Under The Boot

April 21, 2002

Download Sermon

Scripture: I Peter 2:18-25

Well, I must say that if this passage today hadn’t been assigned, I don’t think I would have picked it.

Who am I kidding? I KNOW I wouldn’t have picked it. I doubt if I’ve preached on a text from I Peter more than 7 or 8 times in my life. It’s not something I’m proud of. I’m not bragging when I say that, just reporting. This is not a book of the New Testament I’ve dug into with the thoroughness I should have, or with the thoroughness it deserves.

In fact, again in a confessional mode, I haven’t done very much preaching from most of the books in the later part of the New Testament.... those that are placed after the letters of Paul. There’s some good stuff there, some nuggets of genuine value, but it does come later, both in placement in the corpus and in chronology, so we tend to concentrate on it less. I wouldn’t have started here left to my own devices, and I certainly wouldn’t have, if the Lectionary hadn’t pushed me, chosen a passage that begins with an apparent tacit blessing to the institution of slavery.

Did you catch the first line of the Scripture reading, verse 18 of 1st Peter, Chapter 2, today’s epistle lesson?

Did it strike you as very strange? “Slaves, accept the authority of your masters with all deference, not only those who are kind and gentle, but also those who are harsh.”

What’s going on here, anyway? Is this good Biblical counsel?

You can imagine some antebellum plantation owners seizing on this text in the Old South before the War for Southern Independence...or the War of Northern Aggression, as my grandmother used to call it..... You can imagine rabid southern slave owners 150 years ago claiming it to justify holding human beings in bondage for economic gain.... “Slaves, accept the authority of your masters...”

It was a popular text in those days, BUT WE CAN’T ACCEPT THAT NOW... The very idea of slavery---someone owning another---is patently offensive to us.

And here, Peter, or whoever is the author of the epistle...scholars debate that question....here Peter seems to be condoning it, or at the very least accepting it, without challenge, without even raising a question.

WHAT ARE YOU SUPPOSED TO DO WITH THAT IF YOU HAVE A SOCIAL CONSCIENCE?

Maybe the best thing would be just to walk away from it, try to forget that it’s there, chalk it up to an antiquated ethic, and look for something else that has a semblance of pertinence...

I’m glad I didn’t succumb to that initial temptation. I’m glad I stayed with this passage in the back of the Book long enough to begin to hear the overtones of what the writer is trying to say... and the depths of his passion, and the breadth of his appreciation for the power of Christ’s willing sacrifice.

There’s some stuff here with the potency to blow you away, to shake you to the very core of your being. SO LET’S GET TO WORK! Some ground clearing before anything else. First off, this is not a treatise on slavery as such. Peter is not Jefferson Davis. He’s not writing about the institution of slavery. That issue, so repugnant to us, probably, in this context, never occurred to him.

Yes, what he said is historically conditioned... Yes, he writes as a child of his time. Slavery was a fact in those days. Some people legally owned other people and had a legal right to do with them essentially what they pleased.

That’s sad, but true. There were kind slave owners; there were brutal slave owners. There were compassionate slave owners; there were sadistic ones.

Among the people who became Christians in the 1st Century, there were both owners and slaves, probably more of the latter, though we know that at least occasionally an owner and a slave would become Christian in the same household.

Remember Philemon, for example---shortest book in the New Testament---hardly more than a postcard. Paul writes to his brother in Christ, Philemon, whom he had brought to Christ, on behalf of his brother in Christ, Onesimus, whom he had ALSO brought to Christ, urging Philemon (owner) to treat Onesimus (slave) not as a salve, but as a brother in the Lord. It’s a moving letter, filled with emotion and urgency.

But even Paul, enlightened as he was, sensitive to spiritual issues as he was... even Paul didn’t attack the institution of slavery in the letter. He didn’t ask Philemon to release Onesimus, at least not directly...he simply implored him to act toward him in a brotherly, Christian fashion.

The seeds of the anti-slavery movement are implicit in Christianity---the worth and dignity of every individual as a part of God’s created order---slavery flies in the face of that--- but those seeds took a long time historically to sprout and finally bear fruit.

When our passage was written, late 1st Century, slavery was a deeply imbedded reality, supported in theory even by the noble Aristotle, who insisted that some people were born to be slaves.

