“Are The Walking Dead For Real?”

Sermon Delivered By Rev. Dick Stetler – February 28, 2016

Centenary United Methodist Church

Psalm 63:1-8; Luke 13:1-9

 

    Have you ever noticed the number of spiritual themes and symbols that appear in the fairytales that were read to us as children? Cinderella had its storyline borrowed from the time when Samuel anointed David to be the king of Israel.  (I Samuel 16:8f)  The story of Brer Rabbit and the Tar Baby comes directly from an ancient episode in the life of Buddha that took place during an earlier incarnation.  That saga was called, Prince Five Weapons and Sticky Hair.  

    Today, there is a very popular TV series called, The Walking Dead. It is so well-liked that the series is in its sixth season.  While I have not seen a single episode, the storyline is based on comic book characters where many themes concerning zombies had their origin.  It is interesting that Jesus used this theme in our lesson this morning.  First, I want to give you some background that may help us to understand our Gospel reading more clearly.

    Prior to Jesus’ ministry, Pilate had to improve the water supply coming into Jerusalem. Water shortages had become a daily experience so the project had to be done.  Pilate built a large aqueduct system.  A problem arose among the people when they learned that the construction had been financed by a portion of the Temple’s treasury.  When a number of Galileans learned of this robbery of God’s money, they were enraged.

     A large hostile mob of Galilean protesters came to Jerusalem.  Pilate instructed his soldiers to mingle among the people disguised as everyday citizens.  They wore cloaks that hid their battle dress and the clubs that they were carrying.  Pilate gave explicit orders to the men that no one was to be killed.  At a given signal, they were to reveal their identity as Roman soldiers and disburse the crowd. 

    However, when the signal was given the soldiers violently attacked the mob in a manner that far exceeded what Pilate had ordered.  Many Galileans were killed.  This event caused a deep political rift between Pilate and King Herod.        

    There was another incident referenced in our lesson -- the death of eighteen men when a tower collapsed near the pool Siloam.  Galilean laborers were working on one of the structures designed to support Pilate’s overhead aqueduct when it caved in killing many of them.  It was known that the workers were being paid with God's Money that Pilate had taken from the Temple’s treasury.

    People came to Jesus wondering if there was a connection between the deaths of Galileans in Jerusalem and their sinful nature. Jesus responded, "Absolutely not!"   After answering this question, Jesus taught that they would experience death every bit as final as the deaths of the Galileans if they did not change their thinking and responses to life's events. (Luke 13:5)

    This is where the theme of The Walking Dead in my sermon title had its origin.  Every generation finds itself surrounded by people that are going through the paces of living, but their spirits remain dormant, absent and invisible to the rest of us.  They are not bearing the fruits of cheerfulness, joy, kindness, and a listening presence.

    There are so many circumstances in people's lives that truly matter to them.  The experience becomes so controlling that they become stuck by attaching their spirits and energy to the event.  This was a constant theme that I encountered during my years in ministry.  This attaching process has not gone away. 

    Today, teenagers are allowing themselves to become immobilized by what their peers are saying about them on the Internet. Adults still have problems with the belief that their mother withheld her love from them. Scars have endured in some people ever since they were labeled a failure when a teacher had made a hasty comment without using good judgment. I called these pot holes in my remarks last week.

    These attachments give people the feeling that they have become like a ship dragging its anchor and yet they often refuse to cut the chain that would set them free. They feel that it is an entitlement to feel the way they do. There was nothing more rewarding in my ministry than to help people decide to make a course correction.

    Because of the freewheeling delivery-style of my message to the Cub Scouts last Sunday, I mentioned one of the key reasons that caused me to enter the ministry.  I entered the ministry to help people evaluate what was driving them in the direction their lives were headed. 

    Even during my college and seminary years of training, I noticed that students and some faculty were totally committed to attaching themselves passionately to some cause in our community. Their faces no longer smiled. Their once friendly spirits became aloof.  Their spirits would only light up when they were with those who shared their passionate beliefs.

    The theme of the walking dead comes from Jesus' parable at the end of our lesson.  Translated, this parable was teaching that countless people are walking around absolutely mindless as to who they are.  Because they know very little about their essential selves, they have lost the intuitive link to God's spirit within them.  It is there but if they are unaware of its meaning, they cannot access it.

    They have chosen to remain attached to the things in this world, a world that is constantly changing.  People seldom stop to realize that the world has been and will always remain completely dysfunctional.  What makes it this way is that it is filled with seven billion people that have value systems, opinions and maturity levels that can be as different as night and day. 

    The parable at the end of our lesson features a fig tree that did not bear fruit for three years.  The owner ordered that the tree be cut down.  The gardener asked if he could have a year to become more attentive to the tree.  He wanted to talk to it, dig around the roots and apply some fertilizer.  Permission to do so was granted.

    Pastors often assume the role of that gardener.  They frequently use Biblical personalities to illustrate what the power of God's presence has enabled these people to do.  They exhibit patience, endurance, perseverance, and courage of faith to cope with life's twists and turns.  Joseph being sold into slavery and Paul being whipped and beaten three times are often used to demonstrate what a sustaining faith looks like.  Have you ever noticed that hearing stories of how others have conquered life's unwanted events seldom bring us comfort or peace?

    When we experience a major upset, it does not help to know that we are not alone. It does not help to realize that we are not the first persons to experience such a thing. It does not help to learn that we are like a chunk of coal that is being made into a diamond because of all the heat and pressure we are experiencing. Such references do not rally our inner resources.  We are numb, lack a clear direction and often find it near impossible to experience emotional healing until some time in the future. 

     We can either choose to strengthen our own spiritual musculature by paddling our canoes gently down the stream or become emotionally attached to every personal conflict we encounter.  Jesus could ask, "Why not first take the log out of your own eye so that you can see clearly to take the speck out of the eye of your brother and sister."  (Matthew 7:5)  Jesus was inviting everyone to become a light while knowing that we live in a dysfunctional world.

    No doubt a number of you have read or watched the political theater taking place among the various candidates that are seeking the highest office in the United States.  A one-liner was heard by the audience during Thursday evening's Republican debate that describes the theme that dominates politics every day of our lives.  Yes, even in Bermuda.  

    Dr. Ben Carson was receiving very little attention from those asking the questions to the candidates.  He suddenly blurted out, "Would someone please attack me?"   Why is politics always about attacking, about destroying the character of the opponents, and by finding fault with every plan or decision another has made?  Once again, a broad-brush answer is that we live in a dysfunctional world where everyone has their own version of what is best for everyone else.

    Jesus admitted that very little in this world mattered to him when he told Pontius Pilot, "My Kingdom is not of this world."  Why is it so hard to make these words our mantra as well?  Jesus was not everyone's judge and jury. He wanted people to change how they think.  Remaining among the ranks of the walking dead serves no purpose.  Yes, zombies are for real. They live all around us.  Now and then we become one of them.

    This Lenten season, we need to reflect on which world we want to dominate our lives.  Loving other people with compassion, empathy and understanding does not mean that we need to become part of what they have chosen to cling to.  

    His commitment to living in the world of spirit is how Jesus could go to the cross still speaking words of love.   What he was communicating was this:  "What is happening to me right now does not matter in the world where I live."  He was as right about that, as we are blind to his truth being true for us as well.   As important as the issues of our lives appear to be, are they worth sacrificing our loving spirit on the altars that honor the values of this world?