Jeremiah 23:1-8 · The Righteous Branch
Conversion to Christ
Jeremiah 23:1-8
Sermon
by Richard Gribble
Loading...

Once upon a time there was a beautiful garden that was owned by an ugly and unfriendly Giant. This was truly a lovely spot -- the flowers bloomed in abundance, the peach trees always seemed to have their springtime blossoms, and the birds sang sweetly in the trees. Each day after school, children came and played in the Giant's garden.

One day the Giant, who had been away visiting his friend the Cornish Ogre for seven years, returned to his home and garden. He grew angry when he observed the children playing in his garden. "This is my garden," he shouted. The children ran in fear. Immediately the Giant hung a sign which read, "Trespassers will be prosecuted!" and then hurriedly built a wall around his garden. Now the children had no place to play. They tried to play in the street, but they found it was too dangerous. The Giant was selfish; he was not open to the beauty the children brought.

Meanwhile spring came to the land, but not to the Giant's garden. The birds did not come to sing and the trees refused to blossom. One flower popped its head above the earth, but when it read the sign and observed no children in the garden, it slipped back beneath the ground. The snow and frost were the only ones who were happy about this situation. "Spring has forgotten this place!" they exclaimed. The snow covered the ground and the frost painted the trees silver. The Giant could not understand why spring had not come to his garden; he was confused. The spring came and went to the land, but not to the Giant's garden. Summer passed and autumn came, but the garden remained in winter.

One day the Giant awoke to the sweet song of a bird. He looked out the window and beheld a beautiful site. Children had crawled through a small opening in the garden and were playing. The trees were in their autumn glory, the flowers were in bloom, and the birds were flying around the garden as they sang. There was one small corner of the garden which was shrouded in winter. In the corner a little boy was trying to climb a tree but he was unable to due to his small stature. The Giant bounded down the steps and ran into the garden. The children were initially afraid and ran in fear, but they returned when they saw the Giant had a smile of his face. He walked across the garden to the little boy, picked him up, and placed him on the branch of a tree. Instantly the tree blossomed and birds sang in its branches. The child was overjoyed and hugged and kissed the Giant. "I have been so selfish," the Giant said. "Now I know why spring never came to my garden."

From that time forward the children played each day in the garden. The Giant loved all the children, but especially the little boy, because the child had kissed him. But although the children came daily, the little boy did not return. Over many years the Giant grew old and feeble, but the little boy never returned to the garden. One spring day the Giant awoke and looked out his window. There was the little boy. He hurried downstairs as fast as he was able and walked to the boy who stood in the garden. But when the Giant came close to the boy he grew angry. The boy's palms were red with nail marks in them, and so too were his feet. "Who has done this?" asked the Giant. "I will slay him." "No," said the boy, "these are wounds of love." "Who are you?" asked the Giant. The child only responded, "Years ago you allowed me to play in your garden. Today I will take you to my garden in paradise." That afternoon when the children came to play in the garden they found the Giant lying dead all covered with white blossoms.

Oscar Wilde's classic tale, "The Selfish Giant," shows how Christ can convert the hearts of all, even those who appear to be oriented away from God and the betterment of God's people. As the Church year draws to a close and we look forward to a new season of grace in Advent, it is appropriate to take time to reflect on our lives, to judge how our words and actions have been seen, heard, and interpreted by others. How badly we all need the conversion which only Christ can bring. We need Christ the King.

The concept of conversion to a new way of life is illustrated well in today's First Lesson from the prophet Jeremiah. Writing to the Hebrews during their fifty-year exile in Babylon, the prophet wants the people to know that despite their pain, possible humiliation, and uncertainty about the future, God is and always has been with them. God is not blind to the sins of those whose actions have led the people of Judah astray, culminating in their exile. Jeremiah says that God will punish those responsible for Israel's fall. The Lord knows that not all are responsible; God can distinguish between the shepherds, Israel's religious leaders, and the sheep. It is the leaders who have provided poor witness and example. It is their sins of commission and omission that have landed the nation in exile.

