Churches With Heart

Moody First United Methodist Church

Moody-Leon United Methodist Church

Rev. Eddie Smart

John 2:13-22 (NRSV)

The Passover of the Jews was near, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple he found people selling cattle, sheep, and doves, and the money changers seated at their tables. Making a whip of cords, he drove all of them out of the temple, both the sheep and the cattle. He also poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. He told those who were selling the doves, “Take these things out of here! Stop making my Father’s house a marketplace!” His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for your house will consume me.” The Jews then said to him, “What sign can you show us for doing this?” Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” The Jews then said, “This temple has been under construction for forty-six years, and will you raise it up in three days?” But he was speaking of the temple of his body. After he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this; and they believed the scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken.

Many of us have been watching war unfold in Iraq. We have seen the bombs exploding in Baghdad. We have watched convoys stretching from horizon to horizon moving though the south. Marines have been killed in fire fights. Marines have died in helicopter crashes.

As surgical and precise as the bombing is, there are innocent people who will die. It appears that a British TV news crew has been attacked and most killed as they were on the road headed for Basra.

We have seen 1000’s in the streets of New York City, Austin, Germany, France, Spain, and the U.K. all protesting the war. They point to the deaths and ask why? Some believe in war, but not this one. Some don’t believe in war under any circumstances. We call them pacifists. They believe that war can never be justified. Some are Christians and base their belief on scriptures. Some are not.

They would quote Matthew 5:38-39. “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also;” Matthew also says, “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you… Matthew 5:43-44 (NRSV)

The pacifist points to the example of Jesus himself who while having the power to prevent it allowed the Sanhedrin and the Romans to beat him and crucify him. The pacifist speak of the example of Jesus following a path of nonresistance and nonviolence. Matthew’s version of the Sermon on the Mount begins with blessed are the meek, merciful, and peacemakers. Jesus did say those things.

Others say there is such a thing as a “just war.” St. Augustine as early as 400 A.D. worked on helping us define the criteria for a “just war.” A just war must have the following:

1) a just cause, 2) a just intent, 3) be the last resort, 4) have legitimate authority, 5) have limited and achievable goals, 6) results proportional to cost, 7) provide noncombatants with immunity. Endnote

Some argue that the war in Iraq meets these criteria. Others argue it does not. There is great passion on both sides of this issue.

Scripture is full of evidence that war is justifiable. In Eccles. 3:8 (NRSV), we find these words:

a time to love, and a time to hate;

a time for war, and a time for peace.

For everything there is a season. (vs. 1) There is even a season for war.

The writer of Hebrews in describing faith, talks about men of faith. We are told of a large group of people he ultimately calls so great a “cloud of witnesses.” In Hebrews 11:32-34 (NRSV) we are told this about men of faith: “And what more should I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets– who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, quenched raging fire, escaped the edge of the sword, won strength out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight.” This letter to the Hebrews is affirming the wisdom of Ecclesiastes. War is a part of this earthly existence.

Paul in his letter to the Romans writes: “If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” Romans 12:18 (NRSV) There is no question that the goal of all Christians is peace. Of course Jesus was right in saying, “blessed are the peacemakers.” Our deepest longing is peace in the world, BUT Paul writes “if it is possible.” Paul is being very practical. Sometimes evil people will not allow peace to be possible. It doesn’t just depend on us. Endnote

Michael Duduit is the editor of Preaching Magazine. In an article he wrote entitled, “Preaching in a Time of War” he quotes Col. Rick Bereit. Col. Bereit in his book In His Service writes, “Warfare is not God’s first and best plan for humanity. His first plan was a perfect garden where man and woman enjoyed perfect fellowship with their Creator. However, when they rebelled against God, the perfection of His first plan was broken. That began God’s second and much less attractive plan. He closed the gate to the garden and posted an armed guard.” Endnote

The pacifist would say, “Don’t quote the Old Testament or the epistles.” Just look at Jesus. Listen to the words of Jesus.

Jesus told his disciples, “And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars; see that you are not alarmed; for this must take place, but the end is not yet.” Matthew 24:6 (NRSV)

In Luke’s gospel, Jesus tells his disciples to sell their coats and buy a sword. Luke 22:36

The passage we read this morning–this story of the cleansing of the temple–does not portray Jesus as a pacifist.

Reality is we live in a fallen world. Evil exists in people like Hitler, Stalin, and Hussein. Did you know that Joseph Stalin is Saddam’s hero? Stalin–murderer of 30 million people. One who murdered all his school teachers so the world would never know about his early life. Endnote

I saw pictures a few weeks ago of Saddam’s favorite torture chamber. It is a room with valve scattered across the ceiling that drip acid on the person below. Saddam gassed his own people including women and children and killed 1 million Iranians. He spews hatred for Americans and threatens terrorist acts.

Rev. Mark Sell in a sermon entitled “War Is the Lesser of Two Evils,” uses Romans 13:3-4: For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you wish to have no fear of the authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive its approval; for it is God’s servant for your good. But if you do what is wrong, you should be afraid, for the authority does not bear the sword in vain! It is the servant of God to execute wrath on the wrongdoer.”

The governments of this world are to be “the servant of God to execute wrath on the wrongdoer.” Rev. Sell says, “War is about living and maintaining order in a sinful world… Containing sin in a sinful world requires force.” Endnote The human challenge is in governments acting as the agents of human beings or acting as God’s agent. There is no doubt in my mind that our President desires that the United States of America be God’s agent. That is why he cherishes your prayers.

There is no question that our world is in crisis! That’s good news. Yes, that is good news. Why? Because it is in the midst of crisis that people are most open to God’s grace in their lives. It is in the midst of crisis that people will welcome the love of God in Jesus Christ.

As we are in the midst of war we must not forget that God’s offer of grace in Jesus Christ includes even our most dreaded enemy. God’s grace is available to all those people who think differently from us. We must not forget the power of God’s love revealed in Jesus Christ.

Have you had an unkind thought about anyone this week? Just remember Jesus died for them also.