March 16, 2025, Lent 2
Luke 13:31-35
Introduction
There is so much to love about this story. In a lot of ways it reminds me of those childhood conflicts and grievances you’d have at school, on the playground. Think of Ralphie, Flick, and Swartz at the school flagpole in the movie, “A Christmas Story.” Schwartz declared a tongue will freeze to a frozen flagpole, and Flick tells him he is full of it. A back-and-forth argument and nuance of phrasing ensues, complete with deflections and avoidances, culminating in the forever iconic, slight breach of etiquette, declaration of the sinister “Triple-Dog-Dare.” So, syeah, this passage kind of reminds me of all that—except for one teeny tiny, yet incredibly important piece…
In today’s Gospel story, Jesus has absolute clarity about what is true and absolute clarity about who he is and the task before him. Jesus has absolute clarity about his choices. And Jesus has absolute clarity when facing Herod, that nothing—not even Herod himself—will ever stop him from follow God’s call and direction.
Move 1
Last week, Jesus was led into the wilderness, and faced adversarial temptations after adversarial temptation, struggling with them, but guided through them by God’s Holy Spirit, leading him to gain understanding of who he was and clarity about what he was to do. And now, in this text, we see all that work, all those struggles to get through that adversarial temptation, on display for all to see, through the clarity Jesus emphatically and prophetic declares when he is told, “Hey man, you better get outta here, cuz Herod is gonna beat the crap out of you!” To which he says, “Go and tell that fox for me, ‘Listen, I am casting out demons and performing cures today and tomorrow, and on the third day I finish my work.” That pronouncement, that seemingly “triple-dog-dare you” declaration “Go tell that fox for me…” is a clarity that began as Jesus struggled with himself in the wilderness and is now rooted, firmly in his mind, heart, and spirit.
When Jesus faces the threat of Herod, and when he faces Herod himself, this clarity to call and purpose and belief and faith guides Jesus along the path forward, in every way he needs.
Move 2
What would it be like if we lived with that kind of clarity? What if we brought that kind of clarity to our relationships, our conflicts, our decisions, our work, our faith? What if we engaged the world with that kind of clarity? Jesus is on his way to Jerusalem when Pharisees stop him on the road and say, “Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you.” And to these threats, these warnings—to Herod himself, “Go and tell that fox for me…” Jesus, defiantly faithful, says, ‘Listen, I am casting out demons and performing cures today and tomorrow, and on the third day I finish my work.’”
There is no second guessing, no fence straddling, no deflecting. There is only clarity. Jesus doesn’t defend or explain himself. And any potential consequences of the work he is going to do, is no consequence to him. He has committed himself to “casting out demons and performing cures.” He has “set his face to go to Jerusalem.”
And all is with absolute clarity.
And I’m not talking about the kind of clarity that gives rise to arrogance, single-mindedness, an unwillingness to listen to others, or the self-assurance of always being right. I’m talking about the kind of clarity that gives rise to integrity, dignity, justice, and a vision of life that is connected to something larger than, and beyond, ourselves.
I’m talking about the kind of clarity that fosters honesty and authenticity, fortifies our commitment and resolve to treat others as we want to be treated, enables us to see beyond our own self-interest, and gives us the strength to face Herod.
That’s the kind of clarity I want in my life. That’s the kind of clarity I want because what do you imagine our lives and world would be like if we lived with that kind of clarity? It would change our relationships; it would change how we treat each other and ourselves; it would change the way we pray, our priorities, what we do, the decisions we make, and it would change how we see others. It would enlarge our world, deepen our lives, and open our eyes, ears, and hearts to each other in ways we have never imagined.
No, clarity won’t eliminate all our fears, but I believe having clarity about who we are and whose we are, will show us that when we take the risk, following God’s call will strengthen us to move past anything we fear.
Move 3
So if this is the clarity we desire for our lives, what keeps us from achieving that clarity? Because I don’t think it’s a matter of needing more information or intelligence. I think it’s a matter of facing the “Herod” in our lives. Because the “Herod” in our lives is the cataracts on our clarity, they are what clouds our clarity. Which means the “Herod” in our lives is…the illusion that someone else is in charge of, and responsible for, our life. Herod is… the institutions to which we give unquestioning loyalty even after they have betrayed us. Herod is… the belief there is some authority out there that knows more and better than us, and if we can just find it we’ll find the answers to our lives and the solutions to our problems. Herod is… the archaic fears, primal wounds, or chronic guilt that determines and drives our lives. Herod is… the old messages we won’t let go of, fight against, or try to heal from. Herod is… the part in us that just wants to make others happy, gain approval, and meet expectations. Herod is… the ways in which we are passive, indifferent, or unwilling to show up to our own life. Herod is… the stuck places in our life where we do the same old things over and over but nothing ever changes. Herod is… all the ways in which we avoid ourselves, turn away from our life, and refuse to take responsibility for ourselves.
