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Matthew 2:13-23 During the past few months, our nation has come to understand terrorism in a new way. The events of September 11 th brought home the vivid pain and grief of senseless death and destruction.What is terrorism? The origin of the English word dates to 1795, so we know that this is not a new concept. The meaning of the word is the systematic use of terror as a means of coercion. In the case of the terrorist attacks on America, we learned that the network of terrorists used a systematic method to plan the atrocities. Operatives were sent to the United States for flight training and martial arts lessons. They received instruction in avoiding detection. The method was so intricate that some of the participants didn't know their ultimate end. All of this was undertaken for coercion. It was planned to bring about death and destruction that would cause Americans and the world to question U.S. policy toward Islamic states. It was designed to undermine American confidence in government, security, and well-being. The immediate aftermath of the attacks brought widespread disbelief, horror, and pain. In many ways, our nation and the world reeled from the terrible wreckage and loss of life. Thousands of families grieved for dead or injured loved ones, our leaders grappled with our ability to respond, and the economy sagged. As jobs were lost, untold numbers of people had their lives changed for the worst. Homelessness across the nation is now at record levels. Shelters and soup kitchens report more people in need of help than ever before. The pain and suffering continues. In many ways, our nation has moved on from the terrible events of September. People are beginning to fly again. There are some small glimmers of hope for the economy. And a newfound spirit of togetherness and optimism is building among Americans. But the pain is still there. As we search our way through the meaning of terrorism in our lives, is there anything we can learn from the Bible? Since this is the Christmas season, we're used to soft stories of the babe in the manger and visits from the shepherds. But another part of the Christmas story holds keys to escaping terrorism. The wise men made their way to find the baby Jesus with Mary and Joseph. After giving their presents, they departed. Shortly after their visit, Joseph had another dream in which an angel warned him. Last week we talked about Joseph's openness to the voice of God in his life. Do you remember the visit by the angel to assure Joseph about Mary's pregnancy? Once again, Joseph was open to the voice of God in his life. And from this message, we learn the first lesson about escaping terrorism:
The angel of God warned Joseph to take Mary and Jesus and flee into Egypt. There they would be safe from King Herod, who was jealous of the baby's fame and potential power. If Joseph chose to stay in Bethlehem, or to return to Galilee, the life of Jesus was in danger. Notice what Joseph did. When the Angel urged him to flee, he didn't hesitate at all. The gospel lesson tells us that he "took the child and his mother by night and went to Egypt." Sometimes it's possible to escape the cruelty, to physically
remove ourselves to preserve life. Have you had that urge since
We should remember that escaping may preserve life. But it can also mean terrible hardship. For many, it means leaving everything that is familiar. It might require going to places that seem strange and foreign. Millions of people in our world have fled violence and now live as refugees. Afghans fled to Pakistan to escape the bombs. But they're not the only ones. There are Mexican immigrants who seek economic safety. There are Cuban boat people who yearn for political freedom. The United Methodist Committee on Relief, through donations that we make, provides assistance to help refugees to go on with their lives. Here in Tucson, we support a number of agencies such as Primavera, Tucson Metropolitan Ministries, and other agencies to provide safety and shelter. Why are we involved in this kind of work? Why do we help the refugees? When we give shelter to the refugee, we give shelter to the Baby Jesus, who was himself a refugee. The French artist Luc Olivier Merson painted a scene called "Repose in Egypt." The painting shows a night scene in the desert. Mary and the baby Jesus are asleep in the hollow between the body and the right paw of the Sphinx, the halo from the Child's head illuminating the face of the Sphinx. Joseph is wrapped in a blanket at the base of the statue. Many people have to leave home today to save their lives. Whether it is a wife facing domestic violence, or a young person escaping an alcoholic parent, or an immigrant escaping hunger. It's okay to flee to safety - away from the terror. When we do so, we aren't cast away from God's presence, but are in the company of God's own little chosen family.
