Imagine
A Weary World Rejoices - Part 5
Sunday, December 13, 2020
Luke 1:46-55, 67-79
God has pulled down the powerful from their thrones and lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away empty handed.
Luke 1:52-53
In her song of praise, Mary clearly proclaims the Good News of the Gospel of Peace. God lifts up the lowly and fills the hungry. Good news indeed.
That is, unless you are among the powerful brought down from your throne or among the rich going away empty handed. Honestly, I’m not so sure someone like Herod considered this very good news.
One of the greatest struggles in our society is the notion of a zero-sum game. We have been conditioned to believe that we never have enough and that for someone else to get more somehow implies that we get less. If everyone has equal status and is provided all they need, then no one is more worthy or esteemed or privileged than another.
Jesus breaks the chains of oppression, but for those of us who benefit from oppressive systems, do we really want him to? The last shall be first sounds great for the last, but someone’s got to be last and those who were first will not see this great reversal as good news.
Can we imagine a world where first and last have no meaning? Can we imagine a society where the only power we seek is the empowerment of our brothers and sisters? Can we imagine a government where the only law is love and the outcome of this law is absolute peace?
Everything must change.
Listen to this week’s sermon here:
Video of the complete worship service available at http://asburyumc-huntersville.com/live