Peter doesn’t condemn slavery as such. That will come later. What he DOES do, though, it seems to me, is something even bigger maybe something ever broader, and something NOT so historically conditioned... that is, something perpetually relevant and up-to-date.

He commends a SPIRIT, an attitude, a set of the spiritual sails that may just be as lofty and as difficult to come to as any mindset the human soul can achieve. Let me call it a WILLING SELFLESSNESS, EVEN UNDER THE BOOT OF SUFFERING.

Or expressed in a slightly different way, A NON-BITTER, non-resentful determination to do right and ACT right, even when caught in the grip of unrighteousness.

Does it strike a responsive chord? What do you do, anyway... What are you supposed to do when you’re treated unfairly? God knows that’s not just ancient history. How should you act when doing the right thing, the honorable thing, the decent thing brings rebuke, intimidation....scorn, or worse?

What is the proper Christian response to unjust personal treatment? How ought you to handle it when, in Matthew’s words, “men revile you and say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake, and the sake of the Gospel?”

WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN THAT HAPPENS? What are you supposed to do?

Are there any resources in the Faith to help us deal with that---NOT getting what you deserve when you’ve done wrong...that’s another matter...but getting what you DON’T deserve when you’ve done right?

What does the Faith have to say about that? In the broader sense, this is what Peter’s talking about. After all, there is more than one kind of bondage.

Don’t tell me the Bible is an antiquated, outdated Book. Historically conditioned, this passage? Sure it is! Couched in 1st Century language, and emerging from the 1st Century setting? OF COURSE! Don’t dismiss it as a relic for that reason....

This is practical, tough, no-nonsense stuff for people who have to live in a practical, tough, no-nonsense world...a world that’s not always fair...and is, indeed, quite often, brutally harsh. Do you recognize it out there?

It’s dealing with problems that were problems THEN, and are still with us as problems, because it’s possible to be a slave in more than one way.

Physical, legal slavery is no longer a part of our life, thank God, but how can you call it anything but bondage when you’re trapped in a conditionm of oppression, the victim of unfairness, injustice, calumny, false witness...and when every attempt at justifying yourself, even when you’re in the right, seems to close the net around you even more tightly. WHAT DO YOU DO THEN?

Look at what Peter says. Don’t dismiss it too quickly if it sounds oversimplistic or naïve.

REMEMBER JESUS, he says. HOLD ON TO JESUS.

He was a slave, too. That’s the glory, the stunning glory of INCARNATION.

He became a captive, coming into the world, and being subjected to more injustice, unfairness, false witness, distortion, and outright cruelty than any of us can ever imagine. No matter what you have to face for doing right when pettiness, and jealousy, and putdowns, and scorn, and threats assail, it’s way down on the scale compared with what Jesus had to go through. He knows what it’s like because He’s already been there. He went through back stabbings, hypocritical pledges of allegiance, disloyalty, false accusations.... all the littleness of which people are capable, plus all the viciousness of which people are capable.... AND HE ENDURED IT....He took it...in the words of the Spiritual, without so much as a “mumbalin’ word”.

How does the chorus go, so eloquent in its very simplicity: “Not a word, not a word...He never said a mumbalin’ word.”

When it happens to you, you hold on to that, with an iron grip. Because He’s been through it himself, and didn’t let it trample his integrity, we can know that He understands when we face similar circumstances.... and the knowledge that He’s with us sustains us in our trials.

Now a quick caveat. It needs to be said, of course, that opposition itself doesn’t prove your virtue. That would be pretty arrogant. Just because somebody is against you doesn’t prove you’re right.

George Washington and Abraham Lincoln had their enemies, but so did Benedict Arnold, and Al Capone, and Dennis Rodman. Enmity alone is no guarantee that you’re correct in your stance. Peter recognized that: “If you endure when you’re beaten for doing wrong, what credit is that?”   NO POINTS THERE!

Nor is it always easy to know what’s right. That makes it tougher. Sometimes there is no simple yes or no, black or white solution to a complex moral issue. A thoughtful Christian will be careful about identifying too quickly HIS thoughts with God’s thoughts... his personal feelings with eternal truth....

That’s not what Peter is talking about here.

