Sometimes I think it’s important to remind ourselves that when we read scripture, we’re reading it not just as if Jesus were speaking to those present in those moments that are being recorded, but he’s also speaking to those first audiences that would have heard these words as recorded in the gospels. What I mean by that is while I believe what is being reported in the gospel of Mark today is a faithful representation of Jesus’ words and teachings, I also strongly suspect that the writer of Mark reported this specific teaching of Jesus in this specific way because of something that was happening in his community in that very moment, and that requires us to dig deeper into who wrote Mark, when, it was written, and who were the first to hear Mark’s particular perspective on Jesus’ ministry.
First, we feel fairly confident that of the four gospels included in our Bible, the gospel of Mark was the earliest. Not to say other accounts didn’t exist that may have been older, but of those in our Bible, this is as close as we can get from a timeframe standpoint to the historical Jesus. In fact, Matthew and Luke borrow heavily from the gospel of Mark in part because of Mark’s status as one of the earlier gospels. It’s believed that the gospel of Mark was first formed shortly after the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem, and it’s a time of great upheaval in the region. People had begun to wonder about the tribulations happening around them – could this be a sign of the end of things? Who can we trust to protect us in this time of uncertainty?
Fortunately, there’s never been another time in our world since then where people have wondered about some massive societal upheaval, right? Okay, truth be told, there doesn’t seem to be a generation that has gone by where there hasn’t been some serious anxiety about the state of the world. And the problem with anxiety is it leads to people wanting to find something – or somebody – to trust to lead them through these challenging times. And it’s not bad to want a guide. It’s not bad to want somebody to rely on. The problem is usually we try to rely on the wrong things, and that’s what Jesus is speaking to today in our gospel.
For Mark’s community, newly separated from their idea of temple worship because the temple had been destroyed, there is this fear – what does it mean to worship God when one of our main avenues for doing so has been taken from us? Who can we trust to protect us? The obvious answer for this young Christian community is to look toward God revealed in Jesus Christ – in whom these followers believe they have received the promise of eternal life. But there’s always someone who comes claiming to be “the one” who can protect them. Often they’ll claim a divine mandate. For Mark’s community, it was most likely the leaders of the zealots who were rebelling against Rome. Rome responded with sacking Jerusalem and destroying the temple. But that doesn’t mean that those who were leading the charge to push Rome out of Palestine weren’t going to claim they were being favored by God. So Mark echoes Jesus’ words, “Many will come in my name and say, ‘I am he!’”. Jesus knows the temptation to follow the one who promises special knowledge or divine mandate. Jesus knows the temptation to follow one who promises everything will be okay if you just listen to him – it’s almost always a “him,” isn’t it?
The thing is, whenever we take the focus away from God – when we focus on worldly assurances and expectations, we’ll almost always go astray. The disciples looked at the large stones of the temple, and they saw that as assurance that the temple would be an eternal sign of God’s favor to the people of Israel. When Jesus warns them that the temple itself and all surrounding it will be torn down, Peter and the others ask privately for knowledge for the whens and the hows of its destruction. They want to be prepared. They want certainty. Jesus offers only trust in him.
It’s ironic in some ways that our text today is the one that is appointed as we conclude our stewardship program for this coming year, where we encourage you to bring forward in a few minutes your intent cards as a response to God’s faithfulness to us. It’s ironic because Jesus is cautioning against putting too much trust in institutions and worldly powers for salvation.
One could make an argument when you participate in Esperanza, you’re participating in a worldly institution – maybe putting your trust in this place and these walls. But my suspicion is the reason most of you are here today is because you have faith that goes far beyond the walls of this church. My suspicion is you are here because you know that Esperanza points to something greater, and exists solely because of that something greater. The reason we come to Esperanza – the reason we are here today and have chosen to give – is because we are celebrating God’s faithfulness, and we find that we can respond more fully to that faithfulness in this community of faith.
Esperanza Lutheran Church exists because we believe that God has loved us and is faithful to us. Esperanza exists because a group of people nearly 35 years ago decided it was important to gather as a community to proclaim that love to those nearby. It was and is important that God’s grace that has been showered upon us all is known and celebrated. And that mission continues and still matters. It doesn’t rely on large stones – but the physical building helps, doesn’t it? It doesn’t rely on any one person, but the Holy Spirit calls us all together in community, doesn’t it?
People of hope, today I want to remind you that who we are together matters. And first and foremost, we are a people claimed by God and redeemed by Jesus Christ. No matter the path ahead, this is the core of who we are. Our faith and trust is in Christ alone, who never fails us. So this day I encourage you – trust in God. And as we all seek to trust God more fully in our words and deeds, my solemn prayer is this – that God may continue to be revealed more fully through the community found at Esperanza, and that we may be faithful servants of the one who is the source of life and hope for all humanity, regardless of the worries of this world.