“Greater Things than These”

During these weeks of the Epiphany season we journey from the time of the birth of Jesus and his baptism through stories about his mission and teaching.  Jesus ministered to the sick and needy, he proclaimed good news of salvation to poor and oppressed people, and he preached repentance and forgiveness so everyone will be transformed in the kingdom o

Jesus' ministry was a servant ministry.  It was one of hospitality that became controversial because it challenged the accepted norms of his time.  Hospitality was offered only to members of one's family, to friends, and to social contacts.  Jesus broke through this barrier by offering hospitality to everyone.  He welcomed sinners, tax collectors, foreigners, prostitutes, and those who were diseased or even presumed dead.  His hospitality was radically inclusive.  Everyone was welcomed.

Tomorrow we celebrate the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr., a great leader who ministered to the needs of many of our citizens who were denied basic civil rights.  The importance of this day is that it provides a model of what it means to be servants of God offering hospitality and equality for everyone.

In his well-known letter from a Birmingham jail, Dr. King wrote, "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. . . we are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality tied in a single garment of destiny.  Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly."

Later, when Dr. King received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964, our nation was engaged in the Vietnam War.  Dr. King said, "I believe that even amid today's mortar bursts and whining bullets there is still hope for a brighter tomorrow.  I believe that wounded justice, lying prostrate on the blood-flowing streets of our nations, can be lifted from this dust of shame to reign supreme among the children of men." 

Dr. King was a person of great hope and perseverance.  He was a strong advocate for justice and freedom for all who were oppressed and enslaved because of their skin color, the denial of their right to vote, and their freedom to be educated and employed on an equal basis with everyone else.  The theme of those days was the clarion call to freedom, "We are free at last."

Today, while many of us are free many others find freedom to be more hope than reality.  Tomorrow's observance should inspire us to keep that hope alive and to continue the on-going struggle for freedom and equality, and for justice and peace.

Martin Luther King was like Nathaniel in today’s gospel passage from John.  We, like King and Nathaniel, are invited to come and see the wonders and signs that Jesus did during his ministry.  Jesus recognized Nathanael under the fig tree and impressed him by saying he was “truly an Israelite in whom there is no deceit.”

Nathanael’s reply to Jesus’ statement was revelatory:  “Rabbi, you are the Son of God!”  And Jesus said, “You will see greater things than these.... I tell you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.”

 

Philip invited Nathanael to come and see who really was Jesus from Nazareth.  We are invited to come and see the wonders and signs Jesus did during his ministry so that we will also be followers and participants in service to God's people.  Our witness today is to proclaim what we have seen and to invite others to come and see for themselves.   

Following our service this morning we will have our Annual Parish meeting.  It is a time to "come and see," to come together as a parish to see what we have been doing over the past year in our offerings of hospitality and ministry to the needs of others.  We shall hear our Treasurer's report, adopt a budget for this year of 2015, elect new vestry leaders, and share reports about the state of our parish.  It is an important time in our life together, and I encourage all of us to make a special effort to attend. 

We have many diverse members and programs; we try to have a place for everyone to find spiritual nourishment and growth; and we work to extend our ministries of worship, pastoral care, and service to everyone who enters this building and to the wider community beyond this sacred space.  Reach out and invite your friends to worship and serve with us, and you and they will see greater things than these.  Amen.