Isn’t he saying, YOU CAN’T EXPECT YOUR CHRISTIAN COMMITMENT TO KEEP YOU OUT OF TROUBLE. Not in this world. It didn’t keep Jesus out of trouble, and you can expect nothing different----EXCEPT THIS: When you get into trouble for Him, He’ll be with you for strengthening.

Peter is soaring now. He’s been captured by an image of Christ which was molded by an unknown Hebrew genius, writing centuries earlier----

What is the nature of divinity, this old prophet asked.... What is God up to? Does God even care? It may be humanity’s most poignant question... DOES GOD, OR WHATEVER IS OUT THERE, CARE ABOUT HIS HUMAN CREATION? And, if so, HOW MUCH?

Peter paraphrases Isaiah.... Nothing in the Old Testament surpasses the moving word picture of the Suffering Servant, the Suffering Slave who endures self-givingly for the people.... Christians see Jesus as the embodiment of this image.

Peter says, “He committed no sin. No deceit was found in his mouth. When he was abused, he did not return abuse; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but He entrusted Himself to the One who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the Cross, so that free from sin, we might live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.”

There’s our Standard Bearer! You won’t escape suffering if you follow Him. You can, in fact, expect NOT to be immune from vilification, and criticism, and misunderstanding, and maybe pitiless scorn if you follow him. It happened to the best, so why shouldn’t it happen to you?

But when it does, remember you’re not out there alone. The Standard Bearer, the Trail Blazer, the Pioneer is also the SHEPHERD, and in his accompanying care, there is protection and peace.

In George Bernard Shaw’s play, St. Joan, there is a scene where the maid, Joan of Arc, stands before her accusers, both Church and government accusers, and says defiantly: “I thought France would have friends at the court of the King of France, and I find only wolves fighting for pieces of her torn body.

I thought God would have friends everywhere because He’s the friend of everyone, and in my innocence I believed that you who now cast me out would be like strong towers to keep harm from me. I am wiser now. Don’t think you can frighten me by telling me I am alone. France is alone, and God is alone, and what is my loneliness before the loneliness of my country and my God? I see now that the loneliness of God is his strength. Well, my loneliness shall be my strength, too. It’s better to be alone with God. His friendship will not fail me.”

Peter could have said AMEN to that. There may be times when you’re under the boot of oppression because of your faith. Hold on to the One who submitted himself to bondage when it happens.... the One who received his wounds for your sake and know that his identifying friendship will never fail you.

Now, that’s pretty high. We could stop right there and have something powerful. Peter takes us even a step beyond, a step higher still. He challenges us in the name of the willing Servant, the willing Slave, not just to endure when suffering comes for his sake, but actually to be willing to take on ourselves the suffering and hurt of others in bondage.

That’s BIG. Very big! It makes me break out in a sweat even to think about it. But it’s part of the package, Peter says.....UNLESS YOU’RE JUST PLAYING AROUND WITH THIS DISCIPLESHIP STUFF.

He looks us square in the eye, with his gaze of unblinking realism, and says, “O.K., Mr. Big Mouth... O.K., Ms. Fancy Talk. It’s crunch time.”

“For to this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you should follow in his steps.”

Where do those steps lead...for you? For Mother Teresa they led to the poorest of the poor in the abject slums of Calcutta....in the name of Christ. For Fletcher Anderson, a member of our Florida Conference, they led to Cuba, to a teaching ministry, in the little, struggling seminary in Matanzas....in the name of Christ.

For some creative, spiritually sensitive people at 1st Methodist Church, Orlando, a few years back, they led to a scary ministry with the homeless in the middle of downtown, a ministry which has now grown into The Coalition for the Homeless, where over 500 men, women and children have a roof over their heads instead of having to sleep outdoors..... ALL BEGUN IN THE NAME OF CHRIST. BUT BRING IT EVER CLOSER HOME

For some in THIS congregation following in those steps has led participation in the Interfaith Hospitality Network, where homeless families stay in church facilities for a week at a time, and are given food and shelter and encouragement in finding permanent housing.... It’s our turn again this week....in the name of Christ.

Some in this congregation tutor in after school programs, or out at Prime Time in East Gainesville...helping kids...in the name of Christ.

