Sermon Preached By Rev. Patti M. Smith - May 6, 2001

Revelation 7:9-17; Psalm 23

We are the people of God, believers all. We believe that we are created in God’s image. We are all the same in our humanity and yet uniquely different in our individuality. We believe our God is almighty, all powerful, all knowing, and yet totally accessible. While God does not change, we do; and in the process, we come to new understandings and even use new names for God: creator, provider, rock, fortress, stronghold, shepherd. These images given us by the patriarch, prophets and psalmists are recorded in our Holy Book . We believe that we are created to live in relationship with this Holy God, our creator, provider, rock, fortress, stronghold. Our shepherd. Also within the pages of the Bible are the promises of God. "I shall be your God and you shall be my people." "I will not leave you comfortless." "God will wipe every tear from our eyes." To many, the Bible is no more than a remarkable piece of literature and a compendium of cultural information. But to believers it is a faith document that brings salvation. The Bible’s powerful theme of God’s relationship to our human race makes it a transforming book.

We believers are truly transformed by God’s power and love, but that transformation does not make us immune to our human condition. God does not promise to shield us from hurt, pain, disappointment, or disillusionment. We are not protected from the evil powers of this world, but we are given the power to resist those evils. We have both the power and the directive to love mercy and do justice.

We are not shielded from death. We suffer losses both physical and emotional. The people whom we love die from diseases and accidents which are sometimes caused by our own carelessness or by the carelessness of others. Sometimes we loose our physical strength and abilities long before we expect to. Or maybe we never expect these losses, and they come as a total surprise knocking our props out from under us. We are diagnosed with debilitation and even life threatening ailments, like diabetes, Parkinson, scoliosis, asthma, heart disease, cancer. All kinds of things. Sometimes the blows are so strong we feel we are not just knocked down, but knocked out. We blame God. Our hopes, plans and dreams are smashed in so many ways. So many losses: death of those we love— both young and old, loss of jobs, loss of self-esteem, loss of health, loss of relationships. We cry out, "Woe is me for I have been abandoned by the God I loved!" No, even though we would like to believe that we are protected from our human condition, this is not the promise. We are not immune to a life of pain. We cry many tears.

And not just literary tears but figurative as well. There are the tears of our guilt. Tears of remorse. Tears caused by hurtful words spoken in anger—hurtful to both the sayer and the hearer. Once spoken, these words can not be unspoken. Tears of ignorance and of disbelief. Tears for that which we do not understand.

Biblical texts from the book of Revelation might well fall into the "understanding" category. This is not a wimpy, mealy-mouthed text. Not for those to whom it was written and not for us today. It makes us deal with hard realities of life. Sometimes we would much rather not deal with Revelation at all. Last Tuesday, in my Christian Believers class, I asked the class to hear today’s text and give my their insights. One or two just rolled their eyes when I announced that it was a text from Revelation. There are times in my life when a difficult situation threatens to undo me. Somehow, if I just ignore it, it will go away. I will confess that the Book of Revelation brings me confusion and even befuddlement. However, this passage calls out to be read and heard.

John’s language in both the Gospel and Revelation is very vivid. His writing enables us to see the pictures not just hear the words.

I saw a huge crowd, too huge to count. Everyone was there–all nations and tribes, all races and languages. And they were standing, dressed in white robes and waving palm branches, standing before the Throne and the Lamb and heartily singing:

       "Salvation to our God on his Throne!  Salvation to the Lamb!"

All who were standing around the Throne–Angels, Elders, Animals–fell on their faces before the Throne and worshiped God, singing:

"Oh, Yes!

The blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving,

The honor and power and strength,

To our God forever and ever and ever!

Oh, Yes!"

Just then one of the Elders addressed me: "Who are these dressed in white robes, and where did they come from?" Taken aback, I said, "Oh, Sir, I have no idea–but you must know."

Then he told me, "These are those who came from the great tribulation, and they’ve washed their robes, scrubbed them clean in the blood of the Lamb. That’s why they’re standing before God’s throne. They serve God day and night in his Temple. The One on the Throne will pitch his tent there for them: no more hunger, no more thirst, no more scorching heat. The Lamb on the Throne will shepherd them, will lead them to spring waters of Life. And God will wipe every last tear from their eyes."

This, beloved believers, is God’s Promise! It is the promise which brings us tears of Joy! We have it in writing! Nowhere are we promised that life will be easy or fair! But what a wonderful promise God has made to wipe away every last tear. Every tear of pain, of sorrow, of doubt, of ignorance, of sin. John, the Evangel, has indeed given us rich imagery. Spring waters of life...shepherd. We know enough about sheep to know how vital the shepherd is to their survival. The Good Shepherd is even more vital to our survival in this life and in life eternal.

You know, it is no wonder that the 23rd Psalm is the best known and loved of all the psalms and perhaps, after our Lord’s prayer, the scripture passage most committed to memory.

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.

Green pastures. Still waters. Comfort. Solace in the face of enemies. Anointed with healing oil. Goodness and mercy and the assurance, the promise, that I shall dwell in the house of my God forever and forever and forever.

Yes, we are created in God’s image. And, as children of Abraham, blessed to be a blessing. Blessed to be a blessing. Does this not mean that we are both beloved sheep, tended by our Christ, and at the same time called and appointed to be shepherds for those placed in our care? I believe this is exactly what it means. Jesus said to Peter and therefore to us, "Feed my sheep." Feed my sheep. 

THE CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER

Gracious God, you have promised to be our shepherd, to provide love and care for the living of our days.  You have promised to wipe away our tears.  We continually read in your Holy Word of your promises to us.  We see evidence around us of the truth of your promises.  Yet, we continue to doubt, to question and to test.  We say we believe, but we act as if we do not know you at all.  What a joyous gift it is to know you do not give up on us.  You continue to love us, and search for us when we stray from your path.  You are ever ready to restore our souls with your living waters.  By your Grace, O God, restore us this day to wholeness.  Amen.