Welcome
We’re so glad you’ve chosen to be with us this morning. We are continuing our series called “Back to the beginning and today we look at the “strangers” who visit Abraham and Sara and bring some exciting and perhaps scary news to this aging couple.
There are a few things to watch for in the coming days:
Next Sunday, we will not be on Facebook, we will have a zoom experience at 11:00 a.m. You can find the invite on our Facebook page. It’s crucial that you are present for that experience.
Also, look for some summer study options that we will roll out soon.
Listen then, as we prepare for worship:
As Abraham welcomed the strangers, so God welcomes us to this place. God greets us with joy and beckons us, “Rest here for a while.” Here, in this place and time, may we find renewal. Here, in this place and time, may be find refreshment for our souls. Here, in this place and time may we discover, once again the delight we find in God’s presence.
Pastoral Prayer
Please let us know of any prayer concerns you have, by emailing Andrea in the church office or me. As we pray this morning, we are mindful of our neighbors affected by the pandemic, and our neighbors who are protesting systemic racism. May God help us find methods of healing in all our troubles.
The Lord be with you, and with your spirit, let us pray.
Eternal God, you call creation into existence. Every place and every creature is invested with the love which continues to create today. Yet, we are keenly aware that some of our neighbors do not know the comfort of a home, the safety of a community, the satisfaction of a full meal, or the confidence of being valued for who they are. We often treat land as if it were a birthright, not a gift. We take for granted our privilege and don’t consider the true cost. Today, we repent of the ways we have contributed to an un-equal system. We repent of the ways our silence has allowed certain systems to continue.
You called Abraham and Sarah, to leave the familiar and trust you. They were strangers in a foreign land. Yet, their faithfulness was unyielding, their devotion unending, their confidence in your presence unwavering. Open our hearts to such belief, to such trust, to such courage while we navigate this landscape. Help us discover new ways of offering real hope for those who are oppressed by systems of injustice, for those who wander because systems of privilege have pushed them out, for those who hunger because distance and economics put food just out of reach, for children, who wonder when or if they will see their parents again.
As our ancestors, Sarah and Abraham, traveled in an unfamiliar land, let us, with the confidence of your spirit, make our way through this place and time.
Challenge us to believe beyond our vision. Motivate us to act with courage as we work for justice and peace in these days. Let us not be satisfied with the inequalities, the unjust systems, and the oppressive spirit that often prevails.
Let us not tolerate tents for houses, with chain link fences for rooms. Let us not rest until every child of yours can honestly say, “In this place, I feel at home, I feel safe.”
And just as Abraham and Sarah were blessed to be a blessing, their offspring more numerous than the stars in the night sky, bless us to be the light for all who travel difficult uncharted territories this day.
We continue to pray, speaking with one voice the words Jesus taught his disciples,
Our father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil for thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen
Children’s Message
Scripture
The Lord appeared to Abraham by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat at the entrance of his tent in the heat of the day. He looked up and saw three men standing near him. When he saw them, he ran from the tent entrance to meet them, and bowed down to the ground. He said, “My lord, if I find favor with you, do not pass by your servant. Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree. Let me bring a little bread, that you may refresh yourselves, and after that you may pass on—since you have come to your servant.” So they said, “Do as you have said.” And Abraham hastened into the tent to Sarah, and said, “Make ready quickly three measures of choice flour, knead it, and make cakes.” Abraham ran to the herd, and took a calf, tender and good, and gave it to the servant, who hastened to prepare it. Then he took curds and milk and the calf that he had prepared, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree while they ate.
They said to him, “Where is your wife Sarah?” And he said, “There, in the tent.” Then one said, “I will surely return to you in due season, and your wife Sarah shall have a son.” And Sarah was listening at the tent entrance behind him. Now Abraham and Sarah were old, advanced in age; it had ceased to be with Sarah after the manner of women. So Sarah laughed to herself, saying, “After I have grown old, and my husband is old, shall I have pleasure?” The Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh, and say, ‘Shall I indeed bear a child, now that I am old?’ Is anything too wonderful for the Lord? At the set time I will return to you, in due season, and Sarah shall have a son.” But Sarah denied, saying, “I did not laugh”; for she was afraid. He said, “Oh yes, you did laugh.”
Sermon
When you are 99, how fast do you think you will be able to run? That’s Abraham’s age, according to chapter 17. And here, when three strangers show up, he runs to meet them, he runs back to the tent to talk with Sarah. He runs to the herd to find a sheep. I imagine his fitbit got quite the workout that day. But more than counting steps, it’s the attitude that is conveyed here. His radical hospitality; his eagerness to provide some water and crumbs of bread. It’s his unbridled hope that they will stay for a while.