Once the Lord has attended to those responsible for the downfall of the nation, he will bring conversion and restoration to the faithful of the land. We hear that God will gather the remnant of the flock, that is the faithful of Judah, and return them to their homeland. The people will be able to rebuild their lives through the renewal of their families and appointing new leaders to guide them. Those in exile should have no fear nor live in dismay, for there will come a day when God will raise up from the branch of David one who will reign as king. This king will deal wisely with people and will execute justice and righteousness in the land. Judah will be saved and the people will live in security.

While scripture scholars debate the symbolism of the prophet's message we can surely recognize in today's First Lesson a missive of hope for us who have been brought to its height and fulfillment in Christ. The conversion and restoration needed by the Hebrews in exile is just as badly needed by the Christian community today. We can have absolute confidence that as Yahweh walked with his chosen people, so Christ, our brother, friend, and Lord is with us at every moment. During his public ministry Jesus demonstrated numerous times his desire to restore people to wholeness. The Gospels recount how he raised to life Lazarus (John 11:1-44), the widow of Naim's son (Luke 7:11-17), and Jairus' daughter (Luke 5:21-24, 35-43). Numerous times Jesus cured the physical ailments of those who sought his healing touch: the ten lepers (Luke 17:11-19), Bartimaeus, the blind man (Mark 10:46-52), and many cases of paralytics (Matthew 9:2-8, Mark 2:1-12, Luke 5:17-26). Jesus was also the one who restored hope and dignity to those in despair. He converted the heart of the Samaritan woman at Jacob's well (John 4:1-42) and forgave the woman accused of having committed adultery (John 8:1-11). Even on the cross, Jesus was ready and willing to listen and bring conversion to the thief who asked his assistance (Luke 23:39-43).

Traditionally in our society, when a calendar year ends, we make some resolutions. As Christians we should do similarly with the onset of a new liturgical year. What do we need? The answer will be different for each person. There are, however, a couple of areas that need our common restoration. One is the area of admitting our errors and seeking wholeness. The dramatic effect such an act of humility can have on ourselves and others is illustrated in a popular tale from Native American culture.

One day a twelve-year-old Indian boy died from a snake bite. The poison took away his life and the grieving parents carried his body to the holy man of the village and laid it before him. The three sat around the boy's body for some time. Then the father rose from his seated position, stood over the his son's body, and stretched his hands over the boy's feet and said, "In all my life I have not worked for my family as I should have done." And the poison left the feet of the child. Then the mother rose and stretched her hands over the heart of the child, saying, "In all my life I have not loved my family as I should." And the poison left the heart of the child. Then the holy man stretched out his hands over the boy's head and said, "In all my life I have not believed the words I have spoken." And the poison left the head of the boy. The child rose up, along with the parents and the holy man. The village rejoiced that day. By admitting their faults and omissions the parents and holy man brought new life to the boy. We can bring new life to others if we have the courage to admit our shortcomings.

A second area of common necessity is our need to get involved. Too often opportunities come our way and we, like the priest and Levite in the Parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 11:15-32), simply "pass by," and in the process we often miss the presence of God that passes before us. We need to minister actively to others, to be the Christ present on earth.

Contemporary life brings many challenges and questions that require answers. Because they are tangible, usually straightforward and available, we gravitate toward human solutions. We seek the answers we need from people -- family, friends, politicians, professionals in various fields, and even the clergy. We seek solutions from the material world. Some believe that money or other "things" can satisfy our needs and bring answers to the questions of life. Some as well believe the answers to life's challenges are found in ideas or institutions, whether it be a political or economic understanding or a specific group or permanent institution to which we give our loyalty. In the end, however, all of these solutions -- people, things, or ideas -- are empty; they cannot provide the answers we need. The one true solution to the challenges and questions of contemporary life is Christ. He is the one who can convert hearts and bring us to wholeness. He is the one who brings peace to troubled lives and nations. He is the King who brings those who believe to eternal life.

CSS Publishing Company, Inc., Sundays after Pentecost: Conversion to Christ, by Richard Gribble