Some help with the Gainesville Community Ministry. Some, like Randy and Cynthia---you can’t get close to them without catching some of their zeal---give simple, household products---AND THEMSELVES--- to help hurting people....in the name of Christ.

 You can’t help but wonder....What would a congregation begin to look like, do you suppose, if 50%...60%...75% of the membership really took seriously the call of Jesus to assume a servant posture on behalf of those with whom the Great Servant identified? WHY COULDN’T IT HAPPEN?

One of the most moving experiences of my life occurred when I went with a small group of Alfalit workers to the remote, primitive village of Puerto Lempira, a seacoast community on the Atlantic Ocean side of Honduras. Puerto Lempira has to be close to the end of the world. It’s part of what’s known as the Mosquito Coast, a name given with good reason.

The village is literally inaccessible except by air---there’s a small,rough landing strip--- and by boat...surrounded by swamp, you can’t even get there by foot.

There is no electricity, limited plumbing, and the language spoken by most, even though Spanish is the official language, is MISKITO, an Indian dialect which includes word borrowings from a number of tongues.

We went to hold a seminar on literacy---that’s what Alfalit does--- to train pastors from that region so they could teach people to read...so, among other things, they could read the Bible.

The pastors who came to the seminar were all black, all young, all male. Nearly all were

Moravians. Oh, they could sing! We sang “All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name”, the hymn we sang earlier in the service. We sang at the same time in Miskito, Spanish and English....one sang in English...

It was a cacophony of words, but the music was glorious. I remember thinking this must be like Annual Conferences in the early days of Methodism in this country. Identified with those young men. Not a one was even half my age, and the complexion of their skin was far darker.

BUT THE SPIRITUAL TRADITION WAS OUT OF THE MORAVIAN CHURCH.

And I remembered the formative influence of the Moravians on John Wesley. Do you recall your Methodist history?

It was a little band of Moravian Christians whose demonstrated faith in the midst of storm at sea so impressed Wesley when he was coming across the Atlantic to Georgia, that he sought them out afterward to learn what they had that was missing in his life.

And it was at a Moravian prayer meeting held in a room on Aldersgate Street in London about 3 years after that that Wesley experienced personally what they already knew---THE WONDER AND ASSURANCE OF THE WARMED HEART.

Those young men in Puerto Lempira were my brothers.

But I didn’t learn until I came back home of the story of how the Moravian influence got down there. It started in the early 1800’s in the home Moravian Church in old Salem, North Carolina, now a part of Winston-Salem.

That Church began hearing reports about bad conditions on the island of St. Thomas in the Caribbean. Slaves from Africa were being horribly mistreated there by cruel plantation owners. Some slaves escaped and sent pleas to send missionaries because hundreds were dying under the lash...under the boot with no hope.

But the plantation owners kept out all missionaries. Too dangerous. When people become spiritually free, they want to be physically free, too. The St. Thomas slave owners shot on sight anybody believed to be a missionary.

The Church folk in Salem prayed for the slaves on St. Thomas...and then they went to sleep. But two young apprentice carpenters in that congregation couldn’t sleep. They woke up the pastor in the hours of the early morning and told him that God had laid something heavy on their hearts. They vowed that if the Church would sell them to the St. Thomas slave owners, they would carry the Gospel there.

The home Moravian Church of Salem, after prayers and argument, finally with tears, agreed, and sold the two young men into slavery. They were quickly bought because of their skill.

According to the record I read they only lasted a few months on St. Thomas. The heat, the poor diet, the slave life killed them both.

Foolish? Wasteful? Unsuccessful? Well, maybe. But today if you go to St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands, you’ll find a strong, vital nest of Moravian Christians, who have spread from there all over the Caribbean, and even over into Honduras, and along the rest of the coastal area of Central America.... descendants of slaves brought to Christ by two committed young men who chose to give up their freedom to set others free.

“All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name...Let angels prostrate fall.” I can’ reach that high yet, I’m afraid. Maybe I never will. Maybe you can’t, either. But, OH, don’t you wish you could?

“For this you called, brothers and sisters.” For this you were called, Tom...Mary...Pete…

Lynda....whatever your name.... because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example so that you should follow in his steps.”

The real thing doesn’t get any deeper than that. But it also doesn’t get any HIGHER.

Make me a captive, Lord...so I can really be free.