"Great Expectations"

Seventh Sunday after Pentecost

Luke 7:18-35, John the Baptist wonders if Jesus is the one.

• It’s a transition Sunday for some churches and pastors… Here are two stories I found online of expectations of pastors... (scroll to the bottom)

• Today is also the first Sunday of the second half of 2013… reflections on New Year’s Resolutions? How has 2013 been what you hoped it would be, how do you hope to steer from here? What are you looking for at CUMC?

• Luke 7:18-20, John the Baptist (JtB) apparently wondering if Jesus really is the one. Is this the guy I’ve been telling the people God would send? I mean I thought he was, but I’m not sure.

Read Luke 3:2-18, when JtB enters the scene.

JtB baptism of repentance, calling for acts of justice and mercy, proclaiming a more powerful one coming with judgment and purifying fire!
Is this Jesus really the one?

• What has Jesus been doing? Gathering disciples and teaching them. Healing folks and, well, generally not meeting JtB’s expectations.

• Says Jesus, Let my record speak for itself. (Read 7:22 about the blind lame leprous deaf dead and poor). These are things Elijah did generations ago, things the prophets have spoken of, these things are the Father’s validation of my ministry.

Says Jesus, What are you looking for? If you want to be involved in the kingdom of God, find the “least of these,” find the oppressed, the poor, the powerless, and use your power to better their conditions.

• This passage addresses not only John, who questioned whether Jesus was the one or not, but the Pharisees and teachers of the law, who questioned both Jesus AND JtB. Jesus says Follow John or follow me, but by all means don’t sit there doing nothing! Be involved in acts of justice and mercy, produce fruits of repentance, yes. Teach and better the lives of the powerless around you, yes, but don’t stand around waiting for the one who will meet all your expectations… bear the good news, be involved in community and compassion, there’s room for all in God’s kingdom.

• from The New Interpreter’s Bible on Luke, p. 167
Jesus condemned the people of his generation because they let their expectations prevail over God’s call to them… Because God had not acted as they had expected, they refused to respond to God’s call for them… to join in the fulfillment of God’s redemptive purposes for that generation and for generations to come… [We must not] let our expectations for what God can do and is doing, and our restrictions on what passes for proper church life, prevent us from seeing how God is still at work in our own generation.

• Remember Mr. Rogers saying that whenever there is crisis, there are helpers. Look for the helpers. Be helpers.

• (what did the people look for in JtB? In Jesus? In JtB and in Jesus there was the power of God, there was teaching with power and there was action.)

What are you looking for at CUMC?

If perfect community or flawless leadership, sorry. We have warts.

If place to learn and study word, grow in discipleship, share gospel,
you can find it here, but you have to get out of your seat.

If you’re looking for Christ, he’s here. We celebrate him always.

• into communion liturgy at rail

The stories I found about expectations of pastors:

Be vulnerable and honest and personal, but not too personal because this isn’t a therapy session and we need lots of Bible but not too much because it has to relate to what’s happening in our lives and in the world today but it can’t be political and it has to be challenging and deep and significant and at the same time easy for everybody to understand and it has to be funny but not too funny because you’re not a comedian you’re a pastor and while you’re at it mix it up and try new things and don’t get it in a rut but make sure to be consistent and talk about your own struggles, but not too much because that’s depressing.  And we love stories about your family.  But not too many.  That can be weird.  Just be vulnerable and honest and…

Found while searching for:

The perfect pastor preaches exactly 10 minutes.

He condemns sin roundly but never hurts anyone’s feelings.

He works from 8am until midnight and is also the church janitor.

The perfect pastor makes $40 a week, wears good clothes, drives a good car,

buys good books, and donates $30 a week to the church.

He is 29 years old and has 40 years experience.

Above all, he is handsome.

The perfect pastor has a burning desire to work with teenagers,

and he spends most of his time with the senior citizens.

He smiles all the time with a straight face because he has a sense of humor

that keeps him seriously dedicated to his church.

He makes 15 home visits a day

and is always in his office to be handy when needed.

The perfect pastor always has time for church council and all of its committees.

He never misses the meeting of any church organization

and is always busy evangelizing the unchurched.

The perfect pastor is always in the next church over!

If your pastor does not measure up,

simply send this notice to six other churches that are tired of their pastor, too.

Then bundle up your pastor and send him to the church at the top of the list.

If everyone cooperates, in one week you will receive 1,643 pastors.

One of them should be perfect!