February 25, 2004
Ash Wednesday Meditation
Facing Up To Lent
Psalm 51
Theme = Lent is the time for those who need God’s help.
Opening Words: Lent is the time for those who need God’s help. The key word in this sermon series is face. In the ninth chapter, verse 51, of Luke the scripture tells us that Jesus faced Jerusalem, where he would face the events that would change world history. It was during that journey that Jesus saw the faces of people who were in need, people who needed help. We will look at those faces in the next few weeks and perhaps you will find yourself in their stories. However, before we look at other faces in the Bible, let me begin with yours.
Introduction
It is not easy preaching in the dark. It has nothing to do with not really being able to see the words that are printed on the pieces of paper. The reason it is hard to preach in the dark is that it is hard to read the expressions on your faces. That is an important part of preaching. I was never taught to read manuscripts but I was taught to read people’s faces. I was taught to look into your eyes and see how you are responding. The face that is nodding off for a little nap relays a completely different massage than the eye with a tear. I can tell if I got you by looking at your face.
What do you see when you look into your own face? We live in a society where looks are important. That is why there is a mirror in every bathroom. When you pass a mirror what do you see? Do you like what you see? Perhaps that is a better question. Do you see too much gray hair? Do you see the lines and the wrinkles? Do you see more than one chin or a bugling waste line? Do you see a big nose and yellow teeth? What do you see when you look in the mirror? Do you like what you see when you look in the mirror.
What do you think God sees when he looks at you? God doesn’t care about your physical body, but God does care about the condition of your heart. God is looking at the real you. God wants to know what really motivates you. Are you living to make as much money as possible? Are you living to save as much money as possible? Is guilt the driving force in your life? How do you feel about yourself? Do you feel good about your life so far? Are there a few regrets? What would you still like to do with the rest of your life? Where do you want to be in ten years? If death would come to your house tonight are you sure you are going to heaven? Are your worries built on your own issues or has the world, itself, crept into your heart? How big of a part does Jesus play in your life? Those are the issues that are important to God. What does God see when he looks at you?
As we begin this season of Lent we look to God for help, because we are afraid of what God sees in us. This evening I want to do two things. First, I want to talk about your face. Do you feel like you need some help during this season called Lent? Are you trying to hide your face from God because you don’t feel worthy? Or are you so lost you don’t feel like you need any help. Do you see yourself as a picture of perfection? We are going to look at your face. Second, we are going to look at God’s face. It is a face filled with grace and compassion.
Body
One of the great portraits in the world today is Rembrandt’s The Prodigal Returns. It is based on Luke 15, the story of the lost son. You know that story. A father had two sons. The younger brother went to the father and asked for his share of the inheritance before the father’s death. The father gave it to him and the rest is history. He had a wild time and wasted all the money. In time, he returns home and the father welcomes him back. He throws a big party and everyone is happy, except the older son. He doesn’t understand. He had been faithful to the father’s wishes and received nothing. The Prodigal s Return is Rembrandt’s interpretation of that family reunion. It is a picture of one who needed some help and a picture of one who had achieved perfection in his own mind. Lent is a season for those who need help.
The older son did not feel like he needed some help. He looked at his father square in the face. He is the picture of perfection. According to Jesus he is so lost that he doesn’t even know it. The younger son knows he needs some help. His face is turned away from the father because he knows he has messed up his life. Is there anyone here this evening comfortable looking God square in the face. Does anyone here this evening need a little help?
When I was in High School one of my best friends was a boy by the name of Dave Siegel. In the area of mathematics he is the brightest person I have ever known. He received some advanced degree in engineering from Carnegie Mellon University and lives in California. However, Dave Siegel was also one of the worst drivers I have ever known. His driving record was so horrible that the family insurance man said one more accident for Dave and he would be forced to cancel the family policy. You can guess what is about to come.
One summer night in 1974 Dave had all his friends in his father’s Chevy Suburban. There were about six of us in the Suburban driving through the east side of Warren. The road was starting to wind but Dave kept driving straight. A SLOW CHILDREN sign jumped in front of us and Dave drove through this guy’s lawn. The Suburban and the sign were not damaged but the gentleman’s lawn was a mess. It was for that reason that the gentleman called the police. A few minutes later the police appeared. The six of us took turns sitting in the back seat of the cruiser telling the officer what we remembered. It was the only time I have ever sat in the back seat of a police cruiser.
When the policeman finished talking to us he looked at Dave and said, "Son, I am going to have to call your father." When the policeman walked away Dave looked at me and said, "Stan is going to kill me." (Stan was his father’s first name and what we called him behind his back.)
Several minutes later Stan appeared in his racy green Ford Torero. Dave walked up to his dad and couldn’t even look at him in the face. He kept his eyes down. Stan looked at his son and asked a single question. He did not ask, "Do you know what this will cost?" He did not ask, "How much damage was done?" He asked, "Was anyone hurt?" He put his hand on Dave’s shoulder and they went to talk to the homeowner together. It wasn’t just Stan Siegel’s face I saw that evening. I saw the face of God, a face of grace who was willing to help. Lent is the season for those who need God’s help.
Conclusion
Let me end with a quick story. A pastor in Beirut was preparing to serve communion one Ash Wednesday when a local prostitute walked into the sanctuary. It was a stressful moment because some of the men in the congregation had known her professionally. The wives of those men had suspected it for years. At the last second the pastor decided to call the people to take communion. He decided to serve each one individually.
When he got to the prostitute she couldn’t even look at the pastor. She kept her face down. He asked her, "Will you look at me?" He took his hand and raised her face so they were looking eye to eye. The pastor looked at the prostitute and gave her the elements. His looked at her and said, "You are a child of God!" Years later, that prostitute said, "Those words changed her life." It was only then that she realized Jesus did not come to condemn her. Jesus came to help her. Lent is a season for those who need God’s help. Is there anyone here this evening that needs God’s help?
