Difference between revisions of "Sermon for February 9th, 2025"

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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 and Toto appear. 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.

As a young woman, 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. 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 receives an invitation to visit the Wonderful Wizard of Oz in the Emerald City--the realization of her lifelong dream. She asks Glinda to join her, and the two friends set off for the Emerald City, where amidst all the glamor and grandeur, they make difficult and life-changing discoveries about Oz, it's wonderful wizard, and themselves.

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 model for understanding who is “wicked” and who is “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--or rather, his failure to act on behalf of the vulnerable--reveals him to be truly wicked.

The movie's great twist--that the wonderful may in fact be wicked, and the so-called wicked may 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. 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 (and Power)

When Elphaba finally meets the Wizard, she begins to put together the pieces of a sinister puzzle. In the following clip, she confronts her lifelong hero:

• Film Clip #4 - Truth to Power (2:09:28)

In our passage from Jeremiah, God tells the prophet to go confront the king with this message: "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."

This is the role of all prophets in the Old Testament--not to predict the future but to speak truth to power, to remind those in authority that God demands they act justly and compassionately, protecting those who cannot protect themselves.

Like Jeremiah, Elphaba defies the unjust powers of her land, calling them to account. In doing this, she loses the acceptance and favor she has longed for, but she finds her voice, her true calling. And when she takes takes that "leap of faith," she also discovers her ability to "defy gravity."

• Film Clip #5 - Defying Gravity (2:26:24)

Wrapping Things Up

This is the last entry in our Faith and Film series--at least until next year. Through all our films this year, we've seen the recurring theme of personal transformation (what our faith calls conversion, sanctification, growing into the person God created and called you to be). We've seen several films struggle with the question of Good and Evil--how to recognize each one, and how to choose wisely between them. We've seen Christ types, Anti-Christ types, and characters whose story arcs remind us of Biblical heroes who wrestled with the same issues thousands of years ago. Through it all, I hope we've been reminded that--like the characters in our films and in our scriptures--our choices, our values, and our beliefs matter. They create profound consequences, and profound hope for our lives and the lives of those in our community.

Throughout the history of humanity, we have always loved a good story. Jesus knew this--that's why he taught his disciples in parables. But the greatest story of all is the one our heavenly author, our divine director, our all-powerful producer continues to create today. It's a story of love on a cosmic scale, of a God who made us, who made a world for us to call our home. A God who wrote his own son into the story like a hero, to rescue us from ourselves at our worst, and inspire us through love and sacrifice to be our best. That story is so engrained within all human beings, that we can't help but reflect it on every page of every story we tell, in every scene and every shot.

If you look for it, you'll see it. If you seek it out, you will find it. And like all the characters in all of our films this year, your life--your story--will never be the same again. So keep watching. Keep seeking. Keep loving. Keep growing. And don't forget the popcorn!