“As for you, my fine friend, you’re a victim of disorganized thinking. You are under the unfortunate delusion that simply because you run away from danger you have no courage. You’re confusing courage with wisdom. Back where I come from, we have men who are called heroes. Once a year, they take their fortitude out of moth balls and parade it down the main street of the city and they have no more courage than you have. But they have one thing that you haven’t got – a medal. Therefore, for meritorious conduct, extraordinary valor, conspicuous bravery against Wicked Witches, I award you the Triple Cross. You are now a member of the Legion of Courage.” – The Wizard, The Wizard of Oz
It seems as if a lot of us have become victims of disorganized thinking when it comes to the idea of courage. Our culture seems to be hungry for strong leaders who are going to swoop in and save the day. They have the answers to all our problems. They will fight the “bad guys” on our behalf. They will shoot and ask questions later no matter how many people are harmed in the process. Many people feel they lack the power to change their circumstances. Instead, they willingly surrender their birthright for the empty promises of comfort and prosperity.
We’re continuing our message series in worship at HPCUMC focused on our core values of striving to be a people who are curious, courageous, and connected. This Sunday, I’ll be focusing on the core value of courageousness. Our strategic plan expresses it this way:
“Our faith makes us bold, compelling us to do hard things. We honor our word, relentlessly advocate for justice, and remain thoughtful and compassionate, even in the face of adversity.”
We’ll be examining John’s account of the arrest of Jesus. In this scene, Jesus is confronted and ultimately betrayed by Judas. Judas brings with him a detachment of soldiers, police from the chief priests, and the Pharisees with lanterns and torches and weapons. They are ready to use all the force and power they could muster to snuff out Jesus and His message.
What this band of government and religious authorities don’t understand is that Jesus is ready for them. He’s already been fervently praying to His Father. He has accepted His role in the history of the world and in the history of God’s plan of salvation. He’s ready to lay it all down, including His life for the sake of the world.
We’ll examine Jesus’ actions and attitude at this critical moment in His life and ministry and try to understand how they might apply to our lives. How can we love a world that is a victim of disorganized thinking about courageousness? What will it take for us to fully embrace our baptismal and membership vows to accept the freedom and power God gives us to resist evil, injustice, and oppression in whatever forms they present themselves?
I hope you’ll join me in person or online as together we seek to be a courageous people.
Rev. Kevin Buckley