As Paul writes to the Philippians,
he’s been imprisoned.
A lot of people
have a lot of complaints about Paul.
I understand them.
I especially understand them
in the kind of textualist fundamentalism
that pervades American and Western culture
where we only want to look at the words on the page
and not who wrote them,
when they wrote them
or what they were writing about.
This is true from the church house
to the courthouse.
One of the complaints about Paul
is that he never met Jesus.
That’s true.
He was not one of Jesus’ disciples.
He did not hear Jesus’ longing for humanity
that we hear in today’s passage from Luke.
This passage from Luke
says more about humanity
than it could the children of Abram.
If Jesus came to the United States
at any point in time —
not just right now —
he’d be ridiculed and put to death, too.
When Paul writes
many live
as enemies of the cross of Christ;
I have often told you of them,
and now I tell you even with tears.
Their end is destruction;
their god is the belly;
and their glory is in their shame;
their minds are set on earthly things”
the temple is still standing
and none of the gospels has been composed or compiled.
Vesuvius hadn’t erupted
and the Romans saw Christianity
as some internal squabble among Judaism.
Paul is writing to Christians
who are living in a state of empire
and can’t imagine
the idea of Christendom.
Some persecution had started,
but what they’re facing
is much more basic than that.
Those who collect power —
especially power for its own sake —
are enemies of the cross of Christ.
While the Roman empire is who killed Jesus,
the American empire would do the same.
Despite much work to the contrary
through the course of Christianity
even within Anglicanism over time
or The Episcopal Church at prayer
as a party of respectability
and certainly American Evangelicalism
the point of Christianity
is not amassing power
and forcing others to live like us.
As Paul writes about enemies of the cross
he’s not vaguely talking about
people with quibbles over sexual morality
or dietary restrictions
or Christ-ordained
communism
or libertarianism.
As Paul is writing about enemies of Jesus’ cross,
he means those who oppose its message.
In writing to other churches
Paul calls this message of the Cross
foolishness to the wise
and a stumbling block
to those who are used to a different approach
to the throne of the God of Abram.
I’m mostly off social media this Lent
so I’m not getting bombarded with the up to the minute
“What is going on?
Is this real life?”
I have to say
not living in the twenty-four hour news cycle
with its breaking news
followed by hot takes
and commentary
is actually refreshing.
As I’m reading Sinclair Lewis’
It Can’t Happen Here, though,
I’m recognizing from 90 years ago
what is now being floated
as the unitary executive theory.
The humility of the cross,
Jesus’ willingness to die for humanity
is antagonistic to the idea
that Congress and the Courts
serve in a a merely advisory capacity
to whoever the Chief Executive is.
Paul writes to the Philippians today
because while persecutions are just starting
their commitment to no king but Christ
will be tested.
The crown that Christians celebrate
is the crown of thorns that adorned Jesus’ head
as he gave himself up for us.
Followers of a savior who was willing to die
are enemies to those whose power
comes from brute force and bullying
God’s love made manifest in Jesus
and Jesus’ love poured out
in his death at the hands of the empire
stand in defiant opposition
to those who threaten their detractors
with disappearance, deportation, and death.
Paul is writing to the Philippians
because it’s about 10 years
since he founded a church there.
He doesn’t want them to lose heart
and to remember that Jesus is with them
as they face persecution
and their faith in the reign of God
is tested.
He’s writing them
to encourage them in their faith
and to remember that
their citizenship is in heaven
and from there they’re expecting a savior.
As we hear this passage,
we’re plugging along through Lent:
needing encouragement for our own journeys
needing encouragement to examine our consciences.
Last week Amy reminded us
of how the last Trump administration ended.
We’re not even two months in,
but our commitment to Jesus
is likely to be tested one way or another
as we live through these next four years.
Following Jesus is
what Paul wants the church at Philippi
to remember to do.
He tells them that when trials arise
they should remember he’s available.
In his absence, too,
are those who’ve persevered in the faith
and can be looked to for help.
“Brothers and sisters,
join in imitating me,
and observe those who live
according to the example you have in us.”
Paul confronts the Philippians
with the realities
that there are enemies of the cross.
Remembering that our citizenship is in heaven
doesn’t let us spiritually bypass
the problems of the world around us.
Having a sock box and pantry in our parking lot
and monthly pleas for the Vicar’s Discretionary Fund
remind us that there are ills in the world around us
and we’re not just going to slip off to heaven
while the world burns.
Jesus came to be with us,
and walked this journey of life and death with us.
If the world burns
we’re called to follow Jesus into the pits
offering first aid, comfort, and love.
We live here and now…
and our citizenship is in heaven,
and it is from there
that we are expecting a Savior,
the Lord Jesus Christ.
O Holy Christ,
Your burdens are light
But your blessings are heavy
Almost too weighty to bear
There’s a hook in this meal
To receive is to follow
And you won’t always say where
What fool would dare follow you?
Amen.