Why would he do that?
Let’s consider where they are: In describing this place, Josephus suggests these trees are as old as creation itself, adding to the mysticism of this place. This is the place God chose to make the covenant with Abram, it is the place where God changed their names to Abraham and Sarah. It’s the place where Abraham built an altar to the Lord. It is becoming a holy place for Abraham and Sarah, two nomads who are starting to put down roots in this promised land. In time, it becomes the burial ground for Abraham, Sarah, and even Isaac. Holy ground. Sacred space.
Let’s consider who these strangers are: Abraham has already encountered God is this place. Three people show up? Could be something special. The author plays with us for a bit. The opening line is “The Lord appeared…” Twice they speak in the plural, as if “they” are one being. But then one of them offers the divine prophecy. Asking about Sarah, … by name … how would they know that unless they are the presence of God in the flesh?
Let’s consider what Abraham does: He sprints like a gazelle. He suggests the bare minimum of hospitality, but delivers much more than was promised. Some commentators believe this was humility, don’t brag about what you have. One rabbi suggests that the righteous “speak little, and do more.” Some believe his generosity comes from a deep place of gratitude. He recognizes his blessings from God and is eager to pay them forward.
Let’s consider what they promise: It’s the same promise to Abraham from chapter 17 where Abraham laughs. Maybe this is a different author, or just a slightly different take on the promise made to an elderly couple. “You will have a son. You will name him Isaac.”
And last, we consider their response: Who wouldn’t laugh at this news. Surprise, shock, disbelief, panic. Nervous laughter is our defense mechanism when the news is too outrageous to comprehend.
And the response of the strangers, says it all. “Is anything too wonderful for the Lord? Here again is a reference to God creating something out of sheer delight, wonder, love, and joy.
I said that there are many discussions about why Abraham and Sarah showed such lavish hospitality to three strangers. There’s one other thought that has value for our consideration today:
Been there. It’s because Abraham and Sarah knew what it is like to be a stranger in a strange land. They knew what it is like to beg strangers for life’s basic needs. They knew first hand the suspicions that come with traveling through a place you’ve never been before. So, water and crumbs become milk, hotcakes made from the best flour, butter, a young calf. It’s a feast that took some time to prepare.
They were saying “We know the hardship. We know the struggle, we know the stares and glares, we know the attacks because you are different.” Calls to 9/11 because we don’t think you belong here. Being chased because why would you be running through our neighborhood;
It’s as if they were saying, “We know the trauma aimed at you, just because you are different. Stay. Stay here for a while. You are completely welcome here. We want you to feel at home, to know this place as comfortable and safe.”
The passage from Hebrews, chapter 13: references this event. But it speaks so profoundly to our moment in history:
“Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. 2 Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. 3 Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.”
And those who are mistreated, … and those who are mistreated. …
I can’t get that phrase out of my head. There is suffering today. It’s been going on for some time. And we may not agree on how to fix the problem, but we agree that it needs to be fixed. Whether you march in protest, or write your legislators. Whether you contribute to organizations that make a difference, or walk down the street and introduce yourself to your neighbors, something needs to change.
And with Abraham as our aging example: Let us get up from our laziness, our complacency, our complicity, our confusion, and run, literally and emotionally, to make a difference. .
Communion
There is a simple blessing for a family meal that goes like this, “Come, Lord Jesus, be our guest, and let this food to us be blessed.”
Our scripture this morning reflects a similar presumption. That we, recognizing the holy among us, would offer gifts and a welcome place at our table. It contradicts what we often say, that Jesus the Christ is the host of this table, and it is he who welcomes everyone, everyone, to this place.
Perhaps this is reconciled with Abraham and Sarah’s example. Recognizing the blessings they received from God already, they joyfully share what they have with their guests, transforming something ordinary into a feast.
This then, is grain of the field, by the work of human hands it becomes bread to nourish our bodies, and at this table, and by the grace of God, it becomes holy food. This then, is fruit of the vine, by the work of human hands, it becomes a drink to refresh our bodies, and at this table, and by the grace of God, it becomes holy nourishment for our souls.
Sharing our Resources
Our gifts reflect our gratitude. We share from what we have received. Sometimes that is money, but many times it is food, providing a service for someone else. Or even the gift of listening. Maybe you can share in the comments, some of the ways you have shared the love of God this week, and you can note in the comments, many of the ways you can continue to support the work of this church.
Benediction
God showed up to Abraham and Sarah with surprising news. God showed up to you and me with love outpoured in Jesus the Christ. Let us show up, for our neighbors with compassion, and with courage, to make a difference in this world. By the grace of God, we can.