Yesterday we talked about scapegoats – in the cultural sense of the word – someone to blame when things go wrong. The Bible talks about scapegoats too – only in a little different sense. The book of Leviticus (16:20-22) tells us that God provided a means to alleviate guilt and shame, by giving the Israelites a ritual. Every year, the priests were to take a goat, lay hands on it, and confess over it all the sins of the community. The goat was then set free into the wild. The community was free from the burden of carrying around past wrongs, regret, and shame.

Some people carry their past, their guilt, their shame around with them like a ton of bricks. It gets heavy and it weighs down their lives. This is sad. Today, we don’t need a scapegoat. We are free to confess our failures directly to God, and God has promised us forgiveness and new life.

In the first letter of John, he reminds us, “If we say we are without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. But, if we confess our sins, God who is merciful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

Friends, I invite you to hear and believe the good news.

Let us pray: The words of Psalm 139 come to mind again, “Search me, O God and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and then, lead me in the way everlasting.”

We confess our sins before you, this day, O God. Trusting that you are good, that you are gracious, merciful, and forgiving.  Take away the shame. Take away the guilt. Help us to accept that we are forgiven – and lead us to new life; through the power of the Risen Christ who died and was raised for us. Amen.

Today’s message was written by Rev. Dr. Roger Kunkel, founder of Dial Hope.

Listen to this profound epitaph found on an English gravestone: “What I kept, I lost. What I spent, I had. What I gave, I have.”

Friend of Dial Hope, as you well know, the art of keeping isn’t all bad. There will always be secrets to keep, treasures to store, memories to hold tightly. But some of us keep compulsively; we keep, keep, keep. We are hoarders. Although we keep actual objects, we lose the joy of possession. In spending, we no longer withhold or hide something. This epitaph closes by reminding us that when we leave life, we only have what we gave and shared in love and trust. And this is one of life’s most difficult lessons to learn. Yet learn it you must, if you want a full life. When our lives come to the end, we will realize that we are the sum of our gifts – gifts of joy, gifts of time, gifts of dissent, gifts of comfort – all our gifts. We are not the sum of our possessions. We are not the sum of our accomplishments. We are finally the sum of our gifts. The persons I most respect are givers and not takers. Let’s hear it for generosity and gratitude.

Let us pray: Extravagant God, you have given the ultimate gift, the gift of your Son, Jesus Christ. We thank you for the gift of friendship with Jesus. Now help us to embrace each day as a gift, something sacred and special; a day to play with children, visit an older person, hug a friend; a day to do something generous and kind. Surprise us now with your joy and grace in unexpected places. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Several years ago now, I remember helping some friends clean up after Hurricane Irma swept through North East Florida. It was heartbreaking to go back into the same homes that had been flooded by Hurricane Matthew just the year before. We removed wet drywall and soggy insulation, carried out appliances that had been floating, and collected personal items destroyed by the water.  The same neighborhoods once again looked like war zones, and the exhaustion was easily read on my friend’s faces.

And yet at the same time, it was moving to me to see neighbors coming together. Church groups offering to cut down limbs and help carry heavy items. Strangers handing out water and food. Others stopping by to lend a hand. It just reminded me that even amid devastation and suffering we can find beauty, strength, and goodness.  We saw much of the same thing in the early stages of this pandemic – neighbors looking out for neighbors… Churches looking out for strangers… And it gave me great hope.

One of my favorite Psalms is Psalm 46. In that Psalm we read:

God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change,
though the mountains fall into the heart of the sea;

Let us pray: We thank you, O God, that even during the storm, we can see your love at work. We pray today for all of those affected by the recent hurricanes – and especially those who have been affected deeply by this on-going pandemic. We lift to you those who have lost friends and loved ones, and for others who lost jobs. Be near to all who are suffering and hurting today.  We also pray for first responders, for police officers, for doctors and nurses, for churches and other organizations who come to bring aide; and for all the women and men who risk their health and even their lives to save and care for others. May they know our gratitude and your grace.  We ask all of this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Zig Ziglar once told a story about an old man who many years ago stood on a Virginia riverbank. He was waiting to cross the river and, since it was bitterly cold and there were no bridges, he would have to catch a ride to the other side. After a long wait, he spotted a group of horsemen approaching. He let the first one pass, then the second, third, fourth, and fifth. One rider remained. As he came close, the old man looked him in the eye and said, “Sir, would you give me a ride across the river?”

The rider immediately responded, “Certainly.” Once across the river, the old man slid to the ground. “Sir,” the rider said before leaving. “I could not help but notice that you permitted all the other men to pass without asking for a ride. Then, when I drew abreast, you immediately asked me to carry you across. I am curious as to why you didn’t ask them and you did ask me.” The old man responded, “I looked into their eyes and could see no love and knew in my own heart it would be useless to ask for a ride. But when I looked into your eyes, I saw compassion, love, and the willingness to help. I knew you would be glad to give me a ride across the river.”

The rider was touched. “I’m grateful for what you are saying,” he said. “I appreciate it very much.” With that, the rider, who just so happened to be Thomas Jefferson, turned and rode off to the White House.

Following this story, Ziglar asked this question: “If you had been the last rider, would the old man have asked you for a ride?”

I hope people see love and compassion in my eyes – and in yours. Many have in fact said that the eyes are windows into our souls. We know our souls are healthy when they are filled with love and compassion and a willingness to help.

Let us pray: Loving God, I pray today especially for those who are feeling depressed or who are carrying heavy burdens. I lift up all who are struggling to feel love and compassion even for themselves. Fill us again this day with your love, mercy, and hope. Bring healing into our souls and set us free again to be bearers of your grace; through Jesus Christ. Amen.