The story is told of a new missionary recruit who was sent to Venezuela. He was still struggling with the language, only having mastered a few key words. His first Sunday, he decided to visit one of the local churches, but he took a wrong turn and became lost. Eventually he found his way to the right street and found the church. When he arrived, the service was just beginning and the church was packed. The only remaining seat was on the front row.
In order not to make a fool of himself, he decided to keep a close eye on the man sitting next to him and imitate his every move. As they sang, the man clapped his hands, so the missionary recruit clapped also. When the man stood up to pray, the missionary recruit stood up too. When the man sat down, he sat down. When it came time for the sermon, the recruit tried to appear as though he were following every word, even though he had no idea what was being said. He kept glancing out of the corner of his eye at the man next to him, just to make sure he was doing all the right things.
Following the sermon and another hymn, the pastor began making a few announcements. The pastor said something which evoked clapping. The man next to him was clapping, so the recruit clapped as well. Then the preacher said something that the recruit didn't understand, and he saw the man next to him stand up. So he stood up too. Suddenly a hush fell over the entire congregation. A few people gasped. He looked around and saw that nobody else was standing, so he sat down.
At the conclusion of the service, the pastor stood at the back door shaking hands, and when the missionary recruit got to him, the minister said, in English: "I take it you don't speak Spanish." The missionary recruit replied: "No I don't. Was it that obvious?"
"Well, yes it was. I announced that the Acosta family had a newborn baby boy and I asked the proud father to please stand up."(1)
Not knowing a second language can be a real detriment. It's amazing that there are 6,000 different languages in the world, but most of us only know one of them. I took three or four years of Spanish in high school and college, but I've lost it. When I was in seminary, I had to learn Hebrew and Greek, but after a few years, I lost my ability with those languages as well. With a language, you have to use it, or you will eventually lose it.
I think it's fair to say that Jesus taught us a second language. That is not literally true, he did not teach us Aramaic, his native tongue. But he created such a new way of thinking and viewing the world, that we could call it a second language. We could call it the language of the kingdom of God.
We discover this language at various places in the gospels. This morning's passage from the Gospel of Matthew is one such place. It falls within the Sermon on the Mount which is crammed full of this second language Jesus teaches his followers.
He says, "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." He does not simply say to be kind to other people and to treat people with respect. Jesus says, "Love your enemies."
This is actually the last of six sayings where Jesus raises the bar to impossible heights. The first one was: "You have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, 'You shall not murder'; and 'whoever murders shall be liable to judgment.' But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be liable to judgment."
The second one is this: "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery.' But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away."
The third one is this: "It was also said, 'Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce.' But I say to you that anyone who divorces his wife, except on the ground of unchastity, causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery."
The fourth one is: "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not swear falsely, but carry out the vows you have made to the Lord. But I say to you, Do not swear at all."
The fifth one is: "You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' But I say to you, Do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also; and if anyone wants to sue you and take your coat, give your cloak as well; and if anyone forces you to go one mile, go also the second mile."
And then the final saying in this string, is the one about loving your enemy. At other places in the gospels, we find more of these extreme statements. One that comes to mind is his teaching on forgiveness. He calls on us to forgive another, not seven times, but seventy times seven.
If the Christian faith were comprised of living every teaching of Jesus to the letter, then we could all get up and walk out of the church and lock the doors and never come back, because not one of us can fully meet the standards which Jesus sets. But these teachings are not intended to be understood in such a stringent way. They are goals for which we strive. They are set before us in order that we never become complacent or self-satisfied. Instead, we are to always be leaning forward, striving to become kinder and more loving; working harder for justice and peace; caring for God's creation and comforting those who mourn; practicing forgiveness and meeting the needs of the poor.
The reason we call this a second language is because it is so unlike the language of our society. The language of our society is "The one who dies with the most toys, wins." The language of our society is "I earned everything I have, you have to do the same." The language of our society is "Never give an inch," and "You can't trust those kind of people," and "I'm free to do whatever I please," and "Defy all authority figures," and "Do whatever feels good,"and "A little religion is alright, but don't get too serious about it."
Sometimes we are too heavily influenced by the language of our society. We get swept up in the ways of the world and we forget our second language, the language of the kingdom.
Dr. Penelope Leach is a child psychologist from Great Britain who hosts a television program in which she shares her wisdom with parents of small children. One day a mother called into the program and began boasting about her child's ability to read, spell and even write a story at a very early age. The mother was obviously looking for affirmation of her daughter's outstanding skills. After she finished describing her daughter's accomplishments, Dr. Leach agreed that she had a remarkable child. And then Dr. Leach suggested to the mother that there were other attributes that might be even more treasured than her language skills. The mother asked for examples. Dr. Leach said, "The child could be even more remarkable if she could rescue a butterfly who was caught in a bush, or wipe a tear from a friend's cheek who was hurting." Dr. Leach knows the second language. And she knows that the language of this world is not the primary language of health and wholeness.(2)
This is the time of year when students graduate from school, and today our church recognizes those who are graduating. We salute them for their accomplishment and we hope that the future will be very bright for them. On the minds of most graduates, is what they will do in the days ahead. I want to encourage all the graduates to make this second language a part of your regular vocabulary.
In the days ahead I urge you to put more effort into being a kind person than you put into being a wealthy person. Volunteer in a soup kitchen where you will have the opportunity to serve a meal to a stranger. Take time to read books to young children. Pound nails in a Habitat for Humanity house so that you can help someone have their very own home. Pick up trash along the side of the road. Forgive someone who hurts you, and do not be afraid to admit there are times when you need forgiveness. Rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep.
Christ taught us a second language - the language of God's kingdom. It is a language of love and concern and forgiveness and sharing. It is often at odds with the language of our world, and so we must gather weekly to hear it and to speak it. Because each day of our lives, Christ yearns for us to remember it and to practice it.
NOTES
1. Source unknown.
2. From a sermon by Daniel P. Matthews entitled "Learning A New Language," published in Lectionary Homiletics, November, 1998, p.24.
© 1999 Dr. Gregory Knox Jones, all rights reserved
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