By The Rev. Dr. Paul A. Leggett
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Sermon Text: Matthew 9:35-38
Sermon Theme
Imagination is central to faith. When we are unable to imagine what God can do we feel helpless. A key role of a shepherd in the church is to inspire the imagination with the promises of God. Faith is not a matter of sight (II Corinthians 5:7). Throughout the ninth chapter of Matthew’s Gospel Jesus is calling people to imagine what God can do. Apart from a vision which leads us to faith we feel overwhelmed and helpless in the face of all the trials and obstacles around us. The ultimate vision is the prayer for “the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest” (Matthew 9:38)
Sermon Outline
- Imagine. In Matthew chapter nine Jesus is dealing with people, especially religious leaders, who cannot imagine what he is doing. They have a clear and definite idea of the spiritual life and how it is to be lived. They cannot conceive of Jesus’ way of doing things. They cannot imagine how he can forgive sins (Matthew 9:2-3), eat with tax collectors and sinners (Matthew 9:11) or not practice fasting (Matthew 9:14). When Jesus denies the finality of death people laugh at him (Matthew 9:24). Yet those who begin to imagine what Jesus can actually do experience his miraculous power (Matthew 9:18-22, 27-31). This is the beginning of faith (Matthew 9:22). But the crowds in general are so harassed and helpless they cannot imagine who Jesus is and what he can accomplish.
- Imagination. Faith begins with the imagination. The Bible speaks repeatedly of the revealing power of visions and dreams (Genesis 46:2; Psalm 89:19; Daniel 1:17; Revelation 9:17). Imagination, like faith itself, brings risks with it. To live in terms of Jesus’ promised kingdom is to reject much of the ordinary reality of the present world (Acts 26:24). The Beatitudes themselves are an appeal to our imagination which becomes the capacity for faith, faith in a world in which the meek inherit the earth, those who mourn are comforted and those who hunger and thirst for righteousness are filled (Matthew 5:4-6). The world that resists the Kingdom of God fears the imagination. Imagination, like faith, can also be negative as well as positive (Jeremiah 23:16; Lamentations 2:14; I Samuel 28:5-7). Yet without the imagination our faith can never grow (I Samuel 3:1).
- Impact. The disciples struggle with their lack of faith (Matthew 8:26). Their imagination is limited. However when we focus only on the tangible world we quickly begin to feel helpless. Myth uses the imagination to escape into an alternate reality which actually may make more sense to us. Jesus’ preaching of the kingdom however transforms the reality of our world and our daily lives. Struggle and suffering wear the imagination down. This makes the possibility of faith not only difficult but often impossible. Jesus has compassion on those who are “harassed and helpless” (Matthew 9:36) who cannot imagine a different way of living. When the imagination is stirred people no longer feel helpless. Jesus confronts the disciples with the image not of a helpless, harassed world but rather of one where “the harvest is plentiful” (Matthew 9:37). Yet their imagination is stilted and their faith is weak. Jesus calls them to prayer. In themselves they do not have the capacity to bring in the harvest. It is only when we have a fresh vision of what God is doing that we can pray with confidence knowing that the Lord will indeed send out laborers into his harvest. God answers our prayers by equipping us to go into that harvest.
Questions for Us
- It is hard to imagine what Jesus is doing not only in this ninth chapter but throughout all the gospels. Why do you think we still doubt, question and even laugh at the claims of Jesus?
- Throughout much of history the church has feared the imagination. Why do you think this is? What are some practical ways we can cultivate our imagination so that our capacity for faith is strengthened?
- Jesus feels compassion for those who are "harassed and helpless." What does that tell us about our mission as Christians?
