The easy path is the law, the Book of Discipline, or titles. It is standing behind documents or words on a page. It takes courage to own that it is hard to be in relationship.

Think about it for just a minute.

What was the name of the church Jesus Christ pastored?

What agreements, education, or hoops did Peter have to jump through?

Who did Jesus send? Why?

He could have sent doctoral degree folks; there were plenty of those around in the Sanhedrin. He could have sent the guys with the big titles like those of the Pharisees. He could have sent anyone.

So why send fishermen, a tax collector, a physician, a zealot (activist), and others with unknown professions?

Maybe it did not have to do with the profession, but with who they would profess? “Who do you say that I am?” might just have been the linchpin for the whole call. They left everything to go off to seminary, take on debt to serve at the pleasure…Nope, they simply followed Christ.

I know that titles afford people a little bit more grace, while trust is earned. But the title is a position. It takes a relationship to build trust. It does not happen incidentally.

Documents or titles might be the way the law sees interactions, but it has never been the way Jesus saw people. He said, “You have hear it said…” Then there was always something else.

You heard, don’t kill. That was on a scroll somewhere. But I say, Love your enemies. That is in the heart.

If you make the way you relate about what is on the paper, your title, or a book, then you miss the entire reason for Jesus. He came for people and lived for people. He died for people – yes, even me and even you.

I hope to be more vile every day and do what God wants, regardless of what I want. That means the hard part: be in relationship.

“So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.” – James 4:17

The world is a scary place for many. What will others think? Will there be more work? What if it is not perfect? Will this impact my reputation?

There are so many reasons to do nothing. This is the paralysis for which Satan rejoices. Many simply stand on his side through inaction. In 1867 John Stuart Mill said, “Bad men need nothing more to compass their ends, than that good men should look on and do nothing.” More people know the second generation of the quote. “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.”

While the quote is a rallying cry for integrity in values paired with action, a better thought is where are the “good men”?

Where are the men who will be a good example for the next generation? Where are the men who set aside the ego and machinations of the image? Where are the tough men who see toughness as being willing to be thought less of? Where are the tough men who are not afraid to have more work to do because of the consequences of doing right? WHere are the tough men who will wash the feet of another?

Setting the crown aside for service was Christ’s actions in the world. He ate with sinners. He touched the unclean. He called out those in authority who held the stones of justice.

He is our justice!

Oh, that there were men in this world who were not afraid to do what was right. Those who would say as Thomas, if he wants to go to Jerusalem, then let us go and die with him.

Please choose to reflect Christ.

Sign up for justice. Speak up for the truth. Care for children. Find the courage to be who God called you to be. It might cost some but doesn’t the gospel cost some?

It cost Christ everything.

The theme for Scout Sunday 2025.

Suggested Liturgy

Call to Worship:

We come as disciples of old to the mountain where we were told. We saw the Lord and heard his words. He told us to go and make disciples of all. We know that while we carry out his mission, He has promised to be with us until the very end of the age. He is with us still. Amen.

Congregation: Amen.

Old Testament Scripture: Psalm 118:22-29 (NIV)

“The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes. The Lord has done it this very day; let us rejoice today and be glad. Lord, save us! Lord, grant us success! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. From the house of the Lord, we bless you. The Lord is God, and he has made his light shine on us. With boughs in hand, join in the festal procession up to the horns of the altar.  You are my God, and I will praise you; you are my God, and I will exalt you. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.”

New Testament Scripture text: Luke 19:37-40 (NIV)

The word of God for the people of God.

Congregation: Thanks be to God.

Suggested Hymns:

UMC Hymnal # 92 “For the Beauty of the Earth”

UMC Hymnal # 62 “All Creatures of Our God and King”

UMC Hymnal # 144 “This is my Father’s World”

Worship and Song # 3003 “How Great Is Our God”

The Faith We Sing #2074 “Shout to the Lord”

The Faith We Sing #2024 “From the Rising of the Sun”

Sermon Idea

Our text in Luke tells the story of Jesus’ triumphant entry. It is firmly set within the imagination of those who know the life of Christ. Jesus has told his disciples to go and get a colt for him to ride into Jerusalem. This portion of the story is a clear sign of fulfilled prophesy. Those around him know it. As he approaches Jerusalem, a crowd of believers begins to join in honoring Jesus. They praise God for the fulfillment of prophecy and the arrival of the new king. In the church, this day is recognized as Palm Sunday.

There is something to be learned that goes beyond the moment of recognition and jubilance in the Christ. There is a lesson for those who see Jesus as the Christ or redeeming king. To understand this lesson, we first need to look at the 19th chapter of Luke more broadly. Where the triumphal entry story shows up can help set the lesson for us.

