Sermon given on the Second Sunday in Lent, March 8, 2009, at Wooddale Lutheran Church by Pastor Tim Rauk. Texts are Mark 8:31-38, Genesis 17:1-7, Romans 5:2b-5.
What a contrast between the first reading and the Gospel. In the first reading from Genesis, we find the beginnings of the concept which is at the heart of all human and divine relationships, the idea of covenant promise. This is so important because it is in life’s covenant promises that we experience life’s greatest joys and most meaningful moments, those shared, mutually edifying relationships with family and friends. In Genesis, God extends to Sarah and Abraham, the covenant promise that is the foundation of Judaism, and from there the concept grows and develops throughout the Bible.
But what a dramatic contrast we seem to find in today’s Gospel. Here, Jesus taught his disciples something they didn’t want to hear, and we don’t particularly like either. Jesus told them that he MUST undergo great suffering … and be rejected and killed, and after 3 days rise again.” “He MUST suffer many things.” (Mark 8:31)
Suffering is the label we put on the feelings we have when that which we love most is taken from us. And the most intense suffering we feel comes when the relationships that bring us covenant promise are taken away from us. And so, when Jesus told his disciples that he must undergo great suffering, they just didn’t understand it. Peter didn’t buy it at all. As soon as Jesus said told him this, Peter the story says, immediately jumped in and “rebuked” Jesus. Rebuke is a strong word. Rebuke meaning that Peter reprimanded, scolded, admonished Jesus. But Jesus hardly backs down. His response to Peter was just as strong. “Get behind me Satan. You’re not on God’s side, but are just looking after your own agenda.”
But it’s pretty clear, that we agree with Peter. We hate suffering. We’re very much like Peter. For it is in the midst of suffering that we find the most often asked spiritual question: The question, “Why?” “Why Suffering?” Nothing causes people to doubt God more than our struggle with suffering. Whether it be starving children, painful illness, or an accident, avoidable or otherwise, suffering is a problem for us. And now we hear Jesus teaching us, that he MUST undergo the worst suffering we can imagine, the suffering of being rejected and killed by the very people he came to love. Well, that’s what I’d like to explore with you this morning. SUFFERING.
