Give Us – February 28, 2016

“Give Us”

2 Samuel 11:26-12:14 John 6:24-35

 

In 1921…the American writer Myra Brooks Welch…wrote a poem entitled “The Touch of the Master’s Hand.” ‘Twas battered and scarred, and the auctioneer Thought it scarcely worth his while To waste much time on the old violin, But held it up with a smile: “What am I bidden, good folks,” he cried, “Who’ll start the bidding for me?” “A dollar, a dollar”; then, “Two!” “Only two? Two dollars, and who’ll make it three? Three dollars, once; three dollars, twice; Going for three—-” But no, From the room, far back, a gray-haired man Came forward and picked up the bow; Then, wiping the dust from the old violin, And tightening the loose strings, He played a melody pure and sweet As a caroling angel sings. The music ceased, and the auctioneer, With a voice that was quiet and low, Said: “What am I bid for the old violin?” And he held it up with the bow. “A thousand dollars, and who’ll make it two? Two thousand! And who’ll make it three? Three thousand, once, three thousand, twice, And going, and gone,” said he. The people cheered, but some of them cried, “We do not quite understand What changed its worth.” Swift came the reply: “The touch of a master’s hand.” And many a man with life out of tune, And battered and scarred with sin, Is auctioned cheap to the thoughtless crowd, Much like the old violin. A “mess of pottage,” a glass of wine; A game–and he travels on. He is “going” once, and “going” twice, He’s “going” and almost “gone.” But the Master comes, and the foolish crowd Never can quite understand The worth of a soul and the change that’s wrought By the touch of the Master’s hand. Jesus told us how to get that touch in our own lives. He told us…and the crowd by the lake at Capernaum that it can’t be bought or earned. It comes from the bread of life…Jesus Christ…a gift that God gives us. Suppose you invited another family over for dinner this Sunday afternoon. You prepared and served a grand meal…a really fine spread. You fixed their favorite meat…cooked just as they like it. There was a big tossed green salad, steaming baked potatoes with a hot cheese sauce, a cool refreshing beverage and apple pie a la mode. What a dinner! When it was completed everyone sat back patting full tummies. Now, suppose that when they started to leave your guests pulled out their wallets and asked, “How much do we owe you for this?” You would probably say, “You don’t owe me anything!” But, what if your guests respond, “We most certainly do! We are not freeloaders! How much do we owe you?” They even threw a couple twenty dollar bills on the table. Just the mention of a payment in such a setting would be a grievous insult. Yet…we find ourselves going through life trying to pay for free bread and in the process giving the same kind of insult to our Lord. Jesus said…”This is the word of God that you believe in him whom he has sent.” Jesus was telling us that the bread that endures…that is eternal life…is bread that is freely given…bread that we should freely receive. It comes through belief. We do not pay for it ourselves. The price has already been paid. So often…we become like Brenda. She was the daughter of members of an evangelical faith. She became involved in a church of another faith where people celebrated loudly and were expected to speak in tongues. She was involved in the politics of those who wanted to lead the church. Brenda became tired of church politics. She was tired of revivals and religious rituals that no longer captured her imagination. She had witnessed people taking Jesus’ name to use in their own campaigns for something. She was worried that there was no chance of discovering something beyond her own being. Even the Bible had lost its power. God’s voice had been silenced by what was called religion. Brenda decided she would spend some time in a Catholic convent. She was apprehensive when she approached. She had called ahead and they said there was room…but she had never seen a nun up close…nor had she ever seen that part of the world called Catholic. The monastery grounds were beautiful…large…and private…with many places for contemplation. The buildings were old, but good. A sister answered her knock at the door, but she didn’t wear the expected black and white habit. It was her face that said everything. Brenda felt that she was among people who knew God…who knew what she needed…and who knew how to nurture her. She was taken to her simple room and told she could stay as long as she needed. She asked about costs and was told no money was required. In the silence and simplicity and beauty of that place…Brenda’s soul was restored. Fellow pilgrims in the Christian journey…the priests and nuns…who had walked the road of faith far longer than Brenda spoke to her gently about their discoveries of knowing God. And…they loved her. The clutter of her religious history…with all of its rituals…rules…and politics…began to go away. She began to hear God’s voice speaking words of affection and assurance. She realized how many so-called religious habits she had acquired when all that she really needed was a pure and pristine walk with Jesus. He alone was the bread of life. Her earlier life had been filled to the brim with religion in abundance…but there had been little life in it. Being fed by God is so simple that in a world congested with busyness…it has become hard to understand. Like the pursuit of joy…the more we run after it with strategies and plans…the more it seems to flee. It is not gained by ministry accomplishments…righteous efforts…or the intellectual mastery of the Bible. Being fed by God requires a conversion of thinking…a discovery that God is eager to give…to give us…life and renewal…to give to anyone who can listen in simplicity and piety. The weekly invitation to come to the communion rail during the singing of our last hymn is a short version of Brenda’s trip to the monastery. Coming to the Lord’s Table…as we will be invited to next week… is another similar opportunity to be with God…to be with Jesus…to allow him to give you…give us… life eternal…and comfort and strength for the day. Jesus…the bread of life sent by God to give us eternal life…tells us we will never be hungry…never be thirsty…when we believe and go to him…like we do at the Lord’s Supper…like we do when we come to the communion rail…like we do when we are in prayer…meditation and study. And…we don’t have to go to a far off monastery. He’s right here…has been here…and will be here…walking with us every day. Be reassured that when we turn to him…in belief and trust…we too will be touched by the master’s hand.