The chapter opens with the story of a tax collector named Zacchaeus. Tax collectors then made negative comments about the IRS today seem like compliments. Tax collectors were allowed to extract from those being taxed what was due and a service fee. There was no set limit on that fee. Often the tax collectors were taking far more than they needed. Zacchaeus was known to be wealthy from his collections. Jesus would eat with this terribly despised sinner. The result would be a change of heart that led Jesus to say, “Today salvation has come to this house.” That witness is the first nugget in our text. Hold onto it.

Another familiar story is laid out with no transition. You may know it as the parable of the ten minas. It is the same parable that is shared in Matthew. It is often known within the church as the parable of the Ten Talents. There is this rich guy, let’s call him the investor, who decides to invest money with a few of his servants as he heads out to seek to be king. He tells the servants to put his money to work while he is gone. The first was given ten mina and returned the original plus ten. The second was given five mina and returned the five plus five more. To each of these servants, the investor who becomes king places them in charge of cities in proportion to their return. But the third servant received only one mina. He was afraid to lose what was not his. So, he wrapped it in a cloth and hid it. He handed the mina back telling the king saying, “I was afraid of you because you are a hard man. You take out what you did not put in and reap what you did not sow.” This is where it gets a bit ugly. The king judges the man harshly just as the servant had said. He takes the mina away from him and gives it to the one who had ten.

He tells those assembled, “I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but as for the one who has nothing, even what they have will be taken away.” This is the second nugget of the chapter.

Let’s pick up with Jesus. We are given a behind-the-scenes look as prophecy is fulfilled while Jesus prepares to enter Jerusalem. It is now we will meet the followers and the Pharisees.

These two stories set the base for a picture of the conversation between Jesus Christ and the Pharisees. You see, those who followed Jesus were hailing their returning king. They were calling out with scriptural-infused language.

“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord”

“Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”

Any Pharisee, that is a teacher of the law, would have known these calls. The followers were heralding the return of the king. One they recognized. One that the Pharisees did not.

So, let’s look at these three stories in a context. We are first met with Zacchaeus. He is a sinner who changed through the presence of Jesus. It is in Jesus that salvation has come.  What does the story of a short tax collector who sees salvation have to do with an investing king? The real gold here is the witness of who Christ is. He is our salvation. That knowledge and faith are given in varying strengths to his followers. Some people have tremendous faith while others have a little. It doesn’t take much but what we do with that witness makes a difference. There is an expectation to grow it, share it, and tend it. Keeping it to ourselves only diminishes the power of the faith we held.

We will be called to account for the witness Jesus has given. That nugget of faith that can move mountains or grow stale in silence. When others call for us to be silent, we have a choice. Will we fall quietly aside afraid to lose the little given to us? Or will we shout for the king who bares all things for us?

God has created the very earth to share his glory. Jesus let the Pharisees know the stones would cry out.  If we who have received the breath of life and a witness of eternal life are quiet, the rocks will cry out. I have stood in places alone and silent. I have listened with a heart for the eternal. The rocks speak loudly of the one who formed them before human feet ever stirred the dust. The inspire awe of the one who made them.

As a church and a people of God, are we willing to be God’s witnesses and rejoice publicly? Will we return the gift of faith tenfold or fivefold? The challenge is for us to find our voices and use them. It is what we are commissioned for.

In Scouting, we take youth to places of awe and wonder.  Scouts are allowed to see the stars as we cannot see in our cities. The adults don’t have to speak when the stars sing. The conversations turn to how small we are, how big the universe is, and then to God. The Scouts can hear the rocks when the followers are quiet. Standing on Clingman’s Dome, the Tooth of Time, or Half Dome will bring a new perspective. But it is not just in the heights. Scouts hear oceans speak God’s holy name as the waves roll in and out. A sunrise at the ocean settles deep in the heart. This can be the start of a profound faith. It is a witness of the creator’s power.

But God did not put his holy image on the earth but in humanity. God gave us faith and a witness. We must use this great gift and multiply it. Scouting without the witness is short of its purpose, for who can do their Duty to God who does not know God?

Will you join me? Open the doors and the places, speak, shout to the world, “Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” And may the reward be ten-fold in the fulling of the commission. It is a great commission. The harvest is plentiful, and the laborers are few.

May you be blessed today and each day. May God open our mouths not just our buildings.

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the lord. Amen. 

A Scout Responsive Reading

Leader: Upon the mountain top we stand with eternity close by.

Congregation: Can you see the Lord?

Leader: At the ocean’s edge we stand with eternity close by.

Congregation: Can you hear the Lord?

Leader: We gaze on the faces of humanity with eternity close by.

Congregation: Can you see the Lord? We do, praise the Lord.

All: Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Peace in heaven and glory in the highest! We will share our Lord.

Prayer:

Holy God, we come to hear you. We come to celebrate your presence. Open our hearts to others. Help us to share the gifts you have given even the greatest gift of your Son. Help us be a faithful people and a faithful church as we seek to do our duty to you. In Christ’s holy name, Amen.

Scout Sunday Patches are available here.