Brent Kuhlman

+ Jesu Juva +

Bishop James diagnoses a problem in the early church.  The problem is how the Good Friday-ed and baptized treat each other.  Do you think the problem died in the first century?

Listen carefully again to verse 7:  “Are they not the ones who are slandering the noble name of him to whom you belong?”   Name of him to whom you belong.  The beautiful and wondrous name put on you.

Bishop James puts you in mind of your Baptism.  Where the Name of God was placed on you.  Not just on you.  But everybody here in this congregation.

Jesus showed no discrimination.  Showed no partiality.  Died for you and for all.  Forgave all your sin.  No matter what your skin color, nationality, or size of your bank accounts.  No matter what you’ve done.  Or what you haven’t done.

He proved His love for you at Calvary in your Baptism.  Buried you with Him into His death.  Sealed you with His Holy Spirit.  Watered and worded His Name on you.  You’re His.  His beloved brothers and sisters.

But why do you act like your not died for?  Like you’re not even baptized?  “What do you mean Bishop James?”

Look, when you’re at church, you discriminate.  You judge.  You show partiality.  Mr. Warren Buffet walks in.
Immaculately dressed.  Check out that Armani suit and Italian silk tie! Did you see the ring on his finger?  I’ll bet that cost more than our entire church budget.  Wow!  “Welcome Mr. Buffet sir!  How wonderful to see you!  Please take the best seat.  Maybe you can give us a little investment advice after the service.” 

And then in comes Mr. White Trash.  Skinny.  Gaunt.  Faded and ripped bib overalls.  Tattooed arms, shoulders, and neck.  Greasy hands.  Gross fingernails.  Rotting teeth.  Five o’clock shadow.  Messy long hair.  He reaks!  And look at those boots.  You can see his toes!  “Ushers!  Bounce Mr. White Trash to the coatroom.  Hopefully, no one will see him.  Or smell him.  Especially Mr. Buffet.  Hopefully no one will find out that he’s been here.  How embarrassing!”

We just know that God loves Mr. Buffet.  Look at how successful he is.  But Mr. White Trash -- somewhere along the line he must have really blown it with God.  No wonder he has nothing.  Mr. White Trash won’t be any help with the budget.  He’s a loser.

“So, Mr. White Trash, sure wish you well.  Don’t take this personally.  Be warmed and well fed.  Now get out of our face.   Mr. Buffet needs me to shine his shoes and light his cigarette.” 

Both are baptized. Both bear Christ’s Name.  But each are treated differently.  The fat cats get the royal treatment.  The alley cats ... well, you know.

When you treat your fellow redeemed and baptized as garbage, you’re garbaging someone else.  You’re trashing not just the fellow Christian, but Jesus Himself.  When you deal with Mr. White Trash as someone not worth bothering about, you’re doing the same to Jesus.  As Jesus Himself said:  what we do to each other He receives as done to Him.  Jesus is where He puts His Name.  He’s in all the baptized who bear His Name.

When a congregation lives and acts like they’ve thrown out their Baptisms -- when their actions deny their faith in Jesus who died for them and blaspheme the Name He put on each one of them – what’s a pastor or a bishop like James to do with such people?

Rail on the Richie Riches?  Thunder from the pulpit against our dead faith?

Is that what Bishop James does?  No, he simply reminds you of who you are in, with, and under Christ Jesus.

Carrying on like you’ve never been baptized?  Don’t be so foolish.  You are baptized.  Died for.  Redeemed.  You all bear Christ’s Name.  He feeds you with His Body and Blood.  So be who you are.  Treat each other as such.  And as you do, you can depend on Jesus who died for you and who put His Name on you.

In the Name of Jesus.  Amen.