Focus Scriptures: 1 Corinthians 9:16-23 and Mark 1:29-39
February 4, 2024 – 5th Sunday after Epiphany
Just One More
Our Christian faith is one of action. God expects us to do
God’s work. God works in us, among us, and through us. Christianity requires
effort.
Both the 1 Corinthians and Mark scriptures this morning feature
a driving force: the motivation to fulfill the mission for which one was
created. Jesus is explicit: “That is what I came out to do” (v.38). Paul’s
message is similar, as it should be: “I do it all for the sake of the gospel so
that I might become a partner in it” (v.23).
This statement from Paul is the conclusion to the text we just heard. It concludes his explanation that he will become as a Jew for the Jews, a Gentile for the Gentiles. In this description of Paul’s work, we see that he is willing to meet people wherever they are physically and spiritually to bring them to Christ. He wants to save some.
God inspires us to action if we listen. In the early days of
the church, there was a sense of urgency that was intense. (Can we get back to
that? I think we can!) Those who knew Jesus in the flesh wanted to share the
Good News with all. They were so convinced that this Good News was vital for
all to hear that they would take whatever risks were necessary to do it. Travel
by ship to faraway places, face harassment from the religious establishment,
and even face persecution and elimination by the government. Whatever it took
to save one more, they would do it. Certainly, Jesus set that example for us
all, including Paul.
Don’t we see this in other places in life? This idea of just
one more brought me to an historical, 20th century example in the
life and actions of Medal of Honor winner PFC Desmond Doss. If you saw the
movie Hacksaw Ridge, you are familiar with the story. (The film features
lots of battle sequence gore, so be careful if you have not seen it.)
Doss was a Seventh Day Adventist and pacifist who insisted
on serving in the Army in World War II. He did not have to do it as he had a
draft exemption by working in the defense industry, but he felt called to enlist.
Though he refused to pick up a weapon, he would do whatever he could to save
lives as a combat medic.
In a ferocious battle at Okinawa, Doss rushed into harm’s
way to save as many soldiers as he could, often working alone, the only medic
on this horrific battlefield. In the end, he rescued 75 soldiers, lowering them
with a rope sling from the top of cliff to safety. Doss himself was injured,
too, and was thought lost. As a matter of fact, the Army reported his death to
his family. But he survived. Imagine the relief the Doss family felt when they
received his letter.
In October 1945, Doss was brought to Washington, DC,
underwent surgery to repair his arm that had been shattered by a bullet, and
was awarded the Medal of Honor by President Truman.
If you saw the movie, you might recall Doss saying
repeatedly, “Just one more.” To be accurate, he reportedly prayed, “Dear God,
let me get just one more man.” Doss was following the example set by his
Savior, our Savior, Jesus Christ. He repeatedly acted in a way that could have
– maybe should have, from the perspective of probability – led to his death.
I share this story not to glorify war. Instead, we are
considering it because it is a powerful example of the urgency we can feel when
serving God. I believe that when Doss died at the age of 87 in 2006, he went on
to be rewarded by much more than the Medal of Honor, as special as that is.
Surely, he heard the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
The Doss story is inspiring, to be sure, but I will acknowledge
something: stories like his can sometimes be so incredible, so astounding, that
we think, “I could never do anything like that.” And that is, hopefully, true.
Who among us would want to be in a situation in which that kind of heroism
would even be possible?
Just as important, though, is what God wants from us and
what God is doing in and through us even today. As we go about our lives here
in Shelton, God is not placing Hacksaw Ridge scenarios in front of us, but God
is placing plenty of opportunities to serve in our paths.
In our Wesleyan tradition, we discuss, consider, and perform
acts of mercy. Feeding the hungry and working to help all is central to what we
do as Christians. Review Matthew chapter 25 to refresh yourself on Jesus’s
expectations.
But there is much more. Doss wanted to save one more
soldier, to save one more life. Paul wanted to save one more, too, by
connecting with them, living the gospel, and sharing the faith of Christ. Jesus
was on a mission to save us all. And God still works with that primary mission.
This brings us back to that sense of urgency. After 2,000
years, it is easy to fall into complacency, even hopelessness. John Wesley saw
this in England in the 18th century. Most people did not go to
church. They had no faith connection, no community. They worked endlessly,
numbed the pain and misery with alcohol, lived in hunger and squalor, and died
young. Wesley’s Methodism, accountability to and caring for each other in small
groups inspired by the hope of the Gospel, made a huge, practical difference in
the lives of many.
God will work through you, too, if you will listen and let
it happen. When there is someone in need, act. When there is someone placed in
front of you who needs a listening ear and some encouragement, be that person. And
when the time is right, share your faith.
With urgency, the continual thought of “just one more,” and
Jesus’s comment that “this is what I came to do” to inspire and move us, we
also can find the energy of Paul. Pray, watch, listen, act. And stay with it, though the road is long. When you do, be
prepared to hear it yourself: “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
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You are welcome to join the congregation of First United
Methodist Church of Shelton (CT) in person or online at 10 AM Eastern Time any
and every Sunday. Services are streamed live, and past services are recorded.
The church's web address is www.UMCShelton.org.
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Questions? Comments? Feel free to post your thoughts. Please
keep it civil. Peace to you, and thanks for reading. - Bill Florin
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Photo Credit: Maksim Shutov on Unsplash
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