Difference between revisions of "Sermon for February 9th, 2025"
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Matthew 25 provides a helpful lens for understanding who is truly “wicked” or “worthy.” In the passage, Jesus divides people not by their appearance or their social status, but rather by how they treat others, specifically the “least of these.” Elphaba, despite being labeled “wicked,” consistently shows kindness to those who are most vulnerable--like Dr. Dillamond and the persecuted animals. Galinda, likewise, shows compassion to Elphaba, an outcast. Conversely, the Wizard seems “wonderful,” by outward appearances, but his actions--his persecution of the vulnerable--reveal him to be truly wicked. | Matthew 25 provides a helpful lens for understanding who is truly “wicked” or “worthy.” In the passage, Jesus divides people not by their appearance or their social status, but rather by how they treat others, specifically the “least of these.” Elphaba, despite being labeled “wicked,” consistently shows kindness to those who are most vulnerable--like Dr. Dillamond and the persecuted animals. Galinda, likewise, shows compassion to Elphaba, an outcast. Conversely, the Wizard seems “wonderful,” by outward appearances, but his actions--his persecution of the vulnerable--reveal him to be truly wicked. | ||
| − | The movie's great twist--that the “wonderful” may in fact be wicked, and the “wicked” worthy--mirrors Jesus’ teaching that the first will be last and the last will be first in the Kingdom of Heaven. People are often deceived by power, charm and glamor, but God looks within--at the heart. And our faith calls us to look beyond surface impressions, beyond snap judgments and cultural biases | + | The movie's great twist--that the “wonderful” may in fact be wicked, and the “wicked” worthy--mirrors Jesus’ teaching that the first will be last and the last will be first in the Kingdom of Heaven. People are often deceived by power, charm and glamor, but God looks within--at the heart. And our faith calls us to look beyond surface impressions, beyond snap judgments and cultural biases. |
====Soul Friendships==== | ====Soul Friendships==== | ||
| + | At the heart of *Wicked* is the evolving friendship between Elphaba and Glinda. Through the first half of the film, we watch as Glinda’s initial superficiality and Elphaba’s distrust melt into genuine care and empathy. Here's the magical moment where it happens: | ||
| − | *Film Clip #3 - OzDust (1:12:15) | + | *Film Clip #3 - At the OzDust (1:12:15) |
| − | + | There's a similar story in the Bible: The story of David and Jonathan. David is an unsophisticated shepherd boy, while Jonathan is the privileged son of King Saul. They come from opposite ends of the social spectrum. Jonathan's father, King Saul, despises David and wants to kil him. And yet, our scripture reading tells us that “the soul of Jonathan was bound to the soul of David.” Jonathan gives David his own robe and takes him under his wing, just as Glinda “dresses up” Elphaba to make her “popular.” | |
| − | + | David and Jonathan, Elphaba and Glinda show us that friendship is about crossing barriers, sacrificing pride, and sharing what we have--whether it's robes and swords, or an iconic hat and some well-placed makeup tips. Each of us can ask: Who in my life is on the other side of the social spectrum? How might God be calling me to empathy, kindness, and perhaps a new, grace-filled friendship? | |
| − | + | ||
| − | + | ||
| − | + | ||
====Defying Gravity: Speaking Truth to Power==== | ====Defying Gravity: Speaking Truth to Power==== | ||
Revision as of 19:54, 8 February 2025
Contents
1 Samuel 18:1-5
1 When David had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was bound to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. 2 Saul took him that day and would not let him return to his father’s house. 3 Then Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as his own soul. 4 Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that he was wearing and gave it to David and his armor and even his sword and his bow and his belt. 5 David went out and was successful wherever Saul sent him; as a result, Saul set him over the army. And all the people, even the servants of Saul, approved.
