Early
this year, Pope Francis asked that question on faith,
Taking risks to follow Jesus is the place we grow in our
faith. It keeps us from becoming stagnant.
But, the reality is that taking risks to follow Jesus is about
facing our fear. And, we are our own distractors. I’ll stay where it’s safe:
- What if someone judges me?
- What if someone hurts my feelings?
- What if someone challenges what I say?
- What if I embarrass myself?
As
a deacon, I face these every day. To stand against this self-doubt, I pray a
lot and think about things like bungee jumping.
Most
have seen a bungee jump. A person stands on the edge of a cliff tied to an elastic
rope and jumps. Bungee jumpers take risks with the faith that the elastic rope will
catch them before they hit the bottom.
That’s
what faith is about, the risk of the unknown. Real faith takes risks to realize
rewards. If they can trust that rope, I can trust God. The bungee jumpers’
rewards are thrills. A Christian’s reward is hope.
That’s
the story in the gospel. Taking a risk, the Canaanite woman came to Jesus for a
reward of hope.
She
was alone. She was a Canaanite Gentile and a woman in a time when a Canaanite would
not approach a Jew and a woman would not approach a man.
Like
every person that comes to Jesus, she came for what was important to her.
That
is the way it is with everyone. People come to God with a personal agenda. They
think God is behind them, what they do, their beliefs, culture, and even more.
But,
God doesn’t care about personal agenda. He has mercy on
all.
God’s
mercy and grace extends to the hearts of all who live. God’s house is a house of prayer for all peoples. Christ’s church is
for all believers.
We
should pray that personal walls between people fall. In faith, we should work
to break down walls of hate, prejudice, and bigotry. These issues are still
prevalent in the world today.
That
is why people who follow Jesus should be risk takers by faith and in faith.
By
taking a risk to follow Jesus, the Canaanite woman knocked down walls. The disciples tried to run her off. She persisted. Her
faith was Jesus would cure her child.
Probably,
she was afraid, but, took a risk of faith. She came to Jesus with hope for a miracle.
Someone was depending on her to stand up and take the risks to follow Jesus.
She
stood up to hate, prejudice, and bigotry for love of her daughter and the hope of
healing.
Jesus’
words are confusing because He insults her. “It is not
right to take the bread of the children and give it to the dogs.”
Maybe
it was a test, because even with that insult, He doesn’t send her away.
She
doesn’t turn away. Like a bungee jumper, she went to the edge and jumped.
“Even the dogs eat the scraps that fall from the table.” She stood her ground before the one she recognized as the
messiah, the Lord, the Son David and had just asked for a miracle.
She
was considered a person who didn’t matter. Everything was stacked against her
as a Canaanite and a woman in a male Jewish world.
Yet,
Jesus loved her and her answer. “Woman, great is your
faith! Let it be done for you as you wished.” And the woman's daughter was
healed from that hour.
God
doesn’t care about personal agendas. He cares for all. Christ’s love and
compassion extends beyond personal boundaries. He has
mercy on all.
Jesus
came looking for lost sheep, for someone ready to risk all for faith, hope, and
love. This woman was the one willing to take that risk.
Jesus
was looking the sheep that recognized him as the messiah. The shepherd breaks
down walls of culture, prejudice, bigotry, and hate that scattered his flock.
Following Jesus isn’t easy. It’s always a risk, but it’s wonderful! (Pope Francis)
We
are adopted children of God, which is our greatness and call to faith.
Our
faith is special; put it out there for the world to see. Someone is depending
on you to standup and take the risk to follow Jesus when everyone is trying to
send you away.
The
world faces the same problems that Canaanite woman faced. We should take risks
to follow Jesus or our faith will become stagnant. We don’t move or grow
instead we judge.
The
world is on the edge ready to jump. God is mercy and asks us to be conduits of
mercy. Take the risks needed to follow Jesus and bring to others God’s mercy
through faith, hope, and love. It keeps our world from hitting bottom.
Don’t
live in your fears, take risk to follow Jesus. Trust God win everything. Be
like the Canaanite woman and make a difference.
Yall
be good, yall be holy and preach the gospel by the way you live and love. Amen.
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