The “Herod” in my life—and maybe in yours too— distorts my seeing, and causes me to lose my clarity. And when I lose my clarity, I lose myself. The world is big and I am not. The world is powerful and I am not. I feel overwhelmed and powerless. I get stuck and begin to believe there’s nothing I can do.
Some true to life examples of this kind of struggle for clarity today could include: the ongoing war in Ukraine and the ongoing debate and struggle of immigration.
The Russian invasion of Ukraine shocked all of us, and we wanted to help but we didn’t know how—and we still don’t know how. How many of us have felt powerless to make a difference? How many of us have felt guilty when we complain about our life or problems and then look at what the people of Ukraine are going through?
Same with immigration—How many of us want and believe safe boarders are needed? And how many of us empathize with the men, women, and children seeking out safety, food, housing, education, or just a dignified human existence.
I’ve struggled with these truths and realities, and I know you have too—they are Herod who everyone says should be feared. But what if our struggle isn’t about Herod, but rather about our lack of clarity? A lack of clarity about who we are, whose we are, and what we have been called to do?
Move 4
Clarity isn’t about knowing and seeing everything. Having clarity doesn’t mean we have all the answers.
Clarity, rather, is about knowing and seeing ourselves, knowing our own heart, our deepest loyalties, and our core values. Clarity is about seeing clearly our gifts and abilities, and at the same time acknowledging our limitations—but then not using our limitations as an excuse not to act, but rather as a reminder that we are never on our own. Clarity is about knowing as followers of Christ, loving God and loving our neighbor are our commands, they are requirements for following Christ.
When we can gain that kind of clarity, we find more of ourselves, we find direction for our life, and choices before us. And when we gain that clarity, we know what God would have us do. We sit in silence holding the fear and pain of Ukraine, of refugees, of immigrants, of our country in our hearts and prayers. We support organizations and ministries that reach out to the Ukrainian people, offer aid to refugees, and advocate for the dignity of immigrants. We have compassion for ordinary Russian citizens who are bearing the brunt of the world’s sanctions. We have empathy for those who are forced to live in fear for their life and their family’s lives. We pray for hearts to soften, for God’s voice to be heard, we pray for peace. We invite others into clarity. And we live with hope that the dimness of the struggle will never overcome the light.
Having clarity means we know the world is hurting, knowing the struggle is real, and that all of us are in it. Having clarity means that no matter what Herod we face, the ways of Christ will always show us the way through.
Conclusion
Every Herod in my life has been a thief—taking my freedom, power, and ability to see Christ’s path forward. Every Herod has tried to own my life, demanding my heart, my deepest loyalties, and my integrity. Every Herod has tried to get me to betray and harm myself—all of which ripples out and impacts every aspect of my life. But that’s not how I want to live. And I know that’s not how you want to live, or how we want this church to live.
So let’s ask ourselves…
What are the words of clarity we need to hear? What are the words of clarity you want your Herod to hear? Who or what in your life today needs your clarity? And who or what are the Herods you need to confront?
Answer these questions, and we will find the kind of clarity that empowers us to say, “Go and tell that fox… Listen,…” Amen.
Pastoral Prayer, March 16, 2025
“Return, O my soul, to your rest, for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you.” Holy God these words of your Psalmist speak so eloquently to the prayers of our hearts for they speak exactly what it is we need—for our souls to be able to rest in the grace and peace of knowing you have come to each of us, and blessed us with your bountiful promise that you know us by name, you know our needs and have tended to them; you know our sins and have forgiven them; you call us your own and sent your son so that we would know your grace, compassion, hope, and everlasting love through his birth, life, ministry, death, and resurrection.
All these gifts, all these precious blessings are from your bounty, and we give you thanks. All these gifts, all these precious blessings give us exactly what Jesus had—absolute clarity of your vision, your call, and your ways.
He knew them, and saw them with perfect focus, and lived and spoke and acted from that clarity.
But we admit, our vision gets clouded—clouded by the grayness of this world, clouded by the conflict and the divisiveness from so many different voices; clouded by the fear that runs so rampant.
Remind us Holy God, as we continue to traverse through this holy season of Lent, that the wilderness wandering we are making is the same path you put Jesus on, so he could know your ways and truth, find himself, and find your clarity. Guide us along this same path, so we too can push past the temptations, lies, deceit, and fear, and gain the clarity you will always bountifully provide—a clarity that gives us the ability to speak without fear and act out of grace, compassion, and love.
We ask that you would listen, as we seek clarity from you, by sharing the prayers of our hearts, in this time of Holy Silence.
All this we pray in the name of the one who leads us along your path, with the greatest of clarity, Jesus the Christ, who taught us to pray, saying, “Our…”