphage, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them: “Go into the village ahead of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her; untie them and bring them to me.” “If anyone says anything to you, just say this, ‘The Lord needs them.’” “And the owner will send them immediately.” This took place to fulfill what had been spoken through the prophet, saying, “Tell the daughter of Zion, Look, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them. They brought the donkey and the colt, and put their cloaks on them, and Jesus sat on them. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and that followed were shouting: “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest heaven!” When he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was in turmoil, asking, “Who is this?” The crowds were saying, “This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth in Galilee.”

HAVE YOU EVER SEEN SOMEONE YOU KNOW VERY WELL—BUT NOT RECOGNIZED HER? Have you ever run into a good friend or colleague in a different setting—and had trouble identifying him? It happens to ministers quite a bit—especially when the folks are used to seeing their clergy in robes. You have probably heard about the poor pastor who ran into one of his parishioners at the grocery store one day. The church member was a bit hard of hearing and had a habit of talking very loudly. She proclaimed: “Oh, it’s you Reverend! I didn’t recognize you with your clothes on!” Similar stories are being told about the former governor of New York—only his problems are more literal and much more serious!

And I have heard some of your stories from your travels. One couple had been traveling in Europe. They just settled in at their quaint table at a restaurant in Paris, France. A man was waving frantically to them from across the room. He got up and headed towards them. They looked at each other for help but neither one recognized him. Suddenly it hit them—it was their cousin—someone they saw at least twice a year. And there he was, traveling in Paris at the exact same time and place.

THE STORIES FROM MATTHEW DESCRIBE PEOPLE WHO HAVE SIMILAR EXPERIENCES. In the first story, Jesus sends the disciples off in a boat while he takes some time to pray. “Go on ahead—I’ll catch up with you later.” Everything seems fine and dandy—but fine and dandy becomes frightening and dangerous. The disciples’ boat begins to get battered—and yet, that is not what scares them. According to Matthew, they aren’t terrified until the next morning! What frightens them is this UFO—this unidentified floating object—who is walking toward them on the water! They cry out in fear! “Its’ a ghost—and there is nothing holy about this one!” They see…but they do not recognize. They come down with a bad case of what many of us get from time to time—a serious bout of “see-sickness.” Jesus recognizes their fear and speaks words of comfort to them. They are not expecting him! But as he says again and again during the storms and struggles of life—“Be not afraid!”

The second story describes the exciting action of the first Palm Sunday! Jesus comes plodding into town—not on the back of some majestic black stallion—but on the back of a donkey. A very great crowd gets pumped up! Some of them had been expecting a conquering king to come in and crush the political and religious power structures. But most of them miss the message, communicated very simply by Jesus’ mode of transportation. Jesus rides into town in a humble, sacrificial way—riding a beast of burden, a donkey—a symbol and sign of peace. There is a lack of recognition on a number of levels. Some people see him—but don’t see him for who he really is. Some people see him—but don’t recognize where this Palm Sunday parade is really headed. And some people have no clue. The Messiah, the Son of God, is in their presence—and some in the crowd are baffled: “Who is this dude on the donkey?” “And what’s the big deal?”

I wonder if Matthew included these stories in his gospel because he knew there would be times when people—not just outside, but inside the church—would have trouble recognizing Jesus? Those who had been close to Jesus, those first Christians who had tried to get their little congregations up and running—had probably struggled with tough waves and blustery winds already. Every congregation does. Growing pains, conflict, and just plain distractions can keep us from recognizing the very presence of Jesus in our midst. And do we really expect him to show up?

For those on the outside of the church, the question will be raised again and again—“Who is this?” Studies and surveys from across our community and across the country indicate that growing numbers of people have switched their religious affiliation or have no church ties. Will we be ready, willing, and able to respond to the question? When Jesus shows up, will we be able to identify him and introduce him to those who are curious?

Friends, I need to ask you a crucial question: “Are we expecting Jesus to show up in this church?” Do we believe he knows about us, cares about us, and is here with us? Do we believe he can get this boat through any storm that will come? If we are going to continue this journey in God’s Spirit, we will have to find ways to keep expecting Jesus to show up.

Our study of Unbinding your Heart has reminded us of a couple of important things. At least two things that must be in place if we are to effectively share faith with others. First, our own spiritual lives must be well-tended and nurtured. Second, we must be alert to God’s presence in our own lives every day. Our hearts and minds must be open and receptive to the God-moments and God-nudges in our lives. Jesus has been showing up all over the place during this past season of Lent as we have participated in our study. Where have you seen him?

Every day I have been hearing stories and receiving emails from members and friends of the church who have been doing the reading, praying, working through the devotionals, trying the homework. And Jesus has been showing up—even in unexpected places.

On Tuesday, Louisville will have a celebration for Thomas Merton. Part of our downtown area will be named “Thomas Merton Square.” Why? Because 50 years ago in the midst of the hustle and bustle of a downtown setting, Jesus showed up—and Merton recognized him there. Last Thursday afternoon, Susan Lowe and I went to the visitation for Keith Kessinger at Pearson’s Funeral Home. Keith was tragically killed this past week at the age of 30. What do you say to loved ones after something like this happens? As we met his mother, she welcomed us and thanked us for being there. And we kind of fumbled for some words to say in the face of an unspeakable loss. It was his mother who reminded us. She offered sighs of grief that were too deep for words. But in the midst of storm, she also offered an affirmation of faith. She shared the last story from the Gospel of Matthew—chapter 28. Jesus says, “I am with you always to the end of the age.” She said, “I know Jesus is here, with us, now.” “And I know Keith is with Jesus.”

Even in the darkness, in the valley of the shadow of death—are we expecting Jesus? The question is not, “Is Jesus with us?” The question is, “Are we expecting him?” Can we keep our eyes open to seeing Jesus? If we can get in the habit of looking for him, we will see him. It doesn’t take a lot—just a slight adjustment, a tiny tweak, one small change… More prayer, more quiet time, more reflection, a new spiritual discipline, a new effort at outreach… Can we refocus our eyes to recognize Christ with us?

Seeing Jesus is a gift of grace. But overcoming our “see-sickness” can be treated with habits of the heart. Open our eyes, Lord!—and open your eyes, friends! Unbind your faith—and see Jesus here. In the breaking of the bread… Unbind your faith—and see Jesus here! In the midst of the storm…and each one of us is in the midst of some kind of storm… Unbind your faith—and see Jesus there! In the darkness, even in the valley of the shadow of death… Unbind your faith—and see Jesus there! As you join Jesus and move into Jerusalem… Unbind your faith—and see Jesus there! As you follow him to Calvary… Unbind your faith—and see Jesus there!

As you experience Good Friday despair and the deafening silence of Saturday… Unbind your faith—and see Jesus there. As you anticipate the resurrection… Unbind your faith—and see Jesus there. And remember his promise… “I am with you…always…to the end of the age.”