Loving God, your Son, Jesus, came to give his life for us and to show us the way of love and service to others. By the power of your Spirit, fill us with the power of his endless life this day, and empower us for lives of service; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

It might be my imagination, but it seems to me that we live in a culture in which people are more and more self-serving. It is a culture of the individual, and of my right to live my life in the way that I want to. Whether it is the church or a community group or organization, the questions that people are asking seem to be the same. "What's in it for me? What can this group or this church do for me? What's the government going to do for me?" Personal convenience and "somebody else doing something for me" and "does it turn my crank?" seem to be the main considerations in order to actually get involved in anything. Otherwise, it just doesn't seem to be worth it. You know, it's no wonder that so many people feel as if they have nothing to live for. For, in their minds, they have only themselves and the vast disappointment of not getting everything that they think that they should from others.

Such a way of thinking is a vicious cycle - one which actually enslaves people rather than setting them free. It is a sign of the human condition - the slavery to sin that afflicts us all. In fact, that's why our gospel reading today talks about Jesus giving his life as a ransom for many (Mk. 10:45). The ransom is the price that would be paid in order to free a slave. The assumption, of course, is that all of us are slaves who need to be set free. We are born as human beings who share in the condition of Adam and Eve - enslaved by sin, and condemned by the law to death.

Now, it's entirely possible that there are people here today who don't feel as if they've ever been enslaved by anything, let alone their own sinfulness. But let's take a look at some of the ways in which we quite willingly enslave ourselves to various things in this world. For example, just think about the number of people today who are quite literally enslaved by their possessions. How much time and energy goes into getting more money in order to be able to get more things? How much time and energy goes into maintaining and repairing the things that we already have? How many people live in fear that somebody is going to either take or destroy their most prized possessions? Isn't it all kind of like the possessions owning us, rather than the other way around?

Another example which immediately comes to mind is that of addictions. No matter what it is that we are addicted to, be it alcohol, or drugs, or tobacco, or caffeine, or gambling, or even golf, the stronger the addiction, the more we have given over control of our lives to the source of our addiction. When we don't have it, we're thinking about how we can get it. If it's costing us more and more money, that doesn't matter - we need it! Isn't it true that pretty soon it is the alcohol or the drugs or the gambling that are controlling us, and not the other way around? And yet we willingly allow these things to take over our lives.

For others among us, perhaps guilt is the thing that takes over in our lives. Everything we do, it's because somebody said that we "should" be doing it. In fact, sometimes it is the guilt that begins to drive every decision that we make. "I feel guilty so I'd better go visit my father again. I feel guilty, so I'd better give some money to those poor people. I haven't done enough yet for other people to be pleased with me, so I'd better keep doing more, even if it wears me down into the ground." Guilt can be a powerful taskmaster, if we allow it to be.

Now, these are just some of the ways in which we are enslaved by sin, which is essentially a self-centered and self-serving approach to the world. It's all about me and what I want - which does not, in fact, set us free, but instead enslaves us. This is true because it is not the purpose for which we were created. We were created to live in love for God through loving and serving others. When we choose self-service instead, we hurt ourselves, others, and God, and have only death and judgment to look forward to. However, in Jesus Christ we are set free from this cycle of death.

Do you remember what happens in the gospel of John when Jesus talks to the people about setting them free? He says,

If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free (Jn. 8:31-32).

However, the people are confused, and don't feel as if they have ever been slaves to anyone - nor do they feel any need to be set free. It is then that Jesus reminds them that they are slaves to sin.

Now, we looked earlier at just some of the things that people allow to enslave them: possessions, addictions, guilt. The question is, what does it look like to be free from these things? What does it look like when we allow Jesus to set us free?

With possessions, we saw how they can actually take over our lives, generating anxiety and the feeling of always needing more. However, when Jesus is at the center of our lives, possessions lose their power over us, for we recognize that all things are gifts from God, given to be used for the benefit of others. And so if something gets stolen - well, it wasn't ours in the first place, and God will provide. Besides that, we learn to be content with whatever we have, for God provides all that is needed in order to do what we have been called to do.

Now, with addictions it can be much more complex, especially when there is a physical dependency involved. However, the 12 Step programs have it right, for they begin with admitting that the addiction has taken control of our lives, and that the power needs to be handed over to God instead. For when God is the power in our lives, and especially when Jesus Christ is at the center, what we want becomes less important than what God wants for us. And God's will for us never includes causing harm to ourselves or to the people around us.

Finally, there is guilt, which seems to rule in so many people's lives. It is so very tiring to always be doing things because we "should" be. However, when Jesus is at the center of our lives, there are no "should's." In fact, Jesus never "should" on people. Instead, Jesus says to us, "You are God's own precious creation. You have been redeemed and made holy by the power of the Spirit. You are forgiven! I love you. Now go and live in response to that love, sharing it with others." We are set free to live, not out of guilt, but out of love.

All of this is how the ransom works, and what it means to be set free. James and John came to Jesus looking for something for themselves - with a self-serving attitude. However, Jesus shows them that self-serving attitudes have no place in his kingdom, for the greatest rulers will be the ones who serve others. In fact, this is what they are called to do as followers of Jesus, for all who would follow him are called to imitate his life of loving service to others.

Incidentally, this is just as true of congregations as it is of individuals. Congregations also can be either self-serving or giving of themselves to others. Really, it's a matter of perspective. When a congregation is turned inward - worried about survival, worried about keeping the members happy, worried about maintaining the status quo - this is being self-serving. It is a mind-set where the people ask, "What will this church do for me?" and "What can we do to preserve this church?".

On the other hand, when a congregation has Christ at the center, its mission is clear. For our mission is the same as Jesus' was - loving service in a hurting and needy world. In order to fulfill this mission, it means turning outward rather than inward. It means always asking how we can reach those who have never even heard about Jesus Christ. It means asking how we can minister to the people in the community who are most in need. For the one whom we follow as Lord and Saviour did not come "to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many" (Mk. 10:45). In this is freedom and fulfillment.

It is one of the great paradoxes of life that true freedom is to be found in the giving of ourselves to others. I'd like to close by sharing with you a poem that I wrote a number of years ago, which is called, "Paradox."

PARADOX

Is not two doctors,
But a sense of humour helps.

The search for meaning
Yields platitudes and empty answers.

The more happiness is pursued,
The more it runs away.

When we get what we think we want,
We only want more.

Those who are feeling lonely
Often isolate themselves from other people.

Those who are labelled insane
Often have more insight than the sane.

Using the earth for our "comfort"
Will be the discomfort of all.

It is in darkness that
The light shines brightest.

It is only by experiencing great sorrow
That we can experience great joy.

It is when studying
That one learns the least about life.

Jesus had to suffer and die
In order to bring healing and life.

It is only by giving ourselves to others
That we find our meaning and worth and happiness.

It is in giving our life to others
That we find our very selves.

Amen.

Proper 24(B) Mark 10:35-45
October 22, 2006
St. Luke's Zion Lutheran Church
Pastor Lynne Hutchison Moore

? 2006 Lynne Hutchison Moore All Rights Reserved