Broken Relationships: Last Sunday's Sermon

The Readings



Old Testament
2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12b-19


David again gathered all the chosen men of Israel, thirty thousand. David and all the people with him set out and went from Baale-judah, to bring up from there the ark of God, which is called by the name of the Lord of hosts who is enthroned on the cherubim. They carried the ark of God on a new cart, and brought it out of the house of Abinadab, which was on the hill. Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, were driving the new cart with the ark of God; and Ahio went in front of the ark. David and all the house of Israel were dancing before the Lord with all their might, with songs and lyres and harps and tambourines and castanets and cymbals.

So David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obed-edom to the city of David with rejoicing; and when those who bore the ark of the Lord had gone six paces, he sacrificed an ox and a fatling. David danced before the Lord with all his might; David was girded with a linen ephod. So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the Lord with shouting, and with the sound of the trumpet.

As the ark of the Lord came into the city of David, Michal daughter of Saul looked out of the window, and saw King David leaping and dancing before the Lord; and she despised him in her heart.

They brought in the ark of the Lord, and set it in its place, inside the tent that David had pitched for it; and David offered burnt offerings and offerings of well-being before the Lord. When David had finished offering the burnt offerings and the offerings of well-being, he blessed the people in the name of the Lord of hosts, and distributed food among all the people, the whole multitude of Israel, both men and women, to each a cake of bread, a portion of meat, and a cake of raisins. Then all the people went back to their homes.

Mark 6:14-29

King Herod heard of Jesus and his disciples, for Jesus’ name had become known. Some were saying, “John the baptizer has been raised from the dead; and for this reason these powers are at work in him.” But others said, “It is Elijah.” And others said, “It is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old.” But when Herod heard of it, he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has been raised.”

For Herod himself had sent men who arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, because Herod had married her. For John had been telling Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” And Herodias had a grudge against him, and wanted to kill him. But she could not, for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he protected him. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed; and yet he liked to listen to him. But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his courtiers and officers and for the leaders of Galilee. When his daughter Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests; and the king said to the girl, “Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will give it.” And he solemnly swore to her, “Whatever you ask me, I will give you, even half of my kingdom.” She went out and said to her mother, “What should I ask for?” She replied, “The head of John the baptizer.” Immediately she rushed back to the king and requested, “I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.” The king was deeply grieved; yet out of regard for his oaths and for the guests, he did not want to refuse her. Immediately the king sent a soldier of the guard with orders to bring John’s head. He went and beheaded him in the prison, brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl. Then the girl gave it to her mother. When his disciples heard about it, they came and took his body, and laid it in a tomb.

The Sermon

Relationships

In the old testament reading and the gospel reading we hear about families that are unhealthy in many ways. David is chastised by his wife Michal for dancing in the streets ahead of the procession of the arc of the covenant. Later in this reading she says his actions are unbecoming of someone who is king. Actually, Michal more than chastised him. Our reading says she despised him. Those are pretty strong words to use when you are talking about someone you are married to.

In the new testament reading King Herod (Antipas) makes a commitment he does not want to keep but in order to keep peace in the family John the Baptist loses his head. In both of these stories there is a lot of hatred. Michal hates David and Herodias hates John the Baptist and manipulates Herod into having him killed.

What are we supposed to learn from these two readings. Maybe the main lesson is that working on building healthy relationships is far more important than wealth or power or fame or revenge. It is how we love and live with each other that makes life worth living.

So how do we do that? It is not just our actions that are important. It is true that what we do in life is important. What we think before we act is even more important. People often open doors for me because I use a cane to navigate in life and it is much appreciated. But, what is going on inside of the person's head to open that door for me. Is the person thinking, “people expect me to open doors for the handicapped so I had better do it because someone important may be watching.” Or is the person thinking, “this person will have a difficult time opening this door so I will help him out.”

I would like to think and I do believe that most people are thinking the latter rather than the former.

My point is that motives make all the difference when it comes to relationships. It is being “other” oriented that builds healthy relationships. Relationships built on love are strong and they endure. The same goes for our spiritual relationship with God. Time was when a lot more people came to services on a Sunday but many came because they felt obligated to do so. It was not about love of God but it was about 'what will others think of me if I don't go.'

It is what is in your heart that counts.

Our relationship with God will go stronger as we offer up our love to him. God will open up that door of love for us as well.

a platter, and gave it to the girl. Then the girl gave it to her mother. When his disciples heard about it, they came and took his body, and laid it in a tomb.