Out our Way:

Mark 9: 32-37

  Out our way, we sometimes think that next to sheep, cows are the dumbest critters on earth. I recall a round up in which we were driving a goodly sized herd into the holding pen and things were going smooth enough - until two cows tried to go through at the same time and momentarily got stuck. Kicking, bellowing and pushing at each other, neither could move an inch. One of the Hutterite helpers inside the pen came over and smacked one cow on the nose so she backed up a bit and then the other one jumped forward, nearly knocking the poor guy down. But everybody got in. 

Later, we all admitted we had not often seen that sort of thing before because, as dumb as they are, cows usually have better sense. If two hit the gate at the same time, one always backs off enough to allow the other to get through and then follows. They seem to understand there is plenty of room for all - and a little patience and forbearance will keep things moving. Maybe in some ways cows are smarter than people!

In the text for this week, Jesus discovered the disciples mumbling and grumbling at each other as they walked along and asked what the problem was. Well, turns out they were arguing about who was the greatest and most important disciple. Like those cows, they were kicking and shoving and bawling at the gate of the Kingdom, blocking each other from getting in. And Jesus, like that Hutterite fellow, had to smack them on the nose, saying, "If anyone wants to be first he must be willing to be the last. The greatest disciple is the one who is willing to serve everyone else."

Then he took up a small child and held him close.

"Whoever would put a little child like this ahead of himself  serves me - and in this he is serving God."

Love - not pride - opens the way to heaven. Humility will open the gate of the Kingdom far quicker and more surely than power and force of will. Over and over again, Christ taught these things - reminding His followers that the repentant sinner is far closer to God than the haughty and smug, proud church-goer who thinks he or she is already perfect. Indeed, as some have noted, it is far more common for those who proclaim themselves to be the holy, righteous and elect of God who end up blocking the gate.

  We have all known people like that who seem to think the doors of the Church should be locked and bolted on Sunday morning lest the "unworthy" might enter in. And we have also heard of whole congregations and even denominations which refuse to associate with other believers, off in their own corner being "right" instead of being righteous.

There is a story told of John Wesley - founder of the Methodist Church - who had a dream in which he stood at the gates of heaven and was welcomed by Peter himself. He inquired if there were any Roman Catholics in heaven and was told there were not. He asked about Presbyterians and again was told there were none. The same was true of the Baptists and Lutherans. "How about Methodists?" "No, Mr. Wesley - there are no Methodists here either."

"Well then, who pray tell IS in heaven," Wesley asked. "Why Christians, Mr. Wesley ... just Christians."

I hope at the "last round up" I get through the gate - and if I find someone else going through at the same time, I will have the sense of most cows and wait my turn instead of insisting I should go first. I don't want Christ to have to come down and smack me on the nose!

--

John Bruington is pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Havre.