Question Authority

Matthew 11: 16-19 & 25-30

 Sermon preached July 3, 2011 at First Christian Church, Disciples of Christ/United Church of Christ
    To fully understand what has prompted Jesus' remarks according to Matthew, it is helpful to have a sense of the context. Matthew tells us that John the Baptist has just left the area and Jesus is giving the crowd a piece of his mind. He is expressing frustration about the criticism of John's behavior and also his own.
     John is believed to have been an Essene; a Jewish sect that was very particular about following the Holiness Codes or Jewish laws. In spite of John's strict practices, he is still criticized for his behavior.
     Then we have Jesus, who has, shall we say, a more relaxed view of life. Today we might label him progressive or reform in his religious practices. He is certainly viewed as being at an opposite end of the spectrum from John the Baptist and he is receiving criticism. Apparently, there were some Jews who were listening to Jesus' teaching, who expressed a weariness about the difficult task of remaining obedient to the Torah.
    The Sadducees required strict obedience to the Laws, but the Pharisees were a bit more lenient. However, both branches of Judaism at the time taught that the Holiness Codes were a means of remaining ritually clean as required by God. The holiness rituals also helped clearly identify the Jews in contrast to the Gods and practices of the Greeks and Romans.
     While it is evident that Jesus is critiquing the Law, we must avoid giving the Pharisees unfair judgment, running the risk of being perceived in Jewish circles as anti-Semitic. The Pharisees were the founders of modern day rabbinic Judaism, and it's possible Jesus himself was a Pharisee who was arguing--as Jewish teachers do--from with the group, not as an outsider.
     We must remember that Pharisees applied Jewish Law to mundane activities to SANCTIFY their every day world. Not exactly a bad idea to make holy the ordinary is it? They also emphasized social justice, and faith in redemption of all humanity. But they did interpret the Torah literally, which is clearly not where Jesus is coming from.
     Do you remember the bumper sticker "Question Authority"  Well that's what Jesus is doing in the Gospels. He is looking for a SPIRITUAL APPROACH TO THE LAW--a way to find meaning and purpose in our actions, not just blind obedience to a practice of the law. He doesn't want the Law to be a burden; he wants it to lead to the way, truth, and abundant life.
     Of course, it's always a little tricky to know when to question authority and when to simply accept it. I have an example of two young men who did question authority that led to a victory for human rights in New Mexico. Late February (2011) James Walker and Steven De Los Santos, seniors at Clovis High School, were moved to action by high rates of suicide among gay youth around the country, to apply to create a Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) at their high school. Their objectives were clear and noble: safe environment, education, support, fight discrimination, harassment and violence.
    As required, they had a teacher to sponsor the group and obtained approval from the principal on March 1, and set about planning their first meeting. But, three days later, the principal revoked his approval, claiming he had forgotten to refer the club to the Clovis school superintendent. Weeks went by with no action from the superintendent.
     Clovis high had a past history of rebuking GSA applications. They also suspended several students in 2010 for participating in the national "Day of Silence": a act of solidarity with gay students who must exist silently or risk bullying or worse. Finally, the superintendent and the school board adopted "a closed forum policy" which banned all non-curricular clubs, thereby preventing the formation of the GSA. The students questioned the timing of this authorities decision and sought help from the American Civil Liberties Union of New Mexico.
     There was an overwhelming response of support for the efforts of these two young men, including signatures on a petition from thousands of people across the US. There was also a deluge of unflattering press coverage criticizing the school board and superintendent. The ACLU threatened a lawsuit.
    On May 5, just 10 days after the school board meeting that turned them down, the GSA was approved by the New Mexico district attorney.
     There is a BALANCE to be sought between Law and Grace--between rules of the humankind and God's love. To find that balance, there are times we must question authority.
     Ask yourself now:
      What makes you weary? What feels like a burdensome yoke to you? Where do you see the "least of them" under the yoke of injustice? What authority do you need to question?
     When you identify the answer to these questions, remember it is Jesus Christ who extends the invitation to seek rest in a life and a way, yoked with him. Not a life of ease, for the risks and challenges are many. Rather a life of humble service with a God who loves and accepts each one of us just as we are...not because of our education, or wealth, or charm, or good looks.
     When you embrace God's love and acceptance, you are energized and empowered to participate in the joy of kingdom-making. You will be free to liberate others with Jesus' LIFE_GIVING LAWS: justice, mercy, and compassion summed up in the two Great Commandments: "Love God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind...and love your neighbor as yourself."