Listen to Sermon
Pastor Tom Johnson, October 6, 2019
The first time Jesus compares the Kingdom of God to a mustard seed that is relatively small but grows large and becomes a nesting place for birds. This is the second time Jesus mentions having faith as a mustard seed in the Gospel of Luke. This time the context is forgiveness—forgiving an offender even who wrongs us seven times a day and comes to repent each time. As citizens of the Kingdom of God we must forgive, Jesus says. “Increase our faith!” the apostles cry. Help us understand why! Help us know how! Their response to this charge to forgive over and over again is refreshingly honest. They have a hard time believing God expects us to be so forgiving. But he does.
Jesus leaves us no other way out but the gift of forgiveness. There is no other option but to forgive when we are wronged and the offender repents. And Jesus acknowledges that is not easy. In fact, without the help of God it is impossible. We just need to believe and trust a little. We need that small but mighty gift we call faith. For we walk by faith not by sight. We inch toward forgiveness by the power of the Holy Spirit who promises to take us the whole mile. We are what the word forgiveness means—loosed—set free from the bondage of sin. We have the joy of forgiveness to celebrate—not just in our own lives—but in the lives of those around us.
Last week the family members made impact statements in the fatal shooting of their son and brother, Botham Jean, who was shot to death by an off duty police officer in his own apartment. Amber Guyger was sentenced to 10 years in prison. Botham’s brother Brandt looked at the woman who killed his brother and told her he forgives her, loves her, and wishes the best for her. He challenged her to give her heart to Jesus to find that same forgiveness that will transform her life. He almost quotes Jesus’ words from this morning’s Scripture when he says, “If you truly are sorry, I know I can speak for myself, I forgive you.” Just as Jesus says, “Be on your guard! If another disciple sins, you must rebuke the offender, and if there is repentance, you must forgive.” He asked the judge repeatedly if he could stand up and hug his brother’s killer. Amber quickly entered his embrace. She sobbed loudly and seem to bury her shame into his forgiving, outstretched arms.
Later Botham’s mother spoke publicly. It seemed like a very different message. But it was not. She was not just calling Amber Guyger to repentance. She was calling the Dallas Police Department and city of Dallas to repentance. But there was still the same desire—life transformation—community—city—nation transformation. “Forgiveness for us as Christians,” she said, “is healing for us...but there are consequences.” She lost a son. Amber Guyger lost her career as a police officer and freedom for 10 years.
Both the mother and her son have faith that can uproot sin and drown it in the sea of God’s grace and mercy. The mustard seed of faith for the mother is that the tragic death of her son will not be in vain but will uproot corruption and the abuse of power. The mustard seed of faith for the brother is that whatever it was that would cause an individual to do such an evil thing can also be uprooted by the power of God in that person’s life. Both want forgiveness. Both want justice. Both want evil that has been rooted so deeply in the lives of people and institutions to be miraculously removed and drowned in the baptism of the Holy Spirit’s cleansing and renewing.
That is what Jesus is challenging us to do—to believe the Gospel for others. Just as God has forgiven us by the blood and death of his eternal Son Jesus Christ on the Cross—just as we are declared righteous by the resurrection of Christ, so we believe that others can experience that same forgiveness and redemption. Later, we will confess the Apostles’ Creed together. We will say, “I believe in the forgiveness of sins.” Well, do we? Do we believe that even after repeated offenses seven times every day day after day that God can break the power of cancelled sin? Later, we’ll pray as Jesus taught us, “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.” Well, do we? Do we understand the connection between the forgiveness we receive and the forgiveness we extend toward others?
Jesus says that is our duty as believers. We have only done what we have been commanded to do. We have only done what we ought to do—forgive. Do we have the audacity to believe just a little bit that God can transform the hearts of individuals for whom sin is rooted so deeply in their lives? Do we have the audacity to believe just a little bit that God can release us from sin, guilt, and shame that has been so deeply rooted in our lives? Jesus reminds us that we are just doing our duty as Christians when we forgive. Dothan’s mother and brother remind us of the power of forgiveness—true release from the power of sin. That is who we are. That is who we are forgiven to be. It is a miracle—like commanding trees to be uprooted and planted in the sea. We believe God can do the miracle of forgiveness through us. The devil will release his captives. Evil will let go of its strangle hold on perpetrators and abusers of power. We have the privilege of God doing the miracle of forgiveness in us and through us.
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