True Grit in Faith

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xtfd1d_proper-18b_lifestyle

True Grit – Proper 18B – September 9, 2012

“Today Class, we’re going to have a pop quiz.”

Do you remember having Pop Quizzes in school? A Pop Quiz  is a teaching tool. Goal: Encourage you to study … keep up. What is the universal response to a Pop Quiz?  Groan!

There were always a few kids who delighted in Pop Quizzes; Others totally didn’t care; But the majority: Groan!

Most of us live in the fat belly of the Bell Curve.

            We might excel in some things

            We might be worthless in some areas

            But in most of life, we’re smack dab in the middle

Why? It’s safe!

            Wildebeests: Front (Crocks), Trailers (Hyenas), Edges (Lions & Cheetahs). Safest place to be: In the middle of the herd.

In the Gospel today: Jesus is out in front. He’s tired. He’s been trying to get away for some R&R.

Let me catch you up (context):

Jesus fed the 5000,

Crowds have been overwhelming him.

He walked across the lake,

Last week he was catching flack (responsible for his disciples)

So now he has left the area completely – Left town.

He’s in Gentile Territory (Minimal contact: Clean vs. Unclean)

            He tried to keep it  a secret, but he could not.

The trouble, when you’re good at what you do, is you become someone in demand. Have you ever noticed that?

Jesus was catching a lot of flack: he had hyenas nipping at his heels, he had crocodiles snapping at his neck; but mostly he was surrounded by people who just wanted to be around him.

They didn’t care about whether carrying a needle in the hem of your garment on the Sabbath constituted a violation of Torah;

they didn’t care whether or not pots and pans were washed properly;

What they cared about was that Jesus cared for THEM,

Jesus cast out demons, touched the untouchables, healed the sick, fed the hungry, gave drink to the thirsty, and pronounced absolution for sinners (absolute heresy: only GOD can forgive!)

Jesus taught them about a God who cares for the sparrow as much as the Eagle; Jesus taught them that the light shining out from their lives was evidence of God’s presence – it is the light that counts, not the darkness.

But Jesus needs a break, and so he goes where he is sure no one will follow, but they do. WORD gets out, and Jesus faces a POP QUIZ.

            Gentile woman. 3 Strikes: Gentile, Woman, Demon/Daughter

            Jesus talks the talk, but will he walk the walk?

She comes to him and she begs him.

No one stands up for her; no one comes to her rescue; she’s on her own. But she’s also feisty. She’s not there for herself. She’s fighting for her daughter. She has a cause that’s worth the fight.

Perhaps Jesus is being tested here, or maybe he’s testing his disciples. Will no one take the time to remind Jesus of his words?

Not today, but Jesus rises to the occasion. “Your faith has brought healing to your daughter. Go, be at peace,” he says.

“My brothers (and sisters), as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don’t show favoritism,” says James (2:1). What Jesus does, he does well, and he does it for all people: Inner circle and outer limits alike!