Jeremiah 22:1-5
1 Thus says the Lord: Go down to the house of the king of Judah, and speak there this word, 2 and say: Hear the word of the Lord, O king of Judah sitting on the throne of David—you, and your servants, and your people who enter these gates. 3 Thus says the Lord: Act with justice and righteousness and deliver from the hand of the oppressor anyone who has been robbed. And do no wrong or violence to the alien, the orphan, and the widow, or shed innocent blood in this place. 4 For if you will indeed obey this word, then through the gates of this house shall enter kings who sit on the throne of David, riding in chariots and on horses—they, their servants, and their people. 5 But if you will not heed these words, I swear by myself, says the Lord, that this house shall become a desolation.
Matthew 25:34-40
34 Then the king will say to those at his right hand, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world, 35 for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.’ 37 Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food or thirsty and gave you something to drink? 38 And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you or naked and gave you clothing? 39 And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?’ 40 And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did it to me.’
Faith & Film XIII: Wicked, Part One
- Film Clip #1 - Trailer
Three Minute Film Summary
Wicked (Part One) transports us back to the Land of Oz, years before Dorothy ever drops in. Based on the popular Broadway musical of the same name and the novel by Gregory Maguire, the film explores the backstory of Elphaba, the so-called "Wicked Witch of the West" from the original "Wizard of Oz" movie and novel (Which makes this is a movie based on a musical based on a novel based on a movie based on a novel!)
Elphaba is born with green skin and strange magical powers, making her a target of fear and prejudice from others, including her own father. She dreams of someday meeting the Wonderful Wizard of Oz, whom she believes could grant the desire of her heart, which is to be de-greenified.
Elphaba accompanies her sister to college at Shiz University, where she meets the popular, privileged, and self-absorbed Galinda. Elphaba and Galinda are polar opposites, but in an unlikely turn of events they become roommates--much to the disappointment (and unadulterated loathing) of both.
Elphaba befriends one of her professors, a talking goat named Dr. Dillamond, and through him learns that talking animals--once respected and plentiful in the Land of Oz--are being increasingly persecuted, and are disappearing. Elphaba witnesses Dr. Dillamond being mistreated by her fellow students, including Galinda.
But Galinda's shallow personality is, in many ways, just as much a mask as Elphaba's green skin. In a key moment, Galinda helps Elphaba's sister connect with a boy she likes. When Elphaba learns of this, she helps Galinda connect with a professor that she likes. And when Elphaba is mocked and ridiculed by students at a party (which to be fair, is Galinda's fault) Galinda feels bad, stands up for Elphaba, and the two form a connection with each other that blossoms into a deep friendship.
On account of her emerging magical powers, Elphaba is invited to visit the Wonderful Wizard of Oz in the Emerald City--her childhood dream, and her chance to be de-greenified. She asks Glinda to join her, and the two friends set off for the Emerald City, where they are dazzled by the energy and life of the city, and by the magnificence of the Wizard himself.
Only he turns out not to be so wonderful. Elphaba discovers that the wizard himself is responsible for the persecution of the animals, and he tries to manipulate her into using her powers against them. When Elphaba refuses, the wizard labels her a "wicked witch" and sets the entire city against her. In a dramatic, cliff-hanger climax--Elphaba bids farewell to Glinda, embraces her powers, her green skin, (and her iconic image) and defiantly flies away on her broom, presumably to continue the fight in part two.
The Wicked, the Wonderful, and the Worthy
The film actually begins with a flash-forward to the future, after Dorothy kills the wicked witch with a bucket of water. Glinda the Good Witch appears to the residents of Munchkin Land to announce that the wicked witch is dead--and they break out into the opening song, "No one mourns the wicked." The language from the song could come right out of the book of proverbs--no one mourns the wicked, the wicked die alone, they only reap what they have sown. But pay attention to the question at the end of the clip...
- Film Clip #2 - Born Wicked? (06:07)
Why does wickedness happen? Are people born wicked or do they have wickedness thrust upon them? This question should sound very familiar--it's almost identical to a line from last week's movie, Nosferatu: "Does evil come from within us... or beyond us?"
When a movie poses such a direct and powerful question--and when *two* major films in one year ask essentially the same question--it signals that our culture is wrestling with the nature of good and evil. And as people of faith, we should be prepared to respond.
Matthew 25 provides a helpful lens for understanding who is truly “wicked” or “worthy.” In the passage, Jesus divides people not by their appearance or their social status, but rather by how they treat others, specifically the “least of these.” Elphaba, despite being labeled “wicked,” consistently shows kindness to those who are most vulnerable--like Dr. Dillamond and the persecuted animals. Galinda, likewise, shows compassion to Elphaba, an outcast. Conversely, the Wizard seems “wonderful,” by outward appearances, but his actions--his persecution of the vulnerable--reveal him to be truly wicked.
The movie's great twist--that the “wonderful” may in fact be wicked, and the “wicked” worthy--mirrors Jesus’ teaching that the first will be last and the last will be first in the Kingdom of Heaven. People are often deceived by power, charm and glamor, but God looks within--at the heart. And our faith calls us to look beyond surface impressions, beyond snap judgments and cultural biases.
Soul Friendships
At the heart of *Wicked* is the evolving friendship between Elphaba and Glinda. Through the first half of the film, we watch as Glinda’s initial superficiality and Elphaba’s distrust melt into genuine care and empathy. Here's the magical moment where it happens:
- Film Clip #3 - At the OzDust (1:12:15)
There's a similar story in the Bible: The story of David and Jonathan. David is an unsophisticated shepherd boy, while Jonathan is the privileged son of King Saul. They come from opposite ends of the social spectrum. Jonathan's father, King Saul, despises David and wants to kil him. And yet, our scripture reading tells us that “the soul of Jonathan was bound to the soul of David.” Jonathan gives David his own robe and takes him under his wing, just as Glinda “dresses up” Elphaba to make her “popular.”
David and Jonathan, Elphaba and Glinda show us that friendship is about crossing barriers, sacrificing pride, and sharing what we have--whether it's robes and swords, or an iconic hat and some well-placed makeup tips. Each of us can ask: Who in my life is on the other side of the social spectrum? How might God be calling me to empathy, kindness, and perhaps a new, grace-filled friendship?
Defying Gravity: Speaking Truth to Power
One of the most memorable moments is Elphaba’s anthem, ‘Defying Gravity,’ when she refuses to comply with the Wizard’s manipulative plans. The scene brims with tension: she’s torn between staying safe and living into her calling—even if that means the world brands her ‘wicked.’
In Jeremiah 22, the prophet is called to speak uncomfortable truth to a king, warning him to “act with justice and righteousness...” or face the consequences of disobedience. Like Jeremiah, Elphaba takes a stand against the powers-that-be. While others fear the Wizard’s might, she “defies gravity,” trusting in a higher calling to defend those who cannot defend themselves.
- Film Clip (Optional): “Defying Gravity” performance.
Spiritually, it echoes the invitation to trust God’s higher calling above earthly powers. Like Elijah outrunning chariots (1 Kings 18) or Peter stepping out of the boat (Matthew 14), stepping into God’s purposes (your God-given calling) can feel both terrifying and exhilarating. Elphaba’s leap of faith here, while misunderstood by many, is a reminder that obeying a higher truth sometimes means walking alone—or flying alone.
What about us? Are there times when doing the right thing might lead to misunderstanding or isolation? Wicked captures that vulnerable moment of deciding whom we serve and whether we’ll stand firm, even if the world turns away.
Wrapping Things Up
Throughout Wicked: Part 1, we see the lines blur between “good witch” and “wicked witch.” Friendship crosses social boundaries, apparent “wonderfulness” proves deceptive, and a so-called outcast becomes the truer champion of justice.
As people of faith, we are called to look deeper, to love more broadly, and to stand for truth even when it seems the world is against us.
May we learn from David and Jonathan that real friendship can unify us across differences. May we learn from Matthew 25 that true worth is revealed in how we treat “the least of these.” And may we learn from Jeremiah’s bold example to “defy gravity” when God calls us to speak truth—even to the powerful.
In so doing, we might just discover that those labeled “wicked” aren’t always what they seem, and the humble might shine with God’s glory when the world insists they remain in the shadows.