Ramah was a town about four miles North of Jerusalem. It was where, 500 years before Christ, the armies of Nebuchadnezzar rounded up Israelites for deportation to Babylon. The tomb of the Jewish matriarch Rachel, wife of Jacob, was also in Ramah. So Matthew remembers the prophet's image of Rachel, from her tomb, grieving over the forced exile of her descendants. "A voice was heard in Ramah, wailing and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; She refused to be comforted because they are no more." And Matthew relates it to the inconsolable weeping of the mothers of Bethlehem. This is a difficult text to deal with. What do Christians, followers of the child of Light and Peace do with a story of spine-tingling cruelty? And Ramah is about more than separation and suffering; it's about spine-tingling cruelty. First, let me tell you about Herod. He was a master of assassination. He had no sooner come to the throne, than he annihilated the Supreme Council of the country, the Sanhedrin. He murdered his wife, mother-in-law, and three of his own sons. As he was dying, he arranged the slaughter of the notable men of Jerusalem-to make sure someone would mourn Jerusalem when he was dead! So for Herod to arrange the slaughter of some 20-30 babies in a little town like Bethlehem was hardly worth mentioning in his list of bloody deeds. But why did Matthew have to tell us this and ruin a perfectly Christmas story? Why? Because Herod is alive and well today, and trying to cover up his atrocities. Those stories need to be told. During the last century we saw the likes of Hitler and Pol Pot. We witnessed Southern Lynch mobs and bombs in Birmingham Sunday School classrooms. And most recently the grisly aftermath of Osama Bin Laden. So, we don't need to question whether a story like this is relevant to our lives today. Herod lives wherever Croatians and Serbs live in terror of each other. He lives on the South side where city-dwellers dread the next gang turf-war. Herod lives in our wealthy suburbs whenever a person of one color is afraid walking through a neighborhood where another color predominates. Herod lives wherever a child crouches under a bed, trying to escape the next blow or threat. Have you been to Ramah? You may never have been to Israel, but
you may know the terror of Ramah. These stories need to be This story is in the Bible because the Bible is a book of real life. Not a book about the way we wish things could be. It is the story of the cruel and broken and painful world God came to - through Jesus - to show another way. Matthew wasn't afraid to include the story of sufferings and anguish, because he believed our God is great enough to weave even those stories into a story of redemption. Into this world of the Herods and the Hitlers and the Drug Lords and violent spouses and out-of-control parents who hurt their kids - into this world God has chosen to enter, as Protector! -- but more often as Companion, Comforter, Advocate, Healer. In telling these stories we find truth, strength, and inspiration. Our faith would mean little if it didn't reach into our pain...if it didn't include the stories of Ramah. The Christmas story is powerful because it is big enough and inclusive enough to promise hope even in deep despair. Even as Rachel cried and refused to be consoled, God heard every teardrop fall. We can endure by holding fast to a faith in a God who weeps for our suffering as did Rachel, a Christ who knew the tortures of a cross, and a hope for a deliverance which we do not yet see. Which may not come in our lifetime, even. Yet we hold fast and wait for it with patience.
Herod died and Joseph and Mary were finally able to return from Egypt. But Herod's son was the new ruler over Judea, so they were forced to change their plans once again. They traveled to Galilee, where they established a home in Nazareth. It was a town without much pride or history. It was a typical, run-of-the-mill town. It wasn't exactly remote, caravan routes passed near it and the travelers kept the news of the world passing on the streets of Nazareth. Within the region, it seems that Nazareth was the butt of jokes, or a slur. At one point in the gospels, Nathaniel asks, "Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?" So, here we have the Son of the Almighty God come to earth. And lets take a look at his life so far. There wasn't even enough room for him to be born in a hotel. Instead, he was born in a stable and placed in a manger. Then, he had to live as a refugee in a foreign country. When he returned to his homeland, he couldn't live in the place of his ancestors, but wound up in a non-descript town. Wow. That's not too impressive is it? If we were looking at someone's resume today with a history like that, we might not even consider them for the job. The after-effects of terrorism could have stunted the life of Jesus. The rigor of the refugee life in Egypt - the fear of Herod's son could have created resentment and fear. But the power of God lived through the ministry and teachings of Jesus. He brought a powerful new message that replaced the law with love. So, if you find yourself in ordinary surroundings today --- if you find yourself dealing with cruelty and unfair treatment - don't despair. Remember that you're in good company. God's own son knows what it's like. He's lived through it as well. And out of the ordinary town of Nazareth came a life that changed the world.
Have you ever been to Ramah? I hope not. It's a place of cruelty and terror. But maybe you have, or maybe you're living as a refugee, or maybe you're even living in Ramah now. God calls for you to escape with your Spirit-treasure intact - like Joseph and Mary, even if you have to live as a refugee. Find a safe place where you can live your faith. Know that your story is part of God's story. Your story hasn't been written out of the gospel. God hears the silent weeping and laments of Rachel, as well as those of all God's children. A Jewish legend says: "A child asked why the ocean is so vast. The rabbi answered, 'Because every time God sees the suffering of His children, he sheds two tears.'" That's how deeply God cares for his children.
Amen |