THE LOOK OF A HERO
Posted by: bhfbc <bhfbc@...>
July 4, 2004
Text: John 6:1-15
The history of the birth of our nation, the United States of America, is
truly amazing. Groups of British citizens across the colony who would
normally have little in common began organizing for the purpose of
liberty. An upstart patchwork army of regulars and militia met and
defeated the best military power the 18th century world had to offer. As
amazing as these accomplishments were, the most amazing piece of the
birth of our nation had to do with the men who emerged as leaders and
heroes of the fledgling nation. Instead of seeking to replace the English
monarchy with a monarchy, or other form of centralized government, these
early leaders of our land sought very little for themselves, save the
opportunity to worship and to pursue their individual dreams.
At the close of the American Revolution, George Washington was more
popular in this country than any man in any time before or since. As the
war ended, some of the Continental army officers complained that Congress
had not followed through on certain promises of lands and compensation,
so they hatched a plot to march the army westward and leave the Congress
to try to negotiate a peace settlement with no army to back it up and, at
the same time, make Washington a king and place him on the American
throne.
Washington would have none of it. With no mincing of words, Washington
crushed any such notions, saying, "If you have any regard for yourself or
posterity, or respect for me, banish these thoughts from your mind, and
never communicate, as from yourself or any one else, a sentiment of the
like nature." (James C. Roberts, "Stubborn Washington spurned kingdom,"
The Washington Times, July 4, 2000) In a great 18th-century sound bite,
he was also alleged to have said, "I did not fight George the Third in
order to become George the First." (Gwpapers.virginia.edu, retrieved
February 4, 2004) Washington knew that the only hope for the new country
was a representative form of government - a sharing of power - a
government that Abraham Lincoln would later so eloquently characterize in
the Gettysburg Address as a "government of the people, by the people, and
for the people." As citizens of America today, we are blessed by the
decisions of men like George Washington to remain humble.
Centuries before Washington, the people of Israel bought into the
prevailing wisdom of the cultures around them and asked God to give them
a king - a hero of stature, a leading man who would cut an impressive
figure and solve their troubles. Somehow for them, like many cultures
before and since, they bought into the legends of royalty and sought
willingly to give over their allegiance to one man - a warrior and a king
who would somehow unite them and make things right.
God's response to their request is instructive to all would-be
king-makers: Be careful what you ask for because you just might get it.
Despite warnings from the prophet Samuel, the people remain desperate for
royalty. The entire account is available in 1 Samuel 8. God gives them
just what they want and, beginning with the somewhat psychotic reign of
Saul, we read throughout the rest of the Scripture that their reliance on
earthly royalty most often led the expected consequences of corruption,
greed, and un-Godly behavior.
Human memories are short. Fast-forward to the first century, where John's
account of the feeding of the 5,000 takes place. Messianic expectation
was running high as the people looked for a hero to unite them and throw
off the yoke of Roman oppression. Into this climate of chaos and hope
comes Jesus, who does and says things that lead the people to believe
that he is the one who will come riding to their rescue. There were lots
of pretenders to the throne running around first-century Israel,
gathering people in the desert in the manner of Moses, promising
liberation from the Roman slave-masters. The people tended to move from
one to the other, until their promises dried up like the desert sand.
Jesus seemed to be the real deal, one who would fill their bellies as
well as their national dreams.
John tells us that the people's response to this massive feeding was to
try and make him king. Look again at verse 15. Jesus, knowing that they
intended to come and make him king by force, withdrew again to a mountain
by himself. Jesus refuses the crown and slips off by himself into the
wilderness. If anyone deserved this honor and could fulfill the
expectations people had for him, it was Jesus. But the kind of kingdom
Jesus was bringing in would redefine once and for all what true heroic
power is all about.
The bottom line for Christians is this: Jesus believed that power was
only truly useful if it was given away. Jesus, the original once and
future king, gathered together a motley crew of disciples, taught them,
trained them, empowered them, and invited them to give up their own
fantasies of royalty and to be agents of Gods kingdom. Unlike the
earthly kings before and after him, Jesus truly had the power to be a
hero, a victor, a symbol of ultimate royal authority. But rather than
choose the roar of the crowd, he chose a cross for his coronation. Jesus
power was perfected when he freely gave it away so that other could be
empowered with God's incredible grace.
In truth, no form of earthly leadership is perfect. Monarchy and
autocracy are efficient but brutal. Representative government is popular
but very messy. Whatever the system, wise rulers know that power is only
truly realized when it is shared and people have a stake in the ultimate
outcome.
Even after 228 years of independence, we look for heroes to save us.
Presidential campaigns are full of promises and potential, and groups of
people with wide and varied interests demand leaders who will meet their
needs. In some ways, like our spiritual ancestors before us, we really do
want a king. The truth is that no matter who gets elected, earthly
leadership or kingship is a finite office with a finite power.
As one of its citizens, I love my country. I believe that America offers
the hope of human liberty to the world for as long as we stand. In spite
of this, I recognize clearly that it is better for us when we recognize
that our true allegiance is to the King of Kings. When we acknowledge
this, then we learn what true freedom is all about. The message on the
sign of our neighboring church tells us plainly that Gods freedom is
for eternity. That is a truth we need to embrace. When we receive Jesus
as our Savior, we're not called to be passive. We are called to do the
work of the kingdom, following the example of Christ, using the power of
the Holy Spirit to lead others in the way of peace, salvation, and hope.
As we sing our closing hymn, the front of the sanctuary is going to be
cleared off for the stick ministry team to present I Pledge Allegiance
to the Lamb. Dont let this activity throw you off. If the Holy Spirit
is telling you that today is the day of your salvation, make that
response. You are invited to come forward and share that decision with me
and this congregation so that we can support you in your journey into
Gods liberating freedom.
BENEDICTION
GEORGE WASHINGTONS PRAYER
Almighty God, we make our earnest prayer that Thou wilt keep the United
States in Thy holy protection, that Thou wilt incline the hearts of the
citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination and obedience to
government, and entertain a brotherly affection for one another and for
their fellow citizens of the United States at large.
And finally, that Thou wilt most graciously be pleased to dispose us all
to do justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves with that charity,
humility, and pacific temper of mind which were the characteristics of
the Divine Author of our blessed religion, and without an humble
imitation of whose example in these things, we can never hope to be a
happy nation.
Grant our supplications, we beseech Thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen. -- George Washington, written at Newburg June 8, 1783
(http://www.kids-teens.org/america/washington.htm, downloaded July 3,
2004)
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