outer courts

The outer courts

......its Sunday so I heard a good sermon.

I’m lucky that way. Many people do not hear good sermons. No, I’m not talking about those who don’t go to church. I’m talking about those who DO go to church. Too many sermons are written with a good heart and heartfelt intentions....but they lack scholarship and craft.

Today’s sermon was at the Monroeville Church of the Brethren near Pittsburgh. A colleague and I traveled for the weekend (I for fun with other friends, and he for work....poor guy), and this church was on our way home. The preacher was Scott Holland. Scott happens to be Professor of Public Theology and Peace Studies where I work.

The text was the palm Sunday text from Luke. But the kicker came at the end. Scott riffed on pluralism and openness and a a most interesting political season ahead. Then, he said that Jesus himself anticipated a church that was open and inviting to all. Maybe you know the story. Jesus comes into the temple in Jerusalem. His anger is ignited because of the commerce happening in the court. We have ALWAYS heard that Jesus’ anger was due to the lack of respect for God’s house. That they had turned the house of prayer into a den of thieves.

But, says Scott, the outer court was indeed the place for moneychangers, sellers of pigeons, doves and other sacrificial livestock....that was part of the deal in the temple. What incited his anger was the disrespect in the outer court. This was a place for the stranger. It was a place for the traveler. It was the place for the non Jews, the Gentiles, to be welcomed. The sellers and buyers and moneychangers had taken over the whole of this space, putting business before hospitality, moneymaking before the spirit of God;’s kingdom. He threw them out in anger because they did not keep safe a place for all.

Jesus creates space for all. The stranger, the traveler, the one outside of our own faith tradition and expression. This is the gospel. This is God’s realm.

I sit with this. For this is how I read the gospel. The Good News. It is not about “my” salvation.....but the making and saving of place for all. And I am one among many. Special in the living of my own life, yet part of the choir of faith. I like that.

And the outer court? Well, thats where the prodigal son’s father still waits with the willful son.....where God sits with us all.

Live well, Live Large
amysgr