By The Rev. Dr. Paul A. Leggett
Sunday, February 13, 2011 · Service of Ordination and Installation
Sermon Text: Mark 2:13-17
Sermon Theme
Jesus calls the people who are despised and rejected by others. Tax collectors in first century Palestine were regarded as collaborators with the oppressive Romans. The term “sinners” was used by the scribes and the Pharisees as a broad term for common people who did not follow the strict traditions observed by the religious leaders. The term essentially meant “outcasts.” Yet Jesus eats with these people. In that culture eating with someone was a sign of complete acceptance. To his critics Jesus simply responds that he has not come to call the (self defined) righteous but the “sinners,” the outcasts (Mark 1:17). Jesus’ disciples are to follow his example. A person who lived out this discipleship right here in Montclair is the Reverend Matthew G. Carter.
Sermon Outline
- Disciple. Jesus comes to Levi as he does to the other disciples. He gives the simple and straight forward command, “follow me.” We’ve seen this before (Mark 1:16-20). Jesus doesn’t elaborate on what this will entail, what challenges and conflicts will be faced, or what benefits and privileges the follower will receive. Jesus’ call is like nothing else in life. First of all it is a command with authority. Mark has already referred several times to Jesus’ authority (Mark 1:22, 27, 2:10). Jesus is Lord of all. Second, following Jesus is often stepping into the unknown. It is a response of faith. We don’t know where that faith will lead. Nonetheless we are called to follow Jesus. He will no doubt surprise us, even confuse us. But he will never forsake or abandon us (Matthew 28:20). To follow him is to have the special privilege and joy of being with him (Mark 3:14). Those being ordained and installed today are responding to that call of faith. As a young man in Virginia, Matthew G. Carter heard the call of Jesus and followed.
- Defend. Mark’s next scene, following Levi’s call, describes a dinner at Levi’s house attended by “many tax collectors and sinners.” The Pharisees object to the fact that Jesus is with those whom they regarded as rejected and despised. They ask Jesus’ disciples why Jesus does this. No response of the disciples is recorded. Instead, Jesus answers their criticism. Throughout history it has always been a scandal in the church if Jesus’ followers can’t (or won’t) defend those who are rejected and marginalized by society. The Old Testament demands the defense of the poor (Exodus 23:6; Psalm 41:1-2; Proverbs 19:17; Isaiah 1:17, 58:6-7; Jeremiah 22:15-16). To follow Jesus is to accompany him into the company of the despised and rejected. Matthew Carter was ordained a minister in Virginia in 1942. From the beginning of his ministry he followed Jesus’ call to the marginalized and rejected.
- Demonstrate. To follow Jesus is to demonstrate his care and concern in every situation. The Rev. Matthew G. Carter lived this out in a ministry that included pastoring churches, serving with the YMCA and organizing departments of community affairs. During his years in Virginia, Rev. Carter spoke out forcefully against the racism which treated African-Americans as rejected and despised. In 1958 he moved to Montclair where in 1964 he became the Commissioner of Public Works and Vice Mayor. In the summer of 1967 riots broke out in Newark, fueled by frustrations of the African American community. In the space of one week 26 people died and hundreds more were injured. The riots threatened to spread to Montclair. Rev. Carter called a meeting of the Montclair clergy and met with key protesters at the Montclair headquarters of the NAACP. As a result of his efforts violence was avoided and reforms were initiated. The next year Rev. Carter was elected mayor of Montclair. He was the first African American mayor of a major New Jersey municipality. While serving as mayor he was invited to the White House by President Lyndon Johnson. Concerned about inadequate housing for people with low or modest incomes he led an effort to establish two low cost housing units in Montclair. In 1997 one of these, the Erie Lackawanna Plaza apartments on Glenridge Avenue, was renamed the Matthew G. Carter Apartments in his honor. To paraphrase the words of one of Rev. Carter’s favorite hymns, he needed Jesus’ presence “every passing hour.” For new officers and truly for all of us, Rev. Carter’s life and career shows what can be accomplished when we are prepared to follow Jesus wherever he calls us.
Questions for Us
- How have you heard the call of Jesus in your own life? Why do you think Jesus doesn’t elaborate on what following him will mean?
- Who are examples of the despised and rejected in our world? As disciples of Jesus how can we support them? What would it mean for us to eat with them?
