Sermon 1/31/21: Nothing to do with us? (Pr. Craig Mueller)

The Fourth Sunday after Epiphany

Mark 1:21-28

January 31, 2021

Pr. Craig Mueller

Nothing to do with us?

I guess we need to deal with the demons. Not that I want to. We believe in science after all. Yet there are a good number of Christians in this country who believe in a supernatural God who is like a super-boyfriend. If you believe in him, you too can work miracles like Jesus did—including casting out demons.

Nothing to do with us--is that our response to demons?

If I do a brain scan for the word “demon,” what comes up for me is the Broadway musical, later made into a movie, Sweeney Todd. Being a huge Stephen Sondheim fan, I can’t resist going there. Let’s talk about something other than the pandemic and politics, right! Of course, the premise of the Sweeney Todd is anything but light and fun. But let’s use the Zoom polling feature. How many of you have seen Sweeny Todd, either live or the movie?

The main character is the “demon barber” of Fleet Street as the opening song states. Sweeney Todd is truly evil. Seeking revenge for a long-held grievance he slits the throats of unsuspecting customers sitting in his barber’s chair for a shave. And then sends them down a shoot to Mrs. Lovett who uses them in meat pies that she sells in her shop!

Oh, but there’s another song, a ballad that conniving Mrs. Lovett sings to someone who is on to her. Nothing’s gonna harm you. Not while I’m around. Demons are prowling everywhere nowadays. I’ll send them howling I don’t care. I’ve got ways.

Now most of us would probably say that evil prowls rampantly in our world. But demons? And exorcisms? I’ve certainly never done an exorcism and there is no Lutheran liturgical exorcism rite!

So: what did Jesus do in his first 100 days of ministry? In Luke Jesus gives us inaugural speech laying out his agenda of proclaiming the good news to the poor. In Matthew Jesus climbs a mountain— like a new Moses—and gives the sermon on the mount. In John Jesus performs his first miracle and turns water in wine.

And in Mark? Mark is earthier, more primitive. Demons are busy and active, prowling around like beasts. Consider today’s gospel a journey halfway around the world and back two millennia.

Now Jesus is possessed by the Holy Spirit. But the man with the unclean spirit in today’s gospel is possessed by a demon. With his condition he shouldn’t be in the synagogue. Sure enough, he causes a commotion. He’s lost his voice. It’s the demon speaking. The demons know who Jesus is even if no one else does. And so the demon blurts out of the man: what have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth?

What do we blurt out when we are threatened by fear, when we resist change, when a prophet comes among us, speaking with authority, speaking the truth we do not want to hear?

Do ancient texts like this have anything to do with us? Many of us progressive Christians act as if we don’t really need God, that we’ve got things under control, thank you very much. What do demons have to do with us? What do you have to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? What do you have to do with the insurmountable problems of this country?

In his inauguration speech our president said it is time to end this grim era of demonization. It is time to put away the harsh rhetoric, lower the temperature, and see each other not as enemies, he said. But with such different news and social media feeds, everyone is hearing the story differently with a completely opposite spin. We are possessed by such an absolute certainty of being right that not even the events of January 6 can change the minds of those who believe in conspiracy theories.

Nothing to do with us? Maybe demons are prowling around in the things that seem beyond our control these days. The pandemic. Racial unrest. Unemployment. Negativity and mean-spiritedness. The spread of untruths and lies. Concern for self over the common good.

Of course, we sometimes speak of the personal demons we each deal with. For some it is an addiction that can spiral out of control. Or mental health issues and scary times when we wonder if we will be able to make it to the other side. Or our inability to believe that things can ever get better. The demon that tempts us to give up, either defeated and helpless, or bitter and angry.

Some reporters noted that during the capitol siege there was something scary in the eyes of the rioters. What possessed them? Maybe it isn’t demon possession, but most of us have felt possessed at times. By anger or lust or power or fear or self-doubt.

Tennessee Williams once said, If I lose my demons, I’d lose my angels. Maybe naming the demons is the beginning of healing. And opening us up to a power greater than ourselves.

Jesus sends the powers of evil reeling. He brings freedom, life and light and healing, in the words of our gathering hymn. Awesome! Everybody is falling all over Jesus in today’s gospel. He speaks with authority not like their religious leaders. Jesus is the hot new ticket in town. But soon, in Mark, others will think he is out of his mind. That he is the one with the demon. What does that have to do with us? Maybe we shouldn’t be surprised that any religious or political leader can be praised by one person and denounced by another!

After the commotion in the synagogue, Jesus silences the unclean spirits.  Often he orders everyone to keep silent about it. We, the reader in Mark know who Jesus is. But most people don’t. It isn’t until the silence is broken at the godforsaken cross. There the centurion finally makes the confession of faith that Jesus is the Son of God. Is that a clue to our demon dilemma?

Or to put the question from the gospel on our lips: what do you have to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth.

Everything! At the cross—in suffering—God is revealed! When the demons of injustice try to silence the good news, Jesus comes. When the demons of fear take possession of us, Jesus heals. When the demons of apathy and anger and aggression seize us, Jesus brings peace and reconciliation. When we convulse and resist the new thing that will set us free, Jesus speaks with authority, calling you to become more than you ever imagined.

And reminding you of God’s promise to you in baptism—slightly rephrasing words from Sweeney Todd: demons are prowling everywhere, but nothing’s gonna harm you, not while I’m around. Not while God is with you.

Demons or not, may this life-giving Spirit possess you!