I heard Desmond Tutu speak once about being faithful in the midst of apartheid – and, what he spoke about was the “joy” of serving God in community with others in the struggle. Everyone was astonished – he spoke not of the suffering, so much, but of joy – and it was evident in his words and in his body!

I think of all the images of the Sunday after the earthquake in Haiti, worship services in the streets, by the side of churches that had been destroyed, in camps for the homeless. The power of praise, and song, and touching God, and even joy, in the midst of all that sorrow and pain.

I think of the story of MCC that gets repeated over and over – people who felt like they had no right to God, who had believed the lies that God couldn’t love us or use us. Sunday, at my home church, an 18 year old soldier was there, her grandmother brought her to church because she needed to connect to her faith. Her fundamentalist father had rejected her.  There was sadness all over her face, but, hope, as she was embraced by other young people in MCC, and older ones like me as well. Joy, joy, in discovery. In hearing the Bible new, with new ears and eyes, weeping and joy together. Do not grieve, all is not lost. The Word of God is for you, the joy of God is your strength, and you will need strength.

Psalm 19 rhapsodizes on the “perfection” of the law, of its power and beauty. The commands for justice, to love ones neighbor as oneself. What is your favorite law or command? “Love one another as I have loved you . . .” “Do not stand by the blood of your neighbor,” perhaps. Or, maybe it is a story. Mine is usually the story of the Prodigal in Luke 15. So much packed in that parable. Perfection, grace, redemption, love.

Luke 4: 14- 21, Jesus’ first sermon. Jesus, who as a 12 year old was already in love with the law, with God, with God’s word. It was like honey to him, and yet it also burned in him. Jesus came to re-interpret that law, and to even shape a “new” law and new commandment, of love and grace. Still a young man, he quotes Isaiah 61, saying that the “Spirit of the Lord is upon” him. And that the prophets words are fulfilled in their hearing, in little Nazareth. When they try to dote on him,  he doesn’t let them try to get away with trivializing him or his message. He is speaking revolution, good news for the poor, those who are blind, oppressed, in prison. He tells them that they never listen to their prophets, and that they are not listening now. The older folks, the ones in power, who have comfortable positions, who invited him to speak, are furious. He is challenging them, asking them to repent, to open their hearts, to allow themselves to have their hearts broken and healed.

But, they will have none of it. Jesus’ vocation as prophet and Messiah in the making is almost shortcut as their tea-party rage becomes murderous. Throw him off the cliff! Don’t tell us we need to change!  Who does he think he is?

Peterson’s The Message says, “but he gave them the slip and was on his way.”

Indeed, on his way to healing, preaching, miracles, disciple-making, a cross and an empty tomb. And, into our Body, the Body of Christ.

May the joy of God be your strength, today, as you are on your way.   Amen.