Mark 8:31-38, The Tyranny of Self, James Sledge March 8, 2009
The young couple beams as they bring their infant daughter up to the front of the sanctuary for her baptism. Proud grandparents and other relatives are smiling broadly as they watch from their pew right up front. And much to the pastor’s dismay, flashes fire from digital cameras that these relatives pull out of purses and pockets.
As the Sacrament of Baptism begins, the pastor asks the parents if they want their child baptized and then asks, “Relying on God’s grace, do you promise to live the Christian faith, and to teach that faith to your child?” The congregation also promises to do its part in helping the child learn to follow Jesus.
Next, the parents and congregation reclaim their own faith as they say Jesus is Lord and Savior, promise to be his faithful disciples, and then repeat the words of the Apostles’ Creed. And finally, the pastor takes their young daughter and baptizes her as the flashes from the grandparents’ pew once again go off. It is a happy, festive moment. There are smiles all around as the service ends, as members come up to speak to the parents and admire the lovely child.
The baptism of a child is one of those wonderful events that most everyone likes. There’s the cute factor. If a lot of family members attend it helps the attendance for that Sunday. It makes long-time members feel good about the congregation to see young children being raised in the church. But I’ve never been sure if very many folks grasp what is going on, if they realize what just happened.
Now it makes perfect sense that even people who are only vaguely religious want to have their children baptized. If you have some sort of Christian faith, well who wouldn’t want to associate their child with that faith and with Jesus. Surely there is some benefit to it, to name the child as somehow belonging to Jesus and God.
But what of all those promises made at baptism, promises by both parents and congregation to live out the faith and teach it to the child?
Like vows said at weddings, promises made at baptisms are usually uttered with every intention of honoring them. The problem usually isn’t intent. It is rather a lack of understanding, not realizing the effort it may take, not comprehending the sacrifices involved.
And so as the years roll on and the now seven year old girl who was baptized announces that she no longer wants to attend church but would rather play Sunday soccer, her parents, who hope their child will be a person of faith, acquiesce. And in congregations, members who would like to see young children grow up to understand and live the faith have busy lives. And they just don’t have time right now to teach Sunday School or work with the children or youth.
I suspect that Peter, and the other original disciples would understand. After all they have answered Jesus’ call, have promised to follow him. Just moments before our reading, Peter has made his own confession of faith, announcing boldly to Jesus, “You are the Messiah.” Like parents and members at a baptism, Peter has proudly proclaimed his faith, his belief that Jesus is God’s anointed one. He fully intends to follow Jesus, but then Jesus goes and messes everything up by explaining what that actually means.
Jesus starts to talk about suffering and crosses and it is just too much for Peter. This can’t be right. This isn’t what Messiahs do. Jesus, what are you talking about? Jesus, this cannot be. It must not be.
It’s easy to sympathize with Peter. He had found the one Israel had awaited for centuries, the one promised by prophets. Peter was one of only a handful who realized who Jesus was. He had to have been proud of himself for being one of the first to come to Jesus. And he had to be excited about what was about to happen. God’s promised glory had come. God’s kingdom was drawing near. All would be set right. All would be well.
So imagine what a slap in the face it must have been for Peter to hear Jesus say, “The Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed…” Jesus goes on to say “and after three days rise again,” but I doubt Peter even heard that. He was too stunned by the talk of suffering and death.
Peter tries to straighten Jesus out, to explain to him what a Messiah is supposed to do, but for his trouble Jesus publicly calls him Satan, the tempter, the one who seeks to twist and distort God’s plans. And then Jesus makes clear what Peter had probably already guessed. If the Messiah is supposed to suffer, then his followers should expect no less. Jesus makes sure everyone hears this. He speaks it to the disciples and the crowds. “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.”
I’ve heard Jesus’ words about denying self most of my life, so often that they have become a stock-in-trade phrase with little meaning. But why would anyone want to deny self? Isn’t self who we are, our individuality? Self is what makes me like motorcycles, what makes me prefer red wine over white, rock music over country, dark chocolate over milk. Self is what makes that seven year old girl want to play soccer, what differentiates her from other little girls, making her unique and special. Why would we want to deny that?
The self is a wonderful thing, but there is a problem with it. The self is convinced that it knows best. The things I prefer are better than the things you prefer. Much of the partisan rancor in our country comes from this, this notion that my choices or ideas are good and other people’s are bad, stupid, misinformed, or misguided. Racism and prejudice are products of the self. In fact, as wonderful a gift as self is, unrestrained, it becomes our master and we its slaves. And Jesus insists that if we are to follow him to the full and abundant life God wishes for us, we must break free from this tyranny of self and trust that he can show us a better way.
Today we baptize a young child, and we will once again hear those questions about living and teaching the faith, about being faithful disciples. I’ve heard these questions and answered these questions many times. I want to follow Jesus. I want to be his disciple. But for me, I guess the real question is whether or not I will let Jesus show me what that means.
All praise and glory to the one who comes to us to show us the way.
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