JOHN UPTON from the

President

Interruptions and the

Power of a Word

I am keeping a record of the most interesting ways worship services have been interrupted. I remember the day a bird flew down from a window in the sanctuary right into the fan and feathers flew down onto the communion table as I stood there about to break the bread. The bird, by the way, survived. In Taiwan I was speaking and a curious listener drove into the sanctuary on his motorcycle and left it running while he listened to the message. A common interruption in worship all around the world is the cell phone. On some days, it has become a form of choir as the phones ring in chorus. One Sunday I gave in and sang “Ain’t Nothing but a Hound Dog” as that tune rang out from someone’s phone. Others joined me in the chorus. Recently a woman fell into the aisle in the middle of the message. I ran down to check on her to see if she needed medical help. Turns out she was, in her words, “slain in the Lord.” I wasn’t accustomed to that happening during my preaching. My favorite interruption was when a big yellow dog came trotting down the center aisle toward me as I gave the invitation. I’m pleased to report that others followed his lead. Anyone who leads in worship is acquainted with interrupted worship. Even Jesus was acquainted with interruptions. It happened the first time, according to scripture, he preached in a service. His listeners were impressed. They said his words had a striking authority about them. It happened right in the middle of his sermon. Somebody went berserk, shrieking at Jesus, “What do you want with us? Have you come to destroy us?” I was curious as to how Jesus handled that interruption. All Jesus said was “Stop it.” And the man convulsed, got up, and all was well. I’m sure that ended the worship service. It would be difficult to imagine Jesus saying “Now, where was I?” after that. Or, the Rabbi jumping up saying, “Now, let’s all sing hymn number . . . .” No, the people just filed out, reflecting on what just happened, “What’s this, a new teaching with authority? He commands even the demons.” We don’t talk about the authority of Jesus much anymore. I suppose the reason is because the word authority is unpopular for many persons. It seems we would rather question authority or resist authority. Yet, in the presence of Jesus we stand in the presence of deep and authentic authority, profound moral and spiritual authority, the authority of absolute love. Have we forgotten the basic authority that lies in the word of Jesus? Do we take Jesus in stride? Do we just give him a hearing within the larger conversation of our lives? He gets a voice but there just happens to be many other voices, too. Jesus says, “Love your enemies.” We think those are good words but then we listen to see if anyone else has another word to say. He says, “Repent and believe.” Well, that is good news, but let’s discuss that. He says, “Follow me.” Yes, but should we have a discussion to talk about why bad things happen to good people? We live in a cultural jamboree where we mingle our way through the easy exchanges of ideas. That is good. But when it comes down to the living of our lives, the disposition of our hearts and the commitment of our wills, it becomes just dialogue and discussion. There are points at which all our discussing and considering has to end. There are certain subjects where Jesus’ word is enough. When Jesus says the word “forgiven,” that should be enough. Who are we to keep beating ourselves and holding on to our shame? Jesus says, “Forgive each other.” How is it we, his followers, are still so smug and unforgiving? He says, “Believe, believe the good news.” Why don’t we give it a chance? He says, “Feed the hungry, love the enemy, welcome the stranger, seek the lost, don’t stop praying, make disciples for me.” Why isn’t that enough?

Interruptions in our worship services are like the ones in our lives. We need a word to settle them. We need a word of authority. Here is good news; the “Word” was made flesh. The Word still speaks to change the world. Let us be commanded by him and obedient to the one whose word is the authority of absolute love and transformation.

JULY/SEPTEMBER 2014

31