Difference between revisions of "Sermon for June 1st, 2014"
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Until he looks up and sees his pupil, Luke Skywalker, watching him from a distance. Luke had only been Obiwan's student for a short period of time. Luke had struggled with his lessons, struggled with learning the ways of the Jedi and struggled to understand and master the use of the Force, which his teacher (Obiwan) had described as "an energy field created by all living things that surrounds us, penetrates us, and binds the galaxy together." As a student, Luke just wasn't quite getting it. | Until he looks up and sees his pupil, Luke Skywalker, watching him from a distance. Luke had only been Obiwan's student for a short period of time. Luke had struggled with his lessons, struggled with learning the ways of the Jedi and struggled to understand and master the use of the Force, which his teacher (Obiwan) had described as "an energy field created by all living things that surrounds us, penetrates us, and binds the galaxy together." As a student, Luke just wasn't quite getting it. | ||
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| + | And so, in that dramatic moment, where Obiwan looks up from the intensity of his combat to see his student watching him from a distance, the old Jedi master does something strange, something unexpected: He smiles cryptically, and lowers his lightsaber, allowing his enemy (Darth Vader) to strike him down. | ||
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| + | Luke Skywalker, witnessing the death of his teacher, cries out in surprise and grief, but there is nothing he can do. Obiwan's body has vanished and Luke is dragged away by his friends as they escape from the Death Star. | ||
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| + | Those of you who are familiar with the Star Wars movies, however, know that this is not the end of Obiwan Kenobi. Not quite. Instead of a physical presence in Luke's life, he becomes a spiritual presence: Luke hears his voice in times of desperate need, reminding him to "use the force" and guiding him in a way that could never have been possible while he lived. With Obiwan's death, Luke finally begins to internalize and live into the teachings of his master. | ||
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| + | Obiwan Kenobi is, of course, a fictional character, although I suspect he is one quite familiar to everyone here under the age of 50. My next story, my next character is not fictional at all, and I suspect that some of you here today over the age of 50 actually knew him. Some of you knew him well. | ||
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| + | The Rev. George W. Burroughs, or "Bill Burroughs" as he prefered to be called, was the pastor of this church for 13 years--from | ||
Revision as of 13:43, 31 May 2014
Luke 24:44-53
44Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you— that everything written about me in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled.” 45Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, 46and he said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, 47and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48You are witnesses of these things. 49And see, I am sending upon you what my Father promised; so stay here in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”
50Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and, lifting up his hands, he blessed them. 51While he was blessing them, he withdrew from them and was carried up into heaven. 52And they worshiped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy; 53and they were continually in the temple blessing God.
Jesus, Obiwan Kenobi & Rev. Bill Burroughs
Today's sermon centers around three different stories of three very different men: One who lived 2,000 years ago, one who lived 50 years ago, and one who lived a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away.
We'll start with the last one. A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away is the classic opening line of all the Star Wars movies, and so the first story is one many of you are probably familiar with. Incidentally, in case any of you are wondering about the theological validity of using Star Wars references in a sermon, yesterday while I was sitting in Kinley's coffee house writing this very sermon, writing about Star Wars, the theme to the Star Wars movies began playing on the coffee shop speakers. Clearly, I took this as an affirmative sign from God.
In Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope (or as my generation refers to it, the real "first" Star Wars movie) there is a scene where the young hero, Luke Skywalker, watches from across the hangar of the Death Star as his teacher and mentor, Obiwan Kenobi is engaged in a lightsaber duel to the death with the evil Sith Lord, Darth Vader. Despite Obiwan Kenobi's advanced age, he appears to be evenly matched with his opponent, and is certainly holding his own in the fight.
Until he looks up and sees his pupil, Luke Skywalker, watching him from a distance. Luke had only been Obiwan's student for a short period of time. Luke had struggled with his lessons, struggled with learning the ways of the Jedi and struggled to understand and master the use of the Force, which his teacher (Obiwan) had described as "an energy field created by all living things that surrounds us, penetrates us, and binds the galaxy together." As a student, Luke just wasn't quite getting it.
And so, in that dramatic moment, where Obiwan looks up from the intensity of his combat to see his student watching him from a distance, the old Jedi master does something strange, something unexpected: He smiles cryptically, and lowers his lightsaber, allowing his enemy (Darth Vader) to strike him down.
Luke Skywalker, witnessing the death of his teacher, cries out in surprise and grief, but there is nothing he can do. Obiwan's body has vanished and Luke is dragged away by his friends as they escape from the Death Star.
Those of you who are familiar with the Star Wars movies, however, know that this is not the end of Obiwan Kenobi. Not quite. Instead of a physical presence in Luke's life, he becomes a spiritual presence: Luke hears his voice in times of desperate need, reminding him to "use the force" and guiding him in a way that could never have been possible while he lived. With Obiwan's death, Luke finally begins to internalize and live into the teachings of his master.
Obiwan Kenobi is, of course, a fictional character, although I suspect he is one quite familiar to everyone here under the age of 50. My next story, my next character is not fictional at all, and I suspect that some of you here today over the age of 50 actually knew him. Some of you knew him well.
The Rev. George W. Burroughs, or "Bill Burroughs" as he prefered to be called, was the pastor of this church for 13 years--from
