Gavel on Bible
Sunday July 12, 2020 – Sixth Sunday after Pentecost
Genesis 25:19-34 or Isaiah 55:10-13; Psalm 119:105-112 or Psalm 65; Romans 8:1-11; Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23
“For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.” (Romans 8:2 NRSV*)
Over the past few weeks I have often wondered what Bill Cotton would have to say about what is happening in our country now. Bill is now under hospice care and a whole cadre of folks have taken the mantle to continue producing this Preaching Memo. I am looking forward to hearing from this new variety of voices, but I will truly miss Bill’s sage words. With the Black Lives Matter protests and demonstrations, I am reminded of an incident in his life to which Bill referred a number of times.
When Bill first started attending the Perkins School of Theology it was a racially segregated school. However, while he was there, the professors at Perkins took a stand saying that they demanded that the school enroll students of all colors. They were literally putting their jobs – their livelihoods – on the line for a cause (a very important cause). And, in the end, the administration did integrate Perkins.
In the opening verses of chapter 8 of his letter to the Romans, Paul deals with this same sort of situation. I often have a love/hate relationship with Paul, but this eighth chapter of Romans definitely falls in the love category. As we read about “the law of sin and of death” (8:2) today, we often lose track of the real force behind what Paul is saying. Paul was challenging his followers to give up “the Law” which God had given to them. This was no small request (or perhaps from Paul it was a demand). The Law which they had grown up with, to which they had become accustomed, and which had guided almost every aspect of their daily lives was now to be abandoned so that they could accept “the Spirit of life in Jesus Christ” and be set free. This was a matter that demanded discernment and serious consideration.
We find ourselves in a similar situation today. Are we to obey rules, regulations, and laws that have brought about a systemic racism in our country – often a racism that those of us who are white, male, and privileged do not even realize exists. I have been greatly heartened by the faith leaders who have been demonstrating at the capitol (and other places) who have made the decision that God’s Spirit of freedom is meant for all, and that human laws, while they may be familiar and comfortable, often lead to sin and death. When that is the situation, God calls us to rise up in protest and stand for the freedom that God intends for all of God’s creation.
I recall when I was a young teacher in the mid-1980s. I attended a “district” meeting of the Teacher’s Association in Ottumwa. Three other teachers from Oskaloosa had gone down to Ottumwa with me. On the way back, we were talking about how to win the contractual items that were needed for our members. The idea of a teacher strike came up, and I commented that I would never go out on strike because it was against the law.
I was shocked at the reaction of all three of my colleagues. One after another after another they pointed out to me that sometimes one has to take actions that go against the rules, the regulations, and even the law to bring about a necessary change. At the time, I couldn’t understand why they were so vociferous in their opposition to my comment. Only later did I discover that before the Public Bargaining Law was signed by Gov. Robert Ray, the teachers in Oskaloosa had locked up the contracts that they had been offered and refused to sign them because those contracts lacked an adequate raise. The School Board was forced to reconsider what they were offering the teachers.
This episode became a major impetus to bring about Chapter 20 – the public employee bargaining law. [Support for Collective Bargaining is a long-standing position of The United Methodist Church – see The Discipline 2016 ¶163, b – p. 132 of our Social Principles.] I never had to take my Association out on strike, but I did take them to Arbitration twice (which was provided for under Chapter 20). Even then, I did not do so lightly. I took time to discern whether this was the proper – the necessary – step, and then I made sure that the leaders and the members of the Association agreed with me.
Paul is quite careful in these opening verses of chapter 8 to make a distinction between what is human and what is divine or spiritual. We need to make that same distinction. Simply saying that “God told me to do it” is not sufficient. We have seen murders, abuse, and other crimes carried out all too often in the name in God. Paul says that “those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit” (8:5b), and “to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace” (8:6). We must always ask (and we must be truthful with ourselves) whether our actions are for our benefit or for the benefit of all of God’s creation.
Recently, here in Iowa, an African-American baseball player for the Charles City High School team was taunted with racial slurs. The superintendent of schools (a former student of mine) took a firm stance, denouncing the slurs, and supporting the student athlete. I wonder if, as pastors, we would have been as forthright. Too often, as pastors, we find it easier to ignore the hard social questions that surround us. But, when we read our Bible well, we will find that Jesus never ignored the difficult issues. As Jesus says in the Gospel lesson, “Let anyone with ears listen!”
Prayer: Gracious and loving God, help us to stand for your justice for all of your creation. May we put aside the law of sin and death, and accept the freedom of the Spirit. And, may that freedom be extended to all! We pray in Christ’s holy name. Amen.
The Rev. Paul Burrow is a retired elder in full connection in the Iowa Annual Conference. He now resides in Indianola.
*New Revision Standard Version of The Holy Bible, Copyright 1996 by the Christian Education Committee of the National Council of Churches of Christ USA. All rights reserved